He gave me his crown
Placed it upon my head
Gently held my hands
Tracing circles before he fled

Glistening with jewels
Woven into our history
His kingdom in ashes
leaving but an air of mystery

Looking over the people
From the nobles to the peasants
observing the beautiful scenery
though its empty without his presence

Giving me the key
Power and command
On a throne made of thorns
though I still couldn't understand

I didn't want this authority
His position or place
I merely wanted him
To be held within that embrace

His touch still lingers
like small butterfly kisses
upon the skin

It's meaningless now
It's melted away like the snow
A kingdom in ruins
But I have nowhere else to go

I never wanted that crown
That seemed to glisten and gleam
I only wanted to stand by him
I didn't want to be a Queen

I would give everything away
throw that crown down with pride
just for a fleeting moment
to have you back at my side

#

I WAKE UP REALLY EARLY
REALLY EARLY IN THE MORNING
I DO IT TO IMPROVE
IMPROVE WHILST YOUR STILL SNORING

LIFE HAS TAUGHT ME
ITS OK TO BE ALONE
STAY STRONG
STAY FOCUSED
STAY IN YOUR OWN ZONE

SHOW PEOPLE ITS YOUR KINGDOM
SHOW PEOPLE ITS YOUR OWN
SHOW PEOPLE IT'S YOU
WHO SITS ON IT'S THROWN

✿⊰✲⊱✿
The air filled with laughter and cheers, leaving me
and Ainhara on the hill
"Oh dear," my handmaid smiles. "It appears it will be a long night.
Parting Paul from our sweet Esshi will prove difficult."
"Difficult but not impossible," I chime. "Come, Ainhara,
let us enjoy the rest of the night!"
'My wish came true tonight,' I beam.
'I will always remember this fantastic gala...' as I enter
the main dining hall with all my friends from near and far,
all my friends of many cultures as we join in laughter, in
glee, ever hopeful for the future of our thriving Kingdoms.
With every sip of wine, every nibble of the fine
dishes, all of our bonds have strengthened.
So now, let us be like the lanterns,
and rises together, sailing through the horizons
to touch the Heavens above.
Eager for the adventures ahead...

✿⊰✲⊱✿
All of them fill the skies, warm tender lights
forming strings of rainbows in the night's sky.
"Fifty lanterns to mark your fifty years," Paul chuckles
as he sees Donna's tears of joy. Dean even blinks
away tears, embracing his wife's back and rubbing
it."
"Happy belated birthday, Donna," I say as I approach her.
"Thank you all so much," she sniffles as she embraces Paul
tightly. "I'll always remember this... But the greatest
present you've all given me is just being here.
All my friends from near and far, I'm grateful to
know you all."

✿⊰✲⊱✿
We all gasp in wonder as the lanterns seem to gather and
rise to the very Heavens.
"Alright everyone! To the feast!" Paul beams and everyone
cheers. Dean and Donna share a loving kiss before walking
down the hill towards to Palace, stars glitter in everyone's eye.
"Esshi! Esshi, honey! You're sitting with me!" Paul cooes and I
spot him jogging to Esshi's side and carrying her bridal style.
"K-King Paul! T-this is most improper!" she squeals,
trying to hide her burning facing with her hands.

✿⊰✲⊱✿
"No it's not! Besides, your Queen says we can marry!
Only fitting that I get to know my fiance!"
"The same fiance you're lying too!" Sue laughs.
"Paul, put the poor girl down," Donna shakes her head.
He stuck his tongue out and carries her into
the palace.
"Brandon, come near her and I'll fight you!" he warns.
Brandon only rolls his eyes. "A fight I'll willingly accept!"

