The room was roaring with applause as Queen Anise greeted the crowd. When the claps died down, she began to speak.
"Thank you everyone for traveling to the capital city of Charoux. Today marks a momentous occasion in which a new king will rise. Though lacking in age and experience, you shall find he makes up for it in heart and his will to serve the fine people of our kingdom."
Fennel looked at his mother as she spoke. Though his thoughts were a nightmare, his outward disposition failed to show it.
With her guidance, he learned to show strength even when none was in his heart. She had taught him that a ruler must appear confident, even when a situation is hopeless.
"My dear son, Fennel Satnuro, will grow and adjust to his new role. Our kingdom will remain prosperous under his rule. I will now step down as your leader, but I will not, as I shall continue to advise him, along with the royal court, during his appointed time as our king. I have served this country alongside King Feliex for many years. May the creator bless our new ruler."
The audience erupted with applause once more, then the room grew silent as Anise turned to her son.
Her warm smile was captivating as she approached him, holding the crown with both hands.
"Fennel, please bow."
Fennel lowered his head. His green eyes traced the patterns on the red carpet below his feet. He hid his hands with his cape, as his fingers were beginning to tremble.
It took only moments for Anise to place the crown on Fennel's head of copper hair. He took a deep breath, then straightened his posture.
The newly crowned King Fennel stared at the audience. He flashed the crowd a smile.
Oliver was breathless as he watched the ceremony. He couldn't take his eyes off of Fennel. In a way, he was starstruck. He couldn't believe he had just spent the night cuddling with the timid feline, who looked anything but shy in his royal robes and flowing cape.
He may have been young, but Fennel was the splitting image of a leader. The way he held himself and the confident smile over his lips, were unlike the man he had spent the past several days watching.
Oliver wondered if Fennel was a fantastic actor who still had fear in his heart, or if something had clicked once he was crowned. The bard felt it may have been a mix of the two ideas.
The crowd grew silent as they watched the king raise his palm, instructing them to silence.
As he turned, the king flipped the cape. He took a seat on the throne.
His green eyes scanned the room before he began to address the people.
"I am honored to be crowned the 18th king of Charoux. As you are all well aware, King Felix was a gracious, hard-working, talented, and caring man, who brought a moment of peace to us. As his only son, I vow to serve you in the same manner as my father. Do not let my age fool you, for I have had the guidance of the very man you revered as the greatest king Chartoux had borne witness to."
Oliver's eyes widened. The voice of the king was proud, booming, and filled the room with a tone a few octaves lower than what he had been used to. He wondered where the new voice had come from.
The aura around Fennel was unmistakable.
The bard sighed. There was definitely no way he would be able to grow closer to him, not with him in the new role and the way he had suddenly changed.
They weren't just worlds apart; they weren't even present in the same universe anymore.
Fennel had become untouchable.
After the short speech, only the members of the royal court and the highest-ranking nobles of the kingdom remained in the room.
They lined up, ready to pledge their allegiance to the new leader.
Fennel's eyes narrowed as he watched Oliver begin to leave. He internally groaned. He didn't understand why the bard was leaving and was now part of his royal court.
"Oliver," Fennel's voice echoed lowly through the throne room. "Line up with the rest, unless you dare turn your back on your king."
Oliver's ears stood up, and his tail flicked to the side. He turned around. To be the first person to be called out by the new king in the throne room was both terrifying and thrilling.
He did what he was told and did his best to suppress a smile.
The first was, of course, the former QueeN Anise. She touched in front of her son, a look of pride on her face as she took his hand and placed a kiss on the back of his hand.
"King Fennel. I shall remain loyal to you until I draw my final breath."
Fennel couldn't help but smile. If he could rely on anyone in the room, it would be her.
The next royal was Duke Louis. He mimicked Anise's actions and gave the king a quick wink. "It has been fascinating to see you grow, my king. I cannot wait to see what the future has in store."
"Thank you, my dear uncle," Fennel whispered.
"I'll always be here if you need me," the Duke smiled, then moved for the next in line.
The court physician, Albert, approached. As he touched him, his thick, black glasses nearly fell from his nose. He readjusted them quickly, then pushed back his blonde ponytail. As he kissed Fennel's hand, he sighed.
"I remember when you had a rash on your bottom as a baby."
"A-Albert," Fennel gasped, his cheeks flushing.
"I knew that would get a rise out of you," the physician smirked, then left to stand to the side with Louis and Anise.
The rest of the nobles followed. Miles, Sasha, and various dukes and douchess' pledged their allegence to the new king.
The second-to-last person to approach was a person he did not recognize. The man had short, raven black hair and hazel eyes. His lips were curled into a devilish grin. As the man crouched, Fennel raised a brow.
"King Fennel, it is an honor," the man said.
"Your name?" Fennel asked.
"King Oscar," the man smirked as he kissed the back of the feline's hand. "I come far from the kingdom of Eldoria."
It was the same kingdom Callie hailed from.
"I see," Fennel sighed. "Are you here for any particular reason? Usually, this part of the ceremony is reserved for loyal members of the kingdom."
"Yes, you caught me," Oscar smirked. "You see, my daughter has come of age, and I seek a proper husband for her."
"Is that so?"
"Perhaps you would extend the offer for a dance with her tonight?"
Fennel didn't particularly wish to dance as the ball, but seeing as a foreign king had appeared before him, it would be rude to deny such a request.
"Certainly."
"Fantastic," Oscar hummed. "I shall see you at the ball, then."
The man stood, then turned around. The copper-haired feline watched as the man walked out of the throne room.
Fennel tapped on the arm of the throne. The encounter had to be something new, as his mother had a look of disgust across her features.
After a moment, Fennel felt a familiar presence crouched down in front of him. His green eyes darted to Oliver, who took no time to press a lingering kiss to the back of his hand.
Then another.
And another.
Even though he sat on the throne, it made him lose his composure. He shifted his position and blushed, bowing his head slightly.
Oliver released Fennel's hand and reached forward to take the opposite one. He performed the same actions. He trailed kisses across the entirety of the back of his hands, down to his fingertips.
"My loyalty to you is unrivaled, my king," Oliver breathed out as his touch lingered against Fennel's fingertips.
"O-Oliver," Fennel stammered.
"I care for you," Oliver said. "I'll always be here for you. I will help make your world beautiful with song."
Fennel was speechless. He had no response. Nobody else would be able to make him feel the way the bard did. If it were anyone else, he would have laughed it off, instead of feeling as if his head were floating in space.
Anise crossed her arms against her chest. "Oliver, that's more than enough."
Oliver stood and bowed to Fennel. He then took a spot next to the other nobles.
It appeared that Fennel had fallen into a trance. The bard had kissed his hands. I'm a sweet yet passionate manner in front of the royal court members.
Perhaps he was dreaming.
He snapped out of it when he heard a light tapping. It was Anise tapping her foot, frustration evident in her posture and movement.
"Thank you for your support," Fennel said. "You are dismissed for a meal. I hope you all attend the ball tonight."
Fennel rose from the throne. He watched as the members left the room. As Oliver left, he waved at the king. It didn't help how flustered he felt.
Jasper took his position next to Fennel. "My King."
"Japser, let's go."
Fennel left the throne room himself and made his way to the dining hall. The seats were filled, except for his.
The new king took his position at the head of the table. The view from his seat was different. He had a view of everyone in front of him.
Even though he were to rule a kingdom, he still couldn't get his mind off the alluring, silver-haired bard.