28. Coronation

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"Another boring day." the guard complained, kicking a pebble towards the gate that allowed entrance into Seridina. "No one comes here. The gate should be fine on its own."

"Don't let the Commander hear such words." The other guard said, adjusting the waist of his trousers. "We'll all be in for a earful. I don't know about you but I need my daily fill. Suck it up." The first guard tusked.

"I wonder what that Prince wanted?" the third one chipped in, earning raised brows from the other two. "What!" He added, thinking they knew what he was talking about.

"What Prince?" The first guard questioned, thinking things were getting interesting. "No Prince came here or I must've been blind to see one."

The second guard let out a laugh at his words. The third guard approached the other two, a handful of passes in his hands. They were old since the Kingdom rarely had visitors. With no alliance with the other three and with the ways of the Kingdom. The first guard wasn't surprised at the lack of visitors.

"A Prince came through sometime ago." the third guard said, the second shook his head. "I'm not lying. You two were probably off getting beer when he came." He shrugged. "He came about a month ago. Maybe more." he said unsure.

"Are you sure you didn't let in some runaway that wanted to enter the Kingdom." The second guard suggested, not believing the the third guard. The first guard nodded in agreement.

"I'm no slacker like you two." They both glared at him. "I believe his name was Prince Rhys from Arilikook."

"Now why would the prince from Arilikook come here?" The first guard said with a laugh. "What business does he have?"

The third guard looked through the passes, finding the one Prince Rhys had given him. He lifted the piece of paper before the two. As clear as day stood the Arilikook crest. A single white Rose as decor. The two eyes widen, now believing the third guard.

"He was going to Aperia." the first said after reading through a little further. "No one ever goes there."

"What was that about Aperia?" Commander Armir voice was demanding. He startled the other two as they stood firm before the Commander.

The third guard explained the situation. Showing him the pass he showed the other two. Commander Amir took the pass from him. He was also surprised by the new information, having to report it to the King. "Get back to work." he ordered to the three.

King Rhett held his hand behind him, looking out his window and to the Kingdom. The wind picked up, blowing a few of his papers off the desk. The day he awaited was on the horizon. Soon his son will join hands with Princess Ximera. Giving him access to the Laqum military power. Of course they had access to his riches. It wasn't something he was fond of but it had to happened.

Crushing the Kingdom of Peruel made him bubble with excitement. He was to rid the lands of such people. The news brought disgust to him when he heard. Marring another King was unheard of. "Things aren't calm." he muttered to himself.

Prince Cormac coronation was set in a few more hours. King Rhett had an unsettling feeling. The boy had proven himself to his father. King Rhett wanted a successor who could maintain order, keep the people on the right path and separate those who are unfitting.

Three knocks sounded at his door and he knew it was Commander Amir. He tusked as he didn't want to be interrupted. Seeing the Commander made him remember how he brought that insolent into the castle that made his son into a puppet. He muttered a 'come in' keeping his disapproving gaze out the window.

Commander Armir entered and bowed to the King. He had rushed back to the castle after the guards told him the news. The pass was rolled and placed securely in his hold. "I have important news for you my King." Commander Armir spoke.

"What important news do you have?" King Rhett questioned, hoping the man wasn't going to waste his time. The Commander would have to suffer if he did.

"This my lord." Commander Amir outstretched the pass to the King. He turned to see the paper in his hands. The King took slow steps forward. What important thing could be written on a piece of paper. "I just got news of this from the guards situated at the entrance. My deepest apologies for not informing you earlier."

King Rhett took the pass and opened it. He scanned through it, a sinister smile on his lips. He held the paper tight, wrinkling the edges. "My thoughts were correct." he said. "What are you planning with the Arilikook empire." he walked back over to his window, looking at the Aperian Kingdom. "I thought you were too quiet for too long my dearest Queen Zelda. Things aren't as calm as I had hoped."

Commander Amir was shocked by the King's words. "Excuse my rudeness your highness but isn't Queen Zelda deceased?"

King Rhett laughed loudly. "My wife has been dead for the last nineteen years." his smile faded, anger taking over. "At least she is to her son." The Commander didn't say another word. He also knew he couldn't repeat a word he had heard.

-

The plans for his coronation was going well. Prince Cormac was satisfied with the way things had turned out. He invited everyone in the Kingdom. Something his father didn't need to know. Prince Cormac figured what he didn't know won't hurt him. He was eager for the time to come.

Iker entered his room, he was left to finalize the preparations. "You have visitors." Iker said, Princess Ximera and Arabella walked in behind him. Cormac was surprised by their visit.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, walking up to the two and placing a kiss on their cheeks.

"I couldn't miss my fiance's coronation." Ximera smiled. "My father insisted that I come. The wedding is also in a week, it's best I stay until then." Prince Cormac frowned at her. "Don't start behaving childish now. I haven't forgotten what you said. Until you've found us both a way out, there will be a wedding taking place."

"I've already come up with a plan." Prince Cormac announced. "Today is very important for me along with this Kingdom. I can't assure you things will go smoothly. I'm awfully sure that my father will burn the whole place down."

Princess Ximera laughed. The Prince was only making Iker worry more. "That would be a sight to see." Ximera said. "Am I going to meet the one who has captured your heart. I'm hoping I'll get to see him."

