So eventually the four returned to Wistal for Prince Izana's Coronation. It was the day Sonya dreaded for a long time. She absolutely hated social gatherings when they involved being surrounded by high class people with the exception of the Prince's. While the attendants were in uniform, Izana instructed for Sonya to attend wearing a gown. That made her hate the event even more. Because of all the trouble she had to go through in preparing for the coronation, she was the last one to show up. She wore a light purple off shoulder gown and her hair set in a low bun and a few stray strands hanging as bangs. Even though it wasn't the first time Sