A king's decree is law, but a king's word is fate.
The Weight of a Crown
As a first step to the coronation, I took out the box Des had given me.It contained bone masks—eleven to be exact. Des, Alice, and Mica's masks were in there, and he also added the ones I had given Alex and Rolo.
I spent the morning painting my crest on each of their foreheads, including my own. I wasn't as skilled at it as Rolo, but Luna had made me stencils. The paint seemed to have dried, so I relaxed. I have a bad habit of leaving everything to the last minute. I put the bracelets Luna gave me next to the masks and sighed.
The evening was slowly turning into night, and everyone was leaving to get ready for the ceremony. Crimson had decided to crown me at midnight sharp. There was a knock at my door, and I was surprised by the familiar smells.
"Hey there," Zack kicked the door in, his mood cheery. "Did you like the mess I made?"
I nodded, and he flashed me an ear-to-ear smile. Titania followed solemnly.
"What are you doing here?" I asked curiously.
"Oh, just my sister giving you your coronation gift first, because it wouldn't make sense to give it afterward," Zack smiled. "And I just came to say hello before the ceremony."
I looked at Titania and raised an eyebrow curiously. She sighed deeply, as if annoyed by the gesture. (In hindsight, I might have reminded her of Alistair.) As she stepped up to me, I stood.
Face to face, Titania looked more attractive and much more dangerous. She was almost as tall as I was, her shapely form covered in a combination of lush veils and metallic protection typical of the fae, making her look quite like the warrior goddesses of old myths revered by humans. She held a silver hairpin in her palm and held it out to me.
"It has been passed down in our family for centuries," she began in her velvety voice. "It was Alistair's crown jewel."
My lips parted in shock, and for a moment I forgot to breathe. Alistair's crown jewel—and Titania wants to give it to me. I touched the cold silver carefully, almost hesitantly, in an uncharacteristic way, and shuddered at the mere sight of it.
"Thank you," I breathed, and the queen of the fae nodded, bored.
After handing over the jewel, she left in silence and haste. Zack waved, still pleased, and followed. I thought it was time for me to get ready.
I stood on an expensive Persian rug, the intricate patterns under my feet adding to the room's opulence. On the glass table, incense burners shaped like magic lanterns from fairy tales emitted an intoxicating smoke.
Coronation ceremonies are typically one of those things I can't stand. First, there's the crowd. And second, the whole affair is boring as hell. I was busy putting the finishing touches on my clothes when the door opened without a knock.
Mazen quietly entered and closed it behind him. He looked me over with widened eyes. No, my coronation dress really didn't suit me.
The shirt was made of a richly decorated fabric with floral motifs, its pearlescent color appealing to the eye. It seemed so airy and ephemeral that one hesitated to touch it lest it dissolve into nothingness between one's fingers. It took me about an hour of fiddling before I managed to get the silver vambraces on. My trousers were made of a tight, black fabric and disappeared into silver-plated boots.
"It's beautiful," Mazen remarked. "Not as ostentatious as the fae's fashion, but a true reflection of them, while still respecting the vampires' conventions. You've combined the two brilliantly. It suits you."
"Well, I have my doubts about that," I grimaced.
"As long as you don't speak or grimace, it's fine," he said absently, and I grinned.
I hid my usual cross behind my shirt, only then did Mazen notice. He looked at me questioningly and I just sighed.
"At first, I bought it to remind me that I wasn't human," I said to the unspoken question. "Now it reminds me that I am, even if just partly."
Mazen left it at that. I was trying to get the annoying lace cravat around my neck, but it was nowhere near the way I wanted it to look. After a while, Mazen got fed up and decided to help me.
"It's done," he announced.
He took a few steps back, picked up the unusually long, midnight-black cloak, and, in one swift motion, draped it over my shoulders, then fastened the delicately decorated silver clasp. Next, I had the ear clips pinned on.
