Although he didn't think it was the best of ideas, Oliver did what the prince had asked. He opened the door to the narrow closet and stepped inside.
It was dark, and there was a little draft inside.
Fennel regained his composure, then answered the door. He was met with Miles' stern face. Though he looked displeased, the man bowed to the copper-eared feline.
"Good morning, your highness," the knight said, then brushed back his graying black hair from his face. "The Queen wishes for me to assist you in getting ready for the coronation today."
"Ah, okay," Fennel nodded. "When shall we begin?"
"We begin now if you would allow me to escort you to your new chambers," he replied.
"The king's chambers?" Fennel asked curiously.
"Yes," Miles confirmed. "From here on out, you will have the duties of the king. Even after hours, you may have work to complete, so we are moving you there. You'll have plenty of space to complete any revisions to decrees or review documents. We hope the space will serve you well."
"Alright," Fennel agreed.
"The robes for the ceremony are already laid out in the king's chambers," Miles informed the prince. "It's a huge occasion, so I'm sure you'd like to dress for it."
Miles gestured toward the door. The prince followed him down the long halls of the palace. When they arrived at the king's chambers, Miles looked down at Fennel.
"We have assigned you a personal royal guard," Miles informed the prince. "He is waiting for you inside. Now, if you'll excuse me."
Fennel watched as the man bowed, then went on his way.
The prince groaned. He hoped that Oliver had found his way out of the closet.
He felt nervous about meeting the new guard, but it shouldn't interfere with much. The personal guard for the king is usually someone close in age, so they may defend him lifelong. Unfortunately, the previous king had passed long before expected, so Miles had many years ahead of him.
The guard usually stayed close to the king but kept his distance. They sleep during the early hours, when threats are least likely and the other guards roam, and usually stay outside the chambers during the night to keep watch. During outings, the assigned guard is always present, to ensure the king stays safe.
Fennel opened the door.
He was shocked by the size of the room, which he was never allowed inside. The only people allowed in the room are the assigned personal guard and the queen. Per protocol, not even the king's children are allowed to enter. Nobody else is to step foot inside unless there is an emergency.
Fennel took in the spacious living and study area, which was connected to a bedroom and a small washroom for bathing.
In the center of the living area stood a tall, green-haired feline, adorned in the royal guard uniform with a large, steel sword sheathed at his side. The man seemed to be around Oliver's age, with green eyes.
"Your majesty," the man bowed. "My name is Jasper Flynn. It's a pleasure to serve you."
"I'm not king yet," Fennel chuckled.
"Still," the man said, straightening his posture. "In a few short hours, you shall be, so I must address you accordingly."
"If you wish."
"The robes and jewelry for the ceremony are in the sleep area," Jasper began, his voice shaky. "D-Do you require assistance?"
"Thank you, Jasper, but if I need assistance, I will request it," Fennel stated as he walked toward the bedroom.
"Yes, my king," Jasper bowed.
Fennel turned his head sideways to look at the man. He seemed to be on edge. The prince offered him a smile. "Please try to relax. I do not wish to rule the kingdom with an iron fist. Please make yourself comfortable in the living area."
Jasper nodded. He seemed a little more relaxed after Fennel's words. The knight took a seat on a plush, red velvet sofa.
Fennel entered the bedroom. He closed the door behind him as he gazed at the gigantic bed in the center of the room. It was covered with the most gorgeous linens he had ever seen. There were tons of pillows at the head of the bed.
The prince couldn't believe that such a large bed existed. He thought an army of people could sleep on it at one time.
The look of it also made him want to crawl into it and go to sleep, but he knew he wouldn't be allowed to do so quite yet.
Maybe being a king had some nice perks, though it also had some annoying ones to go along with the title, such as 24/7 watch over the king's chambers.
Fennel pouted to himself. He wondered if he and Oliver would ever get to lay in the extravagant bed together. His luck, they would not, unless he could get Jasper to keep a secret from the rest of the staff.
The feline looked at the perfectly folded robes, which were on top of a long, wide wooden dresser. He undressed, and then picked up the main component of the outfit.
It was a perfect fit, as it had been custom made by a talented tailor for the measurements of his frame. The robe was red, green and gold, with the lion emblem embroidered on the back. It had a long, silk sash that was tied to the front. The sleeves were wide and flowing, and the neck area was lined with bright white fur.
He also noticed a cape on the top of the dresser. He remembered his father always wearing the cape in the throne room.
He put it on and tied it. He walked a few steps and noticed how it dragged on the ground behind him. It was gaudy, but it was what the king wore, so he would learn to deal with it.
Fennel was just thankful he wasn't required to wear it except when address matters when he was seated on the throne.
Then again, he was the ruler now, so perhaps he could change that. He decided that after the coronation, he would spice things up a little and not wear it.
Oh, how everyone would talk. He chuckled. They would get used to it.
Maybe their kingdom didn't need every old tradition. Surely, a cape wouldn't make or break the kingdom.
It made him wonder what other traditions he could do away with.
He shook his head. He thought he had gone insane. He didn't want the power of the king to go to his head or become only for his benefit.
The cape could go, but he didn't want to disappoint anyone too badly.
Fennel took a look in the full-body mirror next to the dresser. The clothing he saw was that of a ruler, but he couldn't see it in himself. His short stature and immature facial features really didn't scream the body of a king.
He put on the jewelry. The king's ring had been resized for him and fit perfectly over the index finger on his right hand. He looked at the expensive jewels on it and smiled. It reminded him of his father, who didn't once take off the ring.
Fennel wished his father still ruled the kingdom. He was an amazing leader.
He sighed, then returned to the living area.
Jasper stood. "You look great."
"Thank you," Fennel replied.
"Are you ready to prepare in the throne room?" The knight asked.
"Yes," Fennel agreed. "Let's go."
The knight led the way to the throne room. On his way, he saw many nobles had already gathered in the palace. There were many that he didn't even recognize. The high turnout seemed to have something to do with the royal ball, which would proceed shortly after the coronation.
Fennel had been reminded of it because of the disproportionate number of female attendees.
As he walked, he kept his head held high and his shoulders back. He needed to fake confidence, no matter what, but his nerves were fried from sensing the gaze of many women.
These women would fight to the death to be proposed to by the king, if it were a requirement.
Once inside the near empty throne room, Fennel let out a sigh of relief. Before the ceremony began, the only people allowed inside were the royal court members and close family.
Fennel looked to see his mother near the throne.
Queen Anise smiled and gestured for her son to come closer.
"Fennel," the queen said, holding out her hand. "I'm so proud of you. You resemble your father in that cape."
"Thank you, mother," Fennel said, doing his best to smile back.
The prince figured he wouldn't be able to lose the cape without disappointing her, but he hated it. It was the one thing worth disappointing her over. He needed to get rid of the thing before he broke his neck in front of a crowd.
"You're going to carry on your father's legacy just fine," she assured him as he took her hand.
"I sure hope so," Fennel replied, stepping next to her.
"When the ceremony begins," the queen said. "You shall be standing in front of the throne. After I speak, I will place the crown upon your head, and then you will take the throne and speak."
"Is there anything else?"
"The highest ranking nobles will be required to come and kiss your hand, to pledge their allegence," she smiled. "Of course, not those who visited from neighboring kingdoms, just those under your rule."
Fennel internally groaned.
"After a short recess and a meal, we will hold the royal ball," the queen clapped. "I can't wait. But, oh, where is our court bard?"
Fennel's eyes widened. He would have smacked himself in the face, but he knew the action would draw suspicion from his mother.
Did Oliver get stuck in the closet after all?