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C H A P T E R   E L E V E N

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."

-Seneca

"...your dad is being executed tomorrow."

Never in my whole life did I expect to hear those words coming out of anybody's mouth.

"Father..." My fingers fumbled around the fabric of my dress. I was lost for words, I cant lose my father, not now not ever. What could he have possibly done?

"He fought with a guard." Bree's gentle voice brought me out of my state of anxiousness. "He knocked a Pyro unconscious and attempted to break into the castle. He saw you at the announcement, he thought you were forced into this deal and-"

"No." I took a few steps back. "No! I don't believe you, He's at home with mother!"

"Willow, calm down." Bree's eyes were watering as she put her hands on my shoulders. "He's not going to be beheaded, he'll just be working in the factories to pay the fines-"

"No!" I screamed. Everyone in the venue turned around and stared at me in shock, but it didn't matter, nothing mattered more than my father. "He. Is. My. Father! He shall not be executed!" I can't do this, not now. I've come too far to be pulled down, too far.

"And he won't! Just finish the coronation! Once you're Queen, no one can go against your word, you can save him." Bree looked deep into my eyes, and for once, I didn't see her as a friend, but as a sister. I knew I could trust her with my life, and she knew I can be trusted with hers. "Rage all you want at the council, but first you need to be heard, and the only way you can do that is by becoming Queen."

I sniffed. Memories of father rushing back in. Of course he'd do something as silly as fighting guards, he'd do anything for me. All I wanted was to be in his embrace, just like how we were the night before I got the news.

"Ok." I nodded. "How much longer?" I looked around. Everyone was still staring at me from my earlier outburst, but I wasn't going to apologise. I had nothing to apologise for.

"Your Highness." A guard stepped forwards and bowed. "The royals are requesting your presence."

I quickly wiped away the stray tears and adjusted my slouchy posture. "Of course." I remembered Henri saying earlier this morning, about how Royals from all over the country were coming to the coronation. "But may I speak to Henri first?"

"Sir Henri has not yet arrived, Your Highness, nor has Sir Patrik." I frowned at the guard's reply. Why weren't they here yet? Then I noticed that Conroy and the Colonel hadn't arrived yet, either. "They are waiting behind the church."

I nodded my head and turned back to Bree. "Can you get a guard to escort her to the other court ladies?"

The guard nodded, I took a closer look at his badge, noticing he was a Hydro. Immediately I knew I needed to be alert, but then I realised I wasn't an Amber anymore. I was one of them. I became one of them. I didn't need to fear but to be feared. "Take me to them at once."

●・○・●・○・●

"Princess Willow!" Queen Hannah was the first to greet me. She wore a lovely purple satin gown, simple but elegant. "You look ever so lovely, darling!"

I gave her a smile, but I couldn't truly be happy, my father was probably locked up in the dungeons, counting the hours he had before being transported to the coast and working in the factories, or worse, training to become a soldier for the wars.

"Is everything all right?" I was going to thank Hannah for her concern, but then I recognized that it was Queen Gisela who asked. She wore a green Saque and a black scarf rested on her shoulders. Prince Walter stood beside her, he was dressed appropriately, but his expression was uncaring.

"Fine." I spluttered, taken back by her genuine kindness. "I just received some bad news."

"It can't be that bad." Queen Lynne walked out from the Church's back door, dressed in a traditional Orange dress. "I doubt anything can be taken as bad news on the biggest day of your life!"

I smiled and looked around at the Queen who I've come to appreciate since the Tea Party I hosted weeks ago. I found a few new faces amongst the crowd, and I made up my mind to welcome them after I greeted the royals I knew.

"You're right." I couldn't tell them about my father, for all they knew, mine was dead. "I think it's just the nerves."

The Queens agreed, and started retelling their coronation day stories.

"Princess Willo' meet my wife, Queen Leah." Queen Aisha walked towards me, the crowd making way for her when they noticed her caring the biggest word I've ever seen. Queen Aisha wasn't wearing a dress but armour, like she came for a battle rather than a party.

