Death was needed for nature to be reborn. And as the cycle continued, Amaya was doomed to embrace her fate. Nature was made like that. It needed death to blossom again. Only through hell could you find paradise. Only through the dark sorrow could you feel the warmth of the sun rays on your skin.

A month passed since Amaya returned from her death. Since winter was chased away. Since life bloomed again in the Kingdom of Ornuv.

Lach had one knee down. He wore silver armor shining with the sun rays going through the large windows of the ceremony hall. His head was left uncovered, showing the dark crown of his head, his father's sword tight in his hand.

The hem of a yellow dress appeared in front of him, and he looked up to see Amaya standing grand with the sun-shaped gold crown on her head.

The ceremony hall was packed with Lords and Ladies from the highest ranks of the aristocracy. And Lach couldn't help but think that the last time he stood in this place with Amaya, he was a stableman, and she was a princess, and now she was the Queen, and he was soon to be a Knight.

"For your bravery, courage, and dedication to the Crown..." Lach's chest swelled with something he had never felt. Pride. "Be thou a knight. Before the Sun God witness." Amaya tapped on each of his shoulders with a sword. A solemn ambiance bathed the room as the witnesses all bowed.

Amaya extended the back of her hand, and Lach let his lips pose gently on her skin. When his eyes flickered up, Amaya was gazing at him softly. He stood up as the witnesses all bowed their heads.

Lach watched Bett, Kristina, and Ezri cheering him silently, his mother's gaze wettening over her clutched hand and his brother's wide-gap-toothed smile shining through. His chest expanded with pride.

The snow had melted to let place to a blooming green within a week of the return of the Favor, and the icy hearts thawed like the rest of nature. The sun reclaimed its place in people's earth.

Lach stood before a

shifting Lord Harrington, his face red and constricted as usual, with a purse full of gold pieces. "Here is your money," he said, and the man's constant scowling eyes opened wide.

"Sir Lach, I am sorry for what happened." The man juggled with his words. His long wife next to him was tight-lipped. Both couldn't look at Lach in the eye. "I understand if you want to punish us, but know we apologize for the words that left our mouths. This wasn't the truth of our thinking." Lady Harrington nodded quickly.

Lach stared at them, his stern features softening. He wasn't into vengeance. What was vengeance good for unless it was to continue a circle of endless violence. He nodded. "Lord Harrington, you might go." He said as he threw the pack of gold coins.

The man's eyes jolted open as he juggled to not drop the bag. "What- Sir?"

"This is the past," Lach kept his shoulders drawn up and his eyes steady. "You did well for my family. Here is the payment for the house. But now, you will leave my family and me alone, right?"

The man nodded quickly. "Your kindness is beyond Sir Lach. Madam." They bowed and scurried away in their carriage.

Lach sighed. He felt a touch on his shoulder and his mother's smile cast on him. Her features were less tired, as if her age was reversing. "You did great. Your father would be proud of you." Lach swallowed thickly before they went into an embrace. "So proud. Just as I am."

**

Amaya sat down in front of a vanity. She watched her reflection as if seeing the person for the first time, but it was undoubtedly her. Her curls, her eyes, her lips, her nose. But seeing herself so well-robed and shining with jewels felt almost foreign. She touched the sun-shaped crown ornamenting her hair, its gold shining and meaning heavy.

A portrait lured her eyes. The poised smile of her mother caught her first. Then, the imposing stature of her father, chin high and chest swelling proudly, and finally, the naivety of a little girl with eyes full of sparks and curls just like hers. Her chest tightened at what was once, but she understood why her mother did what she did.

She looked back at herself in the mirror and didn't seem so foreign anymore.

"Your Highness," a servant called from the door.

"Please enter." The man bowed and stood on the side with a wooden box. Amaya's eyebrow raised. "What is it?"

"A gift from the late King, You Highness. Instructions were to give you this box once you were crowned Queen."

Amaya frowned slightly before taking the carved wooden box. She paused her palm on its smooth top before clicking it open. An envelope stood on a small velvet cushion. Amaya opened her mouth slightly. The envelope was sealed with the dark crimson stamp of sun crossed with two swords. The seal of the king. Her fingers hurried as she tore it open. The grainy yellowish letter was unfolded.

To my dear daughter, Amaya,

Today, you have become a Queen and thus made the proudest father.

I know I hadn't always given you the affection and love you needed. My regrets are deep to this day.

But know that this is because I wanted you to be strong.

To be a rule, you must be armed with the strongest will and persuasion. Power is not innate, granted with your birthright, but something you gain through the fruition of your achievement.

But to be a ruler is also to be empathic and kind.

