"I here by crown you king and queen of Iselor!"
Adan felt the heavy weight of the crown press down on his head as the bishop lowered it. The fur lining the rim meant it didn't dig in to his skin as badly as it might have, but that did nothing to reduce the weight brought on by the gold frame and the various gems embedded in it. He glanced to the side where Nora was sitting right next to him. He felt a slight bang of envy at the more delicate and refined crown being lowered onto her head. It wasn't any less impressive looking, but it weighed significantly less and that was something he wagered he'd soon be longing for. The celebrations for the coronation would carry on long into the night and by the end he feared the heavy crown would have his neck all jammed up and hurting.
"All hail the king and queen!" the bishop declared and the people in the hall stood up and greeted their new rulers. Adan and Nora stood up and both offered affectionate smiles on the crowd of people. Both of them hated every single one of them, but they were needed to play their part in fixing the world they had helped break. Adan reached out and grabbed Nora's hand. A cold sweat covered it much as it did his own. They exchanged glances telling of their emotions. It was a mix of disbelief, terror, and excitement.
General Baga banged the blunt of his spear against the floor several times to silence the crowd. Adan was thankful he was there. Though they now had a regular army under their command it couldn't be fully trusted just yet. While some of the mercenaries had been sent home, Adan and Nora had managed to talk Baga into staying with a big enough force that he could guarantee their safety and the continuity of their rule.
As the crowd went silent, Adan stepped forward. The bishop had told him a speech of some sort was expected.
"The past months have been bloody," he started, his voice echoing through out the great hall. "Many have paid with their lives for me to claim what is my birth right. I am happy to say that today is the end of that. My rightful place has been confirmed and we can all focus on rebuilding this great kingdom."
There were isolated cheers and claps here and there. Adan waited for them to die down.
"A kingdom that stretched from the coast far inland. We control much of the trade that the inner kingdoms desire and they will no doubt try and shake this new kingdom and its supporting beams – all of you. Do not be persuaded by them or cover in fear if they threaten you. Your king and queen will stand by you and ensure the safety of everyone in this kingdom."
There were isolated cheers here and there.
"But today we are here to celebrate. I will not bore you with further talk. Let the banquet begin!"
That got some more cheers out of the crowd. If there was one thing nobles seemed to like, it was a banquet. Twin doors opened on the side of the hall that led to a large room. Tables and benches had been set up there so guests could sit down and eat while the reception hall they were in now would turn into an area for dance and music. There were already musicians rushing in to set up. People were starting to form into groups and talk.
"How was it?" asked Adan as he turned to Nora.
"Your hands still give away how nervous you are," said Nora with an encouraging smile.
Adan smiled back. "You can't expect miracles from someone who grew up all alone in the woods and hadn't spoken in public until a month ago."
Nora moved in closer to him and slipped her arm under his. "You'll get there. Plenty of speeches to be given."
Adan couldn't help but notice how nice she smelled. It was like stepping into a meadow filled with blooming flowers. She had spent all morning getting ready for the event so it shouldn't have been a surprise she looked the part of a queen. She had been introduced as his wife to the nobles of his kingdom. Of course, there had been no such ceremony. They hadn't even kissed since that night in the valley. It brought back the promise she had made.
"Is it time now?" asked Adan.
"For what?" asked Nora and nodded gracefully to one of the old men Adan had ordered arrested, but to be treated well. It was amazing what sort of loyalty acting with honour could bring you.
"For us," said Adan and looked at her. She met his eyes. He didn't like the blueness of them. As unsettling as her white eyes could be, they were not lies fabricated to please the masses. They were her true self. To his surprise she leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss on his cheek.
"It might be," she said with a smile as she pulled back.
Adan could feel blood rushing to his cheeks.
"But we can talk about that after the celebrations," said Nora and tugged at his arm. He followed her as she led him amongst the crowd. People came to them in small groups, introducing themselves, many congratulating them, some bringing up issues they were having that the new king could address while others simply wanted to be seen talking to the new centre of power for the kingdom.
It was all very tiresome and almost made Adan feel sorry for all the blue eyes who were born to endure the banality of it.
Things got better when the food was on the table and Adan and Nora could take a seat that isolated them from much of the crowd. There were toasts and various speeches nobles of worth wanted to hold, but the wine made it easier to endure it all. There was more food on the table than Adan had seen in his entire life. It still had him feeling surreal that he could eat like that every day for the rest of his life he so chose. There was fresh bread, entire roasted pigs, platters filled with roasted potatoes and meat pies. There was fresh fruit from the south and all the wine, beer and mead the guests could stomach.
After the more strict dining the guests started to flow between the rooms. Nothing like a bit of dancing to help the food go down and then come back for more.
