The Queen

29.

Today is the day. It has taken me a month to prepare for my babies' coronation day. I had the throne room, and the ballroom decorated, and food and drinks are going to be made soon. I sit up in the bed as Jin snores softly beside of me. I look to the vanity and see all of our outfits for the big day. I will wear my same coronation dress and Jin will wear his same fancy attire. But two new little outfits are hanging on hooks for display. A small gown that matches mine and a small suit that matches Jin's now hangs there. I look on the dresser and see our crowns. In between mine and Jin's, is two small ones. Rue's is the same black obsidian as ours as well as Lillith's. Rue's is more manly looking, with intricate designs like mine and a large blue sapphire in the middle. While Lillith's is more girly with leaves and flowers designed into the obsidian with a large purple amethyst in the middle of hers.

 

My babies will be crowned in front of their people today. They will see the love and hope their people have for their futures as rulers. They will see their grandparents and uncle and other members of royalty and nobility. And most importantly, I will see the adoration and protection my people will offer them in my place. When my children are crowned as a Prince and Princess, I will know they are safe. Even if that means it's without me.

I have both been looking forward to this day and dreading it. As I made plans for the day, I kept them with me at all times. To spend as much time with them as possible. I even assigned them a nanny for when I am gone. Well, nannies I should say. The Nymphs will watch my children. I have already had them watching them in the throne room with me as I prepared for this day and they surpassed my expectations. To the Nymphs, they are more than just a Prince and a Princess. They are Gods. And they will serve them wholeheartedly. Because that is the role of a Nymph.

 

I feel at ease leaving them in their care. Jin stirs in his sleep and wraps his arm around me lazily, trying to pull me close to him. I take my hand and run my fingers through his hair and he makes a groaning sound in his sleep. He will mourn me for a long time. Possibly forever. But I know what I am doing is what's best for my family and my people. No one has to die because of me. After all, I am just one girl. I am disposable versus thousands upon thousands of my people.

 

I slowly remove his arm from me and stretch before I get up to go to the bathroom. I shower and wash my face. When I exit the bathroom, Jin is up and holding a crying Lillith, half asleep as he rocks her. I smile at him and walk over to take her from him. I sit on the bed and feed her. I take extra time, watching how she makes little twitches of her mouth as she eats and closes her violet colored eyes rimmed with long black lashes. I run my hand through her blonde curls on top of her head and watch as they spring back into place when I try and smooth them out. I dare say, her hair is curlier than mine. After she is done and burped, Rue begins to stir and Jin grabs him next to bring him over to me to feed. Jin places Lillith back in her crib and walks into the bathroom to wake himself up the same way I did.

 

I do the same with Rue. I watch his features as he eats. He has long black lashes around his violet-colored eyes too. His hair is silver like Hades is, but his has a bit of wave to it from me. It's not quite curly like mine or Lillith's, but it's still soft to the touch. I kiss his chubby cheek as he falls asleep eith a fully pooched belly. I place him back in his crib just as Jin comes out of the bathroom. I open the balcony doors and look out at the Dark Region as far as I can see. I lay every piece of land to memory. Every rock, every tree, every person of different races getting the place ready on the castle grounds below us.

 

Jin walks up behind me and places his arms around my waist to lay them lazily on my wide hips. He puts his chin on my shoulder and nuzzles his cheek with mine, like we did when we were children.