I noticed the petite woman following behind her. She was a good foot shorter than Queen Aisha, but still carried an aura of superiority. "Your Highness." She bowed, and I curtsied back.

"Queen Leah, a pleasure to meet you."

She stiffly nodded and Queen Aisha gave a proud smile. "We didn't brin' Fatima with us, she is recruitin' new members for the Savarian Guard, with the Coslitan wars goin' on, who knows where the enemies might want to conquer next."

I nodded. Savaria was an independent kingdom, they never followed the same rules as other kingdoms did, there were no lords or ladies but knights and warriors, they never had kings, only Queens, and they never celebrated any festivals.

I continued the conversation with them, then moved on to greet the other royals, who were really just dukes and duchesses from the kingdom; the only foreign royals, so far, were the ones who came for Tea.

"Your Highness. The Archbishop wishes to speak to you." I turned to see the same Hydro guard from earlier.

I walked towards him and asked, "Where is Colonel Richett? He's usually the one who informs me of any meetings."

"Colonel Richett hasn't arrived yet, but I am the second head of the guard, and I've been appointed to assist you till he arrives."

I sighed. Henri didn't arrive either, and the Coronation should be starting soon. I followed the Hydro Officer to the Arch-Bishop who stood outside the steps to the church.

"Princess Willow." He bowed. The ArchBishop was old, his white hair had bald patches and his slight bow was shaky. "The coronation will be starting in ten minutes. I assume you are already aware of what you'll be doing. Everyone is being called inside the church."

"I am aware." I replied. "Will I be walking in along with the court ladies?"

"I don't know the procedure," He looked straight at me, and I was afraid that he could see straight through me. All my lies, my faults. All the crimes I've committed and the biggest one I'm committing right now. "All I do know is that I'm in charge of placing the crown on your head and that you must be ready to carry its weight on top of you."

...carry its weight, The responsibilities of the kingdom. I need to be ready to take care of the needs of Mithalore. "I am." for my father, and for my family.

I stood along with the court ladies, as they applied more make-up and adjusted the flowers on each-others hair. I always thought the biggest day of my life would be my wedding day, it's the biggest day of an Ambers life, but being an Ivory had many biggest days, the day you get your powers, the day you get your noble status as duchess, duke, lady or lord, and apparently, becoming Queen counts as well.

"2 minutes and the Hymns will start being sung!" Bree jumped up and down, tugging onto my arm. Like me, she was meant to keep her identity as an Amber a secret, after all she is attending an Ivorial event. I wondered how she was able to feel so natural around an environment she always felt opposed to. If I were in her place, I would act like I never fit in, which I didn't. But my place wasn't hers. My place was on the Ivory throne.

Soon enough the church choir began to play music and the choir girls started singing hymns. The court ladies stood in two lines in front of me, while I stood at the back along with a pair of maids who lifted up my dress for me to walk.

The church doors opened and the court ladies flung the flower petals from their basket in all directions. Bree even took the liberty to throw some in my direction when I wasn't looking.

The walk towards the altar was long and painfully excruciating. All eyes were on me, all hopes were on me too. The hope for my father, the hope for my kingdom, the hope for the Ambers.

As soon as the first pair of court ladies reached the altar, they went separate ways, one to the right and the other to the left. This continued on until it was just me and the maids beside me. Standing on the altar were two priests along with the ArchBishop wearing red robes.

The Hymns stopped and the Church was engulfed in total silence, until the ArchBishop stepped forward and looked around the room and towards the press crew and shorthands.

"I here present unto you Willow Vaclare, your undoubted Queen. Wherefore all you who come this day to do your homage and service, are you willing to do the same?"

Immediately the crowd replied in union. "We do."

Then he turned to me. The priests came forward, standing aligned with the archbishop, one holding a crown resting on a pillow and the other holding a sceptre resting on a blanket.

"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of Mithalore, and of your Possessions and other Territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs?"