The wine was starting to give Adan a warm feeling throughout and everything around him started to feel less real.
"Don't drink too much," said Nora from next to him. "You might lose focus."
The mere thought of the people celebrating seeing his real eyes was enough to sober him up a bit. He could burn them all to death, but that would also end his reign as king. Word would get out about what he truly was and the Church would bring all its might against him. The people would abandon him. Both the Church and the people were already sceptical of him despite the show of support they were giving. He knew full well that if general Baga and his troops left there would be nobles staging an uprising sooner rather than later.
"We should offer Baga a title," said Adan and leaned in towards Nora. She was picking on a chicken leg. Only a moment earlier she had managed to wear down a countess who had talked with her non stop for what felt like an hour. She had finally given up after a younger man had come ask her for a dance.
"A title?"
"Make him a baron or something. Tie him down with us more than he is now. He is the guarantee that keeps us in power. We can't afford to let him go."
"It might be hard to convince him," said Nora. "He was already reluctant to stay as were many of his men."
"In the south he is a mercenary. Here he could be a lord. He could bring his family here and make a more secure life for himself." The more he thought about it, the more Adan started to like the idea. Baga had been nothing but helpful. Even though it had been for the money, he was a man who could be trusted. He was useful to have around.
"Nothing to lose by trying," said Nora and sighed as yet another noble woman seemed to head her way. "These women really live by gossip. I've been bombarded with invitation to parties and all sorts of events that serve no purpose other than for these hags to dress up and pretend they like each other."
"You're the queen," said Adan. "You will have plenty of excuses to turn down their offers. We need to work together for all of this to work."
"I know," said Nora and then turned to deal with the woman who sat down next to her. By the way her speech was overly articulated it was obvious she had seen the bottom of her wine cup far too many times. Perhaps it was what was needed to gain the courage to come and speak with a new ruler.
Adan had his own troubles with nobles coming to him. They were the male ones, the counts, barons and everything above and below them. They assumed he was the one pulling the strings and that Nora was queen only in name. They came with pleas to solve some dispute, court for favour or to offer ideas what should be done next. Surprisingly few of them cared about the damage done to city walls or the peasants ability to feed themselves in the wake of destroyed crops due to battles. Adan did his best to look like he listened even though much went in one ear and straight out the other. He mumbled something in response if that was needed and sometimes he even managed to promise something, though those times he had actually listened and the promise was something he was going to do anyway.
When the evening advanced to the point where it was appropriate to withdraw and let the ones who still had energy to party continue in peace, Adan let out a sigh of relief. He spotted Nora on the dance floor, surrounded by a ring of ladies. He gathered himself and inserted himself into the space.
"Forgive me, ladies, but I believe it is time for the queen and I to retire for the night."
"Already?" asked Nora, feigning surprise. The ladies around him didn't know her well enough to read her body language. She was relieved.
"I'm afraid so," said Adan with a forced smile. "There is plenty we need to do tomorrow and I've been assured that sleeping late will only mean staying up late."
"It is as you hear, ladies," said Nora and gave them all sparkling smile. "I look forward to talking with all of you again." She made her way next to Adan and slipped her arm under his. The ladies curtsied as they turned and walked away. Many of the guests bowed and wished them a good night.
The cool air that hit them in the corridor was refreshing compared to the hot and stale air in the halls filled with people.
"I'm glad that is over," said Nora as they walked onward towards their quarters. Fours guards surrounded them to ensure no assassin could strike at the new rulers.
"That makes two of us," said Adan. He wiped some sweat from his forehead. He hadn't even realized how hot it had been in the crowd. They came to a stairway that led them to the second floor where their rooms were. It was a private section of the citadel with access only through that one stairway. There were guards at the foot of the stairs that saluted them as they passed. The four guards following them stopped at the foot of the stairs. There would be normal guards further up to ensure no one had sneaked in.
The corridor that opened up at the top of the stairway had four doors on it. To the left was Adan's quarters and to the right were Nora's.
"Well, here we are," said Adan. He couldn't help but feel nervous. Nora's words from earlier were too clearly in his mind.
"Here we are," said Nora and glanced at him. The guards standing by the doors were tactful enough to pretend they didn't see or hear anything. Baga had chosen them well. None of them knew the language so even if they wanted to, they could not spy on the pair.
"Is it time?" asked Adan. "We have accomplished so much."
"Yet so much remains to be done," said Nora.
"It will take time," said Adan.
"But the time is now," said Nora and leaned in closer to plant a kiss on his lips. She smiled as they parted. "It is time."
She grabbed Adan's hand and pulled him into her room. He didn't resist. He knew there was much to do to right the world. It would be years of work. Having an evening to themselves wasn't going to change it one way or the other.