I know that you possess all the qualities to be a strong ruler.

You are a brave young woman armed with conviction and passion, just like your mother.

Amaya's lips curved her chest warming.

Still, all I ever wanted for you was to be safe and protected. Keeping you inside the castle all these years was the only way I found to achieve that. But now that I think about it, it wasn't because of your weakness but my own.

A life filled with joy and happiness is all I wish for you. Truly. But this position as a Queen will take a lot from you. Like it did for me. That's why I was adamant about finding you the best person to share this long and tedious journey with you.

My love for you is grander than the power of Sun God itself. I love every part of you and will forever cherish your mother for giving me such a wonderful daughter. I know we share different views, and I was harder with you than I should have been. However, whoever you choose to be with, I will support you, for I love you.

Tears rolled down Amaya's cheeks.

I am proud of you, and I know your mother is proud of you, too. You resemble her so much. You have your mother's face but also her heart.

That is why I am persuaded you will be the best ruler.

You are the most precious thing I have.

The King, your Father.

Her hands clutched the letter. The drops made the writing drawl down. She wiped the wetness on the corner of her eyes and the traces on her cheeks.

Her heart had been heavy with regrets the moment she heard of her father's death. But this letter was an exhale for her heart. It felt lighter.

"Your Highness," The servant called from the door. "It is time."

Amaya nodded and breathed out. She stared at the letter a last time before placing it back in the box. She stood tall as she watched the reflection in the mirror, grabbing her pendant a last time before leaving the room.

The bright sun rays welcomed Amaya as she entered a balcony. Down, the crowd erupted into cheers. Their throats opened with glee and passion. Thousands and thousands of colorful people bathed under the sun. Amaya waved at them, smiling as full as the sun and stirring more cheers and screams.

"Long live the Queen!"

"Our savior!"

"Daughter of the sun!"

Amaya scanned the crowd as she took in the cheer. It filled her chest with life and euphoria. They all had healthy complexion and were wearing light clothes, discarding the last of their winter clothes with the last melting of ice.

The sun poured its gold on her as she talked. "Dear people of Ornuv." She paused, letting the crowd settle. "The Favor is back on the land, and the Sun God blessed us with abundant crops and cattle."

Amaya went on poised and regal. "We will never not prosper again. It is a promise of I, the Queen of Ornuv." The crowd cheered, fists rising.

"After those difficult times, this new era will promise better times for us as well as our relationships with other countries of the continent."

"We must not be daunted by the past and the hardships the war has left with us. The price of our mistakes was paid for ten years, leaving us in fear. But as Ornuv was about to fall into despair, brave hearts fought for our nation's liberty." She said, letting the words imprint on the crowd, watching with attentive heart and opened ears.

"As we move forward to a bright future together, I declare I will be at your service and the service of this nation. With willingness, strong courage, and enduring faith, we can become again a great country."

"The Sun God is my witness, and I promise to carry this promise to the best of my ability for you and with you. Might the Sun God bless us for decades to come."

The crowd was loud and boisterous as Amaya waved away, chanting with all their might.

"Long live the Queen!"

"Long live the Queen!"

"Long live the Queen!"

Amaya stepped away under loud cheers, and when she looked to the side, her lips cracked into a smile.

Lach leaned one of the columns supporting the roof of the balcony. He wore his armor and a sort of mischief in his expression. "My Queen." He bowed down.

Amaya acknowledged with a nod. "My knight."

"What an exhilarating speech you made," he said as he approached.

Amaya paused. "Hum. I think so, too."

They both chuckled and stopped when their gazes met.

Amaya tilted her head to the side, and on cue, Lach walked with her inside the castle corridors. "The people...They love you," he said as he glanced around, the cheers still echoing.

Amaya smiled softly. "I hope it will stay like that. I know that Father's mistakes cannot be forgotten, but I am willing to earn their trust."

"They will trust you for sure," Lach scooted closer. "As I do," he whispered, and Amaya's was drawn to him like waves on a shore.

Someone cleared their throat, and they looked up to see a servant, and they jumped a distance away. Amaya's cheeks fluttered. "Your Highness, the council is waiting for you."

"I am coming shortly," she said, trying to keep the embarrassment away from her voice. The man bowed and left. Lach looked at her under his strands, and they laughed out loud. "He is everywhere. I can't escape him. I didn't know the Hand of the Queen had to follow the Queen every second of the day." She sighed, stirring another laugh from Lach.

He looked around and scooted closer. "It's all right." He paused, a flush spreading on his cheeks. "Should I meet you at the stable later?" Amaya nodded eagerly. Lach's features turned serious before he bowed. "Your Highness." But he flashed her a smile as he left.

Amaya's heart sang as she made her way to the council room.

**

She sat at the rectangular table in the chair at the peak of the table where her father used to sit.

"Your Highness, we have received many congratulations from the countries of the Continent for your new position as the Queen." One of the council members said. "Among them were many proposals from Princes and Dukes, too. I think we should consider them. I have some suggestions to make, Your Highness."

Amaya sighed softly. "Thank you, Lord Castello, but I don't believe our focus should be on a wedding now." The council members gasped as they glanced at each other.

"But, your Highness..." Lord Castello trailed off.

"I will marry," she assured, meeting every pair of eyes in the room. "But it will be on my term, my time, and my decision."

The Lord nodded. "Your Highness."

She joined her hands together. "For now, more urgent matters are sitting on the table," she started. "Like the new Peace Treaty." She grabbed the quill and the grainy yellow paper before her. "Shall we start?" She asked, looking around, and they all nodded.

**

Aurora flew as she galloped on the field, her paws drumming their heartbeat on the grass. Amaya inhaled the scent of freedom on the mare's back, her dress flowing like a veil around her. The mountain line drew close as they crested a hill, the sun illuminating their quest with bright light.

She looked over her shoulder, and her lips curved with life. Lach bounced on the back of Achilles as he squeezed his sides, a smirk forming as the stallion accelerated his pace. Amaya shifted her weight forward, encouraging Aurora to do the same.

They stopped near a tree in a valley as the sun slowly rested behind the mountain's line, painting the green into a soft, blushy orange.

"You have been going extremely fast, your Highness." Lach's boots touched the grass. He had left the armor and traded it for his usual shirt and pants. Amaya observed how the orange light made his deep night strands glisten like a liquid bronze.

His eyes flickered to her, and she turned to Aurora, caressing her mane. "You can't keep up with me, Knight? I was certain you were a stableman in the past," she glanced at him with a teasing smile.

"A stableman?" He looked up, thinking, an eyebrow raised. "I do not remember." He shrugged, spurring that melodious chuckle out of Amaya's tremoring chest. It filled his own with a soft orange glow like the sky hues.

Amaya's hand paused on Aurora's cheek as her features tightened with an ounce of sorrow. "Lach."

His eyes flickered to her, attentive. "Yes, Amaya." The way he said her name so gently, like the caressing breeze of the evening, made her eyes soften.

Her lips tightened as she fidgeted with the sun of her pendant. "The matter of me finding a husband is still on the table." She kept her eyes on the grass. Lach turned to her completely. "I still have to marry. I still have to provide heirs for the Kingdom." She looked up at him and down again. "I told the council members that this is something I would consider, but-" Lach's gaze was too intense on her, and she thought she would burst into flames if she kept talking, but she needed to know. "What you said that day... Was it true?"

That day, where she felt her soul living in her body inside his arms. She had felt every drop of his tears on her skin even as she felt herself going. It was you all along. You are my sun. Don't leave me in this world without you.

The air caught in her lungs as she waited for Lach's lips to move.

He let go of Achilles' reins. "Yes." He scooted closer. "Everything is true."

His brown eyes poured into her, and she thought her heart would never cease to drum. She swallowed thickly, her voice a whisper. "It is true for me, too."

He inhaled deeply as he caught her hands, his eyes never leaving hers. They flickered with bronze flecks, and Amaya wished his hands would always keep her warm. "I have a tiny home and no money. I am your Knight, and I swore to protect you, but-" his grip tightened around her hands as the sincerity of his eyes flowed on her. "But if you would have me, I swore before the Sun God that I would love and cherish you until the end of my life."

Amaya's mouth opened slightly. Her ears drummed with the gallop of her heartbeat. Her body was frozen, not because she felt the rageful wind of winter but because of the warmth emanating from his words, drenching her like sunrays. An immense feeling built on her chest that made it impossible to talk.

Panic flashed in Lach's eyes. "Amaya. Are you-"

"Yes," she blurted out, her eyes glassy. "Yes, Lach, I would let you have me."

Lach's lips stretched so widely that his joy was as grand as the vastness of the sky. He placed his hands on her cheeks. "Really?"

Amaya nodded eagerly, unable to wipe the smile from her face. "Yes. Yes. Yes."

He dipped down, and their lips touched, parting and savoring each other. Amaya's chest melted like butter under the sun.

They detached softly, their forehead resting against each other. Their eyes were closed tightly as if to keep each other from falling, breath ragged but their grip on each other steady.

They opened their eyes again and let the joy tremor their chests. They melted into each other embrace under the dying light of the sky, their enlaced bodies sparkling with a new beginning.