“Rose!”, a female voice called. “Rose! ”, the girl said giggling. 

Rose opened her eyes as she sat up, taking in her rose quartz bedroom with the velvety pink cushions. “It's coronation day!”, Mila said slightly bouncing on the edge of her bed, wearing her pastel green gown with lavender flowers on her mid- length sleeves. Rose sat up smiling. “Well, good morning”. Mila cringed then laughed. “I'm sorry, good morning! How rude of me. Did you get your beauty sleep?”, she asked handing her a glass of rose water. “I did. I don't think I've ever slept better actually,” she said taking a small sip. “Good!”, she replied sighing. “I believe this was Queen Stellina's room before it became yours. She loved tanzanite, so here room had the silver and periwinkle decor”. Rose smiled brightly as she set the glass on her nightstand. “I think I picked that up that she loves blue when I first saw her. That gorgeous dress she wore. That's a day I won't ever forget”.

They both sat quietly as they took in the morning sun coming through a gap in the curtains. “It feels wrong Celeste won't be here,” Rose mumbled. Mila frowned as she took her hand. “She'll always be with us, like how the stars come out every night, watching over us all”. “Mare has less than a week to live. How am I not supposed to feel like it's my fault? It was my battle. I should've fought it myself”. Mila nodded her head. “No, no, no. Sometimes our battles overcome us. We all need the people we love and care about to help us through”. Rose swiped a tear from falling. She gasped lightly as she stared down at the tear. “Holographic. Just like everyone else now. I really am a part of this world”. Mila smiled sweetly. “You have always been a part of us. It's just now that you discover your true self”. Rose leaned in to hug Mila as Fiama and Mare bursted through the doors. “Happy Coronation Day!”, they shouted as they tossed handfuls of gem- confetti. Rose and Mila stared in disbelief, then bursted out with laughter. “Oh sorry, not yet Mila?”, Fiama asked cringing. “It's too late now,” Made said dropping the confetti. “Good morning. Sweet dreams?” Rose nodded as she jumped out of bed, hugging the girls. “Yup. You?”

Fiama shrugged her shoulder as Mare nodded happily. “In Uniclandia, there's no such thing as bad sleep. It's a land of magic!” Rose giggled as she brushed her hair, admiring the rose gold headboard with the fancy flower filigree through her vanity mirror. “Thank you girls,” she said. The three girls all exchanged confused glares. “For what?”, Fiama asked. Rose turned her vanity stool around to face them. “For being you, for helping me. For everything”.

“Aw,” Mila said squeezing them all into a group hug. “Make sure these hugs are daily, okay? It's an order, ” Rose laughed. They all continued giggling until there was a knock on the door. Mare tugged the knob to see Amos standing outside with a bouquet of pastel roses, their facets sparkling. “Amos! Come in!”, Rose called wrapping her robe snug.

He placed the vase of flowers down and bowed. “Good morning, your majesty”. Rose chuckled as she hugged him. “I'm not a queen yet. Even if I was, you can call me Rose. Just not in front of guests”. “Noted,” he replied. “So, you ready for the big day?” Rose smiled hanging her hands on her shoulders. “I think so”. “Good! Let's get ready, shall we?” Mare asked with a garment bag in hand. Rose's smile widened as she nodded. 

                                                      🌹

“Oh, Rose! You look absolutely gorgeous!”, Fiama gasped. Rose chuckled as she twirled. There she stood in front of a full length mirror, admiring the velvet, dark navy gown, with swarovski and diamond stars coming down the sleeves and throughout the waist and hem. “I cannot believe I'm wearing this!” she said with her hands over her mouth. “Your hair is just as beautiful,” Mare added as she placed the starburst pin in her hair, watching a few of her diamond dusted curls fall gracefully down the sides of her face. “I have to say, our queen is beautiful,” Mila said. “Thank you!” “Queen Stellina!,” Fiama called. Amos opened the door from the outside as Queen Stellina stepped in, dressed in a white tulle dress with gold glitter and a small tiara, diamond stars embedded in it's center. “Oh! My beautiful daughter. Look at her!”, she exclaimed with tearful eyes. Rose embraces her mom, blinking back tears of joy. “I'm going to cry!” Queen Stellina stepped back, admiring her daughter. “Something has to change though,” she said as she removed the pin from her hair. Rose smiled curiously as she called for a guard. The man stayed outside the threshold as Amos took a creamy, white marble box, carves with constellations. 

