Hey there, guys! So, here it is: the final chapter of His KING Always! I can't believe it's actually done. I didn't think I'd complete it, especially after my unexpected hiatus. It's been a hell of a ride, and I'm so happy that it's complete. I've created a thank you note at the end of this chapter, in case you're curious. But enough rambling- here's the last chapter!
I own absolutely nothing.
Please read & enjoy! :D
It had been six months since Charlotte was put in prison for life. Little had gone on in the castle; it seemed as though people were trying to get back into some sense of normalcy. While Siegbert was technically King of Nohr, he had yet to have his coronation. Leo and his sisters were trying to teach him the laws of the land, his duties as King, and so much more that he needed a lot of time to learn everything before finally assuming the throne. It left Siegbert worrying that he would never shape up to be a good king, but his uncle and aunts insisted that with guidance, he would make a fine king.
"I can't help but fear that I'll always need your help in being a good King," Siegbert said one day.
"You may think that now, but I know that you'll eventually rely on us less and less," Leo had replied. "We asked a lot of you; the least we can do is help you as much as possible."
Siegbert was beginning to grow more confident, but he still had his doubts. Still, he pushed himself to study and learn about the inner workings of the Nohrian monarchy. All he wanted was to make both his family and his people proud. He couldn't even bring himself to think about what would happen if he ended up failing them. His main focus was to learn, learn, learn.
Throughout this time, Corrin had her own issues. Life on the home front was much better, as she had grown less stressed out or worried about Charlotte. But she still hadn't tried to talk things out with her estranged best friend. The idea of doing so crossed her mind every now and then, but it was easy for Corrin to talk herself out of actually doing it. She didn't want to deal with something that could possibly become violent, she had her family to worry about…the list of excuses was long but somewhat justified. It continued to eat at her, especially as months had passed.
Finally, Corrin had had enough. She asked her husband, Silas, to watch the kids while she visited Charlotte in prison. Silas wasn't sure about the idea from the get-go.
"Are you sure you wanna do this?" he asked.
"I'm more than sure," Corrin insisted. "I need to do this, or else I won't be able to stop thinking about it."
With that, the couple kissed and exchanged "I love you" before Corrin left.
Once she reached the prison, she noticed how few guards were around. She had been under the impression that, for a maximum-security prison, it would be armed to the teeth with guards and soldiers. She shook her worries away as she asked the one guard she'd found where Charlotte was.
"She's on the next floor in the smallest cell available," he replied.
Corrin thanked him, and then began walking to the cell in question. It was a little difficult because a lot of cells seemed to be rather small. But when she saw caught a sudden glance of long blonde hair, Corrin almost ran to the cell. She abruptly stopped in her tracks to absorb what was before her. Then she screamed the loudest scream she'd ever let out.
Charlotte was upright in the air with her head slumped forward. Her eyes were shut tight, and her hands were limp. White sheets tied in the shape of a crude noose were the only thing that kept her suspended above the ground of her cell. It was obvious what had transpired.
Having heard a loud scream, two guards raced to Corrin. She was crying and almost hyperventilating as she pointed a shaky finger towards Charlotte's cell. Once they realized what had happened, they entered and dragged Charlotte out of her noose. It only took a couple minutes for them to determine her state.
"She's gone…long gone," one guard said.
"Looks like she's been dead for hours," the other piped up.
Corrin said nothing. She slumped to the floor and cried her heart out. She'd lost her chance to make some sort of amends with her old friend. She regretted not visiting sooner when she could've easily done so.
This didn't have to happen, Corrin thought. This didn't have to happen…
Within a week, the royal siblings and Siegbert held a small funeral on the outskirts of Nohr. They decided to bury Charlotte in a grave directly beside her late husband with little attention from their country's people. A priest was brought to say a few words, but that was it. They didn't even invite her retainers, as they wanted this to be a quiet family affair.
The rest of Nohr had yet to learn the truth of their fallen Queen. They would learn in a couple days, long before Siegbert's coronation. The royal family just needed a little more time to mourn their loss before they broke the news across the country.
The priest finished talking before departing the bleak cemetery. All of the family were devastated by the sudden loss, but without a doubt, Siegbert took it the hardest out of all of them. He'd already broken down a couple times since he'd received the news, but today was the one day that made him cry the most. He took a small amount of comfort from Elise, who kept smothering with hugs and a shoulder to cry on. While he leaned on everyone, he turned to Elise the most. Today, she kept one arm wrapped around his shoulders when they weren't hugging.
"I'm so sorry, Siegbert," Leo suddenly said. "We had no idea this would happen."
"I believe you," Siegbert replied. "I'm not sure if this is better than if she'd been executed. I think I'd be upset either way."
Camilla kissed his head. "You still have us, dear. You're not alone."
"My wife and I will take you into our care," Leo piped up. "Forrest— my son and your cousin— will now be your brother, too. I promise that Nyx and I will take good care of you, even when you become King."
For the first time in a long time, Siegbert smiled a little. "Really?"
"Really. You've been away from family for too long; we're not going to allow it any longer. If there's anyone in Nohr that deserves a loving family, it's you, Siegbert. But please remember that your parents loved you dearly…even your mother, despite her madness. They loved you so much, and will always watch over you."
