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She paused for a moment, listening to the murmur of the crowd below, and she hoped they could hear the sincerity in her voice.

“I promise you the peace we have lived in, the order that you have grown used to, and prosperity you all look forward to,” she continued, “I know that these are difficult times, but we will work together to overcome any obstacle. The Sky Kingdom will be stronger, wiser, and fair to all, where every person can thrive and yes, that includes our Sealians brothers and sisters, who’ve come to our land with their hopes and dreams of creating a future for them and their children. As long as they live here, I am their queen as well, and I will do all things necessary to build a better kingdom.”

She paused again, her hands moving subtly as she gathered her thoughts. There was a knot in her chest, tight with the knowledge that the weight of the kingdom was on her shoulders. Every decision from now on would affect millions, and she wasn’t sure she could stomach something going wrong.

“I may not look like the Valda you are all used to seeing, but know, this will not stop me from protecting you from enemies inside and outside our lands,” she said firmly. “I will not hesitate to do what needs to be done.”

The crowd below erupted in cheers, and the queen smiled, her hands still moving gracefully as she acknowledged their applause. “I am honored to be your queen,” she said finally, her voice ringing out over the cheering masses. “Together, we will build a brighter future for all of us.”

Maris watched from the inside of the room, standing behind the curtains that led to the balcony. There was no mistaking the tension in Valda’s back as she spoke loud and clear, her arms over her head, a play of strength and a script of confidence. Maris wasn’t fooled. Valda was petrified and anxious about her new duties, yet when she talked to her people, there was no trace of that fear in her movement, voice, or face.

Maris’s dark blue gaze held Valda’s clear, worried, and tired eyes.

Never far from them for long, Kayden’s gaze was just as exhausted as Valda’s, and that worried Maris. She had never seen him in such a state. Yet he gave her a tight smile, a silent promise that he was fine.

Maris frowned and looked away, focusing her attention on Valda. Maris knitted her brows together in worry and rubbed her hands against the dark dress, smoothing a persistent wrinkle. She tried to keep her mind busy with other thoughts, to clear her head of what might come, but all her thoughts fell upon the queen.

After one last, “All hail Queen Valda,” the tall woman took a couple of steps back, turned on her heel, and walked inside her new room.

Valda let out a ragged trembling breath. The day was done, and Maris was sure that she wanted nothing more than to take her clothes off, including the tiara, and go to bed.

Maris was about to help her, but Kayden stood before her and the queen.

She tensed at the delicate way Kayden cupped Valda’s face. Yet, she knew that the queen needed her friend, and she shouldn’t get in the way of Kayden supporting her. They talked— mostly Kayden reassuring Valda that she would be fine, and he would be there for her. Among the breaths of hope, Kayden told the queen to take it one day at a time, to be strong, to which Valda agreed with a nod, her large hand encircling the Harmonian’s waist, pulling him to an intimate hug.

They stood like that, holding each other and taking in the other’s presence before Kayden separated first. Without saying anything else, he kissed Valda’s cheek, bowed to Maris, and left the room.

Now Maris was left with a tired and broken queen. The awkward silence consumed both women for what seemed an eternity until Valda spoke.

“I do not wish to sleep here.”

Maris focused on Valda. “My Queen?”

Valda’s upper lip twitched. “This is my mother’s room. It will always be her room. I do not wish to be here.”

Maris understood Valda’s desperation. She grabbed hold of her sweaty and trembling hands. “Let’s get you out of here.”

***

Maris closed the door behind her as Valda walked in. She undid the belt, pulling at the Heaven Sword scabbard. Without uttering a single word, Valda tossed the weapon across the room, hitting a full-length mirror and shattering it into pieces. Maris recoiled at the sudden clattering. She pressed her body to the door while Valda walked cautiously until sitting on the sofa.

Cerberus jumped out of her hiding space, sitting on the sofa’s arm rest and blinking slowly. Maris thought the poor animal was so used to the racket and commotion that she didn’t react.

“The mirror—”

“What the fuck does it matter? I am not using it,” Valda mumbled, leaning against the arm rest and propping her temple on her fist.

Maris inhaled and slowly walked over the mess Valda had made, making sure not to step on it and cutting herself. Her hand found Cerberus’s tail. She pet it absentmindedly while staring at Valda. What was she to do now?

“Do you want to talk?”

Valda grunted. “About?”

Maris opened her mouth but then closed it. What could they talk about?

Cerberus’s tail flicked in her hand, and she cast a brief look at her adorable face. Cerberus was staring, slowly blinking at Maris and purring. “Your cat seems to like me,” Maris said, petting the long fluffy tail.

Valda didn’t answer right away, instead she kept quiet until Cerberus nudged her arm. The queen leaned back and held her hand out, palm facing upward. Cerberus stood from her position and rubbed her face ferociously and almost aggressively against Valda’s hand.