Chapter 38

Kurt and Blaine made their way from the altar to the coronation table. The King, along with the Queen, the Pope and the Royal Advisor were standing there. Two servants, dressed in elegant robes, stood some steps behind carrying two purple velvet cushions with two identical silver crowns on top of them.

Kurt didn't know what to do, but he followed his husband and mirrored each and every one of his movements. When both of them were knelt in front of the King, Richard Anderson took a step forward and cleared his throat in front of the crowd.

"Greetings, populace and nobility from Talia. I, Richard Anderson, on behalf of the Royal Crown of this Kingdom and the Reman church, stand here today to give Blaine and Kurt Anderson, their new status as Princes of this Kingdom and Dukes of this city." The King said, looking at the crowd gathered there and the two boys knelt in front of him.

"Blaine and Kurt, do you wish to be proclaimed Princes of the Anderson's Kingdom and advance to Duchy status, and hereby be crowned as the new Dukes of Bellezza?" The King asked, following the statutory protocol.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Both, Kurt and Blaine, replied at the same time.

The King called the Royal Advisor, Signor Raymond Armati, to come to the front.

"Could you testify that these individuals have been good and fair, and are members of the Royal family by the rules of the Reman Church and the Talian's laws?"

"I could." Raymond replied.

"Are these individuals serving any current punishment, or have been found guilty with any current faults that would impede their accepting of this position, as set forth by the Talian's Laws?"

"No." Raymond replied.

The King took the state sword and placed it in front of Kurt and Blaine, who placed their hands on top of it.

"Here do I swear," they both said in unison, "by mouth and hand, fealty to the Royal Crown of Talia and to the Anderson's Kingdom. To uphold the bylaws, writs and codicils of the Anderson's Kingdom, to be a fair and loyal administrator to Our populace, to place these states under the banner of the Duchy of Bellezza; To listen to Our estates holders, populace, and children; to protect Our populace and dispense justice when appropriate. And to carry out Our duties to the best of Our abilities. So say We, Blaine and Kurt Anderson."

The King nodded and following the protocol, he said. "For our part, here do we swear by mouth and hand, to acknowledge your fealty to the Royal Crown. To aid you in your duties as rulers of this Duchy, to acknowledge the estates under the banner of the Duchy of Bellezza. To offer counsel and guidance in your efforts, to uphold the bylaws, writs and codicils of the Anderson's Kingdom, and to champion your cause as the Duchy of Bellezza. So say We, Richard and Pamela Anderson, King and Queen of this Kingdom."

Raymond continued. "In the name of the Royal Crown. As set forth by the Bylaws of the Anderson's Kingdom, You, as a Duchy, are a Kingdom in training. You are responsible for well developed ministries, you are responsible for administration of this subdivision, your ministries shall report routinely to the corresponding Imperial counterparts. You must continue to meet all requirements for Duchy status, you may not create knights by prerogative. Ducal codicils and writs must be approved by the Royal Crown. You cannot make Laws, yet are to govern yourselves. You shall rule until you resign or are removed by the populace, or updated in your current status by the Royal Crown."

The Pope, much to his distaste, made a quick blessing of the crowns and after reciting some verses from the Bible and a prayer; he made both Kurt and Blaine to swear allegiance to the church and its rules.

"The things which I have here before promised, I will perform, and keep. So help me God." Kurt and Blaine repeated, kissing the Bible presented in front of them and the Oath.

Richard drew the state sword again and carefully, he placed the point on each of Blaine's shoulders, reaffirming him as Prince of the Kingdom and proclaiming him Duke of Bellezza, his new royal status as a married man. Then, the King did the same with Kurt, proclaiming him both Prince of the Kingdom and Duke of Bellezza at the same time.

"Your Majesty." The Royal advisor said.

Pamela took a step forward and taking the first silver crown, she placed it on top of her son's head. Then she moved to where Kurt was and after placing the silver band across his chest—giving him his new status of nobility—she placed an identical crown on his head.

