The coronation began in the morning, but the families and the king were wide awake much earlier than that. Nobody was allowed to see the monarch, not even his parents or husband.

The king was dressed in a simple black silk suit. He was given makeup to hide any blemishes, his nails were painted sliver and blue glitter, gel to keep his hair neat, and black shoes with a simple white diamond on the sides. He would have to follow Catholic rituals, for the country expected it. But, he was allowed to show his religion subtlety. The ball of the globe would be sliver and blue. There would be a rabbi to copy everything the priest. He was still allowed to wear his Star of David underneath the heavy gold necklaces he would have to bear.

Three hours to noon, the carriage carried him, and only him across the capital where the castle was in the center. He didn't know that everyone else was there waiting for him. The priest and rabbi spoke to the crowd inside before he sat in the black throne that was made in 1744 for the last king. He looked out to the crowd as he was being read a bible verse.

This was it. This was the most important thing he'll ever do. He'll either go down in history for being Alexander the Great or Juilus Ceasar, but he's certainly going down in the books somehow. He blinked. He couldn't cry, not now. Kings don't cry in front of their people.

His father came out, dressed in a golden robe and looking happier than the king felt. He raised his arms high above his head before slowly, like a machine, putting the golden crown of Vagu on his son's head. He stood back and bowed as the crowd yelled twice, "God save our king! God save our king!" He was frozen with uncertainty. What was he gonna do now?

He had to stand up moments later to crown Sarah as his heir. Her long curly hair was done into a braid with diamonds trapped in the black hair, her gray eyes shining like gems. He found it hard to smile. His heart was beating very fast. He was sweating a lot. His knights and guards came before François did. He was wearing a simple gold crown and a long robe. He bent down to be knighted by Lloyd, who was shaking but did his best to cover it. His husband was smiling at him as he touched the big sapphire in his crown. Everything felt heavy and raw, like that day. The day he became a general. He walked out as a choir of young boys, led by Valentino, sung the national ainthem in Korean.

"God save our King,
For he delivers us from all evils.
God bless our faithful king,
May the birds sing.
God save our king,
For he burns with the sun.
God save our joyful king,
Vagu will pray until his dying day.
God save our King!"

He brought back into the golden carriage, this time with Sarah and her daughter. Luna was excitedly waving out the window on her mother's lap, flowers being thrown from outside. She knew in just a few decades that this would be her kingdom. They couldn't speak to each other, but they smiled at the tiny heir.

Again, they were taken back to the castle for the celebration. He was finally allowed to see François, who noticed immediately how nervous the other was.

"It's alright, Lloydie." He whispered to him as the guests began to flood the room. They sat on the thrones above, watching over them and occasionally waving.

Lloyd held his hand. "Franny, I don't know how I'm going to do this." His language improved. Now he was speaking like a royal. "I was general before, but that was over maybe a couple hundred people. Now I'm ruling more than twenty million, plus the islands we have."

"You're not alone, I'm here to help you." He smiled at him. "You're doing just fine right now. You'll do great."

Feeling more at ease, he whispered, "I could go for a cigarette right now."

François sighed. "Since you are king, you don't have to listen to your parents' rule of just two a day anymore." He saw Lloyd reaching in his pocket. "Not right now, sweetheart! We have guests."

He giggled, blushing slightly. His parents, aunt, and François' grandparents came shortly afterward to congratulate them. Ho was with Sarah as they said congratulations. Just by looking at him, which was almost always hard to tell just by his face, he was a very proud father today. Beom couldn't even hide it. He was telling everyone that his son was the king and pointing to him like a toy, which made François laugh as Lloyd turned red. They had a luncheon, everyone was straving.

They went outside to the balcony after eating. They saw parades, parties, fireworks, and waving. Lloyd and François waved to them, both smiling. Sarah, Luna, and Clara were allowed to next. Then the parents, siblings, and finally everyone else up there.

"You're still old." Haruki whispered to Sarah as he waved.

With a smile, she whispered in between her teeth. "Least I'm royalty."

---------------------------

"Good evening to you all. I am Lloyd Sauveterre, your king.

I asked you to pray for me and keep me in your thoughts three weeks ago, and now, I ask all a lifelong favor. I ask you to see me as your devoted king and protector of heartache and war. Treat me as your faithful ruler, and always keep me in your hearts.

Me and my husband, Prince François, hold you all in the utmost regard and respect. We all want what's best for you and your country. I had supported you through war and the depression that came swiftly afterward. Now, I will devote my life, rather long or short, in developing our nation and taking care of its citizens. I now rule over Vagu, Queze, Wae, Juana, New Juana, and Prae. I will pay a visit to all those countries in a short while....

-----------------------------

Lloyd was exhausted by eight after his twelve minute speech, and as king, he got to go to bed as early as he liked. He got to be in his once parents' huge bedroom and lay down in the blue sheets. He changed most things blue; the coat of arms, the guards' uniform, and all around the palace, things were different shades of blue. He left some things red for François, such as their bedroom. They were offered separate bedrooms, but what's the fun in that? They're the first couple to sleep in one bed, his parents were too old-fashioned for that.

He thought about their house back in France. Everything they wanted was brought back. Their clothes, paintings, books, all that they wanted were here. The only thing that wasn't brought back was his grand piano because there was a better and grander one here, but the old one wouldn't be collecting dusts. Marcel was allowed there anytime he wanted, and he knew how to play it.

François came in shortly after he did. "Smoking already?"

"Girl, I needed this." The other laid down next to him. "Wow. I'm king now."

"How do you feel about that?"

"Nervous, but really excited." He sighed and held his hand. "I'm happy we're doing this together."

"I go wherever you go." He took the cigarette out his mouth and gave him a candy bar instead.

In a powerful voice, he said, "As king, I demand my cig back."

"As husband-" they laughed. "candy bars are better for you."

"What a speech."

They had a shark squishmallow, Benjamin ate a frog one. The dogs all shared a room now. It was weird not hearing little snores by the bed. François loved this bed. He had all the room to move around and cuddle up Lloyd.

"Goodnight, your majesty."

He only heard snoring as a reply.

Paul Gustave Dore -ACROBATS