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“It took us years to come to this place, so it’ll take a little time to fix things. I know we still have corrupt people in power, so that’s something that’ll need to be addressed,” Silla admits. “Forbach is strong, and I have found kindness and compassion within many of you. Please remember that strength and truth will change things for the better.”

Silla hands the microphone back to Kinsley, who winks at her, while her head is turned away from the crowd. The crowns are brought out, and a bunch of sacred words are said that are lost on me. I’m instead drinking in the sight of our beautiful girl. Her words are the ones echoing in my mind, their truth ringing through. Silla is clearing the path for a strong future, and our job is to help her achieve her goals.

Two of the biggest things are food and more work for people. I know Silla is also trying to find a way to lower taxes, but Cinder was a greedy queen. There’s a moment of surprise when Kenzo steps forward, and he bows to our girl to show he doesn’t want to lead alone. Instead, he will help Forbach walk into the future hand in hand with her. He’s always insisted that our realm needs a strong female voice as their queen.

As the ceremony comes to a close, a crown heavy on my head, I’m mesmerized by how perfect hers is. I don’t think I can think of a more perfect queen.

Long live our new queen.

Andrya smiles sweetly, pulling the pins out of her hair as she twirls Silla around. As her hair tumbles down her back, the usual blue streak in her hair has been replaced with lilac. Silla’s lips part before she giggles, throwing her arms around Andrya. The crowd cheers even louder, and we converge around Silla and Andrya, hugging them tightly.

To new beginnings, and a bright future.

Thirty

SIX MONTHS LATER

SIDNEY

Staring out at the fields, I sigh thankfully as I see they’re overflowing with crops that will soon be ready to harvest. I am personally overseeing the fields within a three hour radius of the Queen’s City from now on, because I’m in charge of agriculture for the realm. The royal city was renamed, and the citizens enjoy living in the same city as their queen.

Any towns farther than three hours away, I record a video podcast for farmers. Information should be free, and accessible to all.

Over the last several months, I figured out why the crops weren’t growing in the soil, and it’s because someone changed the pH of it by contaminating it. This was purposeful, meant to cause strife among the people. The first thing Kenzo did when he found this out was leave the castle to interrogate his people. I never thought he was at fault, but couldn’t calm him down.

“They didn’t do it,” Kenzo says to me, looking dejected.

“Did you expect them to have done it?” I ask, confused by why he is so sad.

“No, but it would have been easier to pinpoint the source.” He sighs. “It could have been anyone now. How do we keep someone from doing this again? People were starving!”

Honestly, anyone could have done this. I don’t know if the perpetrator is dead or still an issue. Now that the soil is fixed, there’s abundant food, and we can start ensuring there’s food in the winter months as well.

“I can’t believe this,” the farmer of this estate says, staring out at the fields next to me. “I couldn’t get anything to grow here. I really thought I was cursed with a black thumb.”

“No, nothing so dire,” I tell him, my lips tightening slightly. “The soil was purposely tainted, though I don’t know by whom. May I suggest a camera system over the fields?”

“Yes,” he agrees. “I can’t afford to have another bad year. My crops feed a large portion of the Queen’s City, and the guilt has been eating at me.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” I reassure him. “The crops look amazing, and everyone’s going to be very well fed. We’ll also be able to preserve food for the winter as well. We’re good.”

Smiling gratefully, he strides off, muttering about a security system.

“I can send you some suggestions,” I call after him.

Spinning around, he yells, “Gods, yes, please. You’re just saving my life left and right today, Sidney.”

Snorting, I wave him off, heaving a sigh of relief. Leaving the fields, I leave instructions with one of the farm hands, ready to go home to see my wife. The six of us got married to Silla last year, solidifying our bonds. I’m not saying a piece of paper was necessary, but we really wanted to give Silla a proper wedding. Andrya adored every moment as well. She also said that even though she has relationships with Grayson, Isaac, and I, she is happy to only be married to Silla.

Getting into the car, I turn the ignition, and call Ayden on speakerphone.

“Hey, you about done yet?” he asks, and I can hear him tapping on the computer. The rose business is currently paying for the construction of greenhouses in every larger town and city in the realm. Slowly, our plans are coming together. It means taxes don’t need to go up, and people really love them.

“Yep,” I respond, putting on my seatbelt and shutting the door. “I just finished checking the crops at old man Turner’s estate, and they’re perfect. This is the last farm I needed to look at, so I’ll be home in about an hour.”

The castle is finally our home after making various adjustments to it. The dungeons, for example, were cleaned out, and any remaining prisoners were retried for their crimes. We released those who simply pissed Cinder off, offering rehabilitation for those who needed it.

It’s been a bit of a clusterfuck if I’m being honest about it. Seeing Silla and Andrya’s eyes reflect the remembered horror was awful. Ayden, Grayson, Isaac, and I found solace in helping people move on, but I know not everyone can do that.