Bliss {A Lunar Chronicles Fanfiction}

Chapter one

Cinder paced the hallways of the vast castle. It was panic. Panic that was filling up her chest. She couldn't help but be worried of what this day would bring. For four years she had done this. Four years as Queen Selene Channary Jannali Blackburn of Luna and she still hadn't stopped the monarchy. And now, without even doing that just yet she was leaving for earth.
All the planning had been completed for when Cinder was to leave Luna. Winter would be put in charge until Cinder would - finally - turn the monarchy into a republic. She often thought of what she would do within the republic. Cinder knew that she couldn't leave altogether. Or rather, she could but didn't feel ready to.
Luna held a strange connection with Cinder. It was where she came for after all. Even if her mother and aunt and their parents before that had not been good people, it was still her home. Her choices of what to do where simple. She had the choice of becoming a president but it didn't feel right. In the end she knew that that would probably be what would happen.
Walking around and thinking, Cinder had not realized that she had made her way to the throne room. Her throne was clean not a spot of dust to be seen upon it. She hadn't sat on it for five whole months. The room had a gorgeous view of Luna that Cinder no longer despised looking at. She could see all the domes in their new and - as far a she was concerned - improved state. Every family now had proper houses and proper jobs. No longer did the people have to tire out in the mines or cut trees if their passion was to be something else. Life, for the most part, had become a lot like the most civilized countries on earth.
One of the first things that Cinder managed to convince the earthen leaders to do was remake the trade alliance with Luna. Although she had known that Kai probably had a lot to do with the leaders accepting it had worked. Now the citizens of Luna had equal supplies of food and plants were growing all over the place. Another things was that travel between Earth and Luna was now allowed. Citizens of both were now allowed to travel freely and live on either Luna or Earth. Things seemed to be going great and Cinder hoped it would stay that way after what was to happen today.
There was a loud knock at the door. Cinder turned around and quickly said, "come in."
"Your majesty," it was Kinney, "it's time."
"I'll be right there. Thanks for -uh- letting me know." Kinney stood there, unmoving.
"Er- you may, um, be excused," the statement came out more like a question. How long would it take to get used to ruling a country.

{~•~}

The ship was docked closer to the palace than usual. It was an average sized earthen ship. Part of the metal plating on the ship was painted black. The paint that Cinder had put onto the ship years ago. It was so very familiar except for one minor detail. Over the mat black paint was now a symbol painted in somewhat neon yellow paint. An image of a crescent moon. "I thought you would rather prefer this for your travel your highness," out of nowhere Jacin had appeared by Cinder's side.
"Although, if you'd prefer I can bring out an Imperial shuttle, Queen Selene."
"I've told you before Sir Clay. My name is Cinder."
"And mine is Dr Clay." For the past three years Jacin had been studying as a doctor and as soon as Cinder changed the rule of Luna he would retire from his job as a guard.
A long moment of silence followed, Cinder still mesmerized by the crescent painted on the black plating. It wasn't the detail that was put into it (which Cinder had to admit was pretty incredible) but the thought behind it. She had never thought that Carswell Thorne would get so attached to only one person.
As if on cue of her thoughts Thorne, the captain of The Rampion, stepped of the ramp and walked towards Cinder.
"Your imperial majesty," he said jokingly whilst bowing.
"Thorne. What do I owe this pleasure to?" Cinder questioned sarcastically.
"Oh no need for the sarcasm Cinder. I know you missed me," his voice was annoying and teasing.
"You majesty," Kinney looked towards Cinder. He scowled,"Captain." They both looked back at Kinney, "time to go."
With that Cinder was climbing up the ramp. As they walked Thorne questioned,"I thought queens were meant to wear dresses."
Cinder shrugged the question of and kept walking. Thorne lead them into one of the rooms in which a petite girl was standing. Her blonde hair has now grown up to her shoulders and she was supporting a baby blue shirt and some jeans. Her blue eyes shimmered when she saw Cinder.
"Cress," Cinder's grin widened, ecstatic about seeing her friends again. She was definitely happy, no doubt about that, but the truth was probably written all over her face. She was thinking of him. Kai. She had commed Cress recently and Scarlet and Wolf had visited a couple weeks back.
Cinder wanted to see Kai again. He had been too busy lately to be able to come visit like he used to. Cinder knew part of the reason of his busyness which made a small smile creep onto her face. Still she missed him and he occupied her thoughts so very often.

{~•~}

The trip consisted of her fixing the air conditioner and a bunch of other machines that Thorne couldn't care for himself. Her cargo pants and shirt were now covered in grease stains making her feel right at home. Not that she admitted it but she did miss her stand back in New Beijing.
New Beijing was a place that Cinder had complicated feelings about. Much like her feelings towards Luna. There was one thing that made her more uncomfortable than anything else that she would see in New Beijing. Linh Adri and Pearl.
Hello Adri, Pearl, She would say. How's everything going since you got rid of your useless cyborg?
She knew she couldn't say anything too harsh. She was queen and even thought she wished it wasn't true Adri would be swimming in money from Linh Garan's invention.
By the time the journey was ending Iko walked in along with Winter (who had come aboard the ship along with Jacin) to let her know to at least put on a cleaner t-shirt.
"Cinder friend," Winter spoke softly, "are you nervous for tonight?"
"I guess so," Cinder replied. She thought for a minute before adding,"where's Cress?"
"Oh she's preparing for the arrival," Iko chirped.
"Well then. I guess I should change into a less greasy outfit."