βCoronationβ
(Scenic landscape is my passion.)
Oliviaβs coronation was at night, as most big events usually are in Halloween Town.
The square was dimly lit by the shine of the moon and a few fairy lights hung overhead. The residents anxiously waited for a glimpse of the princess. She will be crowned as the official next in line. Sheβd reached 17, and no male heir was born to the Skellington name. When the King retired, she would become queen.
There was a rule. First born male gets the crown. If the king did not have a son before his eldest daughter was 17, only then she would inherit the crown. All the times she secretly prayed to the gods that she would have a brother were for nothing. The responsibility was hers.
The wind from the balcony swept around her room, gently blowing her front pieces of hair into her face. Sheβd been locked in this house for a week. The crowning would be done on the balcony of the family home. This was for the safety of the princess. Anyone who needed to be on that balcony was locked in with her that morning, and no one would be let out until the morning of her 18th birthday. The princess was kept away from the public for the entire week to ensure that she was safe and secure. No one was getting in that house, and no one was getting out.
It felt like a punishment. Being locked in a tower and only seeing people who came in to fuss over her, poke her with needles as they sewed a dress around her like she wasnβt really there, and to lecture her about how to act for the next few hours. You stand quietly, you accept the crown, you make a quick speech of promises, and then you let everyone clap and stare at you for as long as they can. All while keeping yourself completely poised and composed. No frowning, no eye rolling, no attitude and especially no fear. How would she make it through.
She felt a shiver go up her spine as the wind chilled the gold bangles on her arms. She couldnβt wait to take them off. All of these jewels and fabrics draped over her body made her feel heavy. This is what she was made for, to be a perfect daughter who turned into the queen. Sheβd accepted it long ago but never really liked the thought of it. Who was she to command and lead?
The wicked words of her beloved people had scarred the inside of her ears. This adopted, clumsy, weak, fearful little girl was going to be their future queen? This child who cries when you look at her for too long? Who screams and wails and throws herself on the ground because her little body was not big enough to hold in the emotions and traumas she was burdened with?? She didnβt have enough hands to count how many times she heard someone tell her father βYou need to straighten her out. This is no way for a princess to act.β She felt her face get hot with embarrassment from the memories. She tried so hard to act the way everyone wanted her to act. It wasnβt enough for them. It took her many years to understand why feeling was so intense for her.
But, it was enough for a select few. She felt herself crack a small smile as she recalled how Jack would react to those situations. A sharp look shut down a chattering busybody in seconds. Then, he would gently scoop her into his arms and take her outside. Even if she was kicking and screaming and heaving; he was calm as could be. Sure there were a few times where he lost patience and would fight back and forth with a 5 year old, but who wouldnβt? She only remembered a few times where he had truly had enough. It made her laugh now, she knew he was just trying his best. He would always tell her when she was calm βcan we go inside and try again?β And she would nod, and when they walked back through the doors, she would be a whole new girl.
Thatβs how she felt about stepping out of the doors onto the balcony. Forget the past Olivia, once she stepped out those doors she would be a new Olivia. The smirk disappeared from her face. She took a deep breath and stood up from her bed, making her way over to the open doors. She stopped right before the threshold, staying close to the wall. She could see the whole square, but no one could see her. There was a pit inside of her that felt so heavy she almost couldnβt stand. Queen. That was her next move. Once she married and Jack retired, she would be the queen. Tonight was just a confirmation of that. She felt the pit in her stomach turn into a lump in her throat.
She could hear the crowd start to get a little restless, and backed away from the doors. She swallowed and took another deep breath. Time to grow up, she told herself. When she felt ready, she opened the doors to her bedroom to find her father, mother, Samhain, Nightshade, best friend Charlotte and the Mayor all gathered right outside. They gasped when they saw her, and all had a look on their face like they may had been plotting to bust the door down.
βAre yeβ ready, love?β Samhain asked her, his voice so calm it almost melted her into the floor.
Everyone held their breath for a response. Jack looked eagerly at his daughter, hoping her alone time had provided her some clarity. He believed in her so much, and needed her to believe in herself.
βYes, Iβm ready.β
((Stop looking at the crown Iβm going to erase it tomorrow LEAVE ME ALONE.
Anyway it is now 4:30 am idk why I just sat here and wrote all this but please enjoy I love you thanks I havenβt written anything in months and I do hate it but like slay))
