The party was well under way, the guests laughing, chatting, and dancing the night away as they celebrated the Royal Jubilee.
   A few minutes later, the music stopped as the trumpets sounded a long note. Everyone's attention was then drawn to the stairs.
   "Announcing the former King Demetri and Queen Anastasia!"
   The former king and queen appeared at the top of the stairs. Anastasia was wearing a golden dress and Demetri was dressed in a black and white suit with a cape. Everyone bowed and curtsied before the royals.
   The trumpet blew again. "Announcing Sir Merlin!"
   Down below, on the deck, the VKs crossed their fingers. Would Merlin actually come? He said he would but how they know that would be true??
   With that, Merlin appeared at the top of the stairs. He was wearing a dark blue suit with a silver and gold tie, his hair for once, well groomed, with a circlet around his head.
   He slowly but surely made his way down the stairs. Halfway down, he was stopped by Anastasia and Demetri.
   "You look great, Merlin!" Anastasia said.
   "Like a prince." Demetri added, smiling for once.
   "Rose needs someone like you. You're good for her."
   "I'll admit I was wrong about you, Merlin. You make her genuinely happy. I can't imagine a better man for our little girl."
   "Thank you both...for everything." Merlin said.
   With that, he made his way down the rest of the stairs to join his friends. Immediately, they each hugged him.
   "We're so glad you decided to come!" Elsa and Ruby shouted.
   "Well, I thought about it and, between what you guys told me and what my mother said, I decided I should. I just hope things between me and Rose will be alright."
    "I'm sure they will." Ruby said. "You two are obviously perfect for each other as well as being in love with one another."
    Merlin nodded, a nervous smile on his face. "Gid, I'm glad to see you finally asked Lacey out."
    "Yea well...it wasn't easy." He remarked.
    "And, hey, Els! Thought you didn't like Jack." Merlin added with a knowing smirk.
    She blushed. "Well he's not as bad as I thought he'd be. He even saved me back on the Isle. I thought I'd give him a chance."
    After that, the group spent some time laughing and joking with one another, killing time as it seemed that Rose was running late, though why, they weren't sure.
   Finally, after what seemed like forever, the trumpets sounded one more time. "It is my honor to introduce Queen Rosalia!"
   Everyone looked up as Rose appeared at the top of the stairs. She was wearing a gorgeous, form-fitting dark blue gown with a sparkly blue cape that connected at her shoulder blades and dragged behind her. It was very similar to one of the dresses her mother had worn back in the day.

   A small gasp escaped from Merlin's lips as he saw his princess standing there and, for a moment, it seemed the world moved slower.
   He watched her with wide eyes and a wide-open mouth as she slowly descended the stairs. She stopped at the bottom of them, right in front of Merlin.
   He took her hand. "Rose...you look... beautiful...gorgeous...enchanting."
   She smiled. "Thanks, Merlin, and thank you for coming."
   "Look, Rose, there's something I need to tell you and it's really important."
   "There's something I need to tell you too!" She said and his heart lifted as he was sure they were both thinking the same thing. "And I wish I had more time to explain."
   With that, she gestured to the top of the stairs where a spotlight was shining. From the shadows, wearing a suit similar to Merlin's and Rose's grandfather's ring, was the last person Merlin ever wanted to see.
   Mordred.