Light blonde locks draped down to around her waist. Strands were pushed behind her ears. Behind her, her lady-in-waiting brushed her hair. Kendra stared at herself in the handheld polished silver mirror. Today was her coronation, and she wanted to make sure that she looked perfect. It was her duty to do so after all.

"Myra, make sure to get all of the knots out. I need to look perfect with my hair down today."

"Yes, my queen." She continued to brush. Myra was naturally one of few words, and Kendra didn't mind in the slightest. It allowed her to think more and focus on more important details, such as her attire.

"Hmm, what did the master of wardrobe pick out for me?" Her dark brown eyes flicked to Myra, whose blue optics remained focused on the locks of hair in front of her. "I requested purple. Was this followed?"

"Yes, my queen." Technically, she wasn't queen yet, but why not have her staff call her it early. It made certain that they knew her new title. "The dress is a deep purple."

"Perfect." She stood up, and Myra stepped away, setting the brush on her vanity. Kendra set down her mirror and seated herself on her bed. "Bring it out." Currently, she had her chemise on. The white fabric was soft against her skin, and the embroidered white flowers on it added just the right detail. She smirked as her fingers ran over the blossoms.It was a flower that helped give her power and got rid of those who were in her way. Her silly sister threw away her life by denying Felin's affections, but it was her foolishness that gave her what she wanted and Felin what he desired. No one could stop them. What was done was done, and no one was the wiser, except ...

A scoff left her. Why had that blacksmith left? He just abandoned his post, and now they had to use resources to try and find him without the other kingdoms knowing that they had lost their magic user. They didn't know what magic their magic user possessed, but he was a vital resource. Their army couldn't be supplied with more enchanted weapons with his absence, and they were fortunate enough that their current ones didn't break easily. How annoying, though. Did he know the truth? But, how could he? Perhaps, he just didn't want to serve under her.

Her parents would've given him a choice, but she wouldn't. No, he would be found and forced back into service if he refused. Not only that but she'd learn why he had left, and he'd be punished for leaving without permission. She had learned that when her parents had given him time away that he went somewhere out of the city, but no one had any idea where. The cursed man was secretive, and she hated that her parents had allowed such a thing.

"Does it displease you?"

Myra's voice broke her out of her thoughts. Kendra now noticed the dress that Myra was holding up. A smirk touched her lips. "No, it's perfect. It'll go well with the gold jewelry." Kendra stood up and walked over. "Put it on me, and let's get to the jewelry." Doing as she was told, she dressed the soon-to-be queen before they both went back to the vanity.

Piece by piece, Myra began to decorate the queen with the gold items. "I look beautiful." She couldn't wait to receive the crown on her head. Her mother's crown would be hers. (F/n) no longer would get the chance to wear it on her head. It would've looked ugly on her anyway.

"Yes, you do, my queen," Myra complimented. She truly did believe Kendra to be gorgeous outwardly, but her personality was something to be desired. Not that she'd ever utter such words. Only she really saw this side of her. Everyone else saw a kind woman. Myra didn't even know if her late parents and sister were aware of it. But, she dared not speak out on it. She was comfortable where she was at, and she didn't wish to ruin that.

Kendra leaned forward and sighed deeply. "I'm looking forward to seeing my new room too, but ..." A frown touched her lips. "It's been changed, right?"

"Yes, it's newly decorated and your late parents' possessions have been removed."

"Good, I ..." Her eyes grew watery. "I don't want to see any of it." Myra didn't know if Kendra's current emotions were genuine. She seemed mighty fine with her new position. Perhaps, that was her way of coping with the loss of them.

"Understandable, my queen. Will you be alright today?"

"Yes, I have to be. I need to be strong for my people." Inwardly, though, Kendra just wanted the grand suite of the king and queen. The room was finally hers. Not to mention all the perks that came with it. Both women, though, were pulled out of their thoughts when a knock sounded on the door. "Come in," Kendra called out.

The door opened and in stepped Felin. His black shoulder length hair fell down to his shoulders, and his dark brown eyes focused on Kendra. "My queen, you look lovely. Purple suits you."

