H̶e̶l̶l̶ Hail King || ONC 2021(Longlister)

Epilogue

The ballroom was set for the event, ready to celebrate their king. For the very first time in the history of their kingdom, the room was opened twice in the reign of the same king. Red drapes with golden embroidery sang praises of the rich and prosperous status of the kingdom, the crimson table clothes were speaking volumes about the pink hue that adorned the happy and smiling cheeks of the subjects. Meanwhile, the enormous, golden chandelier lit up every corner of the large room, casting a glow upon its occupants. To sum it up, everything was covered in red, golden, and crimson while people present garnered colorful clothes. Each one of them - invaluable, unparalleled. They all were glancing around in awe, waiting for the grand buffet to commence. Most of all, they were waiting for their king to grace them with his presence, unaware of the surprise their king held in a box for them tonight.

"Are you ready, my darling?"

"Yes, I am, Your Majesty."

"I told you to stop with the title business; you are the future queen."

"Am I?"

Edward spun Jupiter around and closed the gap between them. After the mind-blowing kiss, he cupped her cheeks in his big hands and looked her in the eyes before firmly stating - "Without a doubt."

Jupiter beamed at her lover, pecking his lips. "I never doubt you."

"I doubt your words now."

"You are planning something," Jupiter accused.

Edward grinned at the easy exchange between them. His heart swelled just thinking about how she has come to know him so well. I am sure she does not know me well enough to predict I am about to do this. With that thought and his grin from earlier intact on his face, he knelt to the ground on one knee and pulled a red velvet box out of the hidden pocket in his royal robe.

Jupiter gasped as she saw the mighty king of Pigeoda on his knees for her. Tears of immeasurable joy and relief flooded her eyes when Edward opened the box. Inside was a plain band of gold. It was just her taste.

"Will you give me the pleasure of marrying me and be my queen, Jupiter?"

"A thousand times yes."

Edward went all smiles hearing her poetic and much dramatic response. Slipping the band on her ring finger, he rose to his full height and embraced her the gentlest he ever had. Leaning back, he met her stare seriously. "Today, I will announce you my queen in front of the whole kingdom."

Her smile vanished and her face turned somber. Edward's expression was quick to mirror her own. "You know I never reached my mother's grave that day. I want to tell her first and take her blessings."

"We will do as you say, but" - he smirked - "I want my last dance to be with you."

"The king and his sentry dancing together amidst the citizens, we will totally go unnoticed and will not be the hot topic at all."

"Don't get cheeky with me! Your ballroom gown for today's event is in the trunk, go and get dressed. You will accompany me as my possible suitor tonight."

"But-"

"No one will recognize you. Moreover, you look completely different and more beautiful as your chosen self than you do when you fake being a slouchy sentry." Edward earned a swat to his chest and both of them burst out laughing.

An hour later, Jupiter was standing ready in her costume with her arms wound around Ed's shoulder. Her make-up and hair were done by maids assigned by the king.

A few more hours later, they were standing in the same position, but this time they were in the middle of the ballroom. They were at the receiving end of multiple stares - jealous, joyous, or envious - from the onlookers. Every pair of eyes was upon them. Paying them no heed, Jupiter smiled secretively at her lover who immediately knew she had something hidden up her sleeve. "This is our last dance, my dear."

"Then make it the best dance, my love."

"I promise," she whispered.

After the dance, the king departed with his partner. The king leaves before the subject does, it was an unwritten rule all around the world.

Inside the king's bed-chamber, they lay side by side. The moon was shining bright, high in the sky. The place looked ethereal, yet not more than their content faces. A calm had washed over them until the king suddenly sprung up, wrapping his hands around his neck. He outstretched a hand to reach the glass of water on the nightstand that shattered to pieces as did his heart when he saw his lover pushing it off the wooden piece of art. "Sorry," his lover whispered. That was the last thing he heard along with chants from the ballroom that said - "Hail King! Hail King! Hail King!"

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