Chapter Text
An empty castle, abandoned castles can be beautiful, but not for a young soon to be King who sits in his room of what used to be his home now only is a castle. The warmth only ever coming from the sun's rays lighting the halls from the huge windows. Today is his 18th birthday, a day where he can finally be able to do his duties that he has been training and learning to do while the royal advisors took care of the responsibilities for until he was old enough. Becoming the Crowned Prince at 10 years old was definitely not what Apollo expected to become. Preparing for a celebration for the town, to celebrate not only his birthday but his coronation from crowned Prince to King. Though Sam and Puffy where weary over Apollo's decisions they respected it for he only excelled in his studies and training, a young prodigy as the castle staff murmured in hushed tones. A natural born leader as nobles admit after meetings with the young prince present in the room. Puffy was the Captain of the Royal Guard but stepped into being co-advisor when Apollo's family left him behind. Anger only swirled in the advisors when his family left him to the dogs to fend for himself. But today wasn't a day to be angry, It was the Prince's birthday, the day they have been preparing for weeks, as Sam knocks on the door to Apollo's room, in hand a specially tailored outfit for the boy.
Apollo after sitting by his vanity for what seem like forever calls for the person to come in. staring in his silver framed mirror as he contemplates wearing makeup to his coronation. As Sam comes in view of the mirror Apollo begins to smile as he spots the clothing bag in Sam's arm. Turning around with a grin shining like the sun as he greets the advisor. Sam can't help but return the same smile, quite a contagious smile Apollo has.
"What's with the bag Sam?" Apollo asks, curious to rip it open
"Your coronation and birthday outfit my liege." Sam says
"Ugh, I told you to just call me Apollo, no my Liege stuff when we are alone." Apollo whines.
Sam only chuckles as walks over the Apollo's bed as he lays the bag down and brings out the outfit out. Sam requested that the royal tailor would pick out a theme, and he was not disappointed with the theme he chose. Instead of the blue color of the original families color scheme instead a bright warm red clothing is laid on the bedspread. Apollo could only stare at in astonishment, a beaded phoenix sits in the middle of the chest piece as bits of blue can be seen in the edges of the flames from the phoenix's tail and wings. Only bits of blue in the entire outfit to show that he stripping away and growing from the mistakes and becoming a new person. It was beautiful as Apollo traces the lines of beads that were carefully sewn onto the pieces of clothing, appreciating every detail that is apparent. Sam watches Apollo admire the outfit allowing the young prince to have time to see all the details.
"Ready to put it on Apollo?" Sam asks softly causing Apollo to turn and nod rapidly at him.
"Yes please, can you help me? It's a lot of pieces" Apollo ask eager to put on his new outfit.
Sam grins as he lets Apollo get ready in his under dressings before helping him put on the beautiful celebration outfit. Apollo once dressed in the outfit requests Sam to get Puffy to help with his long golden locks of hair into a more beautiful up-do. Sam nods and leaves the room to locate Puffy as Apollo goes back to his mirror. He stares into it as he looks at the beauty of the outfit. Busy yes but not enough to really consider it to be tacky. Apollo notices that the blue accents match exactly with his ocean eyes making them pop out more. Apollo loves his eyes, he always has, even if they bring bad memories, they match the blue of the Kingdom's flag, he always noticed that whenever he had a chance to look at it. Having this being a good memory so far helps with him to love his eye color even more. He hums and pulls some eye shadow, liner, and rouge out just encase he does put on makeup it is out and ready for him.
A moment later Puffy comes in, dressed in a dress similar to Apollo's just less grand as he curly white hair is tied in intricate braids with gold pieces and emeralds decorating them. She has a big grin as she walks in wishing the Prince a happy birthday before coming over.
"So Apollo, what are you thinking about doing for your hair?" She asks as she grabs a brush from the vanity and begins to comb through his golden locks.
"Well I want it up and pretty at least, maybe something that will match the outfit with accessories like your hair. Maybe some aquamarine gems instead of emeralds though." Apollo answer as he sits as still as possible.
"Nice choice Apollo, the aquamarine will give you a shimmer and make your eye pop out even more against the bright warm red you're wearing." Puffy says as Sam walks in after a moment "Hey Sam can you grab my basket of hair accessories?"
"Where would it be?" Sam questions
"You know what Sam can you ask one of the maids, just tell 'em to bring it here please" She says realizing he would get lost trying to find it.