A smile spread on her lips, and she did a twirl. "Thank you, Felin." She glanced to Myra. "You may leave." Myra bowed her head and left the room. Felin closed the door behind her and stepped further into the room. Kendra walked over to him and draped her arms on his shoulders. "You look good yourself." A red surcoat covered a black tunic and pants. Black leather boots were on his feet. Placing a kiss on his neck, she asked against his skin, "Are you ready for next week?"

Pulling away from her, he tipped up her chin and smirked. "Of course. I'm anxious to stand by your side and be king." He grabbed her left hand and twirled her. "And, I imagine that you have another gorgeous outfit planned for the occasion."

"Naturally. I have to look my best always." She landed back in his arms. "Are they almost ready for me today, though? I wish to have my crown."

"Yes, soon." He led her over to the table and chairs in the room. "Unfortunately, I can't bring you good news on Keiran. He still remains hidden from us." Felin sat across from her and tapped his fingers against the table. "He certainly left quickly, though. Buying a horse and leaving the city before your sister's execution. It's suspicious, but I don't recall seeing him anywhere near us. He was out of town until the day of the execution as well. There's very little chance that he knows the truth, but it bothers me nevertheless."

"What if he does know?" Kendra huffed out. "He's valuable."

"Yes, so we'd just need to keep a tight leash on him. Perhaps, punish his leave by removing his tongue. Remove his way to speak, but I'd need to convince the court that's proper punishment." He sighed. "It can be done, though. And as king, it should be easier than it otherwise would be."

"How annoying," Kendra whined a little. "Will you question him once he's found?"

"Yes. But in the meantime, he can't do anything. No one will believe a blacksmith, no matter his value, especially after he left like that. If anything, people will think less of him for leaving at such a sorrowful time." Felin smiled, though. "But, rumor's spread that a magic user is on the run from the Stowwen royal family. They're quite angered by it understandably, and they're even more furious that word's spread. I'm sure that someone lost their life for letting that rumor spread."

"What does that have to do with us, though?" She rested her chin on the palm of her hand. "If we were to steal him, we'd practically be declaring a war against Stowwen. Everyone knows that."

"If we find him in Credel, we can use him to get something in return from Stowwen. Naturally, there's a reward for finding him. Plus, we'd get the knowledge of what magic he uses. I've heard that it's metal magic. Might be the same as Keiran's or different." Felin stood up. "Either way, it gives us some benefit. I just hope that our own metal magic user didn't escape into Stowwen or another one of the kingdoms. That might prove troublesome if he decides to serve them instead."

"Should we change our magic user policy? Make it a more permanent position like Stowwen. That'd be in line with you arguing for his punishment." Kendra huffed. "My parents didn't make it a requirement that he stay. Does anyone find it weird that we're pursuing him with resources?"

Felin walked over to the window in the room and rested his hands on the windowsill. "No. Our court views us in a weakened position given that the kingdom remains in grief at the loss of their past rulers and the betrayal of one of their princesses. With Keiran leaving so suddenly, they're suspicious too." He chuckled and turned around. "They think that he might've been in on the deaths of our late rulers. They're not sure how, but they want to question him."

"Good." She grinned. "Things are working in our favor nicely. A shame that we have to communicate our current position, though, to the other kingdoms. They've should've received news by now, and we should be hearing back soon too."

"Yes, an eye is being kept out for the messenger pigeons' returns from the three kingdoms. We shall see if they show to our wedding next week."

"Do you think that the other kingdoms will be offended that we didn't invite them to my coronation?" Kendra stood up and met him in the middle of the room, her finger trailing down a little on his surcoat.

"No. The kingdom is in grief, and with a marriage so soon after, they'll want to see both of us crowned, not just one. Plus, it's arrogant to assume that the royal families can make it out to two events so close together." He lifted her hand gently and kissed the back of it. "But for now, let's take you to the throne room. Your people await you, my queen."

She giggled and nodded. "Yes, you're right. It's rude to keep them waiting."