Chapter Text
The day has finally come, one Riyo has been preparing for her entire life. Her coronation.
The date had been set for weeks now. And all the nobles and those of neighboring kingdoms were gathered in the throne room, all dressed in their finest outfits, waiting the arrival of the princess who would become queen.
"Are you ready?" Fox asked, standing in hall with Riyo, wearing an honor guard uniform, waiting for her to make her grand entrance. Fox and his brothers would proceed in first as the queen's honor guard.
"As I'll ever be."
Fox kissed her, and took his place next to Fives. They'd proceed in oldest to youngest.
Riyo watched them from the shadows, and when they took their place around the dais, she made her way in.
Riyo knew all eyes were upon her as she held her head high. She wore a long indigo gown, and a maroon cape with a long train. She resembled her mother in that moment; Riyo could hear the whispers. Queen Marina had to fight to be queen, and Riyo too had risked and fought much to be standing here today. And now she was ready.
When she reached the dais, she dropped to her knees and bowed her head, as the grand minister appeared. He would swear her in as queen.
Riyo repeated the traditional vows to serve and protect her people. To help them when they cannot help themselves. To lead them to victory in a new era. And glancing at Fox, Riyo added a new vow: to always be true to herself and follow her heart.
The golden crown adorned with rubies, sapphires, and amethysts was placed on her head and Riyo smiled, rising to her feet. She turned to meet the cheers of her people, and catching Fox's eye, she smiled. "To better days," she mouthed.
"To better days," he smiled back.
It took time to forge the actual documentation. Some people would rather have their new queen marry a duke or a lord or a prince, but Riyo loved Fox and she made a promise to always follow her heart. So, Riyo drafted and signed the bill, passing a new law that anyone, no matter their station, royals and nobles, thieves and beggars, could marry for love, as long as their hearts were true.
The brothers all smiled and clapped at her; they were happy to finally have a choice in their lives.
Fox just smiled at her and kissed her passionately; he was finally able to marry the love of his life legally. The better days were finally here.
"You're not getting cold feet are you?" Fives asked.
Fox shook his head. As if. "There's just a lot of people out there, that's all."
"Well, you are marrying the queen. People tend to go all out for royal weddings."
Fox, Fives and their brothers were waiting in the antechamber before the start of the wedding. There was a little friendly competition for who got to be Fox's best man. Fox, amused at his brother's antics, agreed to let all seven of them stand with him on his wedding day.
"No, Fives, I know what they're really here for," Fox said. "They want to watch me fail."
Many people were still skeptical about Fox and Riyo as a relationship.
"Well haters are gonna hate," Fives smirked, clapping Fox across the back. "Prove them wrong."
Fox smiled as he and his brothers stepped out onto the dais; the wedding was starting.
The bells chimed as Lilian led Riyo down the aisle. And she was breathtaking. She wore a white ball gown with capped sleeves. The dress was beautiful and simple, it was perfect for Riyo.
Lilian placed Riyo's hand in his and winked, taking her seat.
"I vow to you, Riyo, to love and protect you, to stand by you as your consort, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, I promise you," Fox smiled, placing a golden band on her finger. "I'm yours. You always have been, since we were children."
"Fox, I've known you all my life, we've been best friends, and we will continue to be best friends until the day we die. I promise to love and protect you, to stand by you, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health," Riyo grinned placing a matching ring on his finger. "I'm yours."
The grand minister raised his hands in the air. "And by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you, husband and wife."
Fox remembered his first kiss with Riyo, an act of desperation in the forest. He hadn't known if he would see her again. But he would, and he did. And this kiss, was even better than his first. And now, there'd be much more to come.
There were cheers among the crowd, the loudest being his brothers. They, too, would find happiness and love one day.
"Is this everything you dreamed about Your Majesty?" Fox asked, holding his new wife close.
She kissed him. "Why, my darling commander, it's even better than I ever imagined."