Seren sat up and stared at the large dark empty room. The sun was rising and bleeding more light into the room. It was starting to fill out. A dressing screen had been added. As had a large rug. Seren rested their elbows on their knees, there was such a lack of color or anything interesting. Beside them the heavy bed covers turned over. James’ hand found their thigh and gave it a small squeeze.

“What’re you doing?” He asked, voice heavy from sleep. His eyes slowly opened to meet theirs. Seren smiled down at him.

“Thinking about hanging something on the walls.” Seren stretched their arms and laid back down. James pulled them into his arms and curled up around them.

“Thanks for staying with me,” Seren said.

“I told you I wanted to be with you, didn’t I?” He asked. “That hasn’t changed.”

“Can’t imagine why,” Seren laughed. “You could have literally anyone.”

“I don’t want anyone,” he said. “I want you.” His hands slid up their nightshirt and settled on their stomach.

“Why are you so cold?” He huffed. Seren smiled and wiggled deeper into his grip.

“Cause you didn’t hold me tight enough,” They said.

“I’ll make up for that then.” He squeezed them. A loud knock at the door surprised them both.

“Your Majesty? It’s time to get up!” The voice behind the door called. “Are you two decent?” Seren sighed.

“Yeah, we’re decent.” Seren called back. They grabbed one of James’ hands and lightly kissed it before moving out from his grip. The double doors opened. An entourage of men and women trailed in with boxes full of hair supplies and makeup. As well as multiple people carrying the day's clothes.

“Are you ready for your coronation?” The head of attendants, Cedar, asked. Most of the staff were replaced or re-arraigned after Seren took over the castle.

“Not really, but I suppose it’s too late for that.” Seren crawled out of their bed. Adjusting the tight waist of their night pants.

“Just a bit, your majesty,” Cedar nodded. They were at Seren’s side before Seren made it to the end of the bed. “I’ve gotten the itinerary listed and we need to have you, and you,” Cedar turned to look at James with a cheeky look. “Put together and ready for the ceremony.” James snickered and slid out of the bed. Seren couldn’t help but watch from the corner of their eyes. He was topless and Seren felt their cheeks flush slightly when he stretched.

“Focus,” Cedar lightly smacked Seren’s shoulder.

“Sorry,” Seren chuckled.

“First order of business, we need to get you into the bath.” Cedar directed. “Then clothes, hair and makeup.”

“In that order?” Seren asked with a joking smile.

“Don’t you get snide with me,” Cedar shoved them toward the door. “We have the rest of the family getting ready as well. I believe Miss Aurora will be around to double check your coronation suit. Her design is quite intuitive. She wants to be sure there aren’t any last minute alterations necessary.”

“Oh that’s really not necessary,” Seren insisted. Cedar shoved Seren out the door and toward the Sovereign Suite’s bathroom.

“Of course it is,” Cedar said. “It’s YOUR day, even your eventual wedding isn’t going to be this big or even as much about you!”

“Wedding?” Seren asked. They slid open the bathroom door.

“Yeah, I mean.” Cedar shut the door behind them with a sly look. “How long’s it gonna be realistically? Two weeks? Three?” Seren scoffed as they walked barefoot over the tile.

“Maybe I’ll make it a year just to spite you,” They said.

“Whatever, the wedding is imminent!” Cedar yelled as he left the bathroom. Pausing through the door crack. “I’ll be back in thirty. You better be clean.” Seren rolled their eyes.

The bathroom was sparkling white. With marble tile and a giant white porcelain tub. Towels were hung near the tub. Seren stripped their shirt and threw it at the little clothes basket. James knocked on the door and opened it before waiting for an answer. Slipping inside the bathroom.

“Excuse me sir,” Seren crossed their arms. “I don’t believe you were invited.”

“Do I need an invitation, your majesty?” He mocked. Seren shook their head but turned away. Trying to hide their bare chest from him.

“Why are you turning away? There’s nothing there!” James laughed.

“No one’s ever seen me without clothes!” Seren yelled back.

“We’ve only got thirty minutes so we better get clean quickly.” James walked past and bumped Seren with his hip. Seren snickered and covered their red cheeks. James bent over and wiggled his hips at them. He turned on the water and started filling the tub. He eyed Seren over his shoulder slyly. Seren’s face went pink when James slid down his night pants.

“You going to join me?” He asked and stepped into the tub.

“Damn,” Seren said as they realized Cedar was right. They were shaky and hesitant as they turned to the side and slid down their own pants.

“Something struck you?” James asked.

