章 702: Epilogue
The crowd below gathered in rapt attention.
Up on the balcony of the palace, an important event was already underway.
Aurora stood proudly with Devrim by her side. After expounding on the great hope which the next generation presented for the Empire, her speech, at last, was coming to a close.
"And now, it is my supreme pleasure to introduce the newest member of the royal family. Having just completed his naming ceremony, I present to you the son of Prince Renat and Princess Mairwen." She motioned for the happy parents to step forward.
In Mairwen's arms, a little bundle was clad in more finery than the kings of old. He wriggled against the clothes as he was gently lifted for the crowd to see.
"All welcome, Damir, Prince of the Valiant Empire and beloved of the Empress. May he live long."
"Glory to the Empress!" the crowd cheered, though the joy was clearly for the tiny child.
Mairwen beamed...literally.
Like the Empress, her skin had not given up its luminescence. After all this time, it seemed unlikely that it would return to its normal hue.
Not that anyone seemed to mind. It gave the people of Valiant an extra sense of awe. For Aurora, it was her third and final mark until she met the Maker after death.
'Which won't be for a long time,' she smiled down at Colvyr, who was silently clinging to her gown. The royals waved to the crowd until they could wave no more. The announcement was finished, much to Aurora's relief.
"This is much easier to do without walking in tall shoes," Devrim whispered in his wife's ear. The first time they had come out on a balcony for an announcement of a royal birth, both had been altered to look much older than they were. Now each would not feel sad to look a little younger.
"Speak for yourself," Aurora pulled up the hem of her skirt. "I have to wear heeled shoes so you don't tower over me!"
"Apologies, Your Majesty. Shall I shrink to accommodate your height?" Devrim winked.
"That would be lovely. Please work on that right away." Aurora turned up her nose as she entered the hall.
Colvyr released his mother's hand. "Up!" he reached for his father.
"We cannot 'up' on formal occasions..." Aurora stopped as Devrim lifted his son onto his shoulders.
"No one can see us in the hall. I'll put him down when we get to the party. Someday he will be taller than us both. He should get used to the view!" Devim felt the child grab onto his hair around his crown and he winced slightly.
"He better not grow up too fast!" Aurora hated how much she had missed of the boy's life and was determined not to miss any more.
Colvyr directed his new horse to speed up, leaving Aurora momentarily by herself in the hall. Behind her, Mairwen and Renat we doting over the product of their love. She slowed her pace and let them catch up.
The pair was discussing how the events of the evening would go.
"Nanny said she will take Damir when he gets fussy. You do not have to worry about a thing," Renat reassured his wife.
"I am not sure I want to let him out of my sight," Mairwen chewed her lip.
"You have plenty of willing hands to hold that little angel when you get tired," Aurora reminded the princess.
"I know..." Mairwen smiled down at Damir. "You are very loved," she told him.
"Can his uncle have a turn to hold the squirt before you get to the party?" a shadow appeared in the hall beside them.
Thankfully Mairwen was used to her brother's antics, so she did not flinch. Renat, on the other hand, moved to protect his wife and child from the invading force.
"You are lucky I do not have my sword just now," the scientist muttered, "or I might have turned you into a pincushion."
"It would be worth it to hold my favorite newborn," Alaron pushed back his hood so that the child could see his face. "I'm your favorite, right?"
The little one passed gas, making Alaron's grin grow. "You cannot get more agreement than that!"
"You can hold him until we get to the bottom of the stairs," Mairwen passed the child to her brother. "After that, others will be able to see us."
The Guardian was a frequent visitor of the palace, but his identity as the fallen prince was not widely known.
Alaron preferred to keep it that way. "Understood. Come here you little rascal! You and Colvyr have to do better than I did, you hear me?"
The Guardian fell into a serious conversation with the infant as they walked down the stairs. Mairwen leaned on her husband's shoulder.
"I am very glad he is here. This day has been just about perfect." She sighed contentedly.
"Get ready for it to be even more perfect. If you are up for it, I plan to whirl you around the dance floor at least once or twice." Renat wrapped his arm around his wife's waist as if to practice.
