It's Coronation Day! 

*Screaming*

I hope you liked the last part, and most importantly I hope you survived it lol. Brace yourselves because this part is even longer than part 1 and I am very sorry about it. However, it felt wrong to make three parts. 

Get comfy; make som tea, pop some popcorn!

If there are any errors, as always; please let me know so I can correct them! I do not mind at all!

I could not message you personally since I have "used up" my amount of messages AGAIN (apparently) lol.

So... Without further ado... 

Enjoy. 

-Jade-

In the evening, Jade sat on the edge of their bed. Her heart was pounding. Nothing within her was able to comprehend what would happen the next day. It was just too surreal.

There had been no tour after the meeting in the library. Neither William or Jade was in the mood, or capable of thinking straight. So, they had agreed on going back to their chamber.

Jade was not able to focus on anything. Her head was spinning, it had been ever since the king had left them.

William was sitting in an armchair in front of the fireplace, almost in the far end of their chamber. From where Jade was sitting, she could see how his face was set in stone as it always had been before. William did not look happy or excited at all, he looked like he was buried deep inside of this own mind. His jaws were clenched, his thumb underneath his chin and his index finger resting over his lips. The eyes were fixed on the flames in the fire before him.

He hasn't said a word since we left the library... Jade thought.

"You are very quiet." She said loud enough for him to hear her. He did not move an inch.

"You know I do not say much, Jade." He answered her and she shrugged her shoulders in agreement but was not satisfied with the answer.

"Yes. However, I do not like it when you are this quiet." She walked towards him. On her way she pulled some pins out of her hair and let it fall freely down her back and then placed the pins on a small table next to his armchair.

When she reached him, she walked in behind the armchair and placed her hands on his shoulders. William kept staring into the flames. Completely set in stone like a statue.

He doesn't act like a man who has just been told to rule a vast kingdom... She thought, feeling more and more worried. A part of her had expected him to be eager and happy to take over after his father. At least that was the impression she had gotten when she had first found out that he was a prince. He had sounded so bitter over his title as prince in the carriage.

"What is wrong?" Jade asked him quietly and walked around the chair so she could see him. "I mean, besides the fact that your father wants you to take-"

"Us, Jade." William corrected her darkly and her heart stopped for a second. "He wants us to take over."

"Yes, alright us." She rolled her eyes. 

"I need more time." He finally said, rubbing his neck, visibly uncomfortable with his father's decision.

"I do not think you do." Jade got down on her knees in front of him and placed her hands in his. "I think you are ready. And for what it is worth; I agree with your father... You can never fully be ready for something." She whispered, raised herself to her knees and reached out to touch his face.

William closed his eyes as soon as her right hand grasped his cheek. It baffled her that she was able to soothe him, but she was happy she could.

"Your father will still be here. You can always turn to him for advice if you are scared of making mistakes." She spoke as she softly brushed her thumb underneath his eye. He leaned into her palm, exhaling heavily. "And, he said he will be by your side in the war so... What are you afraid of William?"

His eyes opened and they looked so grave that one could have thought someone had died.

"Nothing." He lied. She knew that he didn't want to share his fears with her, afraid that it would make him look weak, but she still hated that he tried to deceive her.

"Lie to me again." She dared him boldly. He met her gaze instantly when he noticed the impatience in her tone.

"I don't want to burden you with-" He began apologetically.

"Tell me." Jade demanded. "You promised to tell me everything." She reminded him and he smiled at the memory of the promise he had made her some time ago.

"I do not want anyone to think of me as the person I was before." He snarled, not because Jade was pushing him, but because he truly worried about it and it bothered him. 

"Before what?"

"Before you." He answered.

"What of it?" She asked confused and shook her head slightly.

"For one thing: I was impulsive and hot-tempered." He began.

"You are still very quick to anger." Jade chuckled and gave him a affectionate look. William smirked but it faded quickly. "I never thought of you as impulsive..."

"You have not seen that side of me..." William sighed. Jade made a mental note to ask him about this on another and not so serious occasion. "In the eyes of the people, and everyone else for that matter, I have never been seen as anything else than my father's brooding and hot-headed son. I fear I will not be taken seriously."