Zack was all for piercing my ears, but I didn't like the idea. I told him it would heal before I put earrings in, so he ended up getting me some clips. They looked like long, stretched teardrop-shaped silver rods. Zack told me I needed two for the right side and one for the left. This also had some symbolic meaning in the fae culture, which Zack gave an impromptu lecture on, and I just ignored.
After that, I picked up a black jar from the table and stood in front of the mirror again. I looked down at the top: the jar contained some red goo, its texture somewhere between powder and liquid foundation. Coffee had made it according to her father's instructions. It required a lot of ingredients, most of which I didn't even know by name, but at least there was no blood or human viscera among them.
According to Crimson, vampires usually use it to write various marks on the skin for their rituals. Of course, Luna—eyes twinkling—offered to do my make-up in the fae's custom, but I passed. I wanted to do this myself to reflect my heritage.
I dipped my thumb into the red paint, then closed my eyes and ran my fingers from the middle to the end of my eyelids. I repeated this for my other eye, then dipped my finger in again and drew a moon crescent on my forehead. Finally, I wiped my hand with a rag.
The last step came. I took out the ornate hairpin that Elster wore at his coronation ceremony. I looked at it for a moment, then returned my gaze to the mirror. Behind me, a little further away, Mazen's figure looked back at me.
"Can you grow my hair?" I asked.
"How long do you want it?"
"Shoulder length will do," I said.
Mazen didn't even need a magic spell, and my hair was down to my collarbone in a flash. It fell in my face and felt terribly weird. I sighed deeply and revealed my true form to the mirror. My hair now glistened silver.
I grabbed a few strands that had fallen across my forehead and clipped them back with the precious jewel. The hairpin consisted of two parts: a richly decorated silver plate, which required a pin to be pierced through both edges to secure it, and then twisted to keep it in place.
I looked in the mirror. The slim, broad-shouldered, silver-haired guy didn't even look like me. I seriously looked like some fucked-up aristocrat. I grimaced at my reflection—the figure looking back looked more familiar like this. It was time to grace the other four kings with my dazzling persona if they were so eager to organize a welcome party for me.
"Shall we go?" asked Mazen.
I nodded and handed him my prepared box. I had chosen Mazen to accompany me for a reason—I wanted to show everyone that I considered him an important member of my famiglia.
Rolo will be offended for sure. He would have put up with Alex, but now he's bound to throw a tantrum after the ceremony. I think Alex will get the message immediately, and even if it bothers him that he's not the one standing next to me, he won't say a word.
I put on the white bone mask covering my face.
Mazen opened the door for me with one hand and let me pass. He was thinking hard about something, but he didn't say a word as we walked through the long, silent corridors.
Mazen must have been wondering if in on his coronation, the entry would have been the other way around. He would have walked in front, his back arched, his posture noble and his face commanding respect from everyone. Behind him would have been me, like a well-behaved and respectful subject.
In reality, however, it was the other way around, and this might or might not have offended him a little. I sighed, took him by the arm, and pulled him next to me, forcefully but not roughly. I glanced at Mazen's stunned face and pulled my lips into a mischievous half-smile, which he couldn't see but he could hear in my voice:
"Don't you remember what I said? There will never be room for you behind me."
The dark mage laughed. For the first and perhaps the last time, I heard him laugh so merrily and so exuberantly.
"You're a fool," he remarked, but there was still a small curve at the corner of his mouth.
We paused for a moment in front of the huge double-leaf ebony door. I could hear the low whispers and excited murmurs in the room. Familiar and unfamiliar scents wafted into my nostrils. Essences of my own companions and acquaintances mingled with the troops of kings. A much larger company than I had expected.
"Are you ready?" he said, with a serious look.
"Yes."
He nodded, took hold of the door handle, and opened the door for me. The crowd fell silent as one, and all eyes flickered to me as I entered the room.
