long live the king - nct, markhyuck

♕ 25 ♕

the sound of trumpets resonated in the air, mixing with the loud chatter of the many guests that had come from all around the country to assist to the grand event.

the sun was high in the sky outside, shining brighter than ever in the clear blue sky with no risk to ever be hidden behind a cloud. thankfully, the air wasn't too hot, a cool breeze running through the inside of the palace because of the wide opening of the doors and windows specially for the occasion.

the crowd was loud, perhaps a bit too much for mark's liking as the boy was still locked in his bedroom, standing still in front of his full-body mirror. the royal was already dressed in his most beautiful clothes, expensive materials having been wrapped around his body skilfully by servants, and metallic details had been added specially for the occasion with more gold tones than silver or bronze ones. his sword was placed in its holder, carefully attached to the boy's hip and ready to use if ever necessary.

all in all, everything was ready for the big moment, and the guests were surely getting more and more impatient, but for some reason, mark didn't feel like it was the right moment to go.

the young royal was studying himself from head to toe, eyes stopping at every detail of his clothes before stopping on the top of his head for longer than necessary, right on the void spot that would soon be replaced by a crown heavy of the royal's family's past, and of the fate of a whole people.

looking at himself like this, a few minutes before his coronation, mark wasn't sure he was ready to wear this crown. the object had been kept safely under locks ever since his father's death, and now that mark was of age, he was supposed to wear it, and carry on his shoulders all of the burdens that came with it. he was definitely not ready for that.

don't be nervous, you'll be an amazing king.

mark was too deep in thought, trying to repeat these words over and over again in his mind. for some reason, he couldn't hear the sounds made by the crowd anymore, as if his worries had taken over his brain and blocked everything external to him.

it is time, now. your people are waiting for you.

that voice rang again in his head and some sort of warmth wrapped around him, as if he was pulled in an embrace. perhaps was it his worries that he had managed to temper and his self confidence boosting. he wasn't sure, but it was pleasant.

it's nothing more than wearing a crown.

he slowly processed the words, gulping as his eyes flicked once again to the bare top of his head, where his hair had been gelled down slightly to leave a perfect place for the symbol of royalty that would be put there any minute from now.

and once this is over, everything will fall back into place. perfectly.

it's with these words that mark found the ability to come back from his headspace, brows furrowing as his eyes studied his whole body one last time in the mirror.

the voice was right. this coronation was nothing but the beginning of something new, a life dictated by his likings and wants. after this, he would be responsible for everything, but at the same time be the one in charge, and so, be free of doing what he wanted to do.

he could already picture it, and he loved it. being the one to declare the banquet open, leading military meetings, greeting his whole people, speaking up at the execution of the traitors to the crown, and deciding what he would do next with the lands.

as mark was finally confident enough to tear his eyes away from his reflection, a couple of knocks were punched against the door of his room, followed by a servant's voice.