A/N I've decided to put this, not only in the reviews but also as an author's note for everyone to read for the future. Thank you to everyone who is patent with me as I write many stories and am working really hard to post frequently. Please keep that in mind when you post reviews. If you're reviewing as a guest, I can't message you personally to assure you that I am working on updates. I'm so happy you like my work, but please be kind and patient. Thank you!
Without further ado, ENJOY!
Zed, Age 21, Coronation Day
A knock on the door wakes me out of a dead sleep. I sit straight up and look around at my unfamiliar surroundings and notice it's still dark out the window. 'That's right. I'm in the castle.' Another knock. 'Addison.' I leap out of bed and rush to open the door with a wide smile.
It only takes a second before my smile drops. "Morning Rookie." Knight Bucky greets flatly. "You're late. Get dressed."
"Sorry! I didn't-" And before I can fully respond he turns and walks away. I sigh heavily. "...know there was a meeting time. Great." I grumble, shutting the door to change.
XxX
The uniform is uncomfortable. It doesn't have a lot of armor, which I'm grateful for, but the material isn't very flexible and fits pretty tightly. I pull on the collar and roll my shoulders as I walk to try and create a little more room to no avail. And I feel off balance. The sword hanging on my belt, heavy against my hip, making me feel like I'm almost leaning. I fidget with my waistband but it doesn't help my discomfort.
I enter the meeting room to find Bucky and his three friends waiting impatiently, glaring at me as soon as I walk in.
"Sorry I'm late." I apologize under their scrutinizing looks. Bucky rolls his eyes and lets out an aggravated groan.
"This is why we don't bring on peasants to the guard!" He complains. My brows furrow.
"Well the princess seemed to think otherwise." I counter defensively. His eyes narrow on me then quickly shifts to a fake smile as he slowly walks up to me.
"You're right! She does!" He steps up in my face. "But I'm head of the guard. And I've been here a lot longer than you have, Newbie. So you better learn your job quick cause her safety, is on your hands." He threatens. I gulp and just nod my understanding. "Good."
He swiftly turns on his heels and snaps for his group to follow him. "We're doing a run over the evening. Everything that will happen and everywhere the princess will be up until the Coronation Ball." Bucky says, not directly to me, but I know it's for me.
I can already tell this is going to be a long morning.
XxX
Addison, Age 21, Coronation Day
The sun peeked through the curtains and shone gently over my eyes. I slowly stretch my arms over my head and sit up in bed. Last night was the first night in a while that I had a sound sleep. I smile knowing it's because Zed was nearby.
I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and slide on my slippers, walking over to the window to open it and take in a whiff of the warm summer air. Like I do first thing every morning, My eyes drift to the corner of my room and I notice my coronation dress, I immediately stiffen.
"Right. The coronation." I close my eyes and force my shoulders down from my ears. "Relax. You'll be fine. Zed will be beside you. You can keep your powers secret for another day." I pep talk, not sounding too convinced even to myself.
With shaky hands, I get dressed for my big day. A day that I've been afraid of for years. I look up at the painting of my father from his coronation day, strong and poised. How a Ruler should look. I can't let my fears control me. I'm stronger than that. My back straightens at the thought. "I can do this." I tell myself more confidently.
The sudden knock on my door makes me squeak in surprise but I quickly recompose. "W-who is it?" I ask.
"It's me, Zed, Your Majesty." I immediately relax.
"Oh Zed! Come in!" I call back with a giggle. He walks in and I'm temporarily stunned by seeing him in his new uniform. I think my heart stopped. I notice his slightly agape mouth and wide eyes as well as he stares at me. I blush and avert my gaze to the floor, shifting nervously and clearing my throat.
"Uh! Good morning Princess!" Zed greets, seeming almost out of a panic. He smiles wide as he rushes forward to take my hand, never breaking eye contact as he bows to kiss my knuckles gently. I take in a shaky breath. He straightens back up and takes a step closer to me, our eyes never leaving the other's. "You look beautiful." My heart tells me he's being sincere.