“What is this?”, Rose questioned. Queen Stellina smiled widely. “Open it”. As she lifted the lid, she gasped. An ornate crown with swarovski and diamond stars, with a dangling crescent moon was nestled in the royal blue cushion. “Is this the crown I'll wear?” “Indeed it is,” her mom said sweetly. Amos stepped in and cleared his throat. “My queen, I dislike the idea of interrupting, but the coronation begins soon. I believe it's time”.

                                                                    🌹

The people of Uniclandia gathered in the abalone throne room, eager to see the queen that they were promised. Mila, Mare, Fiama, Melody and Shivat huddled into the large crowd, chatting until the waiting time was over. 

“Hey Rose, you okay?,” Amos asked. Rose turned ands nodded nervously. “You'll be fine. This is much easier than fighting Spina, I promise,” he said chuckling. “I know. Thanks,” she said smiling. He nodded as he stood next to the rest of the guards. Rose exhaled shakily as Queen Stellina squeezed her shoulder gently. “I am so proud of you, my sweet rose”. Rose squeezed her hand back. “I love you, mom,” she said, her eyes watering. “I love you to the moon and back,” she and King Tomas said, wrapping their arms around her. “Come on, they're waiting for us,” he said. 

The three of them stepped out into the head of the throne room as the crowd cheered for their rulers. “Thank you,” King Tomas said. “Today is a very important day. Today, we make history in the Uniclandia prophecy, a moment that will forever be remembered, passed down from generation to generation, and now I gladly give you, Queen Stellina.” The crowd applauded politely as she spoke aloud. “Thank you, my dear people. We are thankful that we have the next heir to the throne. A trustworthy, responsible queen. It was 22 years ago when the star of Uniclandia was born. We knew her value, her great potential of being a queen. She may have not been raised in her true home, but she is very much an important part of this world. She is the rules, the stability, she is the peace and the love of this world,” she said, her voice slightly cracking. “Back to today, the day has come that she is now going to fulfill her destiny. It is an honor to present to you the coronation of Princess Rose”. The people clapped and cheered as Rose curtsied, staying bowed in front of her parents. Rose glanced up, smiling gratefully. Queen Stellina nodded as King Tomas handed her the diamond sword. 

“This sword represents the kingdom of Uniclandia,” she said loud and clear. “Rose, are you ready to take full responsibility of your inherited land, Uniclandia? ” Rose moved her eyes up, breathing deeply. “Yes, your majesty”. “Do you pledge to be responsible?” “Yes, I do”. “Do you pledge to be trustworthy?” “Yes”. “Are you fully understanding that you are the head of this Uniclandian Empire?” An intense silence filled the room as all the people watched wide-eyed, waiting for her word. Her promise to the world. 

“Yes, I do”. King Tomas and Queen Stellina smiled as the sword landed on her shoulders and head. “Please rise,” she said. Rose stood gracefully, her breaths becoming quick. “The crown and orb please,” the king ordered. Amos bowed down as he handed the box and the orb to the king. “I now grant Princess Rose the throne of Uniclandia,” Rose's father said, handing her the orb as Rose sat on the throne. “I now grant Princess Rose to the throne of Uniclandia, ” Rose's mother repeated. Queen Stellina carefully placed the crown on top of her head, bowing down with every other guest in the room, followed by her father and her guards. “I now declare you as Queen Rose of Uniclandia!”, the now retired king and queen stated. Then the people did their part, their acceptance. “All hail Queen Rose”. 

As everyone curtsied and bowed, Rose watched intently. This is it. My new life has begun, she thought. “All please rise,” Rose called. The people shuffled as they stared in awe. Rose stepped forward as she cleared her throat delicately for her speech. 

“Thank you all for gathering here and welcome to the Castle of Abalonia. At last, the horrendous grip of Queen Spina is over. I as your new queen will reign over Uniclandia for as long as fate will allow. Correct me if I am wrong, but to my knowledge I know that the people in this room have waited quite some time for this moment. The moment where our lives will be lived in peace”. The crowd murmured in agreement.

