It was an extremely monumental day, one in which Rei would officially ascend to the throne as the new King of Vethela. It was a long time awaited, thoroughly planned, and the blonde was absolutely ecstatic about the day, walking along the corridors of the grandly decorated castle with a skip in his step. His grin never ceased to fade, beaming wide as he looked down at the castle grounds through a window.

Thousands of people entered the palace grounds in order to honor him at his coronation, some bringing gifts, others bringing great smiles. Either way, they were thrilled to see their future king in person, ready to bow to him for the first time. It didn't matter the social standing of the people entering, all were below the blonde, and the thought excited him to no end. At last, he would become who he was born to be.

As the boy returned to his chambers, ready to be dressed for his coronation outfit, he gave an adoring smile to the girl who was soon to be his queen. She was asleep on his bed, tossing and turning from the things he had done the previous day. Of course, he never laid a hand on her that was intended to harm her, but the trauma was still embedded in her mind. Still, she looked radiant to him, the male taking a lock of her hair and kissing it with a small chuckle.

He didn't wake her up, not wanting to disturb her until it was necessary. In the meantime, he was undressed by his servants, refashioned in a perfectly exquisite white uniform. It was adorned with all kinds of white gems and made with fine silks and fabrics to show the regalness of the blonde. He wore a dark purple sash from his shoulder to his hip, amethysts lines among it as well as purple diamonds and garnets. Pearls lined the exterior of the fabric, shined to perfection, greatly pleasing to the eye.

"Your majesty," a servant bowed, carrying a purple velvet pillow in their arms.

The pillow had the male's crown on it. He wasn't supposed to wear it at that moment, but the servant allowed him to examine it in case he found something wrong with it. The blonde seemed to think it was perfectly fine, dismissing the servant to rush off and deliver it to the exterior garden where the ceremony would take place. Most everyone else was already at the location, wearing their finest.

Rei observed himself in the mirror as servants did his hair, brushing it out and combing it for good measure, letting it fall into place when they were finished. Afterward, they cleaned up the male's appearance a little further, but the blonde only stared in the mirror, looking at the peaceful reflection of (Y/n). She was sleeping so serenely that it drew his eye, but he didn't know what for.

"Go and fetch my cupcake's ladies," he spoke quietly, one of the servants running off to do as he wished.

When she returned, it was with noblewomen of who were considered to be the (h/c) haired girl's ladies in waiting. They bowed to the blonde and woke up the girl resting on the bed, beginning to prepare her for the day ahead of them. She was taken into another room where she was dressed in a royal purple dress, the hue matching the blonde's sash. It appeared it was incredibly intentional, but the younger girl was too sleepy to say anything about it, only remaining quiet.

When she was finished being prepared, her hair was done up and a crown of metal flowers with light gems was placed in her hair. She was then led to Rei who waited patiently for her return. He gave a soft smile at her appearance, walking around in a circle, but he couldn't figure out which angle he liked better of her. They all seemed too good to be true, and the blonde stepped forward to wrap his arms around her waist, pulling her close and nuzzling her neck.

"I'll be king the next time I hug you," he chuckled, "Doesn't it sound just perfect?"

The younger girl didn't respond, her shaking more violent than it typically was at the male's touch. He ignored it, rolling his eyes. It wasn't as if he hurt her, he simply taught her a lesson to ensure she didn't misbehave again. He really did love her stubbornness, but it wasn't as if he could afford to let her run rampant and damage his reputation. His situation was a finicky one, one that couldn't afford to have messed up.

"I'll be crowned king, we'll be married, you'll be queen, then we'll," the blonde paused, his eyes becoming filled with desire, "consummate our marriage. After that, we'll have plenty of time for fun together before children. I have it all planned out, so you don't need to worry about a thing."

Rei gave a smirk before giving a kiss to the girl's temple, making his way to the location of the coronation, knowing the girl would follow suit. It was quite a bit later when she did, having to present herself to Rei's mother before anything could happen. The woman was entirely too trepidatious about appearances, and she wouldn't have the (h/c) haired girl making a fool of her son.

She was in the process of fixing the younger girl's dress, straightening it out, and having her hair completely redone in a manner more befitting of a king's lover. Though surprised at the silent and timid attitude (Y/n) was taking, she couldn't have cared less. The less talking the younger girl did, the better. It let her finish more quickly and proceed to more important matters that needed attending to.