I offer a small, timid smile up at him but step back and withdraw my hand from his awkwardly. "Aha, thank you! You don't look so bad yourself! I mean, you don't look bad! You look great! Oh this is awkward. Not you're awkward! I'm awkward! You're gorgeous." I tell him dreamily then immediately shake my head. "Wait, what?" Zed chuckles and tucks a blonde hair behind my ear.
"Glad you like my new threads." He says with a smile, then it drops as he tugs on the collar. "'Cause they are the most uncomfortable clothes I've ever had to wear." He complains, making me giggle.
"Yes, noble's clothing isn't meant to be comfortable." I agree.
"I don't see how I'll be much help protecting you if I can barely get my arm around with my normal range of motion though." He points out. A small smile curls the corners of my lips that I'm his concern about being uncomfortable.
"Maybe we can discuss changes in the uniform tomorrow." I suggest. He sighs in relief.
"That would be great!" Then his eyes seem to catch on the painting of my father. "Whoa." We both turn to face the mural.
"Yeah." I agree.
"I never saw the King in person, but he looks, so," Zed tries to find the word.
"Intimidating?" I offer. Zed shakes his head.
"Confident." He corrects. "Not scary. Just, how a king should look." I smile sadly and nod, I'm suddenly afraid I won't be able to live up to his standards. What if Zed doesn't think I'm a good leader? I start to panic.
"Hey, are you ok?" He asks. My wide eyes shoot up to meet his concerned ones.
"Y-yeah! Everything's fine. I'm just, um, nervous about today." I make up the excuse. What happens when the coronation is over? What excuse will I have then? All of these 'what if' questions swirl around my brain at breakneck speeds. Zed rests a hand on my shoulder in comfort.
"Wh-what the-?!" The new exclaim startles is and we both turn to find Bucky in the doorway. "What are you doing in here?! No one's allowed in the princesses quarters!" He rushes forward but I compose myself before he can reach us.
"I invited him in Bucky. We were just admiring the painting of our former King." I sweep an arm to present it. Bucky glances up then back down to narrow his eyes at me.
"Let's not let the rookie get too comfortable before he even knows his job." He states with authority. I roll my eyes at him.
"I'm only allowing that you speak to him this way because he is new and you outrank him, for now. But someday, he will be in charge of the entire royal guard and you won't even need to lift a finger when you visit." I clarify, then lower my voice almost threateningly. "So I would be careful with how you treat him." Bucky gulps then bows in respect.
"Of course, Princess." Is that bitterness in his voice. I don't have time to question it. "Now, that's all settled, it's time Your Highness." He says with a smile. I take a deep breath and glance at Zed, who nods encouragingly with a huge grin. I release my breath and agree.
"Ok."
XxX
The cathedral was beautiful, decorated with bundles of white, pink, and green flowers in honor of new leadership with our kingdom's colors. It was a perfect sunny summer day outside to let in plenty of lighting through the stained glass windows.
There were guards lining every doorway but only one standing off to the side close to me. The one person I could count on to support me. Zed. I glance over at him and he smiled wide when our eyes meet. I relax slightly before bowing my head.
The choir singing their hymns softly as the priest settles the crown into my hair, no one realizing its a wig, then turning to present the scepter and orb of the ancient kings to me on a pillow. I hesitate to take them.
"Your Majesty?" The priest quietly asks, urging me to continue. I gulp and take them shakily into my hands, turning to the crowd of my subjects.
"Sehm hon helldrr inum hellgum, aygnum ok krund ee thesum hellgah stahth, ehk teh frahm furear uthear..." the priest announced loudly in our ancient tongue. My hands are still shaking, my nerves shot. I glance down to see frost forming on the relics. I panic, holding my breath. "Queen Addison of Seabrook." As soon as the words leave his mouth, I basically throw the articles back onto the pillow.
