Kingdom of Themyscira of the Planet Gaia
Clark slowly opened his eyes to the bright sunlight that shone in the room. He winced as his eyes adjusted to the sudden brightness. And once it did, he looked at the figure next to him. Her beautiful eyes were hidden by her eyelids as she continued her gentle sleep. He gently brushed her dark hair, careful not to wake her.
The silver silk drapes from the window flew as the wind that was cold, but not chilly, entered the room. The breeze was soft and gentle to the nose; and Clark wanted nothing but to have everything exactly as they were. Though that could not have been possible because he knew that in a couple of minutes, his wife- who was finally the Queen- would have to wake up and assume her duties as the new Queen of Themyscira. Both Clark and Diana knew what their positions as royalty meant for their kingdoms as well as in their relationship; and they decided to make every moment count. And so, Clark gently placed a kiss on his wife's forehead; which, to his dismay, awoke her.
"Good morning." Clark greeted her.
"Good morning." She smiled.
Clark sat up on the bed and sighed, "Last night was amazing."
Diana gave a small laugh as she pulled the blanket to cover her naked body, "You were eager."
He placed his hand on her cheek and said, "That's because I won't be able to see you in a couple of weeks, months maybe, after today."
Diana stood up, with the blanket wrapped around her body, and walked towards the balcony. The cream coloured blanket left a trail behind her as she walked. Clark followed her and wrapped his hands around her waist as he rested his chin on her shoulder.
"Must you go so soon?" Diana asked.
"I'm afraid so; father said that there are a lot of preparations to be done for my coronation," Clark explained, "between meeting the council, learning more about Krypton and my training. There is so much to be done and yet so little time."
"It can't be helped I guess," Diana sighed, "every week there are more and more reports of young royals ascending to the throne of their fathers and mothers. It will be unusual to hear that the biggest Empire in the Galaxy isn't part of the ascension yet."
"It won't be if they all learned that the next King grew up oblivious to the life of politics and royalty; that he grew up as a farmer instead of a prince."
Diana put her hand on his cheek, "It won't matter; because the farmer in you- the Clark Kent in you- will be the one to lead your kingdom into a different course; a better course."
"And it's the Clark Kent in me you fell in love with, right?"
"Of course." She kissed him on the cheek.
Clark tightened his hug on his wife.
He looked at the beautiful sight that was in front of them- Themyscira. Its old but well-structured buildings, the forests, lakes and seas; the brightness of their colours were truly a sight to sore eyes.
"Themyscira is unbelievably beautiful." Clark said.
"It is. Our kingdom is a precious gem that I intend to look after. I won't let anything bad happen to it."
"Just imagine, one day, our son will be climbing one of those trees in that forest there." Clark pointed to the lush green forest by the seaside.
"Or daughter." Diana raised an eyebrow.
"Or children." Clark grinned.
"How many?"
"As many as we can."
"You do know that I will be the one to carry your children." Diana said, "And I hear it's a painful process."
"Well then as many as you can carry." Clark laughed.
Diana faced him and gave him a sly smile.
"But really," Clark lifted her chin and said, "I can't wait for the day when we will finally be chasing after little versions of you and me."
"You mean stubborn and importunate?"
"Well that'll be from your side." Clark joked.
Diana pinched his cheeks and said, "That's very funny Prince Kal-El."
Suddenly a knock came from the bedroom door, "Your majesty? Queen Hyppolyta calls for you and Prince Kal-El to join her in the breakfast table."
"We will be there in a moment." Diana called out.
Clark bowed his head to Diana and said, "Shall we, my Queen?"
Diana kissed him and soon, they prepared themselves by putting on their most appropriate clothes and headed towards the breakfast table.
Themyscira- seaside
Clark and Diana walked together down the seaside towards the Kryptonian airship that waited for Clark. Behind them were Amazonian guards- including Artemis- who followed them with silence.
Once they have arrived in front of the airship, the Kryptonian guards around the airship bowed their heads to them.
"It is time, your highness." One of the guards said to Clark.
Clark nodded to him then faced Diana. He took both her hands as Diana began, "I will see you in a couple of weeks my love."
"I'm already counting the minutes." Clark then leaned and whispered to her, "Hopefully by then, it won't just be you waiting for me."
Diana smiled and whispered, "After last night that is a huge possibility."
"I'll miss you."
"As will I." she brushed his cheek, "I will see you in your coronation."
"I love you." Clark kissed her.
"I love you too."
"Take care."
Diana smiled, "You too."
And with that, Clark disappeared into the large space inside the Kryptonian airship. Diana continued to wave her hand at the airship with a hope that Clark was looking out the window to her. She waved her hand until finally; the airship disappeared into the deep space.
But as soon as the airship disappeared, a figure moved closer towards her. It was Mala. She bowed and said, "We have to go your majesty, there is a lot to be done."