A blood-red carpet divided the hall and led to the podium, where the four kings were waiting for me in their more and more dazzling outfits. On either side were rows of rising chairs, with over them galleries. My guests were seated in the first row of chairs, of course. My nervousness seemed to evaporate at the sight of familiar, surprised but most of all encouraging faces.
The corners of my lips twitched at the sight of the many shining, supporting eyes, but I forced myself to stifle my childish joy.
Most of my friends wore suits and evening dresses, but Rolo and Mose draped robes over their shoulders like Lilinette sitting next to them.
Then I raised my head in what I hoped was an arrogant manner, straightened my posture, and, at a calm pace, slowly walked forward to the end of the aisle. My cloak glided along the red carpet with a soft rustle — though it was annoying, vampires have long cloaks.
When I passed people, the whispering started up again and followed me all the way to the end of the path. I felt as if everyone in the hall was scrutinizing me with a very sharp magnifying glass, examining my appearance from head to toe.
Even though I couldn't hear his footsteps, I could feel Mazen's presence behind me — and that was a bit reassuring. He could only come to the edge of the platform, so he stopped there. I stepped up to the kings.
I looked toward the decorated armchairs on which the four kings sat. The stage was lavishly decorated and draped with midnight blue curtains and garlands of white flowers.
Livius wore a purple robe with all sorts of star patterns embroidered on it. He smiled at me with a cheerful twinkle in his eyes. Crimson's clothes were reminiscent of the Baroque period, but he wore more subtle attire and used fewer colors — just red, some white and black. He nodded towards me, seeming to like my dress.
Titania was wearing the same amber fabrics I'd seen earlier, the most luxurious fabrics that looked as beautiful and as voluptuous as my shirt. Her hair was also held together with a silver hairpiece, and seriously, she had so many precious metal accessories in it that her hair almost shone. She paid me only a quick glance, and her face still showed no emotion.
The ruler of the dwarves seemed to prefer simple clothing with shades of dark green. He grinned and nodded.
Crimson stood and stepped up to me from the left side of the podium.
"Kneel, future king, and take the oath before us."
I lowered myself to one knee before him, feeling the suffocating excitement tighten my throat.
"Do you pledge to uphold the rules of your ancestors, to honour them and to walk among us in a dignified manner?" he asked, reciting the first clause of the ancient oath.
"I do," I replied solemnly.
"Do you pledge to never use your power arbitrarily against other kings and to seek peace and balance?" he continued.
"I do," I said.
"Do you pledge to lead your subjects with courage and wisdom, with strength and grace, to bring them victory, to guide them to glory, and to fight with dignity?"
"I do," I repeated.
"Do you swear to uphold the law, to pass judgment without bias, to act with justice and to seek truth?"
"I do," I replied once more.
"I, Silas Mór Blutkaiser, first of this name, ruler of the West and of the vampires, King Crimson, find you fit to rise among us and take your place on your throne. We hereby solemnly present to you, before four hundred witnesses, the last of the First King's coronation relics," he said
The Dwarf King stood and walked up to me presenting me with a box full of magical runes. "Use it wisely."
"I hereby pronounce you king, the sole ruler of all who follow you willingly, the Hueless King," Crimson finished his speech.
I took a deep breath and bowed my head slightly. There was applause and shouts of joy. I looked up and saw my friends cheering. I straightened up and raised my head, feeling the weight of an invisible, hueless crown on my head.
"I present to you, as the place of your reign, the county of Somogy," added Crimson.
"I give you the counties of Baranya and Tolna," said Livius.
"I am truly honored," I began, and they nodded almost simultaneously, "but I cannot accept it."
Both kings were surprised by the refusal, but before the situation could escalate, I continued.
"I do not consider myself worthy of such a generous gift at the moment," I turned to Livius, "but I would gladly accept the city of Pécs instead."
The tiny mage smiled.
I nodded. "Then Pécs will be a neutral city, home to all creatures, be they monsters, mages, or hunters."
