30. Coronation {3}

🖤

King Rhett thought of paying the man he's kept below for years a visit. It was suitable since it was the anniversary of what happened all those years ago. He was fitted in his clothes, his crown resting idly on his head. He opened the secret entrance, giving his work chamber one last look before he went on.

The place was dark and not the least bit of sunlight dared to enter. The spiral stairs led him to the very bottom, resting the torch close enough so he could see the scrawny man. He look at the man disgusted at the sight but all the more pleasing that he was suffering.

The man turned his head lazily to look at the man that entrapped him. His eyes squinting at the sudden light from the flames. He turned his head back to the dirty floor. Compared to the man that stood outside his cell, the ground was far more pleasing.

He hadn't expected to see the man, finely dressed and living a glorious life as he rotted away underground. King Rhett remembered clearly the last time he visited this damned place,each blow he delivered to the servant. "Such a pitiful sight." King Rhett said, his tone flat and his face screwed in digust.

The man didn't respond, he didn't see a need for the King to come and degrade him any further. "Your daughter is here." King Rhett spoke again, this time he got the other man attention. He gave the King a hard glare, daring him to bring any harm to his daughter. "Arabella was her name." the King said teasingly.

The man mustered up his strength, holding onto the bars of the cell as he challenged the man. "She's grown into a fine young lady. You'll be surprised by her beauty." King Rhett taunt further.

"Don't you dare lay a finger on her!" The man said through gritted teeth, ignoring the dryness in his throat. It was one thing to threaten his life and lock him away, but another to bring his daughter in it.

"No need to be so hostile dear friend." King Rhett waved his index finger to and fro. "I'm only here for a reunion. You helped build that place after all. I'm forever grateful. Today is my son's coronation, he'll rule this Kingdom just as I did."

The man tried shaking the bars, his anger increasing. He didn't want the King to taunt him, getting what he wanted. "You can't keep me in here forever!" He shouted as the King started taking his leave. "The truth will come out. The disgusting one wasn't your father it was you. You vile human being!" The man cursed, yanking at the bars.

The King paused for a brief moment at the mention of his father the previous King who led him on such a path. He didn't give in to the other man taunting as he continued up the spiral stairs. He had a coronation to attended to.

-

People started flowing into the castle ground. Prince Cormac took a peek at the audience, only seeing the fanciness of the people he assumed form Pixie Tower. He hadn't seen a drop of those from the other Districts. He frowned at the thought, he needed for everyone to be there regardless.

He was dressed along with Phoenix. He had refused to wear such a fancy clothing. Prince Cormac had teased him, telling him that he should wear it so he could take them off himself afterwards. It had made Phoenix red up to his ears, making him not want to wear it. He did want things to progress between them, being hold by Cormac was lustful fantasy of his.

He thought the prince was riling him up to get him back for what he did in the bath. Phoenix told himself he wasn't going to fall for his taunts. It was Iker who had gratefully convinced him. Phoenix hair was adored with flowers that Ximera thought would at a touch of cuteness. It was just that she wanted to have him match along with her and Arabella.

Prince Cormac was dress in the royal colors a touch of black to bring it off. Phoenix was wearing a top, that of ruby red. Cormac had wanted for him to wear it. The coronation was going well, the King had made his arrival, sitting powerfully on his throne. He looked down at the people who chatted and ate the food offered.

Prince Cormac had yet to make himself present. His seat beside the King remaining vacant. Arabella and Ximera had long joined the party. Making use of their first visit to Seridina. Iker was amongst them, ensuring things were going smoothly and slipping into the fun every now and then. Learning to relax like he had back in Laqum.

"These white roses." Phoenix said, rubbing the petals between his fingers. "I've seen them before."

Cormac dropped the curtain, walking over to Phoenix as he hugged him from behind, resting his head at the crook of his neck. "Arabella bought them." he told Phoenix. "They're from the Kingdom of Arilikook. I've always wanted to go there."

Phoenix recalled Princess Arabella and Iker mentioning the Kingdom on his way here. It didn't take long before he remembered where he first saw them. Axton had bought them to the old house, briefly mentioning something about his home. 'Is it possible that...', Phoenix got rid of the thought. Axton was suspicious and weird, thinking he was from another Kingdom was just in his head. Considering the possibility, why would Axton be here and why did he need to find the Relufian person.

"What's this?" Prince Cormac asked, noticing something underneath Phoenix clothes. He pulled it out revealing the pendant. "I've seen it in the bath but we were a bit preoccupied. Taking a closer look now that he wasn't distracted by his lustful desires. "Golden wings." he said, not believing his eyes.

Phoenix allowed him to look at it. "Wings of Freedom, that's what Ma said it was. It was passed from my father to mother then to me." Phoenix informed him, knowing it was okay to tell him.

"Your father?" Cormac asked and Phoenix nodded. Before he proceed to ask his next question Iker had interrupted them.

"It's time your highness." Iker said and Prince Cormac nodded in understanding. Iker then left.

"It's time." Phoenix repeated, his body starting to be filled with nervousness.

Prince Cormac turned Phoenix to face him, cupping his cheeks. "Everything is going to be okay. I promise." he pressed his lips to Phoenix, savouring a kiss. "I'll never let anything happen to you."

Phoenix took another kiss, thinking that it would comfort him even more. They linked their arms after, Cormac pressing a kiss to his forehead before they left. He could hear the silence of the people, another person assuming his father was addressing the people. Phoenix took a deep breath as they entered the brightly lit room filled with people.

He could feel the gaze of many people on him, keeping his gaze to the floor. Prince Cormac smiled brightly, looking around to see that others had shown up. He was indeed happy. He was sharing a special day with the person he loved. It was the day he would begin changing everything.