"I'm…glad to hear that. Thank you," Siegbert replied as fresh tears brimmed his eyes.
Elise hugged her nephew for the thousandth time. "We love you so much!"
"And I love you all."
Siegbert's coronation finally took place less than a month after his mother's suicide. To him, it was a long ceremony that was more for show than anything else. But it was necessary in order to be crowned King. As he prepared for the ceremony's beginning that morning, a knot began to form in his stomach. His head felt light and his vision began to grow fuzzy. Before he could surrender to the feeling of helplessness, familiar hands gripped his shoulders tight enough to bring him back to reality.
"L-Leo?! What are you doing here?"
"Just checking in on you. You look a little pale. Are you feeling okay?"
Siegbert swallowed hard as he looked hard in the mirror. "I'm scared to face my people for the first time. I'm sure they know who my parents are, so why would they like me after all that's happened?"
"Please try to not worry," Leo said. His voice was firm, yet still comforting. "They know that you are not like your mother. Focus on inspiring peace and prosperity throughout Nohr. Our people— your people— need that reassurance now more than ever. Your aunts and I will be watching from afar, away from your sight. We know your first address will be great."
That was one of the last things Siegbert remembered about his coronation. The next few hours were a blur of speeches, cheers, and him sitting in a chair watching everything unfold. He knew he should've paid close attention to all that was happening, but it was so overwhelming that doing so was impossible. He just tried to retain as much of the coronation as possible with a smile on his face throughout.
Finally, it was time for Siegbert to address his people. With the crown on his head, he stepped out on the balcony to greet the massive crowd that had gathered on the castle grounds. They quietened down in a few minutes, anxious to hear what their new monarch had to say.
"I'm aware that there are some…unusual circumstances that resulted in me becoming King. I wasn't expecting it, and I'm sure none of you did, too. I recognize that there are many who are worried about what I will do, and what kind of leader I will be. I can't promise to be the best King Nohr has ever had, but I can promise that I will do my absolute best to make you all proud. I promise to take each and every one of your concerns with the utmost importance that it deserves. You, the people of Nohr, deserve respect, honesty, and kindness; and that is what I promise to give you. I shall celebrate the good, work on fixing the bad, and making this country the best that it can be. I represent you, and I shall with pride, humility, and respect."
Siegbert felt his cheeks redden as his speech came to a close. He waited for jeers and booing from the crowd, but smiled as his people clapped and cheered instead. He scrutinized the crowd, and noticed many smiling faces throughout the sea of people. They didn't look irritated; they looked hopeful for what was to come. Siegbert smiled wider before he was escorted back into the castle. As soon as he spotted his relatives, he almost ran to them. Elise was the first to reach him, giving him a bear hug in the process.
"You were so great!" she exclaimed.
"You did great!" Corrin said.
"You were amazing, darling," Camilla chimed in.
Leo smiled softly. "You did good, Siegbert. Or shall I call you King Siegbert?"
"Please don't. You don't have to call me that."
"I won't," Leo chuckled. "Oh yes, I forgot— your retainers are here."
Siegbert looked behind his uncle and saw Peri and Laslow approach him with smiles on their faces. He shook both their hands as they congratulated him for becoming King.
"Lord Siegbert," Laslow declared, "I hereby vow to serve you faithfully until I draw my last breath. You have my loyalty and respect as your retainer."
"I vow the same!" Peri exclaimed with an excited squeal. "I'll be the best retainer ever, Lord Siegbert! I promise."
"Thank you…really," Siegbert replied. "And thank you, Uncle Leo, Aunt Camilla, Aunt Corrin, and Aunt Elise for all your help since I returned to Nohr."
"I'm just happy that you're happy," Leo said. "You've shaped up to be a fine young man. Your parents would be proud."
Siegbert nodded. "I know they would be. I know that they'll be in my heart as I rule over my people. And I have you all to assist me in being the best man and best King possible. Nohr is going to prosper for many years to come— I can already tell."
"So can we, Siegbert. So can we," Corrin said.
There you go! I hope you all enjoyed the final chapter. :) And now, some thank yous...
To those that favourited this fanfic: pichuplayer, miraak of solstheim, TTluv19, Steel Magicant, PinkButterfree, KazeNoKishiX, He Who Listens, Amy47101, and Ally Nicole Rose.
To those that followed this fanfic: zeldaleepalutena, uncreativename351, shadowrunner22, pichuplayer, miraak of solstheim, marcorooni, TTluv17, Steel Magicant, Shadow32, RenegadeX2, NostalgiaMaster1996, KazeNoKishiX, DeaShasta, AwakeningFates, Ally Nicole Rose, and AceBen.
To those that review this fanfic at any point: pichuplayer, LittleMissEmblem, Fireminer, zeldaleepalutena, Steel Magicant, THE CREATOR, Guest, Talking Forest, Shadow152, Amy47101, and LazyDog9596.
Finally, I wanted to thank all of you for reading this fanfic. Whether you were there from the beginning or began sometime afterward, thank you for joining me on this crazy ride. I love you all, and I hope to see you again when I upload my next fanfic! :D
- Elizabeth