"But you have changed so much." Jade breathed and leaned in towards him and grabbed his other cheek as well. The deep blue eyes suddenly met hers. Did he not see this himself? Could he really not see how much he had changed since the day she had first laid her eyes on him? "You are not the same." She continued. "The William I first met was so cold, distant and... quite rude." She explained. "You answered questions with new questions, snide remarks or you didn't answer me at all."

William stayed quiet and averted his eyes while she spoke. He wasn't taking her words in, because he didn't believe them. Jade turned his face towards hers, forcing him to look at her.

"You changed." She enunciated the words.

"How-"

"Because I wouldn't have married you if you hadn't." She answered his question before he had uttered it.

"Don't say that." He growled agonized while leaning forward.

Finally, a reaction.

Jade sat down on her legs again as he leaned forward. His large hands grabbed her around her neck and his thumbs stroked her jaws gently. Gently but decisively he angled her face upwards.

"Please don't say that." He whispered and leaned his forehead against hers. His lips brushed against hers.

"The old you wouldn't have said 'please'." She whispered smiling. "You would have simply ordered me."

"Orders never worked on you." He whispered against her lips. Jade inhaled his breath and it went straight to her core alongside with the tension caused by his closeness, and his hands holding her jaws. He had set her aflame without even trying.

"Neither should they." She chuckled when felt him smile. "Stop doubting yourself, William. It doesn't suit you." She whispered and kissed him demandingly.

A dark chuckle escaped her husband, but she didn't let him interrupt their kiss. She deepened it hungrily, her tongue meeting his. William let go of his worries, if just for a moment, and groaned as she took what she craved.

"I need you." He whispered darkly between two deep kisses. Jade gasped airily and crushed her lips to his again. A groan vibrated from within him and she shuddered pleasantly.

She felt so relieved that she could get his mind on other things and keeping him from dwelling on what made him doubt himself.

The hands around her neck disappeared to her sides. She didn't know how he did it, but in the next second William had managed to lift her up, placed her legs around his waist and they crashed into their bed.

.  .  .

The next day Jade woke up very early. She had barely gotten any sleep. It had taken hours before she had been blessed with what could be called as a fraction of a night's sleep. She had dozed off on top of William who was still awake at that point. He hadn't fallen asleep until in the middle of the night, and for the rest of it he had tossed and turned in his sleep. 

Jade laid on her side, propped herself up on her left arm and watched William as he slept. He did not look as peaceful as he usually did, but it didn't surprise her. They had a rough day in front of them. A subtle frown rested between his eyebrows and she wished she could erase it. 

She sat up, looked towards the curtains surrounding their bed's every side and crawled to the foot of the bed to peak out through the curtains. 

From the thick curtains hanging in front of the large windows, faint rays of sunshine made their way through here and there. A faint light spread across their chamber, telling her that it was indeed very early in the morning.

A cold breeze hit her naked arm and goosebumps spread all over her naked body. She returned back into the shelter of the curtains around the bed. She looked at William. He was still sleeping in the gloomy haven that was their bed.

Trying her hardest to be quiet, she crawled in under the blankets and pelts again and shuddered when the warmth snaked around her again.

"Why are you awake?" William groaned quietly and turned to face her when she failed not to wake him. "It is too early."

"It is awfully early..." Jade yawned in agreement and closed her eyes. They felt heavy, and still she felt like going back to sleep was not an option.

"Did you get any sleep?" William exhaled, rolling over onto his back. He placed his left arm underneath his head and looked towards Jade with very sleepy eyes. Her eyes scrutinized the contours of his muscular arm before she remembered that he had asked her something. 

"Barely." She answered. "You didn't either, I presume?" She whispered while crawling up onto his chest, settling her upper body comfortably on top of him. She placed her hands under her chin and rested it against his chest. One of his hands stroked her over her hair and down her back.

"I didn't." He confirmed. The distress she had witnessed in his eyes yesterday, lingered in them still.

"I wish you wouldn't doubt yourself so much." She whispered and caressed his cheek with her left hand. "You will make a great leader."

"I forget that you are able to read my mind." He sighed annoyed, but not upset.

"I cannot read your mind." She giggled humorlessly. "You are, however, very easy to read. Sometimes."

"Do you know what we could do?" William changed the subject and sat up, forcing her to do the same. "Instead of reading your husband like an open book, why don't we go for a walk?"

