Minhya stood before the largest crowd she had ever seen in her life, with the ceremonial grounds filled from one end to the other by nobles, soldiers, foreign representatives, and ordinary citizens who had traveled from across Faedria to witness the coronation.
Beyond the palace grounds, even more people had gathered in the streets, watching through public screens while banners bearing the colors of the restored Royal Family moved in the wind.
Months of work had led to this day.
The crown was brought forward by an old elf who had no doubt lived since the days of the old war.
Minhya lowered her head while the officiating elder spoke the final ceremonial words, invoking the history of Faedria and the responsibility that came with ruling it.
With the crown, she was the Queen.
The crowd erupted.
For a brief moment, Minhya found herself unable to move. Only months earlier, she had been running through a forest to get away from it all.
And now, she stood before everyone, a Queen.
