Page 90 of Crowned

And Cove – despite his injuries – has insisted on helping wherever he can. His body is still healing, but he refuses to rest for too long. He’s been working with the supply lines, making sure that food and materials are being distributed fairly, ensuring that no one goes without. Even though he’s still recovering, his trademark kindness and warmth have been a constant beacon, lifting the spirits of everyone he encounters.

Even Summer has decided that she wants to remain here, and has thrown herself into helping wherever she can. Every day our friendship is repaired a little and I find myself grateful for her presence.

As I watch them all, I feel a quiet sense of pride. The men I’ve come to love, the men who have been with me through everything, are standing side by side with me now, each of them doing their part to rebuild the kingdom, alongside my oldest friend. It’s not just the land that’s being restored – it’s us. Our bond, our family.

“I see you, you know,” Bhodi says, stepping up beside me as he wipes the sweat from his brow. “You’re not justleadingthese people – you’re inspiring them. They can feel your strength, Malia. They’re following you because you’re showing them that there’s hope.”

I smile at him, though my heart swells with gratitude. “And I’m following all of you. We’re in this together.”

The sun continues to rise, the first light of day slowly revealing the kingdom’s wounds – and its potential for healing. I stand with my men, with the people of Aerwyna, knowing that the hard work of rebuilding is just beginning. But I also know that we are not doing it alone. Together, we will rebuild. Together, we will rise.

Parts of Aerwyna still lie in ruins, but today, for the first time in weeks, there is hope in the air. It’s been a month since the Shikari and the Shadow Legion were defeated, and despite the non-stop hard work we’ve poured into rebuilding since then, the guys insisted that we paused to celebrate today.

The grand hall is filled with the buzz of anticipation, the scent of fresh flowers and polished wood mingling together beautifully. Candles and lanterns illuminate the space, casting soft, warm light over the crowd. Despite the scars of war, the hall is more beautiful than it’s ever been. The decorations, woven with gold and blue, shimmer with the promise of a new beginning.

I stand before the grand mirror, my hands trembling slightly as I smooth the fabric of the gown. It is silver, with intricate patterns of blue thread woven through the fabric, sparkling like the very stars in the night sky. The gown hugs my body, flowing elegantly to the floor, and the delicate lace at the cuffs feels like a gentle embrace. It’s the dress of a queen, and yet, as I stand in front of the reflection, I don’t feel like a queen at all.

I feel like a woman on the edge of a new life, one that’s been forged through loss and pain, but also through resilience.

The coronation ceremony is about to begin. The weight of the crown sits on the pedestal before me, a shining symbol of my destiny, my responsibility. It’s not just gold – there are gemstones embedded in it, each representing a different region of Aerwyna, a piece of its heart, all intrinsically tied to the ocean. My home.

I glance at the crown again, my heart thudding in my chest.

I wasn’t sure I was ready for this. But there is no turning back now.

I can’t believe I’ve come this far. That I was never crazy. I proved them all wrong and not only did I survive, Ithrived.

A soft knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts, and Vance enters, his expression soft but serious. His eyes linger on me for a moment, taking in the sight of me in the gown, and then he smiles, though it’s tinged with something more. A quiet pride, perhaps, mixed with the shared grief we’ve both carried. He steps towards me, his voice gentle but firm.

“You look beautiful, Malia. The crown suits you,” he says, his gaze warm, yet there’s an unmistakable glint of concern behind his words.

I smile, though it’s faint. “I feel like a stranger in it,” I admit, my fingers brushing against the fabric of my gown. “How can I possibly live up to everything that’s expected of me?”

Vance steps closer, his hand resting on my shoulder, steady and reassuring. “You’ve already done more than anyone could ever ask of you,” he says softly. “The kingdom isn’t just following you because of your power, Malia. They follow you because of your heart. And that, more than any crown, makes you their queen.”

I take a deep breath, nodding. I feel the weight of his words, of the moment. “Thank you.”

The doors to the grand hall open wide, and the sounds of the crowd flood in – murmurs of excitement, the gentle rustle of clothing, the faintest strains of music drifting from the other side of the doors. My heart races as I take a step forward, the crown’s weight on my mind more than my head. But this is not just about me. This is for Aerwyna.

As I walk toward the raised platform at the centre of the hall, the faces of the people in the crowd blur into one collective presence. They are waiting for me. They have been waiting for this moment for so long. The floor beneath my feet seems to hum with their hopes, their dreams, and their faith.

I reach the platform and kneel, and the high priest steps forward, holding the crown in his hands. The solemnity of the moment fills the room, and all is silent as he places the crown on my head. The weight of it presses down on me, but it feels right, like a part of me I’ve always known was there, waiting to emerge.

As the crown is placed, a ripple runs through the air, and I feel the power of Aerwyna surge within me – like the land itself is acknowledging me, binding me to it in a way I can’t fully understand. The people’s eyes are upon me, and for the first time, I don’t feel out of place. I feel like I belong.

But before I can fully process this shift, the air grows thick with a presence – gentle but undeniably powerful. A soft glow fills the room, and the spirit of the previous queen, my mother, appears before me. She is radiant, ethereal, a presence that seems to transcend time itself.

“You are ready, my daughter,” her voice echoes through the hall, soft yet commanding. “I have watched you grow, watched you fight. And now, you stand as the queen of this kingdom. Not just as a ruler, but as a divine leader, chosen by the very land itself.”

I bow my head, overwhelmed by the weight of her words. “I will carry your legacy with honor, Mother.”

She smiles, her form growing fainter with each word. “Trust in yourself, Malia. The people will follow you because you lead with your heart. You are Aerwyna’s queen, not by birthright alone, but by your strength and love.”

With a final, tender smile, she fades from view, leaving behind a warmth that settles deep within me, a connection that feels eternal.

The crowd remains silent for a moment before the first cheer rises, followed by another, until the entire hall erupts in applause. A sense of unity fills the air, like the kingdom itself is breathing again, ready for this new chapter.

As the applause dies down, I stand and turn to face the men who have been with me through everything. Vance, Bhodi, Reef, and Cove step forward, each of them with their own look of pride and love in their eyes.

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