Page 56 of A True King

Three months later…

Christian

It’s coronation day. I’ve been dreading this day for weeks. I put it off as long as possible.

There’s been so much to take care of over the past three months.

I stare at the man in the mirror. He’s older somehow; I’m not sure he’s wiser. A hand appears on my shoulder, and I turn to find my future wife staring up at me. She doesn’t know it yet, but I’m proposing to her today. She looks every bit the part of the future queen. She would have made a wonderful queen of Skogdal, but her father and she chose to keep their identity secret. The truth came out about the heirs being illegitimate and their parliament voted to change their government to a presidential democracy with no monarchy.

Then there’s my kingdom. My kingdom. Those words still scare me. They’ve scared me ever since I arrived at my father’s hospital bedside. He woke but hasn’t been the same. He stepped down from the throne this week. He’ll spend his days at the Summer Palace.

Just last week, my sister made her pregnancy public. She’s hidden it well. No one suspected a thing. Logan’s been protective of her, constantly by her side. Auggie has been quiet. He and Kate had plans to wed soon, but he’s put a hold on the wedding until later this year. They want a small private ceremony.

Jack wrapped up the investigation into the secret society of The 44 this week. A handful of additional arrests were made. It seems an uneventful ending to such a big story. Helga and Clause were killed by security forces at the main palace. Lucas is the only one remaining. He is now in prison after standing trial for treason.

“You look perfect,” Mia says as she leans up and kisses my cheek.

“Thank you.”

A knock at my door has us turning around. My father stands there, a cane in his hand. “You ready?”

I nod.

“Mia, might I have a moment with my son?” he asks, giving her a warm smile.

“Of course.” She walks over to him and kisses his cheek. He pats her arm as she leaves us.

I look to my dad. So much has changed in such a little time.

“I want to give you something,” he says as he hobbles over to me. Even with all the physical therapy, his legs are still not quite right. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out two boxes. I watch as he opens the first one.

“This is our family crest ring. It belonged to my father and his father before him. And now, it belongs to you. Every king in our family has worn it on coronation day. And I couldn’t be prouder to have you wear it today,” he says, offering the ring to me. I take it and put it on.

“Thank you, Father.”

He holds up the second box. “This is the ring you requested.” I grin as I reach for the box, opening it and peering in at a ring I had fashioned from my mother’s favorite ring and a setting belonging to my grandmother.

“Fit for a queen,” I muse as I close the box and stick it in my pocket.

“The official law change was signed this morning,” Dad says. We asked parliament to change the laws on marriage for the king. I no longer have to be betrothed to a princess, leaving me free to marry my one true love. The irony that she is a princess is not lost on me.

Another knock on the door tells me it’s time. I turn to find my sister and brother standing at the doorway looking as royal as they get. Auggie has on his royal military uniform, but he also has on a friendship bracelet made by a kid at the local hospital where he and Kate volunteer. And Anna has on a ballgown, which covers her baby bump. She sees me eyeing her up and grins, raising the ballgown just enough for me to see her Converse sneakers underneath. I shake my head, but I can’t contain my grin. Having almost lost them all, I couldn’t be happier to have them all here with me right now.

“Let’s get this show on the road,” Anna says with a smile.

“Yeah, go break some hearts, big brother,” Auggie adds with a laugh. He knows I’m proposing afterward.

I shake my head as I walk toward the coronation room with my family. We may have suffered greatly but we’re stronger than ever.

Mia

I wipe a tear of pride away as the prime minister declares Christian the king. Christian stands tall as the crown is placed on his head. He walks to the podium in front of me to make his speech.

“I hope this ends soon. I have to pee,” Anna whispers to me. I press my lips together, stifling a giggle.

“I didn’t see a bathroom break in the agenda,” I note.

“Damn shame. At least we don’t have to stand the entire time,” she laments.

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