Chapter 45 - The Coronation

Serefina was in Kyle's room. She sat in front of Kyle's dressing mirror as Kyle did her make up and hair.

Serefina still couldn't believe what had happened the night before. Were Bryan and Serefina really a couple?

Kyle cleared her throat, "Do you need to tell me something?"

"Wh-what do you mean?" Serefina asked.

"You've been grinning since you arrived today. And it's not like frequently. It's non-stop!"

Serefina blushed. How was she supposed to tell her? Kyle was her best friend but also Bryan's sister.

"Well?" Kyle asked again.

"It's..."

"Ohhh!" Kyle squealed. She jumped up and down like a five year old. How did she find out again? "Oh My God!! Bryfina is official!!!!

"Bryfina?" Serefina asked.

"You know, Bryan and Serefina make Bryfina. Anyways, I was rooting for guys from the beginning! FINALLY!"

"Um thanks, I guess?" Serefina was relieved that she hadn't had the need to explain things.

But that relief just vanished when Kyle asked, "How did it happen? I need details ASAP."

Serefina sighed. She explained everything leaving the part where Bryan was devastated. With every word Serefina said Kyle's eyes gleamed even more.

"That's about it..." Serefina finished.

"You don't know how long I've waited for this day!" Kyle was looking like she was happier than Serefina.

But that was truly not true. Serefina didn't how to express it but she was on cloud nine. She had just realized the feeling but out loud. She never expected Bryan to feel the same way. And from the very first day.

She had to wonder if she liked from the first day too...

•••

Serefina entered the ball room with her purple dress and a bun with a diamond leaf hair pin. Kyle had insisted that she let a pair of danglerers of hair near her ears. She had to admit that that looked pretty good.

Her most favorite part of the outfit were the purple heels. Kyle said, that they match the dress well. Even though she wasn't used to walking on heels, she really loved them.

Serefina looked around trying to spot someone familer. Unfortunately she couldn't. There was too big of a crowd.

She assumed all the people belonged to royalty and nobility by the outfits and jewellery they wore. Sparkly gowns and even glass heels could be spotted.

She could also see some normal people of Timezium as well with normal gowns and plain buns. But in Serefina's opinion these people looked the most cheerful and happy. She guessed that they were really excited to see Bryan as their Crown Prince.

"Lady Serefina," someone said. Serefina turned around to finally find someone familiar.

"Weswill, it's so nice to see you here," she said. "How are you doing?"

"I am good. Is the coronation really being held today?"

"Yeah, and Bryan wasn't able to take that in a good way. He was...well I don't know...broken last night."

"I expected that. He wasn't mentally ready for all this. He admired his big brother so much that he thinks that he is stealing his right from him."

Serefina stayed silent not able to say anything. She did tell him to trust himself. But was he really okay now?

"PRESENTING!" a voice boomed. It was probably the King's minister. A stout man with a moustache that was groomed in a weird shape. "KING SHAVERN ZESHVIAN AND QUEEN ZAFINA ZESHVIAN OF TIMEZIUM!"

Everyone curtisied and Serefina copied them as the king and the queen walked down the long stairs in the middle of the ball room. Queen Zafina wore a green gown with silver embroidery. The king matched the queen's outfit with a green tunic and pants and the same silver embroidery. They both shared the same grey fur caves as well. Their crowns shined in the dim sunlight entering from the windows.

As they made their way towards the two thrones on the left side of the ball room, Serefina could see a glass box on a pedestal. A crown was kept inside with emeralds thrusted on it. It looked stunning. She could clearly say that that was the Crown Prince's head gear.

Kyle had said that the dance would be held first and then the coronation. Though Kyle was nowhere to be found. She was about to start looking for her again when the voice boomed again, "NOW PRESENTING THE CROWN PRINCE TO-BE, PRINCE BRYANAIR ALTARIN SHAVERN ZESHVIAN!"

That was Bryan's full name? Bryanair? Why hadn't he told her about it? And that was a really long name. But that didn't stay in her head anymore when she saw him walking down the stairs.

He wore a blue tunic with blue pants and black high knee boots. He wore the same fur coat as his parents but his had snowflakes studded on the fur. His hair was left messy but had been a little slit back. A black headband with snowflakes was tied around his head. He looked amazing!

"The traditional clothing of the the Crown Prince worn specially on their coronation. The king had also worn it before him," Weswill explained. "The headband symbolises the hope for a peaceful kingdom."

He paused then said, "He doesn't look happy."

"I tried to make him understand that he deserves the position but I don't think my pep talk worked," Serefina said as she noticed Bryan's blank face.

Everyone courtsied and so did Bryan. He smiled. But Serefina knew that it was a fake one. He didn't feel like smiling. She felt it.

Bryan spotted Serefina in an instant. It looked liked that was his motive from that moment he stepped down. She could see his eyes winden. He walked towards her as the crowd cleared the way.

