Chapter Text
Epilogue
Graduation had finally happened, and Kuzco was officially emperor. The grand ceremony was something straight out of one of his fantasies—lavish decorations, an audience filled with admirers, and all eyes on him. And yet, the excitement quickly fizzled out. The weight of responsibility started to settle on his shoulders, a responsibility he'd never quite imagined. It wasn’t all fun and games anymore.
Malina had secured her internship at the Kuzconian Times, but she was torn. Should she take a gap year to explore the world, or finish her education? The only thing holding her back from completing school was Kuzco, and they both knew it. After graduation, he’d ask her to be his empress, and that came with a whole new set of responsibilities she wasn’t sure she was ready for.
Kronk had decided to spend a year at baking school—his lifelong dream—before officially becoming Kuzco’s personal bodyguard.
Meanwhile, Yatta had landed a promotion at Mudka’s, and Guaka, with his continuing the family tradition, got accepted into a prestigious muck-slinging academy.
Now Kuzco sat on the grand golden steps of his palace—or home now—gazing out over the village. The village that, over time, he'd come to appreciate… maybe even love. Nothing felt quite right anymore. Sure, he had the title of emperor and the luxuries that came with it, but everything else? Overwhelming.
He wanted to be emperor—of course, he did. It was his birthright, his destiny, the role he'd fought for since he was a kid. But the truth was, he still felt young—well, young at heart, at least—and sitting through endless meetings about crops and taxes with old men sounded like a nightmare. When had life become so... boring?
He couldn’t blame Malina for wanting to take a gap year. The idea of doing nothing but chilling on a beach all day? Yeah, that sounded pretty sweet. Not that Malina would ever relax that much. She’d probably be off doing something intellectual, like studying foreign politics or writing an exposé on the sand trade, something Malina-y like that.
Kuzco sighed and tilted his crown to eye level, inspecting his reflection in the shiny gold surface. “This stupid hat,” he muttered to himself. It had caused him more trouble than it was worth. Sure, it looked great—he looked great—but wearing it came with way too many complications. Yet, it was his job now. There was no turning back.
“So, how’s it feel?” A familiar voice cut through his thoughts.
Kuzco blinked, turning to see Malina standing beside him, looking at him with that knowing smirk. “How’s what feel?” he asked, playing dumb.
“You know,” she rolled her eyes. “Being emperor. Officially, I mean.”
Kuzco sighed again, tossing his crown in the air and catching it. “I don’t know,” he admitted, his tone unusually serious.
“You don’t know how you feel right now?” Malina asked, sitting down beside him.
“I mean, I’ve been through so much to get here,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “And I dunno if it was worth it.” He paused, chewing on his lower lip before continuing. “I’m the leader of everyone now. One mistake, and I could ruin everything—ruin people’s lives.”
“I thought you only cared about yourself?” Malina teased, nudging him playfully.
“Oh, don’t get me wrong,” Kuzco said, slipping back into his usual bravado. “I’m the best there is, and the best there will ever be. But what if—just what if—the burden’s too heavy? What if all those meetings are so boring they make me fall asleep? What if people find out that I—” He hesitated, his voice lowering. “What if they find out I have hypoglycemia? What if I’m... not enough?”
Malina blinked, momentarily surprised by the vulnerability in his voice. But she recovered quickly, chuckling as she shook her head. “And here I was, thinking I’d be spending the evening reminding you not to blow the empire’s gold on a private spa.”
Kuzco laughed, the tension in his shoulders easing just a little. “Don’t worry, it wasn’t that expensive. And it’ll be done in a week, just in time for my twenty-second birthday. Geez, I’m getting old.”
“If it makes you feel better,” Malina said with a grin, “you don’t act a day over seventeen.”
“Ah, seventeen,” Kuzco mused with mock fondness. “The year I tossed peasants out of windows and thought ‘empathy’ was a type of llama fur.”
“You’re still the biggest egomaniac I’ve ever had the misfortune of meeting,” she quipped.
“Yet, you still love me,” Kuzco shot back, waggling his eyebrows.
“I really wish I could deny that,” Malina sighed, but there was a smile on her lips.
“So, you admit you like me,” he pressed, leaning in with that infuriating grin of his.
