"Do you remember what you have to say?" Heracles asked.
"Of course," Kiku replied. They stood in a maroon-walled room, both in ceremonial dress. Heracles wore a pale tunic, while Kiku wore darker robes similar to those from home.
"Are you sure you won't trip?" Heracles asked.
Kiku sighed. "Yes, I am sure."
"Don't be nervous," Heracles ordered.
"Yes, of course," Kiku said.
The door opened, and a man also clad in red, with a white mask, stepped in.
"The ceremony is starting," he said. "You ready?"
Kiku nodded. "Yes, Sadık." He'd met the Ten of Hearts the other day, when the masked man in question interrupted a lesson with Heracles in order to complain about his cats. It soon became obvious that events such as that were commonplace in Hearts. Of course, Spades had their fair share of arguments.
"Let's go, then." Sadık fell into place next to Heracles, a few steps behind Kiku. "Ready when you are."
Kiku took a deep breath and walked towards a set of mahogany double doors. They swung open, momentarily blinding him. A winding path led to a red carriage, a young woman standing by the open door. The three men stepped inside, Heracles and Kiku sitting on one side and Sadık taking a seat across from them.
With a jolt, the carriage moved. Out the window, Kiku watched as they left the rose-stained walls of the palace grounds and turned onto the main street. Citizens of Hearts had gathered on the sides of the road, cheering and celebrating.
"We finally have a full ruling set," Heracles explained. "No wonder they're excited."
"The parties'll last through the night," Sadık added. "Ours, too, although the main difference is that ours'll be in the castle."
"I see," Kiku said.
As the carriage rolled on, the houses turned to shops and the shops back to houses. A large, dark building of some sort appeared in the distance, banners in each of the suit colors flying from the roof.
"That's the Heart," Sadık said. "That's what it's called, at least. The Heart of Hearts. Clever name, if you ask me."
"So, it's like the Core?" Kiku asked.
"Pretty much," Sadık replied. "That's where your ceremonies were held, right? Same here."
"Clubs has a Root, Diamonds has a Soul, Spades has a Core, but we're the only ones with a Heart," Heracles said.
Sadık smirked. "That's a good way to put it." He glanced at Kiku and added, "That's a quote from Adrianna Beilschmidt, by the way. She was the King of Hearts ages ago."
"She's Ludwig's great-great-grandmother," Heracles added.
"Yes, I know," Kiku said. "She is the one that created the current military laws, correct?"
Heracles smiled. "Correct."
Sadık lifted an eyebrow. "When did this become a history lesson? Come on, it's his coronation. Give 'im a break!"
Heracles ignored him. "Who was her Ace?"
"Come on," Sadık groaned.
"I was kidding," Heracles said. "We're almost there."
The carriage rolled to a stop in front of the Heart. Feliciano skipped over from where he had stood in front of the door, and opened the carriage.
"Hi!" he exclaimed, as Heracles helped Kiku down. "It's good to see you!"
"And you, as well," Kiku replied. "Uh… do we just enter?"
"Yup!" Feliciano stepped to the side. "Whenever you're ready!"
Kiku took a step forward, and then another. The doors of the Heart were engraved with swirling letters; "Here let the heartbeat of the kingdom move time." They swung open, and Kiku walked inside, followed by Feliciano. Out of the corners of his eyes, Kiku saw Heracles and Sadık stand on either side of the doors, which swung closed, leaving the room lit by a strange red light emanating from the large clock on the opposite wall. In benches on either side sat the nobles of Hearts along with the entourages from the other kingdoms; Kiku suppressed the urge to wave to the royals from Spades. On the platform below the clock, Ludwig stood to the side, while Lovino stood in front of the clock.
All eyes were on Kiku as he walked towards Lovino, keeping his eyes fixed ahead of him. The room was silent, except for soft breaths, footsteps, and the ticking of the clock.
Kiku ascended the steps and got to his knees in front of Lovino, who wore long robes with the sleeves covering his hands. He was vaguely aware that Feliciano had moved to stand to the side Ludwig was not on.
"Kiku Honda," Lovino said. "Formerly of Spades, you have been chosen by the Heart to become the Queen of Hearts. Do you understand the role you have been chosen for, along with your responsibilities as a leader of this kingdom?"
"I understand all that is expected of me," Kiku said.
"Do you accept this fate and all that may happen while you perform your task?"
"I accept my fate while I serve this kingdom."
"Do you choose to act for the good of Hearts?"
"I choose to devote my life to the good of this kingdom."
Lovino nodded. "King Ludwig Beilschmidt, do you promise to listen to the knowledge of your Queen, and accept his authority over your decisions?"
"I promise to listen to and accept his knowledge and guidance," Ludwig said.
"Jack Feliciano Vargas," Lovino continued, "do you promise to obey and serve your Queen to the best of your ability?"
"I promise to obey and serve my Queen until the day I no longer can," Feliciano replied.
The ceremony had gone flawlessly. Kiku breathed a sigh of relief, as Lovino produced a bouquet of red flowers from somewhere behind him.
"Kiku Honda," Lovino said, voice almost echoing in the chamber. "I hereby proclaim you Queen of Hearts, until the day you may no longer serve your kingdom."
He handed the flowers to Kiku, who held them close to his chest.
"Welcome, Queen Kiku," Lovino said, bowing his head.
A murmur of consent rose from the assembly. Kiku turned in time to see all those gathered rise and clap their hands together.
"Congratulations," Ludwig said, walking towards the black-haired man. "Come. We will leave first."
Kiku followed Ludwig out of the Heart, followed by Feliciano and Lovino. Heracles and Sadık opened the doors, revealing the day. A row of carriages waited, each of them bearing the emblem of Hearts.
Ludwig led them to the first carriage, and waited as Kiku stepped inside.
The drive back to the castle was a blur, but Kiku remembered the people in the streets.
"Long live the kingdom! Long live the kingdom of Hearts!"
He did not hear anyone cry for any other kingdom.
This chapter felt too much like a wedding. In a way, I guess it is, because Kiku was promising to serve the kingdom forever... anyway, I hope you enjoy! If you have anything to say, please say it.
Kayleigh1789: Sorry this update took so long! I'm glad you're enjoying this story.
Next chapter, we get some celebrations, and an unexpected guest. Then, there'll be a side story! I'm still coming up with a title, but it has to do with Spades. Not the current ruling set, but the former rulers. If you have a theory about it, please feel free to share!