“Cedar’s already planning the wedding,” Seren stepped into the bath. They could sit with their legs crossed and still not feel either side of the tub. The water was warm and rising. They felt so small.

“Getting ahead of us, is he?” James asked. Seren scoffed.

“I told him I’d take my time just to spite him,” Seren said, They leaned back against the tub wall.

“Your time?” James asked and flipped off the faucet. “Planning something?”

“Well not anymore!”

James laughed and held out a bar of fragrant soap to them. Seren had to scoot forward to take it. They sat back again and stared at the cream colored brick.

“Something on your mind?” James asked, ducking under the water to get his long hair wet.

“Everything is so big,” Seren said. Looking up and around the bathroom. “It’s big and detailed. I have an assistant.”

“Yeah,” James grabbed a second bar and began lathering the soap. “You’re running a kingdom. Having an assistant is very common. My mother has three.”

“Gods, I’m running a kingdom.” Seren winced and dropped their head onto their knees. “Everyone in the country is looking to me to lead and I don’t know how!”

“That’s what the assistant is for.” James said. He slid forward and turned Seren around so he could pull them into their lap. “You’re gonna do great,” He said into their ear.

Seren relaxed, slightly inconvenienced by the soap slipping out of their hand. They laid their head back on his chest with a contented sigh. But only for a moment.

“We gotta wash up. It’s going to be a long day.” Seren said.

“Yeah.”

Seren started forward but James pulled them back into his chest. Lifting their head and kissing them for the first time.

-----

“This is my best work yet,” Aurora clapped. She stepped back and smiled at Seren. They turned to the mirror and felt their soul leave them. They were dressed in brilliant emerald green and gold. A dark green vest with a long bright green coat over their shoulders. Deep emerald pants and leather boots. The mint green shirt had loose sleeves that couldn’t roll up. The golden stitched cuffs were too tight to move up their wrist.

“You sure about this?” Seren asked. Tugging down the cuffs and inspecting the gold and emerald jewelry they wore.

“You look so awesome!” Aurora gushed. She jumped and clapped. Her own dress bounced with her, defying gravity. “Ooh! Everyone’s gonna look at you and weep. Weep that you are already taken.” Seren scoffed.

“I don’t think that’s gonna happen.” They played with their tightly braided hair. Decorated with equally gold and emerald jewelry.

“Hey, showtime in ten.” Cedar slipped into the room. “You look regal. All we need is the crown.”

“My mother’s?” Seren asked, a rock plummeting into their stomach.

“Your father’s.” Cedar said. Merely mentioning the former king made a hallowed silence ring through the rafters. The rock in Seren’s stomach hatched into thousands of butterflies.

“Shall we?” Cedar asked. They turned to Aurora. “Let’s get to our places!” Aurora flashed a thumbs up at Seren and left. Cedar turned to Seren. They took a last look in the mirror and then back to Cedar.

“Let’s go,” They said. Cedar smiled and opened the door for Seren. They went to the back of the throne room. There they met the Captain of the royal guard; Hristo.

“Everyone’s been seated.” Hristo said quietly.

“Perfect, shall I signal the band?” Cedar asked Seren.

“I suppose so,” They said with a small tremble in their voice. Cedar nodded and left into the ballroom. Seren took a steadying breath, they felt like they were going to cry or throw up.

“Are you all right?” Hristo asked.

“I will be,” Seren nodded. “Let’s get this over with.” The music cued and Hristo opened the double doors. Escorting Seren down the aisle to the throne at the head of the room. All the seats were filled. Ahead of the throne was the congregation. Made of the churches, circles, oaths, and laboratories of the magical and religious sects of the kingdom. To the left in the wings was Eoin and Pandora. On the right was Kyi and Aurora. Hristo and James were on either side of the aisle. Seren walked to the front and knelt before the mass.

The ceremony began with each of the officials taking their turn to bless and perform their rites. Seren felt the hair on the back of their neck rise. The air thickened, an uneasiness travelled over them.

With all the rites completed. The crowning child stepped forward. To minimize fighting between the officials. It was long ago decided that a child unaffiliated with any of the sects would bring and crown the new monarch.

The child was a boy. The crown of rainbow flowers on his blonde hair. Dressed white and holding a white cushion with the golden crown settled on it. The boy knelt down before Seren who was still on their knees. His hands trembled as he put the cushion down.

“You’re doing great,” Seren whispered to him. The boy shared a small smile with them. He took the crown and lifted it up, Seren bent their head for him.

The door slammed open, the pressure in the air increased and it shattered the windows.

Standing in the doorway was Sawyer. With the slightly singed black bound book…