"I solemnly promise to do so." I bowed my head and knelt.

"Will you to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your judgments?"

"I will." I replied not lifting up my head. The lies were overbearing.

"Will you preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of England, and to the Churches there committed to their charge, all such rights and privileges, as by law do or shall appertain to them or any of them?"

"All this I promise to do. The things which I have here before promised, I will perform, and keep."

"And do you, Willow Vaclare, promise to be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty Alexandro Vaclare, Late King of Mithalore, his ancestors and chosen council?"

"I, Willow Vaclare, do solemnly and sincerely promise and swear that I will truly and faithfully, and to the best of my skill and knowledge, execute the powers and trusts reposed in me."

The ArchBishop then turned to the priest holding the sceptre and blanket, then carefully carrying them both he placed the blanket on my shoulders. "The kingdom and its peoples have spoken. The crown of the faithful; bless we beseech thee and sanctify this thy servant our Queen, and as thou dost this day set a crown of pure gold upon her head, so enrich her royal heart with thine abundant grace, and crown her with all princely virtues."

I lifted my head and stood up, holding the sceptre. The archbishop gently lifted the crown and placed it on my head. It was heavy, very heavy. My head fell a little low at first. Were Queens supposed to wear this all day? Different thoughts ran through my head, as the biggest moment of my life was happening before me.

"My Queen," The Archbishop whispered. And then the church bells rung, cheers and shouts were heard,

"God save the Queen!" The church bells continued to ring louder, but the crowd chanted again. "God save the Queen!" Now music began playing and flowers were thrown towards me, and the people shouted all the louder. "God save the Queen!"

Claps erupted as hymns and more cheering was heard. The church bells kept ringing and it felt like I was finally able to breathe. I closed my eyes and turned towards the benches of people. Letting the sounds and cheering drift into my head.

The foreign feeling finally left, I found my cause, and my place.

I smiled as I felt the winds of life blow all around me. I let the gentle breeze peck my cheeks and flow through my fingers. The heavy crown on my head almost felt invisible.

I opened my eyes to see the winds blowing through my dress and hair. It was like I was alive, more powerful and sure of myself.

The windows of the church sutured and opened. The winds blew through everyone, the flower petals on the floor of the altar rose and danced along with the breeze, spiralling around me.

I was finally feeling it. I was finally experiencing the bliss of being a Spira. The power of being an Ivory. The cruelty of my choices.

●・○・●・○・●

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!" All the royals and nobles rushed to greet me. The press tried making their way as crowds of Ivories surrounded me, immersing me in praises. I flushed at all their compliments,knowing that deep underneath this mask they've put on, they weren't happy. They envied me, but they respected me for my power over them. They made me feel I was special, but really, they were finding my weaknesses.

They may think I'm Ivory, but I was an Amber, and I know first hand the way their minds work.

The people pushed in further. My people. My Kingdom

I managed to push past them without ruining my dress only to bump, head first into the boy I was looking for.

"No more Your Highness, I presume." Pierre's cocky voice greeted me.

"Is that your way of congratulating me? Or is it something smart people say?" I teased back, remembering how Conroy and I used to banter like this all the time.

"I never thought you considered me smart." He smirked. Without his glasses on you could see his green eyes clearly. Luring, breathtaking and... full of hidden secrets.

"Well someone has selective hearing." Pierre brushed my comment.

"You did well, I wonder if it's the same thing I'll have to watch Lucas be doing." His green eyes seemed to darken. I can understand his pain, watching his brother, his own twin, acclaim the title he's been working hard to gain. A burden, he said.

"Let's not dampen the mood." I encouraged him. "After all, anything can happen, I was an Amber, yet now I'm Queen."

"You mean you were brought up as an Amber. You have Ivory in your blood, remember? You were always an Ivory, you just didn't know it."

I wanted to slap myself, "You're right. It's hard to let go of something you've been accustomed to all your life."

"Trust me. I know." Pierre murmured, but his gaze lingered on his twin, standing beside his mother.