"I know." Diana nodded.
On their way back to the palace, Diana and Artemis rode on horses side by side as they passed through the tall bright trees around the forest. Despite the sound of horses' hooves, it was quiet- a silence Diana was accustomed to ever since she was a child- until Artemis began in a low voice.
"Your majesty."
"What is it Artemis?" Diana kept her gaze on the road in front of her.
"I want to take this chance and apologize to you."
Diana halted her horse and turned to Artemis. Her head was down but there was no sign of a disappointed expression on her face. Yet, she understood that that moment was a moment her and Artemis should spend time alone. Diana ordered her other guards, and Mala, to leave them alone for a moment.
"Is something bothering you Artemis?" Diana asked.
"Forgive me for bringing this up at such an unusual time, your majesty," Artemis said, "but I want to express to you an apology I should've given you a long time ago… ever since your engagement."
"What are you apologizing for?"
"For going against your wishes to be with the prince of Krypton." Artemis looked up and stared at her queen, "I should've encouraged you instead if only I had known…"
"You do not need to apologize Artemis," Diana placed her hand on Artemis, you were only doing your duty; and that is a trait every Amazonian warriors are proud to have- loyalty for their kingdom. I was a stubborn princess and you were one of the few people who reminded me of my duty. And I thank you for that."
"…"
"But it is different now," Diana continued, "for I am now a Queen who fully understands my responsibilities as your Queen. And as Queen, I will be honoured if you stay and fight by my side… my friend."
Artemis immediately went down from her horse, kneeled on one knee and bowed her head to her, "It will be my honour my Queen."
"Stand Artemis, and ride." Diana told her, "For it is time for us to begin."
Planet Krypton- 3 months later
3 months have passed since Clark and Diana parted ways. As Queen, Diana stayed in Themyscira and handled all of the business in their kingdom. It had been a while since Clark and Diana spoke as well due to their very busy schedules.
Clark, on the other hand, resumed his training with Raya in learning all of the political ways in Krypton, the laws and history of Krypton; and most importantly, the necessities required for an Emperor of an Empire. It seemed he had gotten better when performing the etiquettes of a royal since Raya had been… less impatient with him lately.
In a span of less than a year, he had learned his family's history, Krypton's history and politics. He had also learned most of the basics of the Kryptonian language even though there were some words he was finding difficult to pronounce. He was told by his father that once his training had been complete, his coronation was to be held really soon after. But before that, Clark had to meet with the Kryptonian council. A task, Clark was dreading the most.
His father, Jor-El, led him to the door of the Kryptonian court room- where most of the council's meetings with the King and with each other were held. Clark was made to wear one of his personalised royal robes- where his family crest was printed on the chest of the robe. And thanks to their family tailor's touch on the robe, Clark was surprisingly comfortable with the suit. It was the meeting with the council that prevented him from feeling completely comfortable though. Why he was terrified to meet the council, he didn't know.
Clark was told that the council were elected officials. Decades before his father's rule, his great-grandfather decided that the best way for their people's voice to be heard is through a council- a council that will reflect what their people were shouting for the most. It was during Clark's great-grandfather's reign that democracy in Krypton was made. This then strengthened the El's position as the royal family in Krypton.
"How are you feeling son?" Jor-El asked him.
"A bit nervous."
"There's no need for you to be."
Finally, Jor-El nodded his head to the two guards on the door. They bowed to him and slowly opened the door for them.
Clark then found himself in a circular room where there were no windows or any other doors, apart from the one they came in through. The only things in the room were six dark grey coloured tall chairs; all aligned with each other from each side of the room; and a gold and silver coloured tall chair- the highest out of them all. It was the royal chair. The royal chair faced the only door in the room; and it served as the halfway line for the six smaller chairs- three chairs at its right and three chairs on the left.
On these grey coloured chairs were Kryptonians in long noble clothing. Their brown rectangular robes were very long- almost like a dress that ran from neck to floor. The robe's rough designs made it easier for them to stand out among the rest. Each of the robes had a golden thin belt around their waists. But above it all, what caught Clark's eyes were the headdresses. Each of the members' headdresses had different designs but same tall structure. Some looked like nets with golden linings while the others were just simple golden metal plates; there were also headdresses that went down to their necks.
Finally, after Clark finished examining their clothing, he looked at each of the council members' faces. He froze when he saw how they all looked at him- they all looked down at him as if he was someone to be very cautious about.
His father walked towards the royal chair and took his seat. Clark followed him then stopped at the platform in the middle of the circle of chairs. He looked at each of the council member's faces and waited, anxiously, for their comments.
"Council members," the King began, "I called all of you here so that you may finally get the chance to personally meet my son and heir, Kal-El."
Nobody said anything.