"Queen Addison of Seabrook." The crowd repeats just as I turn back to face them. No one seemed to notice. I think I'm ok. I let out my breath I had been holding. And look over at Zed again. His smile never disappoints me.
XxX
"Queen Addison of Seabrook." One of the advisers announces. I smile and nod to him. He's been around my entire life and he bows respectful with a kind smile before he backs away. Zed comes up beside me with straight posture and his hands folded behind his back.
"Hi." I greet quietly.
"Hi." He responds, trying to sound serious. I giggle.
"At ease, Soldier." I tease. He sighs heavily and slumps forward dramatically.
"Thank god, Your Highness!" We both laugh, but have to force ourselves to settle when someone approaches the pedestal.
"Your Majesty?" Zed's eyes widen. I look over to see a stout man with pale skin and green hair bowing before me, little Zoey holding his hand as she curtsied as well.
"Hello Zoey!" I greet excitedly. "And," leaving the sentence open for him to introduce himself.
"Zevon, Your Highness!" He bows his head down respectfully then stands as he continues. "I'm Zed's father." I smile kindly.
"It's an honor to meet you!" I curtsy. His smile is sad.
"The honor is all mine." He says, I can see his eyes glancing over at his son every so often. I follow his gaze and see the stone expression covering Zed's once soft and happy features. I frown.
"Zed?" I question. It's like he's snapped out of a trance from my words as he turns to me. "Would you like a minute alone with your father?" He stiffens.
"Um, can I actually talk to you for a sec?" He pleads. I nod, turning back to Zevon and Zoey.
"Excuse us for just a moment."
"Of course, Your Highness." Zevon agrees sadly. I'm unnerved by the sound of his voice. Like he's lost someone. I step aside with Zed, he bends down slightly to whisper to me.
"I can't. After what he said yesterday, I just, I can't talk to him right now." I haven't hear Zed sound so frantic or, hurt, the entire time I've known him. I discreetly brush my fingers over his forearm. His eyes snap up to meet my soft ones.
"It's ok to be afraid." I assure him. Using the words my mother had always used to soothe me. "We both know what it's like to lose someone forever. Don't loose your relationship with your father, Zed." I encourage. He sighs softly then smiles at me sadly. I feel a twitch in his arm and I know he wants to hug me but refrains since there are so many people around.
"Thanks Addison. You're gonna be a great queen." He says gratefully before turning to talk with his family. I stand there stunned for a moment at his words. He has so much confidence in my judgement. How can he be so sure when I'm not sure myself?
I look over and see him embrace his father while Zoey hugs them both around the waist. The sight bringing tears to my eyes for reasons I'm not so sure of. Is it because my family is gone? Or is it because I'm happy that Zed still has someone to turn to? The warmth in my chest tells me it's the latter.
XxX
Everyone was having a great time and, even I have to admit, it's very entertaining to see all of the lively personalities from beyond the gates. I got offers from many people to dance; men and women, humans and zombies. Of course, I'd always politely decline. That was until a certain zombie asked me.
"So, you don't like dancing?" Zed inquires randomly after another set of subjects finished congratulating me. I quirk an eyebrow his way.
"I never said that." I deny subtly.
"But you haven't accepted a dance from anyone at this party." He points out. I giggle.
"And?" His brows furrow.
"I just figured you'd want to dance with someone if you like dancing." He mused. I turn towards him with a grin. His face shows his realization then shifts to caution as he glances around the room. He leans down to ask much more quietly. "Would that be ok?"
"Are you asking me to dance Zed Necrodopolus?" I tease. His smile returns as he steps in front of me and bows, offering his hand to me.
"My Queen, would you do me the honor of sharing this dance?" He asked formally. My own smile widens as I accept his offered hand.
"I'd love to."
Zed walks me to the dance floor and everyone seemed to clear the way as we passed. My nerves start to rise until I'm gently spun around to meet bodies with Zed. I look up at him and he puts the free hand around my back that's not holding my hand as he begins to lead me in a formal dance across the floor. I was surprised.