I stared at the familiar long-stemmed pipe for a moment, then removed my mask with a nonchalant gesture. The kings' eyes widened in surprise—even Livious was taken aback by the symbol on my forehead—but I turned to the crowd, not caring. I heard some people gasp, and others groan in surprise, but I didn't bother.
"I, Shaytan, a proud member of the House of Roubál, the descendant of vampires, the fae, and humans, sole lord of the city of Pécs, the Hueless King, swear before four hundred witnesses that I will not restrict the rights, freedoms, or established customs of the inhabitants of my city of all races and bloodlines. However, if anyone breaks my laws, I will not let them go unpunished, and I will bring justice to all who come to me."
My voice filled the stunned room almost like a boom.
"My laws are as follows: First, the inhabitants and guests of the city must seek peace. Monsters and mages must not harm innocent humans, but I will give them free rein in their internal conflicts as long as their actions do not disturb the peace. The hunters adhere to their own law of non-violence against harmless monsters and mages, and in return, are given free rein to hunt down monsters or mages who are proven guilty and deal with their internal conflicts."
That was one long first law.
"Secondly, all residents and guests are bound to keep the existence of our world a secret from ordinary people."
But most importantly.
"My third and final rule is my famiglia motto: Do what you want. So residents can enjoy their freedom as long as they do not violate the first two laws."
A stunned silence followed my words, then Alex grinned idiotically and started clapping loudly. I wanted to shake my head, but I just smiled. Idiot.
The room was suddenly filled with an overwhelming roar of applause. Even Rolo clapped his palms together a few times, with a sort of appreciative half-smile on his face, but as soon as he noticed that I was watching him, his smile turned wry. He mouthed something like, "Your Majesty."
With noble simplicity, I stepped down from the platform and turned to Mazen. He shook his head in disapproval and muttered something about why I had to make a parody of my coronation, but he did as I said.
I held up my hand to stop the applause that still wouldn't die down. Everyone stopped immediately.
"Now, I would like to name the members of my court," I began, "All those whose names I call, come forth."
Des jumped out of his skin. He thought I'd call him first.
"Alex," I called him with a wink. "Come forth."
"I'm appointing Alex as my first Diplomatic Liaison and Honorary Royal Food Commissioner," I declared.
It took very little not to laugh when he heard the second title.
"Do you accept this role?"
He nodded as I reached into the box Mazen held in her hand.
"Receive my gifts then," I said, as I pulled out the black leather bracelet with a gleaming metallic replica of my coat of arms and fastened it on his hand. Then I handed over the bone mask. I thought he was about to cry with emotion. I patted his shoulder.
"Next," I began and Des was already fidgeting. "Rolo."
The kid jumped up and almost ran to Alex. He pulled himself up proudly and looked up at me with sparkling eyes. Yes, it must be one of the best moments of his life. Here he is, in front of four hundred people, in the spotlight, waiting to be honoured by the King — but all I could think was, let's have a little fun!
"Rolo, you are hereby appointed as Master of Magic and Thievery," he shook his head with a smile. "and of course, my most honored Research Commissioner."
I also picked out his gifts from the rest. The black band of his bracelet was braided.
"It is an honour, Your Majesty," he scoffed, but I could see the gratitude in his eyes.
"The third of my court," Des could tell that if I didn't call him now, he would jump up and draw his sword in front of everyone here. I took pity on him. "Des."
Des jumped up and ran to Rolo's side. He was still a little angry that I hadn't called him first, but he was more excited.
"Des," I began, and he looked at me with a look so touched I have never seen him before, "I hereby appoint you as my Hunting Relations Liaison Officer."
He couldn't decide whether to pout his lips or laugh maniacally. Eventually, he was stuck between the two and just grinned.
"Receive my gifts," I said, and with his decorated mask, I handed him a dark brown leather bracelet with a delicately decorated strap.
"Alice next," I said, and he stepped up to Des with a solid smile on his face.
"I appoint you my honorary Court Seer," I announced, and he received the spitting replica of the bracelet on Des's wrist. Hm, Luna has done a good job indeed.
