Welcome to Gaia! ::

A long night indeed.
It was becoming gradually more difficult to stay asleep. Nothing in Reguna's life physically tired him; his life was boring. One might say it was a little selfish to say that, with what Reguna being royalty, a prince no less. But surely, his day-to-day living was something Reguna would quickly trade for…
Well, he didn't know what he'd trade it for. A busier life? A tiring one? A more interesting one, for sure.

The light of the sun spread about his chambers. He had opened the drapes last night, despite his maid constantly reminding him to leave them closed. But Reguna didn't notice, lost in his thoughts as he laid there. He looked like some sort of senile old man, except for the fact that Reguna was beautiful. He was a youthful young man, a face even women envied to have.

There was a knock on his door a little later. Ah, the maid. He had a knight's coronation today. Right, Rakil. Reguna was supposed to be happy for the chap; the two have been friends since they were very young. He rolled out of bed, sweeping the sheets to the floor before answering the door himself before the maid let herself in. She was startled by the door opening and Reguna's face being so close to her own.

"My lord-" Reguna put his hand up to quiet her. He had seen his itinerary today about a million times. He didn't need a maid reminding him of it again.

It was only when the sun was up in the sky, burning off the pinks of the sunrise did Reguna find himself at the doors of the chapel. He entered quietly, already guessing that he wasn't alone. He often visited the chapel, liking the serenity the atmosphere held. It was here he was bestowing Rakil's knighthood. Broad shoulders and brilliant red hair at the alter made Reguna smile. Sooner or later, this place will be filled with people.

"Rakil," he called, his voice echoing clearly inside the chapel. "You excited?" He asked, walking down the aisle with an amused look. He wore heavy robes, ones for official business. He didn't wear them often, this being one of the few times he looked so formal. He tugged on his sleeve.

Reguna watched Rakil bow, an unusual sight when the two were together. But Reguna guessed it was because people were watching. He lowered his head and looked towards the windows, his violet eyes twinkling as he saw people gathering. He turned his head back to Rakil, laughing a little.

"Praying all night? You look as tired as my bloodhound," he commented, patting Rakil's shoulder. His hunting dog had so many wrinkles on its face, the dog always looked tired. He laughed again, his mood lightening from its droll this morning.
"All is well. My father is coming today, so you know how it is. The usual stress that comes along with him," he replied.

The doors opened behind them again, bowing their heads respectfully and respectively towards Reguna and Rakil. They were preparing this place and soon this chapel will be full. Reguna glanced to Rakil. "Looks like I have to take my leave temporarily. I'll see you when the ceremony begins," he said in a hushed manner, now that there were people around. He moved away, with a small wave, before leaving the chapel. His robes fluttered about the floor every so often as he exited hurriedly.

It was a spectacle. The glittering chapel, from when it was once so silent, turned into an incredible hall full of people, banners of color and chatter. For those who have never seen a knight's coronation, or a coronation in general, this was a sight to behold.

The old king's robes, made of only the fiercest animal's furs in these lands of Vasron, hugged warmly to his back. He stood with grandeur and heavy ornaments fitting of a king, wearing all white with accents of a deep royal purple.
"All hail King Gran! All hail King Gran of Vasron!" The chants bellowed as an older man strode down the aisles, his eyes seemingly holding no expression but merely being locked onto the red-headed soon-to-be knight before him. Reguna had followed him from behind, his violet eyes cast ahead. He was almost a spitting image of his father when he was younger besides Reguna's almost feminine features. He took after his mother in those areas.

The audience quieted when the two and several vassals settled in their positions. Reguna watched his father gaze upon the room, as if his old eyes were seeking something before laying on Rakil.

His voice was clear. Reguna didn't remember much after the word 'bestow' and 'knighthood'. He had seen his father do this exact same ceremony about a dozen times. He would go on to explain the achievements of the squire and his family, the codes of chivalry and order, and his pledge of loyalty.
While Reguna was surely happy that Rakil could be honored so, formal ceremonies such as these only tired Reguna. He often wondered how he'd deal with it when he was king. He could remember Rakil saying that when Reguna was eventually to become the king, that he was most likely to be the most uncaring and indifferent king in the history of the lands of Vasron.
He sighed softly, scratching his ear a little so that people wouldn't notice. But the bored expression on Reguna's face was undeniable.