“Maybe just a little,” Malina said before grabbing the back of his head and pulling him into a kiss.
Kuzco’s eyes widened, caught off guard, but he quickly melted into it, his arms wrapping around her waist. When they finally pulled apart, Kuzco blinked a few times, the only word slipping from his lips: “Wow.”
“What?” Malina asked, crossing her arms but clearly amused.
“Didn’t know you could kiss like that,” he said with a smirk. “I think you were holding out on me at the musical.”
Malina rolled her eyes. “All stage kisses are like that.”
“It didn’t have to be,” Kuzco teased, leaning closer again.
“Shut up,” she groaned, pushing him away.
Kuzco chuckled and shifted closer, resting his head on hers. “You know, I should eat something soon.”
“I figured. This is the first moment of peace you’ve had all day.”
“Yeah, well,” Kuzco muttered, glancing away. “It’s not exactly that.”
Malina tilted her head. “Your blood sugar?”
He let out a frustrated sigh. “Yeah.” He hated admitting it. Hated that his stupid body couldn’t handle just being emperor without throwing some sort of health issue into the mix. “I’m starting to feel lightheaded.”
“Already?” Malina asked, concern in her voice. “That bad?”
“Nah, I just like waiting until the last second,” Kuzco joked, though his voice was hallow and lacked his trademark humour.
The palace was quiet for once, no advisors buzzing around or old men calling out for Kuzco’s attention. For a brief moment, it was just the two of them, sitting there under the twilight sky.
“Still, it doesn’t make things easier,” Kuzco added after a beat of silence, glancing sideways at Malina. “Having to manage the empire, I mean. Everyone expects me to be perfect, but the truth is... well, I’m far from it.”
“I think you’re a lot closer to perfect than you give yourself credit for,” Malina said softly. “You’ve grown, Kuzco. Maybe you don’t see it, but I do.”
Kuzco raised an eyebrow, smirking in disbelief. “Me? Grown? If anything, I’m getting more immature.”
Malina laughed lightly. “Maybe. But I can see how much you care, even if you try to hide it.”
“Oh please, don’t get all mushy on me,” Kuzco groaned, leaning back on the couch. “You’ll ruin my arrogant egomaniac image.”
“Sure, Emperor Bad Boy,” Malina teased. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
“Speaking of which,” Kuzco said, rubbing his eyes. “It’s late, and I still haven’t eaten.”
“Well, you are the emperor,” Malina said, standing up and brushing off her clothes. “Go order something extravagant.”
Kuzco stayed sitting for a moment longer, looking out to the window. “You ever wonder what it’d be like if none of this happened?” he asked suddenly, his voice softer now. “If I wasn’t emperor?”
Malina paused, considering the question. “Honestly? No. I don’t think about that.”
Kuzco looked up at her, a bit surprised. “Why not?”
“Because it wouldn’t be you,” Malina said, offering her hand to help him up. “You wouldn’t be Kuzco without all of this. And I wouldn’t want you to be anyone else.”
He stared at her for a moment, then grinned. “Smooth. You should write that down for the Kuzconian Times. Might sell a few copies.”
“I’ll make sure to quote you,” Malina said smirking.
Kuzco accepted her hand and stood up, though the movement made his vision swim again. He wobbled slightly but managed to stay upright this time.
“You okay?” Malina asked, her eyes narrowing in concern.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine,” Kuzco waved her off, though his face paled slightly. “Just... I dunno. Been a long day.”
“You’ve been saying that for a while,” Malina said, raising an eyebrow. “Maybe you should actually eat something before you pass out.”
“Wow, look at you, sounding all bossy,” Kuzco teased. “You might make a good empress after all.”
“Maybe,” Malina said with a small smile. “But only if you learn to listen to me.”
“I’ll think about it,” Kuzco said with a laugh, though the truth was, he didn’t need to think at all. Malina had always been his best support—his voice of reason. And now? She was his future. Even if he wasn’t quite ready to admit it out loud.
As they wandered though the palace halls, the sky darkening above them, Kuzco couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of peace. The weight of his crown might never disappear, but for the first time in a long while, he knew he didn’t have to carry it alone.
Not anymore.