"You look beautiful, Sef. More than what I'd imagined," he said. He took her hand from her side and kissed it.

She blushed. "You look really good too. But that's like...um like you know an always thing. I mean you...look good in anything...what I mean to say is..."

Bryan chuckled and that made Serefina smile too. He looked happy...for now atleast.

"You'll be a really great Crown Prince."

His smile disappeared. "I don't know about that."

"Give yourself a chance, Bryan. As I said last night, trust yourself and your decisions."

"You're right." he sighed. "Let the future be the future. May I have this dance, Lady Serefina?"

Serefina nodded, "Of course."

The music began to play out of nowhere and Bryan pulled her close. He kept a hand on Serfina's waist and Serefina kept her hand on his shoulder.

They twirled around the ballroom as other couples joined them after a while. Serefina scanned the room for kyle again but she was nowhere to be found.

"Looking for someone?" Bryan asked as he spined her and pulled her back in position.

"Yeah, I was looking for Kyle. She just vanished in thin air after she guided me here."

"Well, she must be hanging around Maxwell. She is obsessed with him. How I've tried to keep her away from him. She just won't listen."

"Why? Is Matt not a good guy?"

"Well, I don't call anyone like this but he really deserves to be called a jerk." Bryan rolled his eyes as Serefina raised an eyebrow. If Bryan called someone a jerk then there was something to it.

"Anyways," he continued, "I am a little hurt, you know?"

"What's wrong?"

He pulled her even closer as he whispered in her ear. "Your boyfriend wants a bit of attention from you too, Sef."

Serfina's face was even redder than before.

He pulled back, "Just kidding. That would be really selfish of me, right?" He chuckled.

"No," Serefina refused. "I am sorry. I should be focusing on you during the dance."

"Hey, you don't have to do anything for my sake. You're you. You should be the one decide what you want. And if you'll seek any advice, I am always behind you."

"I want you to-"

Before she could finish her words, the music stopped.

"We'll talk later, alright?" Bryan said.

"Yeah."

"Here goes nothing." He made his way towards the thrones.

"Serefina!" Ava yelled as she approached Serefina. "You look stunning!"

"Thanks. You look beautiful too."

Ava wore a golden gown and her brown hair was left free with a few tiny braids here and there.

"Hey Serefina," Ronald said appearing beside Ava.

"Hi Ronald. Um have you guys seen Kyle anywhere? She's been gone for so long. She'll miss Bryan's coronation."

"No I haven't seen her at the ball at all."

Where was she?

"Let's go! It's starting!" Ava pulled Serefina by her hand and made their way at the front of the crowd in front of the thrones.

Bryan was kneeling down in one leg, one hand rested on his knee. His head hung down.

A woman stepped forward from the corner of the ball room. She didn't look familiar. But she looked old. Her almost white hair was made into a bun.

"That's Bryan's grandmother. Oldest in the castle. A tradition where the oldest in the family does the coronation," Ava explained.

Bryan's grandmother picked up the glass from the pedestal and handed it to the minister. She picked up the emerald crown and placed it on Bryan's head as he closed his eyes.

"ALL HAIL THE FUTURE KING OF TIMEZIUM!" the minister yelled.

Everyone gave a huge round of apluase as Bryan stood up with the crown on his head. He looked more princly than he already was.

"When I first heard that I was about to become the Crown Prince, to be honest I broke apart," Bryan began, "This position, this title I am just a replacement of my Big brother. He was the one who deserved this crown. But I don't mean to disrespect my parents' decision. They always think of the best. Now that I have this crown on my head, I am ready to take responsibility. Because someone told me I should give myself a chance. I need to trust myself." He looked at Serefina and smiled as smiled back and nodded.

"I here vow to protect Timezium until my soul leaves my body," he continued and looked back at the crowd. "I just need you all. My people. To stay by my side and object if ever make a wrong decision. That's all I ask from you. Will you do that?"

Every person belonging to Timezium yelled a yes.

"Looks like everyone's enjoying themselves," someone said.

Everyone turned toward the grand stairs.

There was a woman standing at the top. Serefina jerked away from where she was standing. She knew this woman very well.

The person she hated the most in the entire world. She didn't know why. But she did. Sedvie.

But what made her shocked the most was the person on their knees next to her.

Their hands tied at the back. Mouth tied with a handkerchief. Their hair messed up and tears in their eyes.

"KYLE!" Bryan yelled at the top of his voice and Serefina found herself and him running to save her before something could happen to her.

But before they could reach for Sedvie, she swung her hand in a weird pattern and there was a blast. There was no time to see of what it was.

Serefina only new that this was the beginning of the destruction that'll change Timeland and the Time Crystal kingdoms forever. That's what she thought before her eyes closed blurring a terrible scene that she wished she never saw.

Professor Natlie was lying on the floor, blood dripping from her head.

~Until the next book~