Sam nods and goes to the nearest maid whom goes off to find the basket. Apollo realizes Sam is now in a different outfit than when he first came in, usually it's green and gold suit that looks fit for a noble but now he wears a red gold and yellow suit with blue accents as well. Apollo couldn't help but feel warmth inside his heart as he realizes that they really do look like a family with the matching outfits now. All Sam needs now is some hair styling like Apollo is currently getting, maybe some rubies and gold accessories as well. The maid rushes in handing the basket to Puffy as she wishes the prince a happy birthday before going back out. Puffy began braiding and accessorizing Apollo's hair as they have lighthearted banter as Apollo tries to guess what his gifts from them will be. Apollo hums enjoying his hair being put up into a multi braided half bun as aquamarines shimmer in the sunlight. He takes a hold of a brush and began to apply some makeup, red and yellow eye shadow as Puffy finishes off the bun with a simple golden feather ordainment surrounding the bun. He begins to draw on some eyeliner as Puffy watches and makes sure the bun is stable.
Apollo finishes with some rose colored rouge, lightly dabbing it on his cheeks to give him some lightly rosy cheeks as he stares at his reflection. He looks different, a good different, but different, he can't help but say he looked older, it wasn't surprising for it being his birthday, but it's more of the matured, dignified, dare he say elegant. A smile stays on his face as he stares at the mirror with so much joy as he fiddles with the smaller details and plays with cape a bit making the elder two giggle at the young prince. He turns to look at them with a angry huff causing their giggles to turn into snickers. Apollo walks over to them and just goes back to smiling, today is the perfect birthday, he is ready to start the festivities as soon as possible.
"Are you ready to be crowned in front of everyone Apollo?" Sam inquires already picking up on the eagerness of the sun prince.
Apollo nods rapidly "But you need your hair done first Sam!"
"I have to agree, you'll look out of place sir Sam." Puffy says playfully as she pushes him towards the vanity chair.
Sam only chuckles as Apollo picks out some rubies and gold accessories as Puffy begins to work on Sam's hair taking rubies from Apollo as they work together. Puffy finishes with his hair as Apollo comes over and places a gold feather decoration in his hair. Before he goes he grabs another gold feather decoration to place in Puffy's hair. The advisors just smile as the watch Apollo decorate their hair with a strong sense of adoration in their eyes, as if they were proud parents to the young boy.
"There! Now we all match!" Apollo smiles
"Thank you Apollo, we should start making our way to the balcony, we can keep your people waiting much longer." Sam says
Apollo nods as Puffy opens the door letting Apollo take the lead as they walk down the blue hallways. The contrast between their outfits and the hallways, it brings a sense of change as servants and maids watch with a sense of glee to finally see the boy who they all raised together make his way to gain his crown. It was a beautiful and powerful sight to behold as they walk through the castle walls, the empty and cold halls that seem to warm up and brighten when Apollo walks pass as if change was already happening right now. Pressure builds as they all approach the balcony, Apollo's once excitement turned into gut-wrenching nervousness as they approach the double glass doors. Apollo anxiousness does melt a bit when he's met with Dream and Sapnap waiting on either side of the glass doors. The Prince so badly just wishes to run up to them and hug them tightly but knows that would only stall them longer. The soldiers greeted him with a happy birthday before asking if he was ready to go. Apollo takes a deep breath, with Puffy and Sam behind him and all the servants that took care of him watched from behind with fondness in their eyes Apollo can only grin brightly as he nods.
"Open the doors, it is time for the coronation to commence" Sam states as Dream and Sapnap reach for the curled handles and open the doors to the outside. As the two stand by the doors the officiant stands at the edge of the balcony, a crown, scepter, and orb sits atop a navy blue velvet pillow. The townsfolk all watch with baited breath below them as Apollo steps forward, advisors behind him on either side as they followed.
"Today, is the blessed day for our kingdom of ice;" The officiant states "Today is the day Prince Apollo Theseus Minecraft turns eighteen. And by his request, to become crowned as the true and just ruler of the Antarctic Kingdom. Today shall mark the day of the rebirth of the kingdom, and for our Prince to be reborn today as your King."
Apollo steps forward as he grabs the scepter and orb from the velvet pillow as Sam takes the ornate crown of silver and emeralds and places it upon his head.
"Today Apollo is no longer your Prince. Apollo is your King from this day forward." The officiant states with a gentle smile "And may the gods themselves bless him on this day. For Apollo is the phoenix rising from the ashes of his former self."
The townsfolk cheer as Apollo stand before them wearing the crown that used to be his fathers. It's now his, he's work hard for this, and he's happy to finally wear his title with pride. Soon enough the crowd begins to chant 'Long Live King Apollo' making the young King smile his infectious smiles, a smile that warms the hearts of millions, a smile the brighten everyone's day, the smile of the sun. Now that he rules the kingdom of ice and snow, he can finally be able to be free to do as he pleases when it's time to do so. His title in history will forever be the Sun King of the Snow Kingdom. As the kingdom rejoices a certain pink haired male watches from the tree line proud of his youngest brother. If it weren't for their father he would've stayed, but he only hopes that Apollo is happy as he watches from the sidelines. Techno will make sure Apollo stays happy, even if it means preventing his Father and Brother from going back to the castle.