Aftermath 2: Coronation
“Odin’s Blade!” Ben swore. “I’ve never seen so many people in one place at one time.”
The Half Lunar’s face was flushed with embarrassment. His robes now bore the crest and seal of the royal house of Baron. His long white hair had been pulled back to keep it from straying into his face. He had exchanged his normal jadeite tiara for a small gold band at his brow, just for the day. Humble nobility was written on his face.
“Better get used to it, big guy,” Edge grinned, closing the tall door of the Baronian throne room with the help of one of the guards. “The life of royalty is a life in the spotlight!”
Ben blanched.
“Nevermind him,” Rydia frowned over her shoulder. Then she took Ben’s arm, smiling up at him, “Your coronation was beautiful.”
It had been a very nice celebration. Out in the middle of the Baron Square, the trees had all been decorated, candles everywhere, streamers and music. People laughing and singing, welcoming their king and queen home. And gathering to curiously greet the new prince of Baron. Ben had been so overwhelmed, he had nearly broken down right there.
“Rydia’s right. You were wonderful,” Rosa took his other arm with a reassuring look. The two of them led him up to the dais, sitting him on one of the steps.
“But… I almost cried in public,” Ben sniffled again, face still flushed.
“There is no shame in that, Prince Golbez,” Yang assured him quietly.
“I once cried at my birthday party.” Palom offered as consolidation.
They turned and blinked at the Black Mage questioningly.
“Er… I was only saying,” he turned away with a grumpy face, muttering. “Someone spilled Kantal on my piece of cake.”
Cecil and FuSoYa entered the room from the far door. The Paladin had already exchanged his royal garb for something more comfortable. Nodd was trotting around their feet, his whiskers trembling in delight.
“Ben!” the Kitt exclaimed. Eyes alight, he bounded gleefully into the half Lunar’s lap. He immediately snatched the golden tiara from Ben’s head, and placed it on top of his tufted ears. “Moving up in the world are we? You won’t forget the little people who made all this possible, right?”
Ben grimaced, “I’d doubt you’d let me.”
“You’d better believe it!” Nodd squirmed away from his grasp, laughing triumphantly as he tried to keep his new treasure out of Palom’s hands.
FuSoYa cleared his throat, watching the two of them with disapproval.
Ben grew rigid as his uncle strode up the steps. His thick accent was heavy with emotion as he attempted to speak, “Golbez… I’m certain that your father would be very proud of you.”
Ben could not meet his gaze.
FuSoYa reached out a weathered hand, placing it on his nephew’s arm. “I know I am.”
When the Half Lunar peered up, there was a silent acknowledgment behind his eyes. FuSoYa gave a half smile. Ben smiled in return.
“I’m gonna spew,” Edge grimaced.
Rydia, Rosa, and Porom, who had obviously been appreciating the moment, turned on him at once. A trio of frowny female stares.
“Whaaat…?” the ninja spread his hands wide.
Just then, Kain entered the throne room. He, too, had already changed back into his day-clothes — his suit of Dragoon armor. His blue eyes sparkled with unusual mirth as he waved his arms to catch everyone’s attention.
They all politely turned.
“Edge,” the Dragoon grinned. “Would you like to do the honors?”
“Huh? Oh! Yeah! That! I almost forgot!” Without another word, the ninja king scurried out the door through which Kain had just come.
There was the sound of something heavy moving behind the wall. Kain craned his head to peer around the doorway, his face split in two by a gigantic smile. He shot a few light hearted words at someone on the other side.
Then Cid appeared, followed closely by Edward. They were both hauling on a thick woven rope. A box-shaped cart, draped in a long white mantle, made its way through the door’s frame with a little maneuvering. Edge had both palms planted on the back of it, pushing. The three of them wheeled it in, turned it around, then set it decoratively with its side to the near wall.
By that time, Edge was cracking up so hard he could barely talk. “As a gift… from the Kingdom of Eblan…”
Cid and Edward almost had tears in their eyes. Every time they looked at Kain, the three of them would begin to snicker uncontrollably.
“Uh oh…” Cecil muttered over to Rosa.
“Do you guys mind?” Edge finally took a deep breath through his nose, attempting to be serious. A moment later, the ninja broke down in gales of laughter again. Then he wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
The Paladin frowned, “What are they up to?”
The Baronian queen shrugged and shook her head with a puzzled look.
“Ahem!” Edge tried again. “As… a gift to the Royal House of Baron from the Kingdom of Eblan…”
“And Damcyan!” Edward slipped in quickly. He began to strum a crescendo upon his hand-harp.
“–and Damcyan. To show… er… how happy we are that the Royal line of Baron has returned home safely…” The ninja spat the last part out while he still had breath, “We wish to offer you this memorial to celebrate the trials you have overcome.”
The four of them broke into sobbing laughter again.
“This… doesn’t sound good,” Rosa frowned.
“I’ll kill him!” Rydia growled.
Edward’s strumming swelled around them in suspense as Kain and Edge swept the white mantel from atop the cart.
Cecil’s face paled.
Ben barked a laugh of appreciation.
A magnificent pillar of marble shimmered in the warm light of the throne room, newly cut and hand-crafted with Cid’s unmistakable quality. Upon the marble stand was a plaque. And above that, Cecil’s pair of enchanted boxer shorts stood proudly bronzed.
The room was suddenly awash with mirth.
Cecil sunk into the folds of his throne, a pained expression on his face, “Oh… guys… You really shouldn’t have!”
“It was no trouble at all,” Cid grinned widely.
“Do… do you want me to read the plaque?” Kain doubled over, catching himself upon the pillar’s side.
“Er… No… no! That’s perfectly all right!” Cecil stammered, his face turning many different shades of red. “I wish to do the honors of seeing it firsthand. So I can get a chance to… er… admire its craftsmanship up close.”
The Paladin King of Baron rose, stepping down as if to do just that.
Cecil was the picture of composure as he studied the monument. Then he reached out, putting his arms around Edge and Kain’s shoulders, pulling them close. His voice was low, “I will get you back for this, you know?”
“Ah-ha!” Edward gave a merry whoop and broke out in a cheerful tune. “Kantal all around!”
A chorus of shouts echoed behind. And the party in Baron began.