Jade frowned, puzzled by his suggestion.

A walk? This early? She pondered to herself. She shuddered from the thought of going outside in the freezing cold. But when she looked at William again, it didn't seem like he was referring to a walk outside.

"What is on your mind?" She asked, unable to hide her now growing curiosity.

"I thought I could show you around the castle..." William said and she noticed how a hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes.

"Why now?" She laughed quietly and pulled her fingers through her messy hair. Maybe he wants to keep himself busy up until the coronation.

"No one is awake yet. Except for the staff in the kitchen, and Elisabeth of course." He began. Jade smiled. "I thought we could take the opportunity to do something just the two of us before everyone will start pulling at us." He continued and his eyes were warm and full of affection.

"I would love that." Jade answered happily and stretched her arms up.

"We can start by going down to the kitchen and get something small to eat. Then I will show you as much as we have time for, before Elizabeth needs to start with your dress and so on." He sighed and moved a strand of her hair away from her face. "You are very beautiful in the morning, Jade." 

Jade blushed slightly and leaned in to kiss him. William parted his lips to receive hers and his hands traveled up to the sides of her neck. Instead of kissing him Jade exhaled in a chuckle when she felt his hands take a path south of her neck to two very particular parts of her which he enjoyed immensely. 

"Do not even think about it." She whispered and denied him the kiss he wanted and got out of bed. 

. . .

"Do you not want to be king?" Jade asked William as they walked down to the kitchen.

They had gotten dressed in simple clothes which did not require any help from the staff, which Jade found very satisfying. She should have gotten used to getting help with everything nowadays, but she still preferred to do things herself.

"Why do you ask that?" William countered while opening a door for her. Jade stopped immediately and gave him a soft but reprimanding look.

"Are you going to start answering me with questions again?" She scolded him. 

William smiled and looked down momentarily before looking up at her again. He offered her his arm and she took it, like her hand belonged there. Walking with him like this had almost become as natural to her as it was to walk by herself.

"I am sorry." He said and followed her as she walked through the door. "I tend to do that when I am preoccupied or..." 

"Nervous?" Jade wondered but received no answer. But his silence was all the answer she needed from him. 

They stepped into a corridor of stone, only wide enough to fit two persons standing shoulder to shoulder, nothing more. On the walls torches hung, their flames licked the walls gently when the wind from the open door flew by them. Stripes of soot climbed from the tip if the flames and a bit above the torch towards the ceiling. 

"Well?" She urged him.

"I do." He answered very quietly and looked ahead. He swallowed, clearly trying to construct the rest of his answer. Jade studied his profile as she waited. His eyes flickered between the floor and the direction they were heading.

"I have always known that this day would come." He began. "However, I thought I had more time. And do not misunderstand me for saying this, but I thought my coronation would follow the demise of my father." He exhaled. 

"So?" Jade blurted the word out.

"So, if I am quiet and don't act happy... it is because I never expected it to be a happy occasion."

"If you anticipated that your coronation would come your father's death... then why are you so gloomy?" She asked puzzled. "This situation, where your father steps down, should bring you joy. He is still here and he can help you. You still have this time you speak of." Jade pondered out loud.

William was quiet and she knew that he was listening intently. Her own words actually calmed her down a bit but not as much as she wished. 

"If your father had passed you would have been given no time to prepare, and you would have lost someone very important to you." She continued. "You would have been thrown into it instead."

"Does it not feel like we are being thrown into it?" William asked.

"Your father's announcement took us by surprise, yes. But you have been preparing for this your whole life..." She continued. "If anyone is being thrown into something it is me." She laughed nervously.

"I forget how clever you are sometimes..." he chuckled, and she looked at him with her eyebrows raised.

"Thank you." She huffed in a short laughter.

"You know how I meant it." He scolded her with both his voice and eyes.

"I do." She teased him and winked.

A little while later, they passed through another door and a warm scent of freshly baked bread hit Jade. See was ripped back to when she had fetched bread every morning in her village. It was a bittersweet memory. 

I would have loved to be back home again. She sighed mentally but then looked at William in secret. No matter how much she missed her home, she would never leave his side. She might not belong here, but she belonged with him. 