"Right..." I trailed off, not knowing what to say anymore, his hidden hatred for his twin was constantly occupying his thoughts.

"Well my mother and Lucas really want to meet you." He seemed fine now, back to his usual self. Like that second of envy never occurred at all.

I nodded. "Sure, let me just take care of them first." I motioned towards the crowd of noblemen and women surrounding us and chirping about their new Queen as if I wasn't standing in the middle.

He laughed and shook his head. "I'm pretty sure you've got this handled. I misjudged you at first, but now, I think I can actually read you better. And I'm glad you're Queen, there's no one who can do a more decent job."

I smiled. It wasn't strained this time. I was Queen, my future was starting to become clearer, except for the fact that I was harbouring a box that belonged to my mothers assassin, but I tried to hide that thought away at the back of my head. My mother and her secret could wait, I want to live in the present for now.

"Queen Willow, may I have a word with you?" It was the Hydro guard, back again. I didn't feel comfortable around him, I guess I have yet to. Growing up as an Amber anything and everything was considered a risk when it came to Ivories.

"Yes?" I walked up to him, he stood behind the crowds who were taking pictures and interviewing the other royals. I had asked them to save all the interviews until the ball. Wearing a heaving crown on my head is enough of a hassle as it is. I can't even walk without it tipping over.

"A letter has been sent for you, from the council. Patrik requests that you open it in private after the coronation..."

The coronation isn't over yet?

"...He also mentioned that there are some changes in the timing for the ball today which Henri will talk to you about when he arrives."

I nodded. "What about Conroy and Colonel?"

"Still no news about them."

I nodded my head again. My coronation was supposed to be the biggest day of my life. It was what I was preparing for weeks, yet the people who I actually cared about didnt come.

"Oh Queen Willy! The crown on your head blocking your view of me?" Bree's playful teasing reminded me of her presence and how I was glad that she stayed, even if the other didn't.

"Speaking of which, maybe you can use that crown for other things... Like I don't know... Jewels maybe?"

"Not today, Bree." I rolled my eyes. She and her abnormal obsession over jewels. "Right now, I'm using this crown to get my father out of confinement."

At that, Bree's playful demeanour morphed to something of sympathy. "Oh Willow, Don't worry yourself, He's a strong man, he fought two Ivory Guards for you, knocked one out dead and even got himself executed for you."

I stared at the floor, looking back at all the memories we had together, especially our talk on the roof before I left.

"... Plus, I thought about it some more and realised- If you tell the council he's your dad, or whatever you want to call him, then they'll have no choice but to save him in fear that he may let out your secret."

Realisation slapped me across the face,and may as well left a large bruise on my cheeks. "Of course! They'll keep him in the castle as a guest just like how you are. I can be such a fool sometimes, Patrik even promised to keep a room ready for mother and father once I'm crowned!"

"See! All this worrying for nothing, now all you have to do is pray that it isn't too late and tell Patrik that he's your father, or whatever you want to call him."

I gave Bree a dry look, he isnt my father but he's as close to one as anyone would ever be.

The crowds were still taking pictures and some kept trying to talk with me to get some information of my ruling methods, but Henri had asked me not to let anything out. The media is my biggest threat, and what I say or do can be twisted and used against me. I had a lot of secrets to hide, some not even the council knows, I can't risk letting even one out.

"Queen Willow!" Queen Rosalie strode towards me, the crowds made way for her in respect. "How does it feel, darling? Finally Queen! I know the feeling, though it can be overbearing at times."

I smiled. If anything I knew, it was that I could trust Queen Rosalie, especially after the advice she gave me before the coronation. "Could I ask a favour, Your Majesty?"

"Oh please." she waved her hands. "We're Queens now, even if we're 30 years apart, You can call me Rosalie. It's what the other Queens call me."

Grinning, I asked her. "Do you mind keeping the media and crowds away for a while? Patrik sent me a letter and asked me to read it in private."

