On an isolated island, with nothing but waves and coconuts, a bluish ring appeared. Nathaniel emerged, diving head first into the wet sand. His wife and other loyal servants came out next. Aidan was last to come through the portal. He stared at them with a stern look, holding his sword tightly.
"You cannot do this to me! I am your brother!" Nathaniel yelled, spitting out gravel.
"That is the only reason I am doing this," Aidan stated harshly. "If it was anyone else, they would already be dead."
"Aidan, have a heart!" the former queen begged. "What shall we do in this godforsaken place?"
"You should have thought about it before you repeatedly tried to kill my pregnant wife," he said coldly, swiftly turning to the portal and disappearing. The handful of people were left to fend for themselves, surrounded by the ocean.
The portal opened again, with Aidan stepping out in the familiar courtroom. His second older brother was sitting at the throne, feeling as if the seat was made of needles. His wife was pacing around, startled by the sudden arrival.
"Aidan, how? What?" she stuttered.
"Magic," he quickly explained. His attention quickly shifted to Markus. "Where is Nathaniel?" he stuttered.
"In exile," he blurted out.
"Am I next?"
Aiden glanced at him mad. "I don't know. How good are your survival skills?"
The couple clenched up, afraid. "Please! For our children!" the elder princess cried.
"I never wanted to be king!" Markus started to cry. "All I ever wanted was a peaceful life with my family."
Aidan puffed. "Calm yourselves. I am not a monster who attacks mothers and children. Unlike my eldest brother. You can stay here. However! If I even get a hint about of a coup, you will join Nathaniel. Is that clear?"
The two shook their heads fiercely.
"Good. And I am serious. I have spies everywhere."
The couple shook their heads even faster.
Satisfied, Aidan smiled. "Then it is settled."
All three sighed relieved.
Back at the High Kingdom castle, the invading soldiers were fixing the damages their weapon made. Brick by brick, they struggled to repair what was so easily destroyed.
"That's right. Pull those rocks up! That will teach you to attack my kingdom. Why the nerve of these slugs," Zora's father yelled with his nose up. The forest guardian was walking around, finding the silly little king extremely obnoxious. "Leave your insults for your own men. No one likes a weakling acting conceited," she told him straightaway.
The old-fashioned monarch was stunned by the creature's words, making him rethink his attitude.
Once the wall was repaired, the solemn Zora placed a single flower on a newly dug grave. The tombstone held the knight's name and title, as well as the reason for his demise. His family made sure that his transformation was kept a secret. Zora agreed, feeling partially responsible.
"Goodbye, old friend. I'm sorry it ended this way," she said to Theodor and wiped a tear. Her mother was there with her, mourning as well. "He was a loyal knight. Brave and fierce. If there was any way he would like to die, I'm sure it would be in the heat of battle. Fighting for those he loved so dearly," she said softly.
The young queen nodded, offering no other answer. Her beloved Aidan was a little further away, timidly holding their firstborn.
Returning to her husband, she kissed the cooing child in his hands.
"Ready to return home, my queen?" he asked warmly.
Zora nodded, a bit nervous.
The coronation ceremony was arranged that very same day. It was a lavish affair with people from all over the kingdom attending. The ruling couple came out of the church with a scepter, orb and high crowns. Zora's was so large, it had to be adjusted so as not to go down to her neck.
"Rejoice everyone!" Vinira stated, pleased. "New and better things await."
The people cheered, chanting their name. The celebrations lasted long after sunset.
Afterward, the royal couple went to their quarters. The newly appointed king gently nudged the queen inside. She looked so stiff, holding her scepter and orb in the same position all day.
As she stood there, Aidan slowly took off their crown and heavy cloaks. He looked outside the tower. His small blue friend was now completely healthy and content. He flew to the window to congratulate him. He had even brought someone, a mate he met at the fairy garden.
The pleased king smiled, winking at the lovely couple. He then closed the curtains.
"I don't know if I can do this? What if I am a terrible queen?" Zora mumbled to herself, with Aidan helping her sit on the bed.
Unlike her, his main concern was getting her comfortable. He kissed her arm up to her shoulder. And then moved to the next.
"We will do fine," he added with a reassuring smile.
"But there are so many things to do. What if we are terrible at it?" she said, still as stiff as a bag of bricks.
"It will be alright. I will help," he said, gently. "But you will do the boring paperwork, right?"
She nodded, as he continued to land soft kisses.
"It is not as simple as taking care of a household. There are lands, and laws and soldiers. You will take charge of the soldiers, correct?"
Aidan sighed and nodded as confirmation. As he tried to kiss her neck, he felt her hands pressed tightly against his cheeks. She squished his face, leaving him baffled. Her gaze looked strange, almost maniacal. "Promise me this, Aidan. No matter what happens, you will always be my prince?"
After a short pause, he placed his palm over hers. "Of course."
The queen finally smiled. She kissed him in the lips. Pushing him onto the bed.
A while later, at the prosperous Seven Hill Kingdom, guardian Viniria was getting ready in her forest. She adorned her body with the best leaves and hair with drops of dew. Her vine-like hair was neatly arranged into soft curls. She looked at the castle on the hill, from which music was blasting, and every window was lit up. She frowned, knowing how all those lights and sounds would affect the wildlife.
There, the regal party was in full swing. Numerous guests from near and far attended, all elegantly dressed. The musicians played and dancers entertained in a wonderfully decorated hall. Still, the main attraction was the baby prince.
Viniria used her vines to make slings, which quickly projected her to the building. The tall doors slammed, with everyone taking notice. The vines holding the door retracted as their holder walked in. The grumpy female entered in her best attire, with dew shining like diamonds.