The only part Reguna had in this whole ceremony was to merely stand at the side of his father. That, and at the end of it all, Rakil was to kiss the ring on his finger after he did it to his father. He glanced down at his hand, a giant rock of a thing banded around his left index finger. He wasn't yet married nor engaged, after much protest and persuasion out of arrangement. Which was why it was on his left than his right. But even then, he supposed he'd get a new ring on his right hand. Reguna gazed down at the glittering jewel on his finger before looking up at Rakil.
His face held pure happiness and excitement. To be expected of Rakil; he was by far more expressive than Reguna. Reguna made a small face, looked back at the staring crowd of people before looking back down at Rakil. His best friend, now a knight about to kiss his finger. A funny prospect to Reguna; he had to hold back his laugher.

The cheers were startling, making Reguna tense up as people started to congratulate the new, young knight. Reguna made a small face, looking up at his father. He seemed used to this, after all, his father was old. He looked back down and then to the crowds. One day, he too would be used to this.
The thought made him somber; being a king meant an even more mundane and tedious life than he was as a prince. He gave a long sigh, his father patting his shoulder. "Try not to sigh too much, or you'll get lines on your face," he said, though he didn't look at Reguna. Yet as soon as Reguna could process the attention his father gave him, the king moved away and took his hand from his shoulder. He began to wave to the crowds. He didn't look back even once and left the chapel.

Reguna watched his back, reclining a little. His father usually didn't pay mind to Reguna, much less talk to him about anything other than official matters. Reguna didn't know what to think and returned his gaze to Rakil.
He went to him, watching as Rakil admired his blade. "So, sir knight, after this, you'll be a whole lot busier. Leaving me behind in my boring duties, eh?"
Of course, this joke was brought up by Reguna several times over, ever since Rakil decided to be a knight. He grinned; besides, he would have Rakil become part of his guard whenever Reguna rose to kingship. Or, at least, that was what Reguna agreed on.

The feast had already begun. Reguna dreaded large parties, but he supposed it wouldn't be too bad with there being food there. And it gave Reguna a chance to talk to people he couldn't normally.

Reguna nodded, looking to the many assistants waiting on his hand. He gave them an affirming look before they ran off to retrieve the carriage. Reguna then looked to Rakil, his exuberance flowing from him like that from the lights of the sun.

He could only offer a friendly smile, tugging his sleeve. "Of course," he simply noted. The crowds were subsiding, making their ways to the capitals to celebrate in the streets. Seriously, these people celebrated for every occasion, even if they didn't even know Rakil.
He spied an eye on his friend…well, he knew Rakil was quite popular. He was a good person, after all. Reguna couldn't suppose anyone saying that about himself.

"My lord, the carriage has arrived," an assistant said as he came running up through the cheering crowds in the chapel, bowing quickly. Reguna moved, walking through the crowds. People cried out for him, but he knew very well that he was just a prince in this country and not nearly as popular as officials with high honors, or his father. He walked quickly to get outside, never fairing well in regards to being in crowds.
Reguna glanced behind him, looking at Rakil before entering the ornate carriage. He laid back in the seat, looking out the window.

Alas, he rubbed his chin and opened his mouth to speak. "How do you do it? This is all so," he paused, "tiring." He didn't sigh but made a weary face. Yes, there was food waiting, but the noise and the people and the mindless chatter wasn't something he was looking forward to.

The solemnity sunk into the cabin of the carriage. Reguna reflected on what Rakil had said. He touched his face, rubbing his jaw in thought as his violet eyes gazed out the window.

And then Reguna sucked in a lot of breath through his nose, exhaling through his mouth like a wisp of a breeze.
He noted Rakil rubbing warmth into his fingers before gazing back up into the face of his friend.

"I know that more than anyone," he mentioned softly. Unlike him, once Reguna was promoted, he wouldn't feel the exuberance and happiness that Rakil was feeling now. Only more indifference for the mundane life he would continue to live.
"You've done well Rakil. Your father is proud in the high skies, I am sure of it," he concluded.
The scenery began to change, from the chapel and the woods to the capital city. Many happy faces could be seen, many celebrating good fortune today.

And then the wall.

The palace lay ahead, glittering in the light of the sun despite the chill of the air. It was loud and light, many carriages ahead letting people out to enter into the great hall, where the feast and celebration was being held. Reguna watched as the tall spirals, from so far away, loomed above, too high for him to follow. There was a two taps on the top of the carriage from outside and then the door opened on the side.
Reguna looked at Rakil, motioning for his friend to get out first.