Lunar Chronicles Short Stories

The Royal Crowns

Cinder had yet to explore the whole palace, seeing as it was so big that it took Kai 20 minutes just to walk to the other side. No wonder everyone around the palace was so fit.

As she was approaching the jewelers, Thorne nudged her with his shoulder.

"So you ready to get your princess on?" he said with a grin.

"Yes, Thorne, I've just been dying  my whole life to go with you and Iko to pick out a crown." Cinder replied with much sarcasm.

"Oh, come on, it won't be that bad, we'll only be here for a couple of hours." Iko said.

"Only a couple of hours!? You guys have got to be kidding me!" Cinder groaned.

"Cinder, we would never kid about such an important matter," Thorne said trying to hold back a laugh. Iko then caught on to his scheme.

"I mean, it takes a long time to choose what type of jewels you want because you really wouldn't want to pick something that didn't represent your country, would you?"She gave Thorne a wink. He winked back.

Cinder pondered this for a moment before saying. "Well, I guess not, but really, a whole 2 hours?"

"Of course, but don't you worry your little queenly mind, Iko and I will be there to guide you the whole way."

"Ok, thanks guys," Cinder replied. Thorne and Iko both doubled over in laughter.

"What? What's so funny?" Cinder asked.

"Cinder, we were joking, it doesn't take 2 hours to pick out a tiara."

"Wait a second, you guys were joking the whole time?" They both nodded after recovering from their laughing fit. Cinder punched Thorne.

"Oww! Geez next time you punch me could you at least do it with your human hand?"

"That's what you get when you mess with the queen of Luna," Cinder said, sounding unapologetic.

"So then, how long does it really take?" They both simultaneously looked away.

"Guys?"

"Hey, I think we're here!" Iko squealed, changing the subject as they stopped in front of two red doors. The handles were painted gold and had detailed engravings all over.

Thorne gave a puzzled look. "Are you sure this is it?"

                                                                                                                                                                                               Cinder pointed to a large sign directly over the doors. They read Royal Jewels.

"Ahem," she coughed, eyeing Thorne.

"Oh, right," he said playing it off with a chuckle.

Iko grabbed both handles of the doors and flung them open. The doors opened to a large room with lights instantly lighting up to their arrival. The lights revealed that the room was even larger than previously thought to be. The walls were lined with drawers made of finely polished wood and were labeled accordingly. The middle of the room had large glass cases where you could see shining jewels even from where they were standing. Altogether it looked like a scene from an over-dramatic TV show.