Chapter 22: A Celebration to Remember
Inside the castle hall, the queen, the duchess and all their various guests and servants were patiently waiting for the princess and the others to arrive, hoping that there would be no major interruptions like last time. They didn't have to wait long, however, as suddenly, the fairies, Lars and Connie came down the stairs, and made their way to their reserved places up front. Then, trumpet fanfare began to play as following closely behind, was none other than Princess Lapis Lazuli and Jamie, holding each other's arms whilst blissfully looking at each other. The whole courtroom began to cheer, for the curse had now been lifted and the princess was alive and well.
"Who's that young man she's with?" whispered a noblewoman named Ruby. "I've never seen a noble with that face before."
"Perhaps we'll find out in a minute," her partner Sapphire replied happily. "But whoever he is, the princess seems to love him dearly."
Soon Lapis and Jamie stood before the queen, kneeling, and bowing before her respectively. Blue Diamond got up from her throne and went to happily embrace her daughter, before turning her attention to the party guests. After thanking her castle staff for preparing the celebration, despite its delay, she drew her attention toward the rescue party.
"To everyone in this room," she declared proudly. "In honour of allowing this day of joy to occur, I would like to thank a certain group of people for doing their part in freeing the kingdom of White Diamond's tyranny and ensuring that my daughter continues to see the light of day. May they please come forward."
Soon, the fairies, Connie and Lars moved from their spots so they could receive their congratulations from the queen and be commended by the numerous party guests.
"Firstly, I would like to give praise to my daughter's fairy guardians," Blue Diamond spoke. "For they did their part to ensure that Lapis' true love reached her in good time whilst also considering the feelings of both myself and all of you, by sending us into a temporary sleep to spare us from immense grief."
The fairies were so thrilled by the queen's words and the respect of both her and the court, that they curtsied and bowed as they received a round of applause.
"Next, I would like to thank these two individuals you see before you," Blue Diamond continued. "Both Connie and Lars here had chosen, by their own accord, to aid the fairies in rescuing their colleague, both as an act of compassion for him, whilst also being inclined to help the kingdom in any way they could."
Connie and Lars felt a great sense of achievement from what they heard and gave a respectful bow to everyone in response, to which another round of applause followed. However, as the rescue party returned to their places, the queen went and cleared her throat, for she still had the greatest of honours to give.
"However, I would especially like to give my greatest admiration to the young man that stands next to my daughter," Blue Diamond grandly acknowledged. "For despite being a stable boy, Jamie chose to put my daughter's life before his own to both ensure that she'd be free of White Diamond's curse and as a pledge of his love for her."
The entire court, including Ruby and Sapphire, were left speechless at first, but once they recognised Jamie's achievement, they couldn't help but give praise to the young man, and how he had chosen to save Lapis out of love as opposed to doing it for wealth or fame.
"So, with that said," the queen continued. "Jamie, I welcome you and your two friends as our guests of honour for this evening."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," the stable boy replied politely. "I am more than grateful for this honour."
And with that, the courtroom gave their grandest of cheers, hailing Jamie for his bravery, as Lapis looked admirably at him with a warm smile. Once the applause had died down, Blue Diamond asked her daughter to come forward.
"My dear Lapis Lazuli, it only feels like yesterday that you were just a baby whom I cradled in my arms," the queen spoke sweetly, trying her best not to be too emotional. "But now at sixteen years of age, you have grown to be a kind, caring and beautiful princess, who brings great joy to everyone she meets, whilst also encouraging those she deeply cares for, especially during times of crisis."
But before she could continue praising her daughter's actions in helping Jamie and the rescue party, tears of joy began to overtake the queen, so much so that she couldn't help but embrace her daughter one more time. Lapis, who was charmed by her mother's words comforted her along with the duchess, the latter of whom dried the queen's eyes with a handkerchief.
"Don't be sad, Mother," said the princess sweetly. "Isn't today supposed to be a happy day?"
"You're right, sorry, my dear," replied Blue Diamond as she began to regain her composure. Everyone watched in happiness, as they were touched by Lapis' kind nature towards her mother. Just then the duchess remembered that the queen had saved a special surprise for Lapis, one which was ideal for a day such as this.