 “At first I walked into this frightened, lost, clueless. But with the right people by my side, also referring to your recent ruler, Queen Stellina, has assisted me to get through such a struggle. I believed I was alone in another world, until I encountered a dear friend, but due to recent events, she is not here today”. Rose swallowed as her eyes began to sting. 

“She led me here, to the moment when I was greeted by my loyal guard, Amos, and little did I know he would be with me at the hardest moments, such as when he spared my life when danger came too close. I had our nature element, Mila, who had my back when I wasn't there to fend for myself, along with another close friend we will lose soon. She only has 7 days to her life, but we are attempting to save her”. Mare held back her tears as  Rose nodded sympathetically. 

“Then came the fire of the war, Fiama. She regrets ever encountering our nemesis, but please remember to hold no grudges against her because unfortunately she was given no choice. I can assure you Queen Spina is sentenced to life in prison. Her wicked actions and deeds will not be tolerated, whether she is family or not. There are consequences to actions,” she stated, her tone of voice cold as the people nodded in disapproval. 

 “Moving along, all of your efforts were and are greatly appreciated because without you we wouldn't be standing here today. Our people would not be here, they would still be hoping to return home, eagerly waiting to see if the Uniclandian prophecy would unfold as the were told. Before I conclude this speech, there is one task I must complete before moving on. We will recognize the precious life that was lost in the effort of our battle for our citizens to arrive back home safely, as they deserve to. Celeste, my guardian angel, I can never say enough words to tell you just how much you mean to me. You were not only my mentor, my guardian, but a dear friend, the type of shining star that is rare to find. Not only did you risk your life the first two times, but I live with the guilt, sorrow, and gratefulness that you saved my life, but came with the price of ending yours. Thank you, we will miss you tremendously. We will commemorate her by engraving her name on our Uniclandian monument. I’d like to thank you all in advance for attending. I look forward to the future we will all have together. May all the fortune in the stars be with us”.

The people cheered and applauded as Rose bowed and exited the room. “You all may return to your homes. Good day,” King Tomas stated as he and Queen Stellina followed Rose. Rose leaned against the table from the back room as her parents hugged her proudly embraced their daughter. “Our sweet rose is a queen!,” he said. Rose laughed happily as all her friends can into the room, applauding her. “Here here, all hail Queen Rose!,” Amos said. 

They spent the rest of their night celebrating together, sharing stories of how they all met each other, how Rose's parents met, and every other heartwarming memories together. “Good night everyone!,” Rose called as her friends left. Rose sighed heavily as she hugged her father. “Good night Dad, I love you”. Tomas smiled as she stood beside her mother. “Good night, sweetheart. To the moon and back”. Rose smiled, then yawned as Stellina walked her up the stairs. “It's been a very long day, my dear!”, she said. Rose chuckled weakly. “I can't argue that”. They walked quietly until Rose spoke again.

“I still can't wrap my head around the fact that all this is over,” Rose. “I know. But a brand new life is what you fought for. Not to mention that you saved thousands of people”. Rose quirked her eyebrows at the word 'thousands'. “Thousands? How can thousands of people fit into this small world?” Queen Stellina laughed, patting Rose's forearm. “My dear, you have only seen the land of Abalonia, there is so much more for you to explore!” Rose chuckled, taking in a satisfied breath, then stopped at the small little terrace where she stood with  Celeste. Rose let go of her mom's arm as she gripped the rail. Queen Stellina hugged her by the shoulders, concern laced in her features. 

“What's the matter?” Rose turned to face her, saddened. “This was where me and Celeste were that night we ran into the Amazonite Forest. We snuck out to see the Tangingerine stones glow”. Stellina rubbed her arm. “I'm sorry honey. I miss her too,” she said as a tear slid down her face. Rose nodded. “I know. Her last words still ring in my head”. Her mom looked at her curiously. “What did she tell you?” Rose breathed deep, the cool breeze blowing her hair. “'Shine bright my shining star, just when you think a star has reached its end, we hold on to every last flickering light of hope'”. Rose and Stellina smiled as they both glanced up at the night sky, staring at a specific star, twinkling brighter than them all. 

                                                                 THE END

Thank you so very much for coming along on this magical journey! This is my very first book and to have your love and support means a lot. Let me know what your final thoughts are, and don't forget to vote!⭐