✿⊰✲⊱✿
Though we could not see the emblem,
we know who eachof the colours belong to
Sue's Kingdom of Ruikruya releases lilac paper lanterns,
Edmund's Chairis forest-green,
Sarita's  Khaikar orange lanterns,
Omni's Khaniel silver,
Deb's Daegeral magenta,
Devon's Monait blue-violets,

✿⊰✲⊱✿
Kim's Geniael cream,
Emeka's Ghalali white,
Robin's Naeneiana periwinkle,
Fugue's Thavia blacks,
Fawn's Yuamor red-violets,
Yacov's Igrador olive-green,
Dawn's Khesian dandelion-orange,
Joseph's Eaqellurene bronze,
Jugnu's Enuryn jade-green,

✿⊰✲⊱✿
Fredrick's Emirinait mauve,
Yidna's Puhan indigo,
Rob's Balan sea-green,
Cne's Phelyra turquoise,
John's Khesian melon-red,
Xaela's Lonusea peach,
Aslam's Ikaesa deep plum,
Ayumi's Wadia tan-gold,
Brandon's Huarean ocher,
Sheila's Naizzuzia cornflower-blue,
Kikodinho's Izugalla in taupe,
Stars' Yurithireatha green-yellow,
Jobira's Zavalon in orange-red
and lastly, my Aurelinaea deep blue





,

✿⊰✲⊱✿
"She is. I think I make it worse with my constant
teasing." I chuckle. "But yes, I'm sure Paul's
'appreciation' for her is overwhelming.
He showers her too much with compliments."
We are lost in conversation until we heard Paul clapping,
gaining everyone's attention.
"Now that everyone has made their wishes, it's time
for us to present Donna and Dean with their
final gifts," he smiles. "Donna, Dean, would you be so
kind as to follow me up the hill? There's something
we all have to show you!"

✿⊰✲⊱✿
"Final gifts?" Dean is confused. "This party is enough,
as were all the shipments. What else do you have to give
us?"
Paul only chuckles and says nothing, beckoning them to
come to him. When Donna looks at everyone's faces,
she sees a sea of smiles, all knowing, all kind.
"Everyone, what's going on?" Donna asks.
"You'll find out soon enough!" Sue winks as Dean
takes Donna's hand and everyone walks down a pathway
that leads up to a high hill, where we can all see the horizon.

✿⊰✲⊱✿
Many of our distant kingdoms and the very calm seas.
One of the Luciuscemian guards holds a large green paper
lantern with the gold sun on Luciuscemi on it before
releasing it into the air.
"Paul, what's going on?" Dean asks his friend as
the paper lantern float high.
Donna gasps when she sees more small green
Luciuscemian lantern fly, and when her eyes look
to the horizon, the night skies come alive.
An abundance of paper lanterns are released into
the air, each of many colours.

✿⊰✲⊱✿
"But I'll admit, how Paul is looking at those two is
bothering me." I raise a brow. "Ainhara, you
go and speak to Sue and Yidna, tell them I will
be there shortly."
Tucking an apple blossom in her hair, she curtsies and
leaves my side, joining the diverse conversation,
and joyous laughter.
As I walk up the steps, I see Edmund and his wife
walk down, I smile and nod their way which
they return and I am by Paul's side.
"Why is the King pouting now?" I roll my eyes.
"I legit may poison Brandon's food," he says.
"Paul!" I hit his arm.
"What! He's tempting me to do it! He's all
over Esshi!"
✿⊰✲⊱✿

"Oh my," I facepalm, "You're upset that Brandon
is entertaining Esshi?"
"Yes," Paul pouts. "No fair, I saw her first! She's mine!"
"Oh Paul," I sigh and laugh, "Sometimes I don't
know what to do with you."
"You can help by assisting Luciuscemi take arms
against Huarean."
"Behave yourself!" I hit his arm again. "You are not going
to war with Brandon."
"He's flirting with my girl!"
"Talking, not flirting. There's a difference. He's not you!"
At that moment, Esshi giggles in response to
Brandon's comment.

✿⊰✲⊱✿
"I'm the only one that should make her smile
and laugh like that. She's too adorable!
So, I'm gonna wife her!" Paul says.
"I won't let you. And no, I am not jealous!" I cut him off and
walk down the steps, smiling at his antics.
"You're not going to stop me, Lyn!"
"Challenge accepted!" I wave my hand and
walk to Kim, Donna, Dean, Sue, Ainhara and Yidna.
"What was that about?" Sue asks.
"Paul's upset Brandon's talking with Esshi."
"Seriously?" Yidna tries not to laugh.
Kim only chuckles and Donna shakes her head.
"Between his incessant flirting and playful nature,
it's a wonder how Esshi has not exploded from
shyness. She certainly is a timid thing." Donna sighs.

