𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐋𝐒 | 𝒂𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒓

𝖔𝖓𝖊. 𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒈𝒐𝒍𝒅

⃕⋆𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒏

*ੈ✩‧₊˚CARALYN SAT ON HER THRONE, OBSERVING THE FOLK SWAYING AND CLAPPING WITH JOY. Her lips kept a permanent smile that followed everyone and anyone who walked by as she sat, glued to her seat at the top of the balcony. Her eyes followed the sway and flow of dresses while her ears listened to the clicks of shoes and clangs of glasses.

The sky, in return, remained clear and awe striking as the sun set beautifully without a cloud in sight. The illumination from the last light lit up the people of her kingdom as if they were all jewels that shined just for their princess. Their rhythmic swaying almost convinced her that it was true.

Her body nearly began to shake with excitement, almost uncontainable, as she heard the music coming to a close and she would soon take to the floor. Her foot's tapping was the only consequence of her glee.

"Cara." A voice with an accent caught her attention, "It is time."

She nearly jumped up, speaking in her native tongue, "Finally." Her father chuckled at her, "I thought I would have had to shove you off of the chair by now."

"Now, now. A king is never rushed."

"And neither is princess and yet I was prepared before you were."

Her father nodded his way that said touche. Her father stood, holding his hand out, palm down, for his daughter to take. She placed hers over him graciously, standing straight up as she walked to the edge of the balcony that overlooked the gardens.

"Nervous?" He glanced over.

"Never. You?"

"Always."

Alejandro took a deep breath before gesturing to the announcer of the night, which varied between the years. The music came to an end and a round of claps was shared between the people.

On cue, the trumpets sounded.

The two shared a breath. Commoners and nobility alike stared in awe at the two royals, who stood on the white stone balcony, that had their hearts encaptured in the palms of their hands.

"His Majesty, King Alejandro Estrella of South America, Head of the Commonwealth" the announcer belted out, "and his daughter, Her Royal Highness, Princess Caralyn Catalina Estrella of South America, Duchess of the Angeline Isles, Lady of the Court!"

Caralyn and Alejandro watched as the entire room bowed in reverence to their rulers. Heads bowed and curtsies followed. Alejandro took his hand from Caralyn's and clapped them together.

"My people, both great and small, nobility, gentry, visitors and the common folk who have made up my heart and soul as well as the heart and soul of this continent. I welcome you all to the opening festival of this month." He paused. "The Festival De Mariposas is a sacred month-long holiday that our people have created to honor not the royals, nobility, nor the gentry, but to celebrate the immense sacrifice the common people have had on our country. My humble people, you are not forgotten. You have built our houses, our roads, and even this castle that I humbly live in. You ensure the continent is fed and have materials in order to live their best lives. But most of all, I thank you because of my daughter. You have ensured that my daughter has gone to sleep every night with her stomach full, clothes on her back and the peace of mind that her people will fight for her. And to that, I bow to you all."