A deathly silence filled the Grand Salon.

"Please arise." The King indicated to Kurt and Blaine, who immediately stood to their feet. "Ladies and gentlemen, I here present unto you, Princes Kurt and Blaine Anderson."

The crowd cheered for the newest members of the Royal family.

"Please take your place in this Royal throne." The King said, indicating the two empty chairs upon the Royal dais.

Kurt and Blaine walked hand in hand and took a seat on their assigned places. Kurt was squealing with joy, the whole ceremony had been more than he had expected in the first place.

The crowd gave a huge round of applause and then the King stepped in front of them and started the round of congratulations, followed by the rest of the family.

o-o-o-o-o

Kurt and Blaine spent the next half an hour between hugs and kisses from all the members of their family who were ecstatic for their union and their new royal status.

When the Smythe's started to show up on the Royal dais too, Kurt had to work so hard to keep the smile on his face. They were congratulated by all of them one by one. The newly wed couple tried to be as polite as possible, especially when Rinaldo Smythe approached them.

"Well, on behalf of my family I want to sincerely congratulate you both and give you my best wishes." Rinaldo said.

"Thank you very much, Ambassador Smythe." Blaine said. "On behalf of my family and my husband we receive your good wishes and invite you to enjoy the celebration." He said, being as polite as possible.

"Thank you very much." Rinaldo said, walking away.

"Oh, no." Kurt whispered, only for Blaine to hear. Sebastian was approaching the dais.

"I guess here is when I have to say congratulations?" The young Smythe said, in his always sarcastic and mocking tone.

Kurt and Blaine looked at each other, not knowing what to say.

"Well, then congratulations." Sebastian said, looking back and forth between the two boys, but still fixing his eyes on Kurt. It was clear he wanted to ask something. "How did you do it?" He finally said.

"Did what?" Kurt asked back, he knew what he was talking about, but pretended otherwise. He was not letting the Smythe to ruin his good mood.

"Your shadow." Sebastian said, as a matter of explanation.

"What are you talking about?" Kurt said, squeezing Blaine's hand tightly.

"Do not dare to try to play with me, Kurt. I know what you are and I don't know how you did it, but one second you didn't have a shadow and the next one you did. I know you're one of them."

"One of them?" Kurt asked, trying not to laugh. "I don't know what you're talking about, but I do believe that you already had too much wine, Sebastian." Kurt said.

Sebastian pointed a menacing finger against Kurt. He didn't like to pass as fool, and certainly that mocking smile on Kurt's face was making him feel like one.

Blaine noticed the change in their guest demeanor and immediately stepped in front of his husband. "Don't you dare to point a finger to my husband, Sebastian." He said, in a more menacing and deadly serious tone. "Do not forget in front of who you are now."

Sebastian seemed to be struck for a moment with Blaine's response, but he recovered himself almost immediately, stepping back a little. "I apologize for my bad behavior." He said in a sarcastic tone. "And I apologize if I offended you in any way Your oh-so-magnificent Highness." He added with a very exaggerated bow toward Kurt.

Kurt and Blaine both rolled their eyes, Blaine still standing in front of his husband, protecting him.

"Enjoy the celebration, Sebastian." Kurt said, being a polite host.

"I will," he said, walking away, "and this is not over, Your Highness. I'm going to find out what happened because I'm not crazy, I know what I saw." He added before completely turning around and stepping down from the dais.

"Good luck with that." Kurt murmured to his husband, who immediately laughed along with him. They both knew there was no way the young Smythe could prove Kurt was anything but another Bellezzan boy—their secret was safe.

They laughed relieved for a few seconds before they had to continue attending the rest of the guests who were eager to greet them and congratulate them on their wedding.

"My friends!" Someone exclaimed.