"What are you thinking about?" He asked when he caught her looking at him. 

"That something smells delicious." Jade lied and closed her eyes as she breathed the wonderful scent of bread in again. 

"Let's see if we can find Elizabeth." William mumbled tenderly.

.  .  .

"What are the two of you doing up so early?" Elizabeth exclaimed, visibly happy to see them both but also quite shocked. She stood by a wooden counter, preparing what Jade figured was their breakfast. "In the kitchen of all places?"

"Good morning to you too, Liz." William greeted her. "We couldn't go back to sleep... So, we thought we'd take a walk around the castle before everyone wakes up. Do you have anything we can eat?" He asked kindly and smiled so handsomely at her that she melted immediately. Jade felt her heart swell from the sight of them. It felt like he had done this as a child as well, and she could just picture him as a little boy sneaking down to see Elizabeth.

"Put that charm away boy." Elizabeth scolded him while laughing. "Of course, I have food... What do you want?" 

"Bread and some milk would be divine." Jade yawned and leaned against William. He drew her closer and placed an affectionate kiss on her temple.

Elizabeth's eyes glowed at the sight of them.

"How are you feeling? Excited for the big day?" Elizabeth asked while she gathered their food onto a platter. "It will be a long day for the two of you, I would have let you sleep in since you will need all of your energy for later." 

"We are trying not to talk about that right now." Jade told her governess when the mere mentioning of the coronation sent shivers down her spine. William's grip around her tightened as well.

"There is nothing to be worried about, dear child." Elizabeth almost chirped. "This is a happy occasion!" She said and poured their milk. "I am just glad we have something to celebrate before this wretched war..." 

Jade looked up at William and he seemed to think what she was thinking. They would rather not talk about any of these things for a while. The tour of the castle would grant them the peace and quiet they needed before the coronation and the war. 

"Is that why you are up so early?" Elizabeth asked, sounding almost shocked. She placed the platter with bread and two cups with milk on the kitchen isle between them. "Did you have trouble sleeping? Are you nervous?" 

"About what? The war or becoming queen?" Jade huffed in a short laughter and ripped a piece of bread in half. "Yes, both of them makes me very nervous." 

Suddenly a door opened.

"Elizabeth, we need your help in the throne room." A male servant breathed, visibly stressed. 

"With what?" Elizabeth bit back. "I gave you a very simple task, young man." 

"I know, but please, could you come and-" 

"For heaven's sake!" Elizabeth exclaimed irritated. "Why don't I just do it all myself if you are going to disturb me every second of the day!" She threw a long rag over her shoulder and placed her hands on her hips, waiting for a response. None came. "Get out of my way, boy!" She hissed and they both disappeared. Leaving Jade and William alone.

Jade was surprised that the servant hadn't noticed them, or William mostly, but he had been too nervous about telling Elizabeth the bad news. 

Feels amazing to blend in, for the last time in my life. Jade thought and smiled at her husband. He reciprocated it.

When they were alone again William moved with his hands around her bodice until she had her back against the kitchen isle. He positioned himself in front of her. She shook her head while chewing on some bread when he leaned in for a passionate but slow kiss. She sensed it was going to be nothing less than pure agony since he could not take her here.

"No, your grace." She placed a finger against his lips and ate the rest of her bread.

"Distract me." He pleaded darkly and kissed her even though she had her mouth full and crumbs on her lips. Jade covered her mouth with her hand so he wouldn't see her speak with her mouth full of food. 

"I distracted you plenty yesterday, and last night." She argued with a smile on her lips. "Besides, someone could walk in."

"It is my castle." William growled before he reached behind her and grabbed a piece of bread. He stayed close to her. "I will have you wherever I want to... be it in the kitchen or the balcony."

Jade laughed out loud and it caused a wide smile to erupt in his lips and his eyes beamed with happiness.

"That sounds reckless." Jade said. Just when William was going to put a piece of bread into his mouth, she stole it and ate it.

"Did you just steal my bread?" He growled and she heard arousal in his voice. "Do you know the punishment for theft, Jade?" He raised his face somewhat and studied her with glowing eyes.

"Depends on whom you steal from." She answered ridiculously, it made no sense. Stealing was stealing, but she loved that her answer made it impossible for William to stay serious. He laughed and rolled his eyes at her.