"No matter what I do your Athain appearance never ceases to fade," the woman scoffed, turning her head in a dismissive manner, her hands on the hips of her expensive dress before tsking her tongue, "So foreign."

"My lady, I don't think we should tamper so much with her appearance," a maid spoke, being careful not to look in the woman's eyes, "His highness said he rather liked her natural looks."

"Who cares, Maria?" the light blonde scoffed, throwing a piece of cloth at the other woman almost violently, "Everyone should know by now that my sons don't have the best choice in women. This one is too stubborn and disobedient, Ichiro never settles down, and then there's Kazuki's. She was an insufferable and greedy bitch. She got what was coming to her."

"My lady! You shouldn't speak ill of the dead! Sir Kazuki is still grieving for her!"

The blonde-haired woman paused in picking out jewelry, setting down what she had in her hands before turning to the maid who had spoken. The woman in question averted her eyes to the floor submissively and bowed her head, knowing she had upset her mistress with her words. Still, Rei's mother only scoffed and continued to look at the jewelry, placing a pearl necklace on her neck before huffing.

"Kazuki grieving for a slut," she said, kissing the top of her teeth before her tone escalated, "Countless fortunes spent on her, still she wasn't satisfied, and now you say that he's grieving for her death! What am I ever going to do with that boy?!"

"Yes, whatever will you do, mother?" a voice spoke.

A formal gentleman stood by the entrance of the room, the door just slightly ajar. The male in question had a shade of blonde hair, golden in appearance with similar shimmering eyes. However, they were cold, glossed over with distant appeal to anything in his eyesight. Even as he looked over at the (h/c) haired girl he recognized, he did not show a care in the slightest, only kept his hands behind his back, his posture rigid and correct.

"Who let you show up unannounced?" the blonde woman snapped, an impatient expression forming on her features.

"Father," the male said bluntly, his mother's eyes widening with the utmost of rage.

"Like I give a damn what your father gives you permission to do! Get out!"

The younger male gave a strange and unreadable look to (Y/n) as if he was observing her reaction to the scene before her. Of course, his mother didn't take kindly to his dawdling, picking up her dress to march over to him, her hand coming in contact with his face, slapping him cruelly. The blonde simply gave a small grunt at the impact, showing no sign of surprise or dismay, simply staring emotionlessly where his eyes had landed as if it were natural.

"I'll be at the ceremony then," he said uncaringly, fixing his tie as he left, glancing at the (h/c) haired girl before he left.

. . .

The garden was adorned with a large amount of celebratory decor, its stage being arranged for the royal family to stand on. The seats in the front row were to be given to prominent nobles or specially invited people of which included (Y/n). She was supposed to sit right by the white carpet leading to the podium where Rei could have a safe gaze on her. The back rows were intended for some regular citizens, most of them having to stand for lack of chairs or room.

It had been quickly filled, nobles gossiping about the pleasing decorations, white lanterns and lilies ribbons streaming all over, a sign of great fortune and wealth. Pillars of marble were also set up to hold green vines of other white flowers, some of them containing berries with the sweetest of scents. If not only for that, guards were adorned in their finest armor, shimmering and glistening, proudly wearing the royal crest on their upper left breastplate, their spears having not a smudge of dirt on them.

Rei's mother and father walked onto the podium, bowing to the people who cheered for them. Of course, the latter took joy in seeing her elder sister's envious expression and the absence of her beloved nephew. She waved at her people, a smile adorning her face as she highly anticipated the arrival of her son. It was about time she got her way, especially after everything she had to do to get it.

The waiting was what was greatly impatient. There were snacks and beverages for those attending, especially towards the royal family and nobility, but still, it was a harsh wait. It felt like every second was ticking by so very slowly and prolonging the inevitable. The people waited to hear the trumpets that signaled their prince was about to become their king. And when they finally heard the sweet music, everyone stood up in their chairs and began applauding, their excitement too much to take.

The band began to play, creating an air of regal prestige as trumpets played with the utmost of togetherness, the drums creating a beat that made the anticipation that much more unbearable. The sweet melody made some cry, some cheer, and some stare with a blank expression, uncaring of the proceedings at hand. Of those, there were few, but they were wise to hide their true feelings behind fake joy. At least, most of them. Some had the privilege not to share a care in the world.