"Next, Mica," I announced.
The vampire stood up and approached with unhurried steps.
"You are hereby promoted to Honorary Official of the Hunters' Organisation and Royal Ambassador," I added, handing him his own bracelet. The black leather was imprinted with various symbols used by vampires, and a steel emblem gleamed on it. Mica's mask bore the letter B in the shape of a thunderbolt in the scalloped motif of the crescent moon on his mask
"Thank you," he smiled, and I nodded.
"And now a beautiful lady," I grinned, "Coffee!"
The vampire girl stepped forward with poised elegance.
"My lady, I hereby appoint you Vampire Relations Consul."
A small curve appeared at the corner of her mouth at the name.
"I would be honored if you would accept this," I added, handing her my gifts.
Although the mask probably didn't please her, her eyes widened at the sight of the jewelry. Her gaze darted between the bracelet and me for a moment.
"It's beautiful," she breathed.
Indeed, it is made of the rarest and most precious unpolished moonstones. And among the minerals so precious to magic, there gleamed the coat of arms etched in metal.
"May I?" I asked, and she immediately placed her wrist in my hand. With a gentle movement, I slipped it on.
"Luna," I called to the girl.
She dazzled everyone with her gentle smile.
"I think, my Lady," I smiled, "you would be the most suitable person to be my High Commissioner for Trade at Court. Do you accept?"
"Of course, my King," she nodded and held out her hand, "I was waiting for you to call me."
"Ruben!" The rat looked up in surprise.
He looked confused, and at first, he didn't quite know what to do.
"Come on," I grinned.
He jumped up and shyly stepped over to Luna. He didn't even glance at her tempting cleavage, instead staring at the toe of his shoe. Hey, Ruben, do you like her?
"All right," I nodded and quietly added, "Don't get so nervous. Raise your head proudly and look me in the eye!"
He shyly raised his button eyes at me.
"Much better."
"Well, I hereby make you my Secret Clerk and Informant," I said, "Do you accept?"
He nodded cautiously. "Okay."
I handed him a studded bracelet and the mask. Well, Ruben did cry.
"Relax," I calmed him down, "It's a special occasion, smile instead!"
He smiled and nodded profusely.
"Mose," I called to the boy, who was so nervous he almost fell over his own feet as he reached the podium.
Everyone smiled at this, some in the crowd laughed, and he was embarrassed. This was Unfortunate Mose, in all his misfortunate glory—and despite all his misfortune, I decided to give him the second most noble title in my court.
"Listen to me well," I began solemnly, "I entrust to you a task that can only be given to one of my most extraordinary men, to whom I would entrust my most precious treasures. I have chosen you to be my Enchanter and Treasurer. Do you accept?"
His eyes widened in disbelief, unable to speak for a moment. A stunned silence fell over the room, but if anyone had any objections to my decision, they no longer had the courage to speak up.
Mose nodded slowly. "It's a great honour, thank you."
I put the leather bracelet on his wrist. He was one of the three for whom no mask was made. Not because I didn't want to give one to him, but because the pride and tradition of mages would not allow it to be worn.
"It is the Treasurer's duty to guard the relics of my famiglia," I declared, as I took the ornate box from Mazen and handed it to him.
"I take better care of it than I do my own life!" he assured me.
"I believe you," I nodded.
Alex started clapping again, followed by many others, and Moses blushed at the huge applause.
"Rada!" I shouted as the crowd finally fell silent.
Rada started off with relaxed and springy steps and took his place next to Moses with a senseless smile.
"Rada, my friend, your task also requires a special and unbroken trust from me," I began in a lofty voice. "I thought you would be best suited to the challenge of keeping an eye on the city of Pécs for me. I can't be everywhere, but you have plenty of loyal companions who could easily carry out the task under your leadership. I hereby choose you to be the King's Viceroy. Will you accept this honor?"
"Of course," he grinned.