✿⊰✲⊱✿
Following everyone down Paul's grand hall,
I cannot help but smile and hum, Ainhara's
arm links with mine.
"My Lady seems to be jumping with joy!"
Ainhara beams.
"I am," I chuckle, "I'm just so excited for
Donna and Dean to see their final present
from us all."
"As am I, my lady."
"So, how do you find King Brandon?"
I ask Ainhara.
"Very charming, " she responds, "and
very articulate. Like King Paul, he shares
your love for myths and legends."
"Well, they do hold truths. People
underestimate how much one can learn
from it."
"I concur."

✿⊰✲⊱✿
I look at Esshi and Brandon
walking in front of me. As she is
timid, I see that his smile and calm
nature put her at ease.
Soon enough, we found ourselves outside,
the afternoon sky has darkened and the
stars have bloomed.
'Perfect', I smile more as we all walk down
the marble steps two by two.
"Ok, everyone has their coin? If not,
please collect one from my guards
and make your wish at the Fountain!"
I hear Paul beam from ahead.

✿⊰✲⊱✿
"What will you wish for, My Lady?" Esshi
turns and asks me. "I know you have already
made a wish, but I assume you have more."
"Plenty," I chuckle. "I never run out of wishes."
Brandon smiles, "Sounds just like you, Queen Lyn."
"You can't blame me for being a little girl at heart."
As the queue moves forward, I see Donna and Dean
walk down together, pause, then throw their
coins into the water.  Then the other Kings and
Queens follow before it comes to Brandon
and Esshi's turn.

✿⊰✲⊱✿
"No, My Lady," Ainhana chuckles.
Esshi flushes at Paul's smile.
"Okay, you need to stay away from my
handmaids from now on!" I point at Paul
who looks at me innocently.
"Why? I've done nothing wrong!" He says
dramatically. "You are just jealous."
My eye twitches slightly. "I'll let you keep that
delusion."

✿⊰✲⊱✿
I stick my tongue out at him and huff,
much to their amusement.
Paul chuckles. "Love you too!"
He walks up some of the steps, turns
and claps, gaining everyone's attention.
"Come everyone! Before the feast, we must
make our wishes before the Angel's Fountain."
He says as he leads the way to the inner
courtyard.

✿⊰✲⊱✿
"Keeping us company, Brandon?"
"Of course," he chuckles. "After all,
we need to shield Esshi from Paul's
flirtations before she literally dies
of embarassment."
"M-my Lord!" Esshi exclaims as
me and Ainhana giggle.
'Time for Donna's great and
final surprise!' I beam!

✿⊰✲⊱✿
"I try! And I know my tea."
"So when will I hear of your own marriage?"
Donna teases and I flush.
All that leaves my lips is, "Uhhhhhh..."
Donna only laughs at my response and pats
my shoulder gently. "I am sorry if I made you
uncomfortable. Take your time with it. But try
not to put it off for too long. Marriage is a
wonderful thing. Spend your life with someone
you love and loves you so much in turn."

✿⊰✲⊱✿
"Now you sound like my mother."
"And Mothers always know best!" She winks
as Sue and Kim and Yidna and Sarita and
Jugnu and Fawn and Stars and Dawn
all approach her as Donna gives her
thanks to each of them individually,
Kings and Queens.
I stand there and simply watch them
with a smile.
"Hey!" a voice whispers behind me.
"Good Lord!" I exclaim while jumping
out of my skin. Immediately, I
look behind to see a snickering Paul.
"I'm not amused! It's not funny!" I snap
but he only snickers louder at me.

✿⊰✲⊱✿
"I really hate when you do that..." I
say, my hand on my heart as I try to
slow my beating. "No apology?"
"Nope!" Paul grins. "You're so uptight, I swear.
Relax!" He slugs his arm around my shoulders as
I just shake my head. "By the way, everything's
ready for her final surprise. So let's head out
to the inner courtyard."
I nod. "Where's Esshi and Ainhana?"
"Right here," another voice cuts in
and I see King Brandon with both
my handmaids. "Such charming
young ladies."
"You've been flirting with them too,
Brandon?"