Ingrid was preparing herself for the coronation ceremony. "No matter how old I look, I have to dress for my rank. I count as a prince too, the soon-to-be king, Sigfrid's brother, so I will be in floodlight too." She said to herself, but in reality, she was thinking about Karakan.

"It's hot, so I can't really wear fur or anything that could form my shoulders more manfully. I will stay with my spring festival dress. Now that I think about it, last time one of the dame said, that long dresses are unusual here...but still.

They should know that I am from the North, I don't have to meet with their expectations...

I hope Sigfrid will dress properly too...but he has probably a dresser now."

...

She was standing in front of the mirror naked after 1 hour brutal bathing.

(At the north they had occasionally "brutal" bath habit on the first day of every season and before big events. On these occasions they used salty hot water and 2 type of brushes, a rough and a smooth one. After brushing, comes washing off the salt with cold water. For finishing always comes some kind of herb oil.)

Ingrid closed myself into the room, and pushed the curtains. She lighted like 20 candles in the room to see herself clearly in the mirror.

My skin was still glowing from the rose-oil. (She wanted something like mint oil, but the maid said to her they had only flower-smelling ones, and the white rose oil was the less perceptible.)

"I hope it will fade away after it dries." She thought and remembered the feeling on her arm, where the southern prince hugged her.

KNOCK KNOCK!

-Who is it?-Startled Ingrid and grabbed the silk underwear. She was swearing while pulling it on.

"It got oily..."

-It's Sigfrid. Can you let me in? I want to talk about something...

-Oh, okay. -Quickly, she checked herself in the mirror and noted that her unmentionable wasn't transparent, and had enough place in the middle to fake something that's not there.

She opened the door, than locked after her 'brother' came in.

-Why did you close it?-He asked right away, and before Ingrid could answer he pointed on her. -Did you do the whole festival bath process??

-Why, you didn't?!

-I've just took a hot bath, and brushed my feet, and only used the oil at the front part...but it's actually very itchy at my back, I think my skin got...

-Okay, okay, so what's up? I bet you didn't come here to talk about bathing methods...and... I hope you are not going to walk up to the pedestal in this...

-Of course not! The maids prepared my dress already, it is very rich...but you know. It's very unusual...the skirt part is very short, and I will stand on high...and...so I thought that...maybe... ONLY for this occasion..you could lend me your dad's cape. In that I could get the prope...

-What? You want me to lend you my dad's cloak? You know that, my mother sew it, right?

-It's the most beautiful cloak on the world...please, I wouldn't ask anything for anymore, just help me out in this ceremony, please! You couldn't wear it yet anyway, and I would ONLY wear it during the coronation ceremony, after that I would give it right back to you, I wouldn't wear it on the bal!

-*Sigh* Okay...but please give it back to me it is really precious to me.

-Thank you uncle Nysno!

-Ah, stop flattering...-Said Ingrid and walked to the bed. She crouched down and pulled out one of the biggest chest.

As she opened up and she started to hesitate as she saw the blue dragon embroidery with the silver waves. It had leather scale at the shoulder part, which gave dominant look for the wearer.

It had a secret pocked, which hid a sewed secret message on the inside part.

Suddenly Sig pulled out the cloak and held in front of himself.

-Whoa, I have never seen this cape this close. The inside is silk. Now in this! In this I may look like a king alright!

-Take good care of it. -Murmured Ingrid.

-Okay, I will, don't worry!-The cloak was so big, that even Sigfrid had to stretch his arms to measure properly the size.

Nobody knew that, but Ingrid used to coat herself with that as a blanket after her mother died. It gave her some degree peace. Whenever she felt lost or alone she slept in it and her soul healed.

Sigfrid was on his way to the door, but he stopped suddenly.

-Oh actually, there is something else, and by the way that was the main reason I came...so I will need a crown...

-I don't have my father's crown, it was gone with him when he died on the sea.

-Ohm, well,...but I saw you have one...and I really need one, otherwise they will think that I am not the real prince of the north. -He said with a hidden smile, and Ingrid knew he knew that she can't resist this request.

-I hope you know that, that this is a queen crown.- She said and opened the smallest, strongest box.

There was the corona Ingrid wore on the first dinner with the black prince.

