“Many years went by, as the coronation began — many people in the town gathered by the Rose Stronghold. The Duchess showed up and walked out of the balcony. She went over to the microphone to do a mic check before starting her speech. As she talked to the people, everyone stayed silent and looked up.

“I entered the scene with my hair down and wore a turquoise dress. The people applauded and stared in awe. I bowed down as the Duchess placed the golden crown with colored gems around it on top of my head. I looked back at the horizon and the people with a smile.

“After the coronation ended, I walked back to the throne room and stretched my arms, yawning.

‘You did great.’ The Duchess said, clapping. ‘That went better than I thought.’

‘Yeah, but that was exhausting. I feel tired.’

‘I think you’ll do just fine without me around.’

‘What? Why do you say that?’

‘Well, first, I’ve got nothing to teach you. Not to mention old age is catching up with me...’ The Duchess informed.

‘No, don’t say that!’ I exclaimed.

‘I apologize, your Majesty, but soon, you must decide on your own.’

‘Oh, well, thank you so much for everything, Duchess.’

‘Don’t mention it, dear.’

“As we embraced, a knock from the other side of the door got our attention. We turned to face a man entering the room and saluted us.

‘Excuse me; I hope I’m not interrupting anything from you.’

The Duchess and I separated as I cleared my throat to reply to him. ‘Not at all, what is it, Stels?’

‘You have a visitor; shall I send her in?’ Stels offered.

‘Uh, depends, what’s her business to meet with me?’

‘The lady claims to be a friend of yours?’

No way, could it be...? I thought to myself. ‘Yes, you may send her in.’

“After a while, Stels had returned to summon the lady from before who wished to see me. And to my surprise, it was my long-lost friend, Kira. I recognized her face and voice, but the appearance was still fuzzy on the details.

‘Hello, long time no see.’ Kira greeted.

‘Kira, hi!’ I exclaimed, rushing over to hug her. ‘I can’t believe we’ve met again after all this time! We hadn’t talked with one another for the longest time since...’

‘I know, but since then, I have gotten a new job as a mage.’ Kira hugged back before we separated once more.

‘Oh, is that so?’

‘Why yes,’ Kira said as she bowed down before me. ‘And I wish to—’ She looked over and noticed the Duchess. ‘—Hey, who’s that?’

‘This is the Duchess; she’s taught me so much back in the day.” I introduced her. “Have you not met yet?’

‘I don’t mean to interrupt,’ Stels interrupted. ‘But rest up soon, my liege. You have an important meeting tomorrow, so you might have to cut the chat short soon.’

‘Oh, is that so?’ I turned to Kira with a small smile. ‘It was great to meet you again.’

“Kira made a nasty glare at someone else for a moment but then pulled out a big smile towards me.

‘Yeah, same to you too.’

“I was confused, but I didn’t question it. Something tells me I should have done so.

.-.-.-.

“Later that night, while I slept in my turquoise bed, I heard a strange sound coming from the other side of my bedroom. I leaned my head forward and squinted my eyes at the door creaking open. There, I saw Kira enter the room, trying to sneak by. Was she after my crown on the podium beside my bed?

‘Kira, is that you?’ I mumbled, rubbing my eyes.

‘What? Oh, hi there.’ Kira said.

‘What are you doing up so late? And why are you here?’

‘Aw, are you saying the sleepover is over?’

‘Look, I need to get to sleep for tomorrow, so if you could—.’

‘But Aehaby, this is our big chance to get out of here; since you’re a Queen now, so there’s a higher chance that you can take over these—’

‘Kira, look, that’s a thing of the past.’

‘But after everything, even after watching you and waiting for you to come to the airport, getting applied to my job, training for this day to come, why would you—?’

‘I’ve moved on, and so should you, now if you’ll excuse me.’

“Kira scowled as she turned her head in a huff and stormed out of the room, slamming the door in the process and jolting me awake.