"Should we take that walk before you manage to make more, new, rules?" He purred, raising her face a bit with his hand under her chin. 

.  .  .

The tour had been cut short when Elizabeth's wrath had hailed down upon the other servants for doing something wrong in the throne room and now in the great hall. 

William had only showed Jade the ground floor, consisting of the library, the entrance hall and the great hall. Just when he was showing her the great hall, were tonight's festivities would be held, Elizabeth came barging in with her arms swaying and reprimands flying about.

"Maybe we should return to our chamber..." Jade laughed quietly. Not wanting to be caught in the crossfire of Elizabeth's current mood. At the same time, she felt bad for Elizabeth. It must be hard to make sure that everything is perfect and a large part of the staff seemed to be new... which just made Elizabeth's day even harder. 

"If we do, won't you hold it against me?" William chuckled and raised an eyebrow at her. "Since I have been teasing you with this tour?" 

"I think it is better to get out of Liz's way right now." Jade smiled. 

"Very true." William chuckled and shot look towards the woman as she showed a girl how to set the table to perfection. "Luckily she hasn't started throwing things yet." He added in another chuckle. 

"Liz would never throw anything." Jade argued.

"I have known the woman my whole life." William said. "Liz throws things when her patience has run out." 

"Oh my God." Jade whispered in a giggle and they left the great hall. "I thought it was impossible to drain her patience, it feels like she has oceans of it." 

"Believe me." William said quietly. "It is very possible."

.  .  .

In the afternoon Jade stood before the mirror in her dark blue dress. Her corset was, as always, a little too tightly laced but she did not have the energy to point it out. Neither did she want to bother Elizabeth. They had other, more important matters to think of. 

The tailors had embroidered the dress with a delicate thread, in a shade close to golden. They had made beautiful patterns of branches rising from her wrists climbing to her elbows. The dress' collar reached half way up her neck but wasn't embellished with the embroidery. 

The golden branches followed her body, just above her hips, and then downwards into smaller branches in a fading 'V'. As they passed her hips they faded even more as they climbed down the dress. 

Jade turned and studied her dress in the mirror, and it fell beautifully to the floor. It was very heavy due to the many layers beneath the dark blue and Jade would without a doubt be exhausted after wearing this all day.

William was sitting in his armchair with a book in his knee. It was obvious that he was trying to keep himself distracted while he impatiently waited for her. He was already dressed and looked so handsome. He was wearing an obsidian black jacket and matching trousers. Underneath he wore a white shirt. Its sleeves peaked out from the jacket at his wrists. The dark brown hair was neatly combed back, but it still had that perfect thickness to it. His face was clean shaven to perfection. 

"Sit down child." Elizabeth instructed Jade and started with her hair. She braided the top of her hair into smaller braids which she then braided into a larger one in the back of her head, letting the rest of Jade's hair be. It fell softly against her back and gave her a graceful presence. 

"There. All done." Elizabeth sighed after a while and Jade could hear on her voice that she was tired. 

"Thank you, Elizabeth. Now... go and rest for God's sake." Jade told her and got up. 

"I do not have time to rest." Elizabeth snapped in humor as she walked to the door. "I still have to make sure that... You know what? I do not have time to explain it to you." She said and Jade could not hold back her laughter as the door closed.

Jade heard how William shut his book hard and walked up to her. 

"You look so beautiful." He whispered as he walked up behind her. She watched him in the mirror. He turned her around and his left hand grabbed her cheek softly. Jade smiled timidly and looked down. Blushing from his intense gaze which was taking her in.

A finger appeared underneath her chin and lifted it, so she was forced to meet his eyes again.

"I told you not to do that, Jade." He told her with a tender but serious voice. "I won't have it." He whispered and the hand holding her chin grabbed her cheek instead. "You have no reason to look down, I have told you this before."

"You cannot expect me to remember that every time you make me blush." She laughed quietly.

"I can't believe you still blush in my presence." William towered over her and kissed her softly. 

She placed a hand against his chest and her other arm around his neck. His arms snaked around her and made sure there was barely any space between them. The kiss intensified rapidly into something much hungrier and she felt that they were both depending on the other to get through this day.

"What is it?" Jade wondered out loud in a whisper as his jaws tensed up and she felt how he was fighting an urge.

"It is very hard to keep myself from ruining all of Elizabeth's hard work." He purred contently and placed a new heated kiss against her lips.

"Mmm... You will just have to wait." Jade answered and studied his lips for a second. "There's always after." Jade teased him with a wink of her eye and the dark blue eyes glowed. "Besides, did you not get your fair share of me yesterday? And last night?"

"After isn't good enough." He whispered in her ear and kissed her just below it. "I want to feel you around me now." Jade gasped aroused from his extreme candor as he pressed her against him.

"I think you will grow tired of me if you keep this up..." She whispered. William laughed at what he clearly thought was an absurd statement. 

The Coronation

The giant doors opened when their arrival was announced on the other side of it. Several horns were blown in unison to gain everyone's attention. Jade swallowed and squirmed a little. Her corset suddenly felt much tighter than it was. 

As they entered, Jade was surprised to see that it was filled. There seemed to be a person in every corner she looked in. What surprised her even more was that they were looking over each other or leaning closer to get a look at them. 

"Who are all of these people?" She whispered to William and clenched her hand around his right arm she was holding on to.

"Some are nobles, some are our allies and the rest are our people." William answered her and started walking down the isle that led down to where the ceremony was supposed to take place. "They are all here to see our coronation. Although, I suspect that most of them are here to see you." He added contently. 

"Oh..." Jade whispered. She studied the faces she passed by as William guided her forwards.

Almost filling half of the throne room stood people she could identify with; farmers, merchants... normal people. My kind. She thought to herself when she met a girl's gaze, she was about her age, and she was dressed in the same type of clothes Jade had worn at home. The girl bowed her head instantly when their eyes met. Jade frowned faintly. 

Jade was still not comfortable with being treated differently. She never had. When William had first brought her into this life she had been treated differently since she was considered lesser by the people in his world. Now, she was going to be treated differently because she had been molded into it.

"Breathe, Jade." William said quietly when he must have seen her eyes widen in anxiousness. "I am right beside you."

As they approached the end of the throne room, William and Jade walked up the steps to the platform where the throne stood.

Before it the king stood waiting, and a priest stood to his right. The king had his hands clasped in front of him and a serious yet soft look in his eyes. Behind him, in the hands of two guards, placed on two dark pillows; two gold crowns waited for their new bearers.

Jade's eyes went to the crown which must be William's. It was so majestic, almost solely made from gold, except for some very few blood red gems at its base. The crown had intricate patterns she couldn't fully see from where she stood, but she noticed something that looked like branches intertwined in each other. Her eyes fell to her wrists and she instantly realized that it was no coincidence. The branches held significance. Did have something to do with the lions she had seen in the library in the king's castle?

Jade's eyes found the crown next to William's and made her forget all about the branches and lions.

My crown. Jade thought. It was similar to William's, branches intertwined together in the pattern but what she could tell, hers carried the same blood red stones, but much smaller and more delicately placed. The dark red stones almost looked black but now and then some light played in them and the blood red shades were visible.

"Do you like it?" William whispered to her, having noticed that the crowns had caught her attention. "I had them made for us."

"Us?" Jade whispered confused. "Did you not have one already?"

"Yes, but I had it melted down and had new ones made for the both of us." He answered her quietly and his eyes glowed. Jade did not know what to say.

"I love it." She finally whispered. The branches reminded her of the woods... and home. 

Suddenly, the priest stepped forward and motioned them to turn around. The king stepped aside and stood to the right of William. 

"Our dear king Uldard, the first of his name, has decided to step down from the throne." The priest declared loudly.

A murmur of worried voices echoed in the throne room and Jade watched William. He was looking at his father, who rose from his seat and walked up to the priest. He placed himself between them and the people.

Did they not know this already? Jade wondered to herself. Well, no of course not... I did not know it until yesterday so... but how... How did all these people make it here so fast? The king must have sent out word before he told us... She deduced and could not help but to feel a bit irritated with her father in law. 

"My friends!" The king's voice that boomed through every person in the room as he stepped out in front of Jade and William, the priest walked in behind them. "My people!"

Everyone turned dead silent.