"When his training is finished, he will soon be crowned as the Emperor of our Empire, "Jor-El continued, "and he will be the one to continue my work with all of you."
"It is finally good to meet the young prince we all have been hearing about." It was an older man who spoke; he sat at the chair directly to his father's right side.
"Is it true that grew up on a 'farm', was it? Under the care of farmers on the planet Earth?" Another male member asked.
"It is."
"I heard farmers are an occupation in Earth that requires extensive work," the male member continued, "and very much… away from the works of politics."
"Yes." Clark replied, "But as you said, farmers' works are very extensive; and they do this for the benefit of the others. For it wasn't for them, food cannot be grown and fed to the people. Just like the system here in Krypton. Farmers are respected people."
"Yes…"
"But how will you be able to work in the politics of an Empire as its Emperor if you grew up so far from the topic?" It was an older female member who asked.
"I-The training tha-"
"A training that has lasted for less than a year is not nearly half of the training prince and princesses all around the galaxy receives. Actually, a position such as what you will be taking perhaps needs more training than the others." Another member interrupted.
Clark didn't know what and how to respond. He was left speechless and under pressure from the council members.
Suddenly, one after another, each members of the council asked him questions; different questions about how he lived in Earth, what his plans were and how he was going to be able to lead as the Emperor of Krypton. The questions piled on each other that Clark couldn't hear himself thinking anymore. He finally panicked until-
"SILENCE!"
The loud dominating voice that erupted in the room came from Clark's father, Jor-El, who up until then remained silent and calm. Everyone in the room fell silent to the voice of their King.
"I brought my son here so that he may make an acquaintance with you all for the future of this council," Jor-El continued, " I did not take him here for you all to interrogate him. Just as you all said, he did not grow up to the life of royalty but we all cannot deny the fact that he is my son, my only son; and therefore your prince and heir to the throne. I believe we all owe him a chance to explain himself. But to do that, I will have silence in this court!"
Nobody said anything. But at that moment, Clark marvelled at the sight of his father. Not only did his father protected him but it was the first time Clark saw his father became the respected and ruling king he had always heard from others- the king in perfect control of his Empire.
Silence finally broke when another older female member began and asked Clark, "So tell us Prince Kal-El, what are your plans for Krypton?"
Clark didn't have an answer. Not yet at least. He hasn't explored everything about Krypton yet and therefore does not have any idea of what must be done in the planet. He racked his brain for a proper answer he could supply but he felt the silence caught up to him when he saw some of the members turned their heads away from him. He looked at his father who gave him a nod. It might not have been obvious but Clark knew that it was a look of reassurance from his father.
Suddenly, it hit him; the one thing he had wanted to do ever since he got involved in the topic of politics in Krypton.
Clark took a deep breath and began, "I have still to explore Krypton and once I do, I promise that changes will be done in areas that needs to be improved. But ever since I arrived at Krypton, I have not seen many faults in this planet. I guess my father took care of this planet well enough for me not to change anything. And I believe that's a good thing. Change isn't a necessity if our people have freedom and happiness in their way of living. But the change that I'm talking about is improvement. All we need to do is to improve a good system and make it near perfect. And I'm saying near perfect because nothing is perfect in this world; the best we can all do is 'very good'. By doing this, we can assure everyone that our Empire will always be strong; that they can rely and trust on us."
"But I believe our people know just how strong our Empire is."
"I'm not just talking about our people." Clark answered.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm talking about other kingdoms. We need to unite with other kingdoms for a better future in our galaxy."
"But isn't it obvious that the other kingdoms respect ours already?"
"I don't mean for us all to unite just through respect. I want us all to unite in peace." Clark continued, "Those other kingdoms are intimidated by us which is why they show our planet respect. They feel threatened of our power."
"And so they should be." A new male member replied.
"What is the use of having alliances, of partnerships, if both sides do not have proper respect and peace for each other? Alliances made through pressure and fear would only lead to war."
"But isn't it safer to just let the other planets know of our capabilities, to make them feel threatened of us so that they won't dare start a war with us?"
Clark took another deep breath, "As you all know, our planet is now in an alliance with the kingdom of Themyscira from the Planet Gaia; through my marriage with Prin- Queen Diana." Clark continued, "My years in Earth and my visit to my wife's home place allowed me to see the beauties that a planet can give; beauties that are too precious to harm. In order for us all to co-exist in one galaxy, peaceful unions must be made."
No one replied.
"Therefore, when I rise up to the position of Emperor, the first order of business I will personally see through is the peaceful unions between our Empire and the other kingdoms in close relations with us."
Clark stared at each of the members as he continued, "And we will start with the place where I was raised, Planet Earth."
Chapter 50! Woo! This story has come a long way and it's all because of your support for this fanfic! Thanks to all of you who continues to read this fic!
Hope you liked this chapter and hope to hear from you soon!
:D