"Excuse me, Your Majesty," Yellow Diamond spoke politely. "But, don't you think it's time we give Lapis our own special gift?"
"Oh, indeed," the queen replied eagerly. "Guards, would you please fetch the secret box for me, as it has something important inside that I want to give to my daughter."
Everyone was left in suspense including Lapis herself, for they wondered what it was that the queen was going to give the princess.
"What do you suppose the gift could be?" Connie asked an excited Steven.
"I don't know," the fairy prince responded. "But I hope Lapis likes it."
At last, the guards arrived back with the box, which the duchess took from its royal cushion and held in her hands, whilst Blue Diamond continued her speech.
"Lapis," she spoke grandly. "On behalf of the entire kingdom, I would like to present you with this special gift."
Everyone in the castle hall watched as Blue Diamond opened the box carefully, before reaching inside and pulling out a crown that was embedded with beautiful blue jewels. Lapis, Jamie, and the entire courtroom were left astonished for they had never seen something so magnificent before.
"This crown is to be a symbol of your royalty," continued the queen. "As from this day forward, you are fully recognised as a true princess in the eyes of everyone present."
Lapis was so overjoyed by her gift, that she was initially lost for words.
"I don't know what to say other than, thank you, Mother, Your Grace," she said. "For it is a lovely gift."
"Indeed it is, my dear," the queen replied happily. "Now, why don't you let me put it on for you."
So, Lapis knelt before her mother, who graciously placed the crown upon her daughter's head. Lapis in response curtsied to her mother, the duchess and the entire court who gave a grand cheer for their princess. Jamie went up to congratulate his true love, to which he picked her up and spun her around in the air before putting Lapis down and giving her a tender kiss on the cheek.
Once the cheering subsided, the party was ready to commence. Everyone chatted amongst themselves for minutes on end, until it was eventually time for the party's grand moment to commence. As part of royal tradition, Lapis was to choose three people in the courtroom whom she would share a dance with. This would usually be a difficult decision for any princess, but Lapis knew all too well whom she wanted to dance with, as she considered them the most important people in her life.
The first person was none other than the queen herself. Although Blue Diamond was a little rusty in terms of her steps, the two royals shared a happy dance, with their dresses twirling around admirably as the courtroom music played.
"Thank you for this celebration, Mother," Lapis said as she danced. "This has truly been an eventful yet wonderful birthday."
"There's nothing to it, my dear," the queen replied. "For any daughter of mine is more than deserving of such a special occasion."
Next, it was Steven's turn to dance with Lapis. The two friends had such great fun together, with playful laughter filling the courtroom and the court themselves, especially the fairies, were left heartfelt by the long-lasting friendship that the princess and the fairy prince had shared for many years.
"Lapis," Steven said sweetly. "For all these years I've known you, I could never have asked for such a loving friend as yourself."
"Thank you, Steven," the princess replied sweetly. "I feel the same way about you too."
Lastly, Lapis saved her most treasured dance for last, the one that she imagined for so long in her dreams, the one she would share with Jamie. The stable boy stood before the princess, and gave her his hand, just as he did before in the forest where they first met.
"May I have this dance with you, Your Highness?" Jamie asked her politely.
"Indeed, you may," Lapis replied, who took Jamie's hand, and the happy couple began to dance gracefully. The entire courtroom watched in awe as both dancers kept in time with their waltz all whilst looking dreamily into each other's eyes and Lapis' dress twirled in a dreamy lavender spiral.
"This has been the best birthday ever," Lapis said to her true love. "I love you, Jamie."
"And I love you too, Lapis," Jamie replied as the two continued to waltz in the castle hall.
Steven, who had been cheerfully watching his friend dance with the man of her dreams, became so overwhelmed with joy that he began to cry. Pearl noticed this and thought he was getting upset.
"What's the matter, Steven?" the ivory fairy asked. "Is something wrong?"
"No, Pearl," Steven wept happily. "I'm just so happy that Lapis has finally found her true love and that her dream has come true. I do love a happy ending."
"You know what, Steven," said the queen who had overheard the conversation. "I think we all do."
Steven took solace in this, as he and the others continued to watch Lapis dance happily with Jamie. The happy couple danced for moments on end until they concluded with a gentle kiss, ensuring that from this day forward, they would live happily ever after.