"As you must have heard by now; your queen has abandoned me, and most importantly, she abandoned you. She has neglected to see reason and believed rumors and lies about my son's new wife."

The murmur erupted again, but at a much louder level. Upset people in the crowd could be heard gasping over the queen's actions, and some were calling out their concerns about the future of the war. The noise became almost deafening. 

"Silence!" The king's voice boomed through the room. Silence spread like a crushing wave over the crowd. "I have decided to step aside." He declared with a commanding tone to his voice, signaling that the decision had been made and it was not up for any type of discussion. "I leave my kingdom in the hands of my only son; William, and his new bride, Jade."

To Jade's surprise the room was still quiet at the mentioning of her. Throughout her time with William, someone always had something to say when it came to her. But as she studied the people, she couldn't hear a single word coming from anyone's mouth, not even a rude whisper. Maybe perhaps her origin had not been revealed. 

"I understand if some of you are concerned to hear this since we stand at the brink of war. A war, might I add, was instigated by your queen's inability to accept our son's choice in Jade."

Jade clenched her jaws in order to not to drop them in astonishment of the king's candor. She thought that what took place inside the castle walls would stay there, not be announced out loud like this.

"However, let me assure you that your new king and queen will be excellent leaders. My son and his Jade will be better than I and my Eleanora ever were. I have the utmost faith in them."

A murmur of doubt and disagreement suddenly spread like wildfire somewhere in the crowd. However, it wasn't specifically about Jade or William, nor whether they could rule a kingdom. To her surprise the murmurs concerned the queen and her betrayal, the king and how sad his decision was.

The king listened to his subjects but then raised his hands, with his palms waving calming up and down, with his palms facing the floor. Urging the murmur to fade and he waited until it had died completely.

"As I was saying; I hear your concern, but I can assure you that I am certain they will make even better rulers than me and my wife, and I will gladly tell you why. These two..." He swept his hands towards Jade and William. "... represent the best of two worlds."

Oh no. Jade thought and looked to William. He gave her a reassuring and strengthening look with his powerful dark blue eyes. He did not look the very least worried about the upcoming revealing of her origin. If they reacted this bad to the news, what will they think if he tells them that I come from nothing? How can William be so calm? 

"My son, a brave young man whom I am very proud to have as my successor, chose to marry a woman of the people. One of you." The king declared. "I know this is not part of our traditions, but there is no reason for you to worry about this. I am very certain that my son made the right choice, because ever since I met this young woman, I knew she would make a spectacular queen." The king said and his words warmed Jade's heart and calmed her almost shivering body. 

The spectators were dead silent, and everyone's eyes turned to Jade. She inhaled deeply, trying her best to hide the fear surging through her veins. 

What if they turn on him? What if they can't accept all of this at once? Not only will they lose a beloved leader, but they are also being told that his replacement has married a commoner. 

"I think I am going to faint." Jade breathed and looked at the doors in the other end of the throne room. William pressed the hand she had on his arm closer to his torso. 

"Please don't." He whispered with a hint of humor in his voice as his father continued his speech. "Everything will be alright."

I am not promising anything... and he cannot know that for sure. Jade thought and exhaled through her nose. 

"Your new king will be strong and fierce, like me." The king said the last part with so much charm that a rumbling of quite laughter came from the crowd. "He will be a leader you can always depend on, be it in battle or not. Trust me when I tell you that my son, whom I have trained myself, and gone into battle with, will make an incredible protector and leader of this kingdom." 

One by one, Jade noticed how the people in the crowd slowly came around. Their concerned faces and worried eyes softened and some even smiled in anticipation now. Jade was speechless. The king had turned them around with such authority, but also with such care and devotion. He let them know that he wanted what was best for them. It became clear that he was an excellent ruler. Jade suddenly understood why William felt like he had a lot to live up to. 

"My son's wife, Jade, will be the queen you deserve. She is bright and has one of the sharpest tongues I have ever experienced." He chuckled. "Most importantly; she is incredibly appalled by the very trace of injustice and will not hesitate before she demolishes it. I think most of you had the pleasure of experiencing what type of queen she will be, the other day. Instead of killing a man for his crimes, she made sure he will live with the punishment following his gruesome actions. That is the type of woman my son chose; a ruthless but undeniably righteous queen. You can all rely on that she will make sure that justice is served and nothing less." 