Cormac's eyes looked forward and was met with his father cold gaze. King Rhett was boiling with anger. First he saw the arrival of people that weren't suitable to enter the castle. Only to know that the Prince had invited everyone in the Kingdom.

The he saw his son walking arm in arm with an unfamiliar man. His anger could crumble mountains. He scanned the crowd for Princess Ximera, seeing her standing by a table filled with food along with Arabella. The lowly servant standing next to them. His eyes met his son, filled with determination.

King Rhett wanted to walk right down and slap away whatever he was doing. There were too many people, more than intended. He sucked in a breath and forced a smile Cormac's way. King Rhett couldn't keep his facade up as he looked toward the unfamiliar boy beside his son.

The life in him drained at what hung around his neck. A pendant with golden wings. He looked back at his face seeing a slight resemblance. 'Is it possible?', he thought. 'Emory you...' the last he saw the thing it was hanging around Emory's neck.

King Rhett looked back at his son. ' does he know?', he thought. He welcomed the two on the podium, claps of uncertainty and silent questions of what was going on filled the air.

Cormac made Phoenix sit in his seat, ignoring the silent threats his father sent out. Phoenix looked at him uncertain, his hand reaching for his pendant. Cormac gave him a small kiss to the lips, his body blocking most of what was happening. The people to the side caught a glimpse and kept quiet, thinking they had too much wine or taking a large gulp after seeing something of the sorts.

Prince Cormac stood to the side, listening to the King spout lies about his rule over the pass years. He talked proudly of Prince Cormac, making the boy scoff inwardly. He had always thought bad of the Prince. In that moment, he rather talked foul of the Prince and what he was doing.

Prince Cormac gave a small nod Iker's way, knowing it was his time to fulfil his roll. Princess Ximera and Arabella made way to the podium, joining the Prince as they stood to the side. The people watched as things got more interesting. King Rhett speech of lies came to an end and a round of applaud filled the air. The people who knew the truth forced a clap, knowing full well the mask King Rhett wanted to hide.

"I will now proceed to crown Prince Cormac." King Rhett said. "As the next heir to the throne." Cormac smiled mischievously to his father.

Iker came out with a crown rested neatly on a gold cushion. The King wasn't expecting for the servant to bring the crown. He went along as he had no other choice. Prince Cormac stepped forward, holding his head low so the King could place the crown on his head. He said a few more words, giving Iker his blessings, now thinking it wasn't time.

The stage was now Prince Cormac's. The room went silent, giving those who supported him behind him a smile. "I don't have a speech plan like my father did." he began. "I'm here to speak from experiences over the last month and from my heart." He gave a glance to Phoenix for encouragement. "I left the castle after being here half my life to seek the answers my father wouldn't give me. I didn't only visit the Kingdom and walk amongst you, unknown to you. I also went inside area fifteen on numerous occasions."

Gasp filled the room. King Rhett gripped the side of his throne until his knuckles went white. Phoenix could feel the hostility beside him, keeping strong because of Cormac. "I'd like to ask the people of Seridina, What lies in the Iron Fortress?" He looked around the room, pointing to a woman who looked to be from The District of Thornburg.

The woman hesitated, "T-The diseased." she stuttered, not refusing to answer the Prince's question.

"That's what I believed all my life." he said, pointing to another person."you don't have to answer if you find the need not to." He pointed to a few more who refused.

"The filth of the Kingdom!" A man bravely shouted, everyone turning to look at him.

Prince Cormac's eyes met the man, he stood his ground. "Filth? Why are they the filth of this Kingdom?" He questioned.

"They like those of the same gender." a woman said with much disgust." They have abnormal habits."

"Abnormal habits?" he looked to the woman. "Would you care to explain?"

The woman nodded, "My neighbor's son liked to wear clothes that of a girl. My own daughter thought she was a boy on most days." The woman spoke, shame washing her face. "Others who said they liked everyone. I know there's more that I have yet to experience with my own eyes."

Prince Cormac nodded, "I still don't see the problem." he said, gaining a surprised expression from the people. He could see those who averted their gaze, feeling as if fingers were being pointed at them. "Does anyone tell you which clothes you should wear?" The woman shook her head. "Does anyone tell you who you should love and wed?"

"My visit to Area fifteen thought me one thing, and that was love. That love comes in any from, in the end it will always be the same love." He continued. "The people in Area fifteen has more love and bravery than all the Kingdoms combined. Though they've been abandoned by the people who they thought to be family, they still stood strong. They found happiness. I thought where was the diseased persons when I entered, the people who we've considered filthy."

King Rhett was getting angrier with each word. "It doesn't matter if I love a woman or a man. If I want to dress as pretty as Princess Ximera or Arabella." he pointed towards the two. "Am I not the same person you've always known? I've just started being true to my nature." The people looked away feeling guilty. "That is why as crown Prince I'll strip away the barrier between Seridina and Area fifteen. We'll live as one."

Phoenix felt proud of him, smiling at him. Cormac turned and took Phoenix from his seat, pulling him to the center of the stage. "This was the person who thought me what love is." He said, intertwining their fingers. "He's from Area fifteen but does he look any different from us? He's just as human as all of us." He was starting to feel angry.

The people began to get the message, smiling at his words. Some felt guilty as the came to terms with what they've done. Of course not everyone was keen on the Prince's current action. "There will be no more perons walking around with shackles, the Garrett District will receive as much wealth as the other districts." The people began to cheer, fighting the fear that once over took them.

"Another thing," he turned towards his raging father. "I won't be marrying Princess Ximera," Phoenix was surprised by his words, wanting to question it. Prince Cormac turned to Phoenix and held both his hands. "I'll be marrying the love of my life, Phoenix." As he announced his proposal, he pressed his lips to Phoenix.

Sending King Rhett in a fit of rage. His ticking bomb coming to an end.

🖤