Kurt and Blaine turned around to see Jeff and Trent making their ways to the dais. They were smiling broadly and as soon as they reached them, they covered them both in a bone-crushing hug, making them forget about the small incident they had just had with the young Smythe.

o-o-o-o-o

When the round of congratulations finally ended, the King cleared his throat to draw the attention of all their guests and make the official toast. All the glasses were filled with the most fancy Bellezzan wine, and raised in honor of the new couple.

After the toast, the King invited all the guests to step out to the Salon's terrace to witness the official announcement to the town.

The guests very slowly started to make their way to the terrace, while the Royal family walked to the upper balcony.

"Shall we?" Blaine said, extending his hand towards Kurt.

Kurt took it without second thoughts.

"Are you happy?" Blaine asked, while they started to walk.

"More than happy, B." Kurt said, leaning over and briefly kissing Blaine on the lips. "We just got married!" He exclaimed, finally letting all his enthusiasm to fly free.

"I know!" Blaine exclaimed back, mirroring the enthusiasm. "Now you're my husband to have and to hold forever."

"And ever." Kurt said, leaning for another kiss.

"What have I told you about the public display of affection?" Cooper said, interrupting them. "Leave it for the room, now we have to hurry."

"Leave us alone!" Blaine said playfully, kissing Kurt again just because he could and wanted to bother his brother.

"You two are so gross!" Cooper said. "I don't even want to be near your chambers tonight. God knows what noises I'll have to hear."

"Cooper!" Pamela exclaimed, she was just making her way to where they were standing. "Leave them alone and stop making those insinuations. They are improper and very disrespectful. That's not the vocabulary a Prince and future King should use. Apologize yourself." She scolded her son.

"I'm sorry, mother." Cooper immediately apologized, but winked playfully to his brother and brother in-law, letting them know that he had meant every word.

The group made their way to the upper balcony and the King entered, followed by Pamela and Cooper, leaving Kurt and Blaine waiting inside the room to the right moment to emerge.

o-o-o-o-o

The announcement, like both the wedding and coronation ceremony, was longer than what Kurt had expected. They both were waiting anxiously inside the room and peeking through the window to catch a glimpse of the people there. They all were listening expectantly to what the King was saying.

"Is it normal that I'm kind of more nervous about this than the other two ceremonies?" Kurt asked, leaning his head on Blaine's shoulder.

"Really?"

"Yes, what if people don't like me? What if they boo me?"

"Nobody is going to boo you, my love. On the contrary, I'm almost certain that half of the men and women standing there are going to fall in love with you at first sight. I noticed some girls and boys fainting when we announced our engagement." Blaine said. "Luckily, you're mine so they can watch all they want, but the only one who is allowed to do this," he leaned down for a kiss, "and this," another kiss—with tongue involved, "it's me."

Kurt laughed. "You know I could say the same about you. Don't you think I haven't noticed the way everybody looks at you? But they can watch all they want." He said, using Blaine's words. "Because the only one who is allowed to do this," he leaned for a kiss too, "and this," another kiss, "it's me."

"Only you." Blaine reassured him.

Kurt smiled broadly and exhaled. They fell into a peaceful silence where only the King's voice could be heard, until Blaine asked.

"What was Ray's wedding gift for you?"

"This." Kurt said, taking the small velvet bag from inside his long cloak.

Blaine opened it and saw with awe what it was. "I can't believe it."

"I know, right? It was the best gift ever. Now I'll get to see them every day if I want."

"That is incredible, my love." Blaine said with a smile.

"Yes, it is. I just wish I had brought with me a talisman. Ray told me we would take care of it later, but I wish I had thought about it and bring something earlier. I was so distracted with the wedding details and the coronation ceremony that it slipped from my mind. You still have the pin I gave you, but I have nothing."

Blaine let out a soft laugh. "Look at our wedding rings with more detail, my love."

Kurt frowned confused and looked at the silver ring shining in his hand. It was a simple wedding band all in silver. He couldn't see anything special.

