Dureem darted around the room, pins sticking out between his teeth, as he put the finishing touches on Leo’s suit. The soon-to-be king wondered to himself if the man had ever accidentally swallowed one. “Finished!” the tailor declared, admiring his work. “Thank you, sir, for allowing me to be part of this historic day.”

“Of course,” Leo replied, clapping his hand on Dureem’s shoulder, “You’ve done a wonderful job.” He looked as though he might cry at the compliment, but Leo was on the edge of tears himself, so he dismissed the tailor and took in a moment of solitude. Today was the most important day of his life.

It had been four weeks since Leo and Iona’s engagement was announced, as well as their coronation ceremony which would follow the wedding. The palace had been flooded with flowers, gifts, and thousands of letters expressing well wishes and excitement at both pieces of news. If Iona had doubted herself even once, Leo ensured it was swept from her mind by making her read every single note from the people about how thrilled they were for her to be made queen.

Asa had arrived a few nights before to prepare for her role as officiant of the wedding ceremony. It wasn’t very traditional, but then again, neither was Leo’s ascension to the throne, nor Iona’s. Heston would oversee the coronation, and the subsequent celebration was shaping up to be the largest party ever thrown in Chrysos. Iona had suggested they open the palace gates, and encourage the capital citizenry to join in the festivities, an idea Leo was all for.

Staring in the mirror, Leo pulled his jacket taut and fought the urge to run his hand through his hair. He’d wanted to pull it back, but Iona had mentioned how much she loved it down so, what else was he to do but wear it down? His suit was a bespoke creation from Dureem, white and gold, fashioned after his father’s coronation attire. Iona’s dress was going to be made to match, and he couldn’t wait to see her walking down the aisle.

With a sharp inhale and deep exhale, Leo walked through hidden hallways to reach the throne room for the ceremonies, in an attempt to avoid the crowds which filled the palace already. He entered in through a side door to see every single row bursting at the seams. Asa and Heston stood at the base of the platform on which his and Iona’s newly constructed thrones sat atop. Leo strode in that direction to say hello. He first greeted Heston with a nod and gave Asa a kiss on the cheek. “You look absolutely lovely, Asa,” he said, “I’m so glad you were willing to officiate our wedding.”

Asa was smiling from ear to ear. “I was honored you asked! And I must say, Leo,” she shared, squeezing his hands, “I am so grateful to have a son. Especially one as marvelous as you.”

“You’re going to make me cry, and we haven’t even gotten started yet,” he whispered back. Turning to face the expanse of people before him, he scanned the crowd. So many familiar faces, all the men and women he and Iona served with over the years, friends, extended family, and a whole mess of strangers. Jessa and Kono waved to him from the second row, before his eyes landed on three empty seats in the front- one for Theron, one for Elia, and one for Shome. He sent up a prayer of gratitude for their protection and love from the next life, as the music began.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

A romantic melody filled the hall as the doors swung open to reveal the most beautiful sight Leo had ever seen in his life. Iona walked down the aisle, her chocolate-colored hair flowing down her shoulders, pinned with dozens of tiny pearls and a gauzy veil. The dress she wore was the exact match of Leo’s suit, bright white and shiny gold, almost armor like in its shape. The train looked as though it went on for miles behind her. Iona gave him a smile that lit the room, and it took all of Leo’s might not to run into the aisle and escort her to the front.

The music subsided as she reached the base of the stairs and stood face to face with him. Leo and Iona took each other’s hands, and Asa commenced the ceremony. He didn’t once dare to look away from her, refusing to miss a single moment taking in her red lips, her sultry eyes, her rosy cheeks. How did he get so lucky? Leo was so focused on Iona, he barely heard Asa’s speech, which he was later told turned out quite lovely. After exchanging rings and their first kiss as husband and wife, the coronation ceremony began and Heston took his place where Asa had stood between them.

Even more than the wedding, this was what Leo was so excited to share with Iona. He’d had two matching, simple crowns made, golden vines intertwined with silver moon drops. His brother recited Chrysos’ prayer for kings, while Iona placed Leo’s crown atop his wavy copper hair. She bowed to him, as did every person in the hall as customary. Then, for the first time in the kingdom’s history, the prayer was recited a second time- for their new queen. Leo held back tears as he lifted Iona’s crown and placed it on her head, his eyes fixed on hers. His heart filled with pride and love, he returned the bow, sneaking a glance at the crowd who bowed to her, too.

The room erupted with cheers as Iona and Leo clasped hands, and began their long walk down the aisle. The sound was deafening, pure excitement and joy at the new rulers of the kingdom, and the promise of a bright future. The king led his wife through the halls in a hurry, until they reached the balcony of their bedroom. Two goblets of wine, filled to the brim awaited them.

“You just think of everything, don’t you?” Iona asked, clinking her glass against his. “I believe my eardrums may have burst from all that noise.”

“I have a feeling the party is going to be even louder,” Leo replied, hooking his arm around Iona’s waist and pulling her in close. “I figured we would like a little bit of quiet to ourselves before we get back out there.”

“Definitely the right call. I noticed you left your hair free,” she said, looking up at him. “I love it.”

“I figured you would,” he grinned.

She laid her head back against his chest, and sighed, “I love you, Leo.”

“I love you, too, Iona.” He leaned down and kissed the top of her head, as they looked out over the courtyard, beginning to fill with the crowds from the wedding. Leo had never been happier than in this moment, experiencing the start of a new life with Iona, his everything.

His best friend.

His wife.

His queen.