Unexpected

Chapter Twenty

CINDER

"Ready?" Kai murmured, his hand brushing against hers.

Cinder inhaled a sharp breath, cooling the butterflies in her stomach. "It's just like in Luna, right?" she asked, averting her gaze to the front palace doors. A smile tugged at the corners of Kai's lips. 

"Yeah," he agreed. "but this time, this interview will be broadcasted around the world. This is the final act of peace between Earth and Luna," Kai explained, and glanced at her with his dark brown eyes. "it will be a relief to know that we won't have to battle Luna anymore."

Cinder smiled faintly. "Yes. It's weird to think I'm finally living in my true home."

A shadow fell over Kai's face. "I trust Linh Adri and her daughter aren't bothering you anymore?" he asked, an edge to his voice. Cinder chuckled and nudged his shoulder with her own.

"Kai, look at me-" she gestured to herself. Cinder was wearing a simple white gown that fell lightly above her ankles in loose swirls, her brown hair curled into ringlets and the pearls glimmering at the hems of the dress. "I'm royalty. They wouldn't dare," a twinkle entered Cinder's gaze. "although I wouldn't mind if they tried." she added after a second's thought.

"So you could throw them in prison for harassing the Lunar Queen," Kai nodded, a teasing tone entering his voice. "Gotcha."

Cinder rolled her eyes. "Not like that, you idiot."

Kai laughed as they both turned to face the palace doors. Cinder fidgeted in her costume, and sighed. 

"What are we waiting for?" she asked.

Kai was adjusting his silk tie, and glanced at her sideways. "For Torin to come through and escort us over along with those four guards behind us, and for the officials and authorities to be seated and to set the press in their place."

"Ah."

A hand wrapped around Kai's shoulder. "Your Majesty, everything is in place." Cinder whirled around to face Torin, who dipped his head at her in a sign of respect and mouthed, 'good luck'. Cinder offered him a weak smile and faced the closed palace doors again, knowing she would have to face the world in a few minutes.

Kai nodded. "Alright then," he looked at Cinder, and she saw a fleck of concern etched in his inky brown eyes. "ready?"

"Ready." Cinder blew out a nervous breath, and they both stepped forward together.

The palace doors swung open as four guards fanned out behind them, and Cinder kept her chin up as Kai marched straight onto an overlaying platform. Cinder followed his lead as Torin stayed back behind, hands clasped behind his back. A slight breeze swept over Cinder, and she raised her eyes skyward.

A storm of clapping greeted their arrival.

Cinder snapped her gaze back down. It was arranged in something close to a stadium, with a platform with cushioned chairs for both her and Kai, and a podium with a microphone attached. 

Kai had barely sat down before reporters started waving their notebooks, shouts erupting from the crowd. Cinder swept her gaze over the crowded strong of people, all yelling out their questions. She swallowed back the army of anxiety threatening to surge over her head.

Calm down. You've done this before. 

When Kai and Cinder were settled in somewhat comfortably, the first reporter stood up.

"Your Imperial Majesty," the reporter said, bowing his head quickly before looking at Kai. Cinder understood the question was not directed at her because the man cautiously used 'Imperial' and Cinder was a queen, not an Emperor or Empress. Kai tipped his chin at the man, giving his approval.