"Remove it from your finger." Blaine said.

Kurt did what he was told to and noticed that there was something engraved inside the band. The words 'Fearlessly and Forever.' Words Blaine had used when he first proposed.

"Awww that's sweet but-"

Blaine removed his ring too and placed it next to Kurt's. Kurt looked at both of them in confusion; he still didn't understand what Blaine was trying to say.

Blaine rolled his eyes playfully when he noticed the clueless eyes his husband was giving him, so he grabbed both rings and put them near the candle so Kurt could see more clearly. It was only then that Kurt noticed what Blaine wanted him to notice. The words in both rings were not engraved; they were actually cast in the band, with a different kind of metal—copper.

"I melted the pin you gave me and split it in two. Now our rings are our tickets to go back to your world, but they only work if they are together so we can just go there if our rings are touching and we fall asleep."

"Oh my God!" Kurt exclaimed excitedly. "And, do they really work?"

"Yes, Ray helped me with this and I already tested them. I traveled to your graduation ceremony using them. They can bring us back to your father's house whenever you want."

Kurt smiled broadly and launched himself towards his husband's open arms. He couldn't believe how much he loved the man he had in front of him. "I love you so much!" He exclaimed, kissing him deeply, trying to pour into that one kiss everything that he was feeling.

"And I love you too." Blaine said, kissing him again.

They kissed for some seconds until they both were out of breath.

"So…" Kurt said, trying to ease his breathing, "I just can go back to Lima with you, huh?"

Blaine nodded.

"Then I guess a divorce is not an option." Kurt joked.

Blaine laughed. "My love, we live in the 16th century. There's no such thing as a divorce in here. I'm afraid you're stuck with me until your final day."

Kurt laughed. "Well, it doesn't matter anyway because I couldn't possibly live in a world in which you're not with me. In fact, I believe you are my world, B."

Blaine smiled warmly. "Your are my world too, Kurt."

"I guess we are each others' worlds, then." Kurt said.

"We are." Blaine nodded, leaning over again to kiss those lips he happened to be so addicted to. He didn't know what it was happening with him tonight, but Kurt's lips were working like magnets to his own lips.

"Your Royal Highnesses." One of the servants interrupted. "Sorry for interrupting, but it's time." He warned them.

Kurt laughed a little and whispered into Blaine's ear, "I'm kind of rooting for the Royal Highness title. I think it suits me."

Blaine laughed back. "Oh, it really does, my love. It really does." Blaine said, smiling at his adorable husband.

Together they stepped into the balcony in time for the King to present, "Kurt and Blaine Anderson, Princes of the Anderson's Kingdom and Dukes of Bellezza," while the first fireworks touched the sky, transforming the night into a magical multicolored canvas, the one you only got to see once upon a dream.

Well, first of all...thank you so much for reading! Like I shared at the beginning of this story I was a bit insecure about posting it. But I'm glad I did because it allowed me to explore a world where everything is possible and I'm really happy with the result. So thanks again for all your comments and support, it meant the world to me.

I have a sequel for this story still in the works. I haven't written the chapters but I do have the whole plot, so if you liked this story let me know if you'd be interested in reading a sequel so I can start writing it. This new story would take place 5 years after the wedding/coronation. Both Kurt and Blaine are freshly out of the university of Padavia and they receive an invitation to go to Remora's annual horse races. Their somehow still perfect world turns upside down when they find themselves in the heart of the Smythe's emporium. Jealously, betrayal, the arrival of a new itinerante from Kurt's world and a great tragedy forces them to make decisions that will test their love and what they have built together all these years. I know it's sounds angsty but I can promise you it is not. Well, not that much. Just the right amount to keep the story interesting, but it ends the way I'm sure you all are going to love.

Anyway, let me know your opinions about this story, the sequel or whatever you want. I love reading you guys! And once again, thanks for reading my nonsense.

See you soon with a new story, Alexis.