The night after the Coronation Ball. Anna

This is more like it!

I walked around the Shepherds' courtyard, smiling as everyone made the preparations.

Last night was Chrom's Coronation ball, his real Coronation being a week ago. It was also the night where Chrom and I finally announced our engagement after months of waiting. We received a lot of backlash, but for every complaint, there was a compliment. The party was a formal event with fancy clothes and fancy people. Not really my kind of party.

This, however; is just my style.

The Shepherds were throwing Chrom their own party. A much more casual affair. One that did not involve heels and dresses, thank Naga.

"OUTTA THE WAY!!!" Vaike shouted, wheeling a cart full of fireworks, a laughing Lissa sitting inside.

I stepped to the side, giggling. I'm surprised we all survived the war! They're so reckless sometimes!

"Anna, all the desserts you made look splendid!" Olivia smiled.

"Thank you! I made all of Chrom's favorites!" I blushed.

Maribelle hummed in agreement, a pink cupcake in hand. "They'll everyone's favorite at the end of the night! You truly are a magician in the kitchen!" She took a bite of the cupcake.

Stahl made a noise of discontent. "Why is she allowed to eat and I'm not!"

Cordelia stepped to his side, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Well, if you start eating, you won't stop!"

Stahl went ramrod straight at her presence. "O-oh! R-right! Yes! Totally! Haha..."

Lovebirds... I smiled to myself and continued my check-up on everything. As I was about to help Lissa and Vaike set up the fireworks, an arm wrapped around my waist.

"How is my precious princess doing?" Chrom breathed into my ear, pulling me against his chest.

I rolled my eyes, leaning into him. "They don't want you to be here, right now," I teased.

He kissed the back of my neck, sending shivers down my spine. "It's my party. I can arrive when I want."

I turned around and kissed his nose. "Go. I'll come to get you when we're done."

He stuck his tongue out and kissed me quickly. "Fine, fine."

"Go!!" I laughed, swatting his chest and pushing him back inside.

He gave me a wink and headed inside. As I turned around, I saw Lissa and Ricken smirking at me. "Oh no."

"Anna and Chrom, sittin' in a tree!" Lissa began to sing.

"AHHHH! STOP!" I blushed furiously and scurried away. Gods, I regret telling them. Oh, well. They'll get used to it.

...

"SURPRISE!!!"

Confetti and streamers flew everywhere as Chrom walked into the courtyard, pretending to be surprised. "Wow! Thanks, guys!"

"This Coronation Party is the fun one!" Vaike exclaimed, popping open a bottle of champagne.

Maribelle sighed. "Annnd we're already drinking."

"No problem with good drink!" Gregor chuckled. "It what I say always!"

"Well, it's one way to start a party," I smiled, entwining my hand with his. "Do you like it?"

Chrom smiled back. "I love it. This was your idea wasn't it?"

My face flushed. "How could you tell?"

"The Shepherds cannot do anything without your planning, my precious tactician." He kissed my forehead.

Instinct told me to scold him for such a public display of affection, but I guess I didn't have to because we were public. "I just proposed the idea. They were the ones to do everything else," I hummed. "Thank them, not me. They really are proud of you."

"Get a room, lovebirds!" Sully whistled

Chrom chuckled. "Thank you all. I cannot express how grateful I am to each and every one of you."

My face was still red. I need to get used to him being so affectionate. "W-well, let's get this party started, shall we?"

"Yes, let's."

...

Once the night sky was full of stars, Miriel and Ricken began to set up the fireworks. I was sitting with some of the female Shepherds a good distance away from the display.

"Have you ever seen fireworks before, Anna?" Nowi asked.

I shook my head. "No, I don't think so?" I smiled. "I imagine you've seen more than you can count?"

"You bet!"

"They're magnificent," Maribelle sighed. "Just you wait! You will never forget it!"

Lissa nodded. "Yeah, they're amazing, sis!"