"You dance beautifully, Zed. I wouldn't have pegged you as a ballroom kinda guy." I say too focused on him and our dancing to notice that all eyes are on us. He chuckles at my observation.
"I haven't been to a single ball in my life!" He confessed. Then he turns sentimental. "My mother loved coming to balls thrown at the castle when she was younger." He paused. "Until they stopped." My expression saddened and I think he noticed because he lightens up his tone as he continued. "But mom taught me how to dance and we would have our own little ballroom dances in our living room! We always had so much fun."
My heart was breaking for Zed and hearing how much he loved his mother reminds me of my own parents. I lean in and rest my head against his chest as we continue waltzing around the circle that had formed around us. I close my eyes and listen to his faint heartbeat, forgetting completely for a brief moment about all the people and the coronation and all my stresses. Feeling only him and our dance.
Then he leaned in to whisper in my ear. "Wanna really show 'em what we're made of?"
When I look up and see the excitement behind his eyes, how could I ever deny him? I offer a small smile and nod my agreement. It's like we've practiced this dance together a million time from how well we can read each other's next move. Zed's taking lead as we saunter around the floor; our arms extending, my dress flowing beautifully, and our form absolutely perfect.
At one point, Zed spun me out without releasing one hand. When I extended my free hand out, I realized Zoey was there smiling brightly. My smile widens just before Zed pulls me back.
"You did that on purpose." I whisper, he gives me a sly grin but ignores my accusation and spins me to wrap an arm around my stomach. He reaches out, I gently lift a hand and I turn his face back to mine as we exchange a soft smile.
He takes me back in his arms and we are in step with one another again, doing fancy move to give our crowd a good show until he spins me around and dips me down and resting his forehead to mine with the end of the music. I bring me hand up to caress his cheek, again almost forgetting we weren't alone.
Everyone bursts into cheers. He lifts me back to my feet and we are both slightly out of breath but we don't lose eye contact.
That is until my surroundings start to return to my senses and I nervously try to curl back into myself. Zed chuckles and leads us back towards the platform. Then we suddenly hear someone's voice over the crowd.
"Zed!" I turn to see his friend Eliza pushing past people, cursing her ball gown under her breath.
"Hey! Eliza!" He greets happily. Eliza finally reaches us and immediately curtseys to me.
"Your Majesty." She greets respectfully.
"Please! No need to be so formal. Any friend of Zed's is a friend of mine." I tell her and glance up at him. His smile widens at my words. Eliza smiles sweetly and nods.
"So, great party! Of course, I wouldn't have expected any less for you, Queen Addison." Eliza tries to not offend me with her comment. I giggle.
"Relax! Just act like you normally would. We're all friends here!" I reassure. She visibly relaxes.
"Wow, I never expected you to be so cool." She compliments. I smile with a raised brow. "Sorry." I giggle in response while Zed rolls his eyes.
"Was there something you needed?" Zed asks in annoyance of his friend embarrassing him. She gives him a sideways look.
"I wanted to spend a little time with my best friend before the gates get locked again." She retorts. I stiffen.
"It's not like I'll be gone or you'll never see me again." He counters. She snorts back a laugh.
"Yeah ok. The gates only opened for the coronation, after today they'll return to being shut off to the kingdom." She then turns to me. "Am I wrong, Queen Addison?" She asks, her eyes burning with anger. Zed takes a side step to slightly block me from her.
"Leave her out of this, Eliza." He growls.
"She's not wrong." I announce, my eyes lowered to the floor in shame. Zed turns to look at me. "Maybe you should go back." I state, quietly. When I look up at him I can see his eyes pleading with confusion and sadness.
"What?! No! I want to stay by your side! To protect yo-!" He protests but I cut him off.
"What about your life?! You have friends. Family. Relationships you won't be able to keep in here." I say, folding my arms around my torso to hold myself. I can feel the sadness overwhelming my powers. I have to cut this off now. I have to push him away. To protect him from me.