"You will have a hard time topping our first dance," Mairwen teased. It had been under a sky full of stars.
"The one where you ran away crying, you mean?" Renat remembered that he had nearly broken the lady's heart by accident.
"I can recreate that part if you like, as long as it ends with you confessing your love," the princess smiled and gave her husband a peck on the cheek.
"I think that can be arranged." The scientist nodded seriously. "Will you dance, Your Majesty?" Renat looked at the Empress.
"She better," Devrim said from the landing. His adorable rider was now standing beside him with a grin. "I have been working hard to get the steps just right. It would be a shame for all my hard work to go to waste." He winked.
Aurora smiled mischievously. "Perhaps we should reenact our first dance as well? I can ask Gandr to enchant me once again so you can break in and save the day."
"I think the rest of the elven contingency would frown on that display. Except for Princess Brinn...she always likes a good show." Devrim offered his arm to the fiery-haired beauty.
After handing back the baby, Alaron quickly disappeared. The rest of the family got into position and then was led by General Nurlan to join the Council.
Together the group entered the grand Ball Room so that the party in honor of the newest Royal could begin.
Everyone dined and danced and fussed over Prince Damir. Hanna took her turn blessing the child, much to his parents' delight.
"General Nurlan, your lady is waving for you. Please, go dance with Phoca. I would hate for her to miss out on my account." Aurora shooed away the stalky man.
For once Nurlan did not argue. He bowed and nearly ran to the lovely selkie.
Sitting on the throne, which had been brought into the room for the Empress to watch the proceedings, Aurora smiled at the eagerness of her favorite general.
"I am glad he is finally seeking his own happiness," she said to the Emperor.
"Don't you dare try to set me up with someone," Nanny chided.
Sitting next to them the old Councilwoman was holding Prince Damir while Colvyr ate another plate of food. Normally children were not allowed at events such as these, but since it was in honor of a child, an exception was made.
"I am too selfish to do that," Aurora smiled. "I have no idea what I would do without you!"
"Shall we join Nurlan on the dance floor?" Devrim held out his hand.
"I just sat down. Give my feet a moment to recover and then I will be all yours once again." Aurora continued to look around at the happy scene.
Everyone had come for the occasion. With the Fates' permission, the Empress had funneled as many of her magical friends through the Storehouse as she could. Fates, fairies, elves, selkies, nymphs, and even a centaur or two were gracing the human world with their presence on this blessed occasion.
The world was how it should be.
With Luna by his side, Junayd wheeled forward to the center of the main ballroom. When the song came to an end, he gathered everyone's attention.
"As the most famous bard in the whole world, I have come up with a song for this occasion."
"Advisor Junayd," Devrim gave him a stern look. "We have the princes with us."
"I assure you this was written with them in mind." Junayd bowed from his chair.
Luna handed him a stringed instrument, and he strummed it experimentally. He hummed along and then began a lilting tune.
"In days to come
We'll be forgot
And come to dust
To earth, to rot
But some will stand
The test of time
Being etched in heart
and soul and mind
Prince Damir
Will be one of these
About which
We sing melodies
But first and foremost...
There are some
To which history nods
They save the world
Defy the odds
One has come forth
Not once, not twice
She saved the world
And did it thrice.
We honor her
Her name we praise
Her family
Their names we raise
There will not come
A time from now
Where none will know
I make this vow
When history is gone
and spent
Two names remain
Ever present
Emperor Devrim
Brave and Gallant
And Mighty Aurora
Empress of Valiant."
クリエイターの想い 
NobleQueenBee
NobleQueenBee Thank you for reading and coming on the journey with me. I am most humbled.
I will likely write more in this world and already have (The Guardian of Rynnlee is in the same world but many years later).
But for now, I am publishing a Fanfic called The Noble Queen. If you like Shadow Slave, please check it out.
Until were meet again in Valiant, all I can say is. Thank you!
— 次の章はもうすぐ掲載する — レビューを書く
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット