The chanting lessened when they approached the Courtyard. The streets were lined with people, but they meet the royals with solemn faces and smiles. The packed, busy civilization extended itself into the gentle and simpler houses of the little countryside of the capital. There were people here, tears streaming down their faces and love in their eyes. Revy smiled at them.

It is time.

The other guests of royalty and powerful people were already gathered. And when Revy approached they rise out of respect. Some of them were bored, some curious, but the majority were pleased with what they saw—a beautiful, young, and strong Queen.

Regal.

Revy dismounted her horse as gracefully as she could, fretting at the state of her cape, reading to walk when...

The royals of mighty kingdoms bow. They incline their heads and their torsos. Bowing. Bowing.

They are bowing for me.

They show Reverie of Analide the ultimate sign of respect and welcome someone of their rank could offer. They bow to her, a young Queen.

They have never done this. Revy has read the history books and the protocol. They do not do this. And even as a Queen visiting other kingdoms in the future, she does not bow.

But here they were.

She loosed a breath and steeled her nerves.

Revy readjusted her top carefully, and began to walk.

She walked with shoulders back, chin raised, hands relaxed, and her golden cape dragging behind her. It was tradition for to-be-crowned kings and queens to walk to the where they shall be crowned. It symbolized the path they will take, and the last few steps of being free from responsibility.

But right now, Revy savoured it.

She looked straight ahead to the crown at the front. It was beautifully done, simple looking. But she had no doubt the engravings and details to it were beautiful, in that certain way Analidian culture preferred it to be. Revy imagined its weight. She imagined the throne. She imagined that these steps she took led her closer to the people.

And, strangely, instead of complete silence—the royalties murmured amongst themselves. They talked to each other in awed whispers that were loud enough for Revy to hear.

"What is that flower crown?" "I've heard she bowed and stopped for a child." "Really? I never knew she was so humble..."

Five steps to the crown.

Whip. Whip. Whip.

She deserved this.

Four steps to the crown.

"You will never be Queen."

She deserved this.

Three steps to the crown.

"You are a disgrace to our family bloodline."

She deserved this.

Two steps.

Her people needed her. Her people need someone to defend them. Her people have waited long enough. My people. My people.

One.

Revy knelt.

"Reverie of Analide," King Thanatos said in a voice that carried across the entire valley. Loud enough that it reached every person gathered there. "You stand before the crown of Analide, in bloodline and worthiness. You stand before the allies of our kingdom, as a symbol of our friendship. You stand before me, the King, and now you shall take your vows." He took a long breath. "Are you aware of your responsibilities as Queen?"

"Yes," Revy said. And then, before he could continue, "My responsibilities are bringing power to the people. I am responsible for creating a changed Analide for everyone, for the poor and not just the rich. It is my responsibility to stop the killings, to be the bearer of justice, to lead with grace and to be a protector for all."

The shock in the royals gathered could not be expressed through words. Their intrigue felt hot in the air, and the love of the people seemed to solidify itself.

Her father feigned uninterest, but she could see the tension in his shoulders.

One last time. I will be afraid of you for one last time.

"Do you promise to fulfil your duties, and pledge yourself wholeheartedly to the stars?"

Revy could feel her palms begin to sweat at this dangerous line she drew. But she will not falter. "Yes. I pledge on the stars that I will be the light of this world, ever more, ever shining, and forever strong. I promise to fulfil my duties, above all, to my people. I promise Analide—the children and the women and the poor that I will not become a tyrant."

The tension grew.

Her father showed surprise now. And she recognized that look—the beginnings of the beating. But this time, Revy looked up at him and made sure she saw every inch of her defiance.

"Are you prepared for the weight of these responsibilities?"

"Yes. I have known since day one. I have known since I was able to talk. But I am ready, I am passionate, and I will serve."

It was difficult for him to hold back, she could see the inner conflict he fought behind his eyes. "Then, Reverie of Analide, make your pledge."

She breathed in, and out. The atmosphere was so tense.

"I, Reverie of Analide, promise to uphold the duties and responsibilities of being Queen." Her voice was strong. They hung on to her every word. "I will be the stars' champion, evermore, until the day I die."

"I promise to break tradition and change the ideals of this Kingdom for the better. I promise that the throne I will sit on will be a pilgrim of honesty and integrity. I promise that I will be for the people, and everything I do shall be for them. Not only for myself, not only for the crown, but for everyone who believes in me."

Now it was clear what the royals thought of her.

They were threatened. She could feel it in their bones. There was a certain fear for her, for the young Queen who believed in equality and fair play.

I am a world-changer, and that terrifies them.

"I pledge to uphold the ideas of fair play, camaraderie, and justice. I promise that my reign will be so bright, the stars would look down and know they have chosen correctly."

Her father said it with clenched fists and utter disbelief. But the words came out steadily enough. "Let all hear be witness of Reverie of Analide's coronation, and may we guide her, follow her, and trust her always." He spat the last word out.

Revy didn't care. She flexed her fingers and braced herself.

King Thanatos spread his hands, and he lifted them to the sky. He breathed out slowly, tilted his head back, and recited something in the old and ancient language of Analide. Revy could only understand bits and phrases of it like, star, star son, first born.

Worthy.

Her father grunted, his face scowling, and for a second it looked like he was in pain until—

Revy felt the rush of it enter.

She was taken aback by how it felt. Blown away. It felt like everything she expected the stars to feel like. Powerful. Strong. Unrelenting. Victory.

Powerful. Powerful. Powerful. Powerful.

She felt like the universe was expanding inside of her. She was tunnelling into herself and some part of her ushered around to make space for this new deep well of power. It rushed in, the sensation starting in her chest and spreading outward. She felt golden and powerful and absolutely unstoppable as it rushed through her veins. It burrowed into the very pit of who she was, attaching itself to her soul. Staying. It was too much and yet not at all.

Her father placed the crown on her head.

"Then rise, and may your reign be beautiful."

Reverie of Analide stood.

The people erupted into howls and hysterics. They were crying, hugging each other. They were stomping their feet again and clapping their hands, creating a beat and a new mantra. It echoed across the valley, reverberated in her soul, and set her into motion. Revy raised her arms and tilted her head and let the stars shine. 

And she was reborn.

"All hail Queen Reverie! All hail Queen Reverie!"

--

ooooh double update. hello!!! im making the chapters shorter after today. and i already have chapters 5, 6, and 7 prepared!!! editing is so much harder than writing, so ill probably take a break before updating again:>

my wrists are sore and my eyes are kinda strained. self care, loves. self care.

leave a vote and some feedback dummies. no ghost readers!!!!!

- yannah:>