"It's just a jewelry. It's just a jewelry." She thought then closed the lid back.

-Here...and to whom will you place it?-She asked him while giving the box to him.

-Obviously onto you of course, I will give it back.-He smiled.

-Ah fine...Is that all? I want to dress up already...

-Yes, thanks brother!

Ingrid let him out and closed herself again. "I have a very unpleasant feeling about him..."

...

She was wearing her festive high-heel boots, velvet turquoise pants, and a beautiful blue, knee-deep dress that had metallic woven pattern. It had also functioned as a light armor.

She tied her hair up in warrior bun.

She looked into the mirror. "I don't think they mistake me for a girl like this."

She buckled on her belt a small sword, and hid a small dagger in her boot pocket. "If only had I but brought my bow with me. I would feel more safe."

She heard a quiet knocking.

*Sigh "It's time."

-I will be right there... -She said and pulled the curtains aside. The sun was down, but it wasn't dark yet.

The city was luminous.

Around the castle mass of fancy wagons were standing with their carter.

-Open up.-Ingrid heard the familiar voice from the door so she hurried there and opened up.

He stepped in and closed the door in her stead.

Ingrid was stunned speechless.

Karakan was it, fresh and clean, and handsome. Ingrid even noticed a little make-up on his face. He was wearing gold, and black, and red, and surprisingly, his dress had the same length as mine.

He wore 2 swords and one dagger on his belt. One of his sword was more than a meter long and looked really heavy.

-You are not wearing perfume! You smell like the fresh spring, it's not good!-He said.

-Wha..what?-She asked back dazedly.

-I told you to wear some smelly perfume...here, I thought you may forget it for this first time.-He jabbered and put a tiny glass of brown liquid in my hand. -Quickly, put it on!

She opened up the glass and immediately held away her arm. It smelled like horse sh*t.

-I won't put this on myself, it reeks! -She said.

-You have to! Do as I said so! Don't make me worry about you. You don't have to put too much, just a few spot is enough around your neck.

-Do I...

-Yes you do!

Ingrid was hesitating for a moment, but seeing the prince's serious expression made her do as he said.

-Okay, just in case, keep it!-He said, then went away.

"...and here I am like an idiot though he came to check my outfit or go to the chapel together..."

...

Ingrid straightened her back and walked to the chapel where a mass of noble folk were chatting loudly already.

"It's showtime!"

Ingrid noticed children playing with wooden swords at the end of the last row. She felt herself tiny in the crowd.

A boy came next to her. He was around 12 years old, slightly taller than Ingrid.

-Ich liebe dein Kleid. Woher hast du gekauft?-He said disdainfully.

-Thanks for the compliment, it's custom-made from the north. -Ingrid said to him.

-Oh, you understood, what an überaschung! What house ar Yu? I am Alexander the Second, from the Handreburg's branch.

-Welcome Alexander the Second... I am, Ingrid Nysno, prince of the Northern Empire.

-What? No wonder you speak my tongue! Hey do you want to duel? Let's duel!

-Sorry, I don't think it would be appropriate right now. Maybe later...if you excuse me...-She said and slightly bowed. She walked slowly to the front avoiding the adult's elbows (, not to get punched by it). Her face was hot, she was nervous.

She heard Alex whispering curse.

The throne was still empty.

Ingrid couldn't see any familiar face in the crowd.

The little prince was observing the chapel, and tried to find every possible exit.

On the first level, on the loggia archers and soldiers were standing and watching.

"Where will Sigfrid come in? He said he will come in with Katica, so I shouldn't follow, but sit at the front seat."

-Whist!

-Whist!

Heard the little prince from more people from the back. She turned around to watch. The mass sat down to their places, and Sigfrid appeared in the middle with Kati on his side.

Ingrid could barely recognize Kati, since she was under a bunch of gold, and wore heavy make-up. Only her face was visible under a thin veil.

Everybody stood up.

Ingrid looked at the front and from the right side 4 soldiers walked in, after that a tall (2 meters maybe), purple skinned man walked in, and Ingrid knew immediately that he was the king.

After him walked 3 empty-eyed small children chained to each other, 2 more soldiers and only after them came Karakan in.