The sight of Rei made the applause and cheering of the observers that much more intense, guards having to keep people back from attempting to touch the prince. The blonde held his head high, his chin looking down on everything in his path, his steps graceful and elegant, just as his grandmothers' had been. He took the cheering as a sign of congratulations, something he highly awaited with the intention of him becoming king.

And as the male reached the podium, he sat down in a seat next to his mother and father, his brothers not part of the celebration. In fact, one of them was yet to be seen at the event, only the eldest attending with a blank gaze in his eyes. However, it wasn't as if anyone was paying attention to them, the spotlight on Rei completely and totally. He was the star of the show as he had been his whole life. It shouldn't have been any different when he was about to be the sole leader of an entire prospering nation.

"Welcome, noble citizens and observers," a man spoke, elderly with silvery-blue hair, "I have been your regent for far too long, and it is clear that Vethela requires its next king. Thus, I am turning over the throne to his royal majesty, Rei Hirasi."

"Hoshino," the blonde's father coughed, being violently - yet discreetly - nudged by his ex-wife.

"There has been a great rift in our hearts ever since our late queen, my beloved," the man said, choking on his words with grief, "my beloved older sister. We have mourned for her being ripped from us, but she has left behind a loving family who she has trained well. As her next of kin, we have been blessed for receiving our humble honor to rule the loyal people of our nation."

The man's speech went on for quite a longer, exalting the late queen while building towards Rei's great strides of success and progress. It seemed that the blonde was not the only one eagerly awaiting him to be handed the crown and throne of the country, the people chanting his name. It was hard not to be beloved when he appeared so perfect in every way. The majority of people admired his talents, hoping he would continue to let Vethela flourish and even strive further.

"And so, it is with great honor and tremendous pride that I present to you your future king, Rei Hirasi."

The people clapped greatly, some giving the male a standing ovation though he hadn't done anything but attempted to run over and ensure he memorized his speech time and time again. His nerves were ever-present with such a task. However, the blonde wasn't one to turn down the clapping, reveling in the sound of it, his smile never daining to fade from his joyous form. He even found that it relieved himself of stress, and waited for the clapping to die down before starting his speech in which everyone hinged on listening to.

"I have been eagerly awaiting the day that I would be permitted to serve my people with prestige befitting my family name. There is nothing more I aspire to do than to ensure my country, my nation, my home is protected and provided for. I will work tirelessly for all of our sakes, so that we may continue to enjoy our peace and glory. As king, I am an extension of our predecessors, of our eternal flower, Ezdia, and all that she...stood..."

The blonde's speech abruptly stopped as he looked over to where (Y/n) was supposed to be sitting. He saw his elder brother but not her, and he gripped the edges of the podium. The male had intended to throw it to the side and break it due to his stress of not seeing the (h/c) haired girl, but his mother quickly ran up and grabbed his wrist. It wouldn't have done much but she grabbed his ear and whispered in it while trying to maintain a normal appearance to those spectating.

"Calm yourself, darling," she spoke calmly, trying to ease the male, "I was unsatisfied with her wardrobe, so I had my maids do it for me. They're doing it right now and she should be here in a matter of minutes, so proceed as normal. I assure you, nothing is wrong."

The blonde let out a great sigh at his mother's words, trusting her without hesitation. He continued with his speech, maintaining a calm and confident air of tone. However, as his mother sat down next to his father, the man turned to her and questioned her about what had happened. It seemed just as much of a mystery to him as to anyone else.

"That blasted girl isn't here," the woman huffed, rolling her eyes, "Probably too good to come."

"Oh?" the man said emotionlessly, raising an eyebrow to show just the slightest bit of skepticism, "I highly doubt he would have calmed if you told him that."

"He'll see her after he's done. I saw no harm in telling him she would be taking a few extra minutes to get ready."

The coronation proceeded as was planned, the crown being presented, Rei swearing to protect his country, the like. As the crown with the royal jewels was placed on his head, he rose and the people of Vethela burst into cheer and applause at the sight of their new king who had just officially ascended to the throne. There were smiles and celebrations happening around the nation, even in some different parts of the world, but the blonde was not smiling. (Y/n) hadn't shown up at all.

In fact, when he burst into the palace and demanded his mother's maids tell him where she was, they simply cowered and said they didn't know. Furious and concerned, the male ran around the entire castle, looking for any trace of her, commanding the guards to do the same. She wasn't in his room, she wasn't in the music room, she wasn't even in the private garden. It was like she had simply vanished, and the male feared she had been taken by someone. And indeed he was right.