"Anything for a fellow Queen, Darling." She winked and giggled. "Oh how I missed doing all this with my sister. She married this handsome suitor and ran off to the other side of the globe. We keep in touch, though barely.

"You should invite her for the ball then. Patrik mentioned that the timings have changed. And there's still time."

"That's sweet of you, darling, but she's probably having more fun than she could at a ball, for now, I'll keep everyone away, you can sit in the church."

I smiled and skipped towards the church, though there were a lot of interruptions while getting there, I managed to sit on one of the benches.

I braced myself before opening the letter, would it have something to do with me being Queen now?

The crown on my head seemed to be getting heavier by the second. I remembered The ArchBishops words.

You must be ready to carry its weight on top of you.

I let out a deep breath. I'm Queen, Queen of the Ivories, Masters of the Ambers. The thought brought my father's plight back to my mind. I hope he's okay, I wish I could calm him by saying everything was going to be alright. Because it is, because I'm Queen. Because now I know what my cause is.

I ripped apart the wax seal, which had the emblem of a sea-serpent, and tore apart the envelope.

TO: Her Majesty, Queen Willow.

St. Peters Church, North Mithalore.

Your Majesty,

I'm afraid there have been some delays in the proceedings of the coronation ball. We are working on damage control, and I'm afraid the castle isn't safe to arrive at just yet. Sir Henri is currently on his way to the coronation venue and will explain things in detail. For now it's best you try to distract the media and grab their attention solely on you. We can't risk any anomalies. Happy coronation and on behalf of the council, we all look forward to working with you, now as Queen.

Best Regards,

Patrik . L

I folded up the letter back, a bit confused. What was going on back at the castle? And what should I distract the crowds from exactly?

I slipped the letter in a pocket underneath my skirt, which I had asked the seamstress specifically to alter. While I was an A,ber growing up, every girl had a pocket on the underside of their skirt which was either occupied by a pocket knife or a bag of sand, which we'd use to attack as self-defence.

I still had a preconceived notion that I was no more than a stranger here. An Amber in an Ivory society. I looked down at my hands, trembling slightly as a tny whirlwind circled around my palm. I was an Ivory now, there was no need to be afraid, I had to keep reminding myself.

I peeked through the church windows. Crowds of my people had gathered around the church, the guards didn't let them in, knowing I was in there alone.

"Her Majesty wishes to have a moment." They yelled, keeping the mob away.

I looked up at the sky, wondering what was going to happen now. Was I going to figure out what happened to my birth mother? Would I be getting any answers? Would I be able to help save the Ambers without knowing how? Was I capable of ruling an entire kingdom?

I closed my eyes, wanting to feel my Spira powers as I had when the Arch-Bishop had placed the crown on my head. I wanted to feel the breeze telling me everything was alright. I wanted the wind to dance between the strands of my hair and fingers, reminding me to set apart who I was and who I am now. But sadly, none of that happened, no matter how much I wanted it to be.

I just need to control my powers, and then I'd be able to use them however I like.

"Your Majesty!" Henri bolted inside the church, panting slightly. His cheeks were red and he bent down, placing his hand on his knees, catching a breath. "The people were blocking the roads, I apologise for the delay."

I shook my head and pulled him to sit on the nearest bench. "No need to apologise, I came in here for a breather myself."

"You don't understand, Your Majesty, I have some terrible news-"

"Patrik sent a letter, I think he realised you would arrive late, but he didn't mention what all the commotion is about. Surely nothing bad has happened?"

Henri paused, hesitant on how to reply, or so it seemed. "Your Majesty... we have recorded another Rebel attack... they target the ballroom, where your party was to be held."

I gasped. Not because the party was ruined but because all the Amber maids had put in so much work to help decorate the ballroom, not to mention the amount of work the committee members had put into planning the entire ball.

"That isn't all." Henri wearily looked at me. "We also recorded the first kidnapping... They took Sir Laurence."

What's your favorite stand-alone book?

Mine would be The Book Thief.