Cormac blushed, "He's an important person in all of this. Another reason I think my father will behead me." He responded. "He won't be fond that I love him, but I don't care. Our love is all that matters."

"I didn't think I'll get to see the day when Prince Cormac becomes lovesick." Princess Arabella teased. "I'm starting to feel jealous." Princess Ximera nodded in agreement. They shared a laugh. "On another note," Arabella spoke again. "Not only is it your coronation but your twentieth birthday. And of course we bought gifts from Laqum."

"I wonder what they could be." Cormac showcased his curiosity. "Iker," he turned to the boy who was silent and attending to the Prince's outfit for the night. "I want for you to go and get Phoenix. I'm sure you remember where he is." Iker nodded.

"I hope you don't mind if I accompany you." Iker didn't mind, he could use some company along the way but this was the Princess that was making such a request.

"We can't have a Princess from Laqum walking around town." prince Cormac denied.

"We have a Prince roaming around town when he shouldn't." Iker pointed out. "I don't see a problem. If she changes her clothes and the fact that no one knows her, all should be well. I'll ensure her safety."

"I see you've grown to share your thoughts Iker." Cormac smiled proudly at the boy. "Only Princess Arabella." he added, making Ximera pout.

Iker and Arabella left soon after. She had changed out of her clothes and snuck out into town. She had wanted to see what the Kingdom of Seridina was like. Much to her disappointment it was unlike what she had expected. It was a far stretch from Laqum. Where the people smiled, children pulling pranks on the adults.

Instead she saw people being bind. Being treated as less than they are. It was an unnerving sight. Iker felt ashamed. He was now thinking it was not a good idea for her not to come along. The look on Princess Arabella's face said it all. No one could dismiss what they saw, at least an outsider couldn't.

"I'm sorry." Iker felt the need to apologize. "I'm sorry that your first visit involved such awful sights."

Arabella averted her eyes only for a moment to look at the deeply apologetic Iker. "Is it always like this?"

"Sadly, yes." Iker replied honestly.

"The Prince now as my favour." she said. "I wondered why he was doing what he was. Seeing things with my own eyes, I would do the same in his situation."

They continued on to the spot that allowed them entrance. A wave of nostalgia washed Iker again as he remembered his days in the Garrett District. Princess Arabella gazed up at the Iron Fortress as Iker removed the bricks. The Prince's coronation was the talk of the town since everyone was invited. Some were even frightened that the King had a son.

Iker wouldn't be too surprised that they thought that way. The prince was sheltered half his life. The real question at hand was how many people would attend. Removing the bricks, Iker gestured for Arabella to go through. She didn't hesitate as she got on the ground and crawled through. She was a Princess but she wasn't a fragile and dainty one. She liked getting her hands dirty.

In a matter of minutes they were both through the hole and the bricks restacked. Princess Arabella thought things wouldn't get anymore frightening until she saw the inside of the Iron Fortress. She was crossed between anger and sadness. That the king would do something like this to his people.

They came upon the small house where Phoenix lived. "Phoenix," he called as he waited outside, he didn't want to intrude. Arabella was getting giddy to meet Phoenix. A little girl came rushing out, Mae, Iker recalled. Another girl came behind her, a brow raised as she wondered who they were.

"Ahh, it's you." Mae beamed up at Iker. "You're Phoenix's and Ace's friend." She looks towards Arabella, not recognizing her.

"I guess it's fine." Poppy said, lifting the curtain for them to enter. "Phoenix, your friend is here!" she shouted as they entered. "They've passed Poppy's security check." She added, making Arabella snicker.

They saw both Phoenix and Siobhan holding the newly born babies. They smiled at them both, their expression wanting to know who the woman with Iker was. "I'm Arabella," she introduced, directing more to Siobhan that Phoenix. "I'm also a friend of Prince Cormac." she turned to Phoenix. "I'm guessing your Phoenix, the one who captured his heart."

"I'm afraid I'm that person." Phoenix chuckled. "This is Siobhan," she waved at Arabella. "Since you're here I'm guessing it's time I go."

Iker nodded, "We have two more hours before it begins. We need to have you in before the people start pouring in and the guards take a strong hold around the area." Iker responded in all honestly. "Also, the prince was eager to see you." He added making Phoenix blush.

Stella entered and interrupted the conversation. She bought some fresh blankets for Siobhan. She exchanged greeting with Iker and Arabella, catching onto what was happening. Phoenix handed over Emil to her. It was time for him to bid them farewell. Stella wore a worried expression as for Siobhan, she hoped he returned with good news.

"I'll be okay." he said to Stella as he placed a kiss to her cheeks. "I'm going to come home back. I'll complete what my father couldn't accomplish."

She tried smiling convincingly, there was no use trying to stop him, Phoenix wouldn't listen. He said goodbye to poppy and Mae. Rocco and Rebel running off as they had been  since the squabble. They have yet to come to terms. Arabella placed a kiss to Siobhan's hand, making the poor girl blush and surprising everyone else with her actions.

Siobhan was flustered as they left, not expecting such an action. The three made way back to the castle, not knowing what awaits them.

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