"But you can just keep the gates open! The rest of the kingdom will see the wonderful person you are and-" He excitedly explained.
"Zed!" I shout to stop him. He looks at me startled. And I realize by looking around that our argument has drawn the attention of everyone in the room. I start to panic. "I can't." My eyes find Bucky by the door. "Party's over. Close the gates." I Order, as I try walking past Zed but he steps in my way and he's so close to me. I push past him anyways. "You wouldn't understand." I'm almost to the door.
"Then help me understand! I don't want to let go of what could be without a good reason!" He yells back from behind me. His statement excites me and enrages me. No one speaks to me that way. With this passion.
"That's enough!" I exclaim, quickly whipping around as my emotions overflow through my hand. I immediately coil it back, my breath catching in my throat. A wall of spikes formed as my defenses. The entire room went silent with a collective gasp.
"Sorcery!" Someone shouts in fear. 'Fear. Oh no.'
"Addison?" I glance up to see Zed's worried face, the spikes came so close to piercing through him and, yet, he's concerned about me? But I don't have time to process it as people start to whisper and scowl. My eyes shooting around the room. And in my panic, I rush out the door. "Addison!" I hear Zed's call but I don't stop.
XxX
Zed, Age 21
I lunge forward to go after her but am stopped when someone grabs my arm. "What are you doing?!" Eliza asks as if I've grown a second head.
"I have to help her!" I say as if it's obvious. But Eliza doesn't let go of my arm.
"You could be killed!" She protests. I turn back to her and grab her arms, looking her directly in the eye.
"You don't have to worry, Addison would never hurt me." I assure her. Before she can stop me again, I rush off to follow Bucky and the other guards after the Queen.
"Addison!" I call again when she's back in sight.
"Stop her!" Bucky orders. I immediately grab his arm.
"What?! She's the queen!" I question.
"Please! Just stay away-" Addison tries to lift her hands in a calming manner but her powers flare again and a blast of ice hits the ground below our feet, all of us tumbling down as we slip. Now everyone outside has seen her powers as well. I look up to see some large men slowly approaching her.
"Stop! Don't touch her!" I try standing but slip again. I feel powerless that I can't help her.
Addison backs into the fountain and her hand cause the water to instantly freeze. The crowd gasps again. From the moment's distraction, Addison takes off in a sprint.
"Wait!" I exclaim, scrambling to solid ground and chasing after her again. But I'm too late, I see her retreating form across the water of the harbor, a trail of ice and snow in her wake.
I'm about to follow her when Bucky grabs me by the collar. "Where do you think you're going?" He asks with a scowl. My brows furrow but he stops me before I can even answer him. "Come with me." He leads me back inside to the castle square, a large crowd gathers in panic as snow fell in the middle of summer. Then Bucky speaks loudly as he turns back to me.
"The law states that if something happens to the Queen, her personal guard will stand in her place." He informed me, my eyes widening in shock. "You are Seabrook's 'stand in' King."
"B-but that can't be right! Addison is still alive and therefore still our Queen! She can still make this right!" I argue. Bucky raises a brow at me.
"She abandoned her position! You saw!" He was angry and hurt all at once. His cousin, his family, had lied to him his entire life. He was caught off guard just as much as the rest of us. I take a step forward and rest a heavy hand on his shoulder. His eyes are wide.
"I'll bring her back and she can fix this. I know she can." I assure him. "Someone fetch me a horse!" I call out. Bucky grabbing my arm.
"Seabrook is counting on you." He states, lowing his voice as he continues. "Please bring her back safe." I offer him a smile and a nod.
"Bucky is in charge until I return with the Queen!" I announce loudly, my eyes catching my dad and Zoey. She gives me a smile and a nod while my dad's expression shows his worry. "I'll bring her back as soon as I can." And with that, I nudge the horse and we take off into the storm towards the mountain.