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The crown on Cinder’s head felt foreign. It was heavy and shiny, and nothing like her. Yet this was her reality. She was Queen on Luna now.
“You look amazing!” Iko exclaimed when Cinder walked out of her closet, the crown on her head and a silky purple dress on her body. “The dress fits just right!”
“I feel like a doll,” Cinder said, straightening the nonexistent wrinkles on her skirt.
“Oh, come on, Cinder” Iko said, rolling her eyes and tossing her blue braids behind her back. “You look great.”
“I really don’t want to make this stupid video,” Cinder said, groaning. She had been scheduled to record a video that was to be aired in Luna the next day. It was about the rebuilding process, and it was supposed to sound encouraging. But after reading through the speech, Cinder thought it sounded more fake than anything. Yet, her advisors insisted that she record it, and she didn’t want to push it. She needed to earn their loyalty, after all.
“Just get it over with and then you can change,” Iko said, guiding her to the door.
Cinder sighed but didn’t argue. She knew she had a royal duty now, but it was still taking getting used to. She just wished her team had told her earlier, so she had enough time to revise the speech. But they didn’t, and now she had to do this.
She and Iko left her chambers and walked through the palace. The video was to be filmed in the throne room, so they made their way there.
Cinder fidgeted with her jewelry as they went, preparing herself. She wasn’t fond of public speeches, even recorded ones.
“Just wait here for a minute,” Iko said once they got to the hallway that led to the throne room. Cinder looked at the android in confusion.
“Why?” she asked. “Can’t I just go in?”
“Just wait,” Iko repeated, running off to the throne room. Cinder narrowed her eyes, suspicious. She wanted to follow her, but she didn’t.
But soon enough, Iko came back, a grin on her face. “Ok, we’re ready to film,” she said, grabbing Cinder’s arm. An orange dot appeared in the corner of Cinder’s vision, alerting her that something was amiss.
“Iko, what’s going on?” She asked, but she didn’t get an answer. Instead, she was dragged down the hall and through the door into the throne room.
And that’s when she saw him.
“K-Kai?” Cinder spluttered, trying to understand what she was seeing.
There, standing in the throne room, was Kai, grin and all.
“Hey,” he said. “That crown looks good.”
Cinder stared, then ran and hugged him, realization hitting her.
“How are you here?” she asked, pulling away and taking him in. He looked exceptionally handsome in his emperor’s robes.
“Well, I flew here…” he started, smiling when Cinder punched his shoulder.
“I thought I was gonna do a video!” Cinder cried, turning to see Iko bouncing with happiness. “Did you plan this?”
She nodded. “Me and some of the staff,” she said. “We thought you should see Kai after going so long without him.”
Cinder couldn’t believe it. “Thank you!” she said, hugging Iko. “Wait…does that mean I don’t need to wear this?” She took off the crown, holding it in front of her. Iko shrugged.
“Probably not.”
Cinder grinned and gave it to the android, then turned around to see Kai.
“How long will you be here for?” she asked.
“Two days,” Kai said, spreading out his arms. “I’m all yours.”
Normally, Cinder didn’t like surprises. But this was one she could get behind.