His bracelet was made of large chains and seemed to please him.
"Szasza and Ábel, come forward," I called, and Ábel rushed to Rada's side. They exchanged a look and a mischievous smile. If I see Ábel with piercings and tattoos, I'm going to chop Rada down, that's for sure. Szasza made his way to the podium with elegant, taut strides — he couldn't deny his fairy ancestry.
"I am appointing Szasza as the King's Chief Healer," I announced, feeling the stinging look the fae gave me at the nickname, "and Ábel will also be given the title once he has completed his studies; until then, he will remain an apprentice."
Ábel was given a chain similar to Rada's, but with curiously twisted links. I gave Szasza a bracelet with a leather strap that looked like a wristwatch.
"In any case, I have another surprise for Ábel," I grinned, and to no one's surprise, I pulled out a long baseball bat despite the apparent size of the box. Ábel's eyes lit up in delight, Rada whistled appreciatively, and the doctor just shook his head in disapproval.
"I think it will do you good service," I said and Ábel nodded and took it with tears in his eyes.
I thought if there weren't four hundred people staring at us, he'd be jumping for joy.
"Finally," I said, taking the box from Mazen, and after taking the last treasure from it, I placed it on the edge of the platform. I stepped in front of the dark mage.
"Your task is momentous and serious, Mazen," I said and hung the pendant on a simple black thread around his neck. "I hereby appoint you My Chief Adviser and Potions-maker."
He bowed slightly but did not answer.
"I hereby proclaim these thirteen persons proud members of my court," I announced solemnly.
Mazen went down on one knee, and the others followed suit a few moments later. Yes, he was the only one who was knowledgeable about coronation ceremonies.
"Here and henceforth, we solemnly pledge to serve as your unwavering shield and sword in all endeavors. We, the thirteen, commit ourselves to unwavering loyalty and dedicate our vows entirely to you. From this day forward until the end of our lives, we shall remain devoted members of your court," said Mazen, and the others readily repeated after him.
"Long may the Hueless King reign."
As the final words of the coronation ceremony echoed through the grand hall, the room erupted into a tumultuous wave of sound and motion. The air buzzed with excitement as the crowd's applause and cheers reached a crescendo.
The walls of the hall seemed to vibrate with the collective energy of the attendees. Noble lords and ladies, dignitaries from far-flung lands, and even those who had merely come to witness the spectacle clapped their hands enthusiastically, their faces alight with smiles and admiration. The rhythmic clapping merged with exuberant shouts and whistles, creating a symphony of celebration.
The once-somber atmosphere was now charged with a palpable sense of joy and triumph. Streamers and confetti, carefully prepared for this very moment, began to cascade from the high, vaulted ceiling, fluttering down like a shower of silver snowflakes.
In the center of it all, I stood tall and regal, a proud smile playing on my lips as I acknowledged the crowd. My gaze swept over the sea of faces, taking in the waves of applause and the expressions of those around me. Around me, my newly appointed court members basked in the shared sense of accomplishment and our new beginning.
And so the ceremony ended.
"Lilinette," I called to her.
The room fell dead silent again, and the air filled with tension. She was a little surprised too, but she stood up and walked over to me.
"My lady, I have a gift for you," I said with a smile. "To solidify our business relationship."
Lilinette raised an eyebrow but nodded. I put the bracelet of emeralds on her wrist. My skin almost burned and tingled where it touched hers. Mazen rolled his eyes, and I chuckled.
Lilinette, with her new bracelet gleaming on her wrist, exchanged smiles and nods with those nearby, her surprise at the gesture clear but well-received.
The room was a flurry of movement and sound. Servants in elegant attire moved swiftly among the guests, offering trays of champagne and delicacies, further adding to the atmosphere of festivity. The air was filled with the intoxicating mix of laughter, clinking glasses, and the soft strains of a celebratory orchestra that began to play in the background.
"All right," smiled Luna. "Now let's show how the Fifth King parties!"