Jade was still nervous beyond words, but the way he spoke of her and how he saw her, made her eyes water and she forgot about her shivering body. The king was not lying or exaggerating, he had the utmost faith in her even though she knew nothing of being queen. 

 "And... as you can see; she is extremely beautiful." He added and from the sound of his voice, Jade could tell that he was smiling. Laughter spread through the throne room again. 

The crowd had lost all their doubt. The king and destroyed every trace of it. There were eyes staring at Jade and William with hope and relief in their eyes. 

"Let us begin." The king called out and the crowd cheered. 

.  .  .

William and Jade were instructed to get on their knees in front of the priest. As he started reading from scripture Jade bowed her head down in thought of what her new life would truly bring her way. 

"Jade." William suddenly whispered sternly without looking at her. "Raise your gaze or I will do it for you." She forced herself not to laugh or even smirk but did as she was told. 

William was crowned first. The priest placed his crown on his head and Jade felt her heart swell. The sight of her husband in his crown was glorious. 

"Rise, King William first of his name, son of Uldard the fourth of his name." The priest declared. 

William got up.

The priest turned around and picked up Jade's crown from its pillow. Just as he was going to place it on Jade's head William carefully stepped in and took it from him. 

A loud gasp escaped the priest and also the crowd. The priest received a stern look from William, urging him to step back. The expression in the priest's face told Jade everything she needed to know; this was not part of it. William was doing something very unusual, and shocking. 

"What are you doing?" Jade gasped quietly as he stood before her. Her crown rested in his hands. 

"Crowning you myself." He answered her quietly and placed the crown on her head. He held his hand out and helped her up. Her legs were shaking. 

"Are you allowed to do this?" She whispered and stared into the dark blue eyes. 

"I am." He said darkly. "But what do I know? I am just a king." He chuckled quietly. His words brought out a wide smile to spread over Jade's lips. He was referring to when she had questioned if father could wed them or not, and William had answered that 'he was just a king'. 

William reciprocated her smile and his eyes beamed with joy at the sight of her in her crown. Without another word he leaned down and kissed her so deeply that some in the crowd gasped adoringly. 

"I give you, your new king and queen!" The king's voice boomed through the throne room. They were ripped from their kiss and Jade turned around, standing next to William. The king stepped aside, sweeping his hand in front of them and started applauding.

"Now what?" Jade whispered to William without taking her eyes off of the people in front of her.

For the first time since she stepped into this life, no one was looking at her like she did not belong. No one was frowning or whispering about her. The faces looking at her were hopeful, some even looked relieved.

"Now we go out and greet the rest of our people." He answered her quietly and led her down the steps and towards the doors. "What are you thinking about?" William asked when Jade's eyes swept across the crowd. 

"I was just about to say that the hard part is over... but that would be a lie." She whispered in a sigh. "A very big lie." 

"Very true." William mumbled as they reached the last step. 

When William's first foot touched the floor, a dark voice broke the silence in what could almost be called a bellow. 

"All hail king William!"

Jade turned to her right where the voice had come from. The person stood close to them and it could only be one person. There was only one man allowed so close to her, besides the king and her husband. It was the only guard she would and could trust her life and William's with.

Loren. 

Jade's eyes filled with tears as she looked at him. Of course, it had been him. Who else? He had his eyes on crowd. 

"All hail King William!" Every person in the room responded forcefully to Loren's call and he turned around to face them. 

William nodded at Loren and they shared a look much deeper than Jade could ever comprehend. Then Loren got down on one knee and bowed his head before them. 

"Tell him to get up." Jade whispered to William with tears filling her eyes to the very brim. 

"No." William whispered back very seriously. "Even if he is practically family, and you want him to act like it, Loren takes great pride in being so close to us-" 

The sound of every other person getting down on their knees silenced William. 

As every man, woman and child present, knelt before them, it hit Jade; she was now their queen, and William their king. 

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Thank you very much for reading and making it all the way down here! Your are true champs for putting up with the length of my chapters! 

I hope there weren't too many mistakes in the chapter, if so; I apologize and promise that I will edit it! But for now, I have a huge headache and is in need of some sleep! 

See you in the Epilogue! 

Tons of love coming your way!

Love Jenny