His face looked more careworn than ever before.

Ingrid looked back to the king, who wore a big turban with horns, and on top of that sat the crown.

He was wearing golden-laced cloak, under that was an unusually short vest, 3 shorter, wide bladed sword were stuck in between the multiple wide fabric belt. He was the only one wearing long, baggy pants.

He stopped in front of the throne, and waited till everybody step to their places. He looked around slowly with his eyes. The three children stopped at his left side. They were twins, 2 boys and one girl. They were looking down with their dead eyes. They reminded me of porcelain dolls.

They crept Ingrid out.

"Why is the king purple?
He looks so obviously dead!
Why does he keep 3 little children by his side?"

He looked into Ingrid's eyes whose chest suddenly felt like sinking down into her guts and everything started to darken. "Oh hello little boy...how nice to see you..." She heard the voice.

Karakan walked pass in front of him, and Ingrid was back to her mind again.

"What was that?!"

Ingrid looked at Karakan who stopped at the right side of the king. The king looked at Karakan and smiled.

2 trumpet sounded at the side, and the murmur disappeared. The king started his speech.

-Welcome dear friends and guests! Each of us is here to name a new king for the west part of Azura Kingdom, Valury and to alliance with the mysterious Northern Kingdom. Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to you, Sigfrid Nysno, the eldest prince of the North, who is also officially my son-in-law, and Katica's Man! -As he said these words, he opened his arms to the audience.

Sigfrid started to walk to the front, and Katica followed him head bowed. Their faces were as if they were choking on an apple silently.

Sig stepped to the first stair, and Ingrid thought about her father as she saw his cape on his nephew.

She remembered her father's coronation ceremony. She was (a real) 10 years old at that time, and her mother was around 25 (or so they thought).

-Nice crown, prince. -Whispered the king down which made Sigfrid slightly blush.

-...And! I couldn't forget to present you, the younger prince of the North of course! -Said out loud Sul, and pointed at Ingrid. Some folk behind her started to whisper. -Could you introduce yourself to us, prince? -He said and Ingrid walked up to the stairs, one step above Sigfrid. She turned around to the audience.

-I AM INGRID NYSNO, YOUNGEST SON OF NYSNO, THE NORTHERN EMPIRE'S SECOND PRINCE, AND THE KINGDOM'S SEAL KEEPER.-She shouted out loud so everybody could hear the titles.

"I hope this is the last time I have to say my whole thing..."

Ingrid noticed Sigfrid's glance. He looked surprised.

"He didn't learn my title? Why is he surprised?"

She looked back to the king and Karakan for a moment, then walked back to her place.

Somehow the king seemed happy about Ingrid's speech. It cringed her.

-Now! Here-for we are, and me, Kanuni'Sul the king of the Azura Kingdom, first of this name, ruler of the Seven South empire, enthrone Sigfrid Nysno, the eldest prince of the North to be the new king of the Western Azura realm, Valury. -He said, while he was removing the crown from Sigfrid's head and placing it on Katica's headwear. A footman brought up a pillow, with a golden crown on it. Sul grabbed it and put it on Sigfrid's head.

"What is this nonsense about empire and kingdom and kings... then you are the empire, not the king. Does the king have no idea how is the hierarchy?"

The crowd started to applause.

-Welcome to the family, son.-He said and shook Sigfrid's hand. As he looked into Sig's eye, Ingrid saw Sigfrid's sight went blank for a moment, and after that he looked somewhat disturbed.

Sigfrid and Katica sat beside Ingrid, and Sul sat on the throne. Everybody took a seat.

Sul asked one of his speaker to read out loud the titles and names, so he could check who was so brave not to come.

Ingrid looked at Katica in secret. She looked very happy for her new tiara, so Ingrid started to disclaim from it.

"It was a woman's tiara anyway, and I am not one." She said to herself and turned her head away.

...

The speech took an hour, after that a big feast was announced. Everybody wanted to get there first, so in the ruckus Ingrid had almost lost Sigfrid. He noticed her calling and stopped in the crowd.

-I've almost forgot.-He said, buttoned off the cloak and threw it on the kid's head. Ingrid pulled the big material together in a ball and started to walk against the crowd to her room. Somehow she felt like crying.