"Sis?" I giggled. "We're not sisters, yet."

"But we pretty much are!" She threw her arms around me. "Chrom needs to hurry up and marry you!"

Sully huffed in agreement. "Yeah, when do you think the wedding will happen?"

I shrugged. "Dunno. Maybe another year?"

Maribelle's eyes widened. "A year?! Darling, that's too long!"

"Our main priority is fixing the kingdom," I sighed. "We will marry as soon as Ylisse is stable."

Lissa's shoulders fell. "Ok... But I'm going to be really impatient!"

"So will I, Liss. So will I."

Then, Chrom came over to us. "Do you mind if I steal Anna away for a little bit?"

Sully smirked. "Not at all. Have fun, you two."

Blush crept up my cheeks. "Wh-what is that supposed to mean?!"

Maribelle giggled. "Don't get into too much trouble!"

Nowi looked between the two. "Seriously, what does it mean?"

Tharja let out a low laugh. "It means-"

"OK, THAT'S ENOUGH!" I cleared my throat, taking Chrom's hand. "I'll be back in a few minutes! That's it!"

Chrom chuckled, leading me away from the crowd. "Seems like they're having fun," he said.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, to my expense." I lifted a hand to his cheek. "Is something wrong?"

He leaned into my palm, sighing. "I just... All of this is very overwhelming. I was crowned king a week ago, our engagement announced yesterday, and the party today... So much is happening in such little time. Not only that, but why are we celebrating? A ball was held for my coronation but for what purpose? I took my deceased sister's crown and now it's being celebrated?" A few tears fell down his cheeks. "It doesn't feel right, Anna. This isn't fair."

I brushed those tears away. "I can't begin to understand how you feel. Life is throwing every single curveball at you and it's stressful. You're allowed to be stressed." I pressed my forehead against his. "We are not dishonoring Emmeryn. We are celebrating the peace she gave us. The hope the kingdom has for you. Let me be your strength; lend me some of your load. I will help you in any way I can." I looked back at the Shepherds. "And so will they. We are your family. Family supports each other. You can count on your Shepherds. Always."

He cracked a smile. "You're right. Thank you." He wrapped his arm around me. "I wouldn't be anywhere if it weren't for my friends. I am blessed to have them," he pecked my forehead, "and especially blessed to have you."

I opened my mouth to say something, but a loud boom interrupted me. I looked up at the sky to see colors bursting everywhere.

"WOOOOO! NOW THIS PARTY HAS REALLY STARTED!!!" Vaike yelled, clearly intoxicated.

I couldn't take my eyes off of the sky. The exploding colors painted the landscape with bright, multicolored light. "It...it's beautiful..."

Chrom's arm tightened around me. "Not as-"

"Save it." I put my finger to his lips. "No cheesy pickup lines. Not tonight."

He took my hand. "Ah, but you forgot that this is my party. I may say what I want." He brought my fingers to his lips. "They're not as beautiful as you, my love."

I rolled my eyes. "There's nothing I can do to stop you, can I?" I groaned.

"Nope." He kissed me as another firework went off. It felt as if a firework was exploding in my heart. His arm wrapped around my waist, his hand moving to the base of my skull. I sighed into his lips, one hand threading through his hair and the other resting on his chest.

He pulled away from me only to take a breath. "I love you." His lips found my forehead, nose, cheeks, every inch of my face. "I am nothing without you."

Before I could say anything, my lips were covered with his. I closed my eyes and allowed actions to speak for themselves, the fireworks bursting in the background.

*****

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!! DID I ASSIGN THIS PROMPT SIMPLY CUZ IT'S THE 4TH OF JULY, YES. No, but I am I total nerd when it comes to American history and the 4th is one of my favorite holidays. I love the fireworks, the food, the family...all of it.

I made this boi, for goodness sake. Thank you so much for reading and look forward to reading more!

Next Prompt: July 6th - Storm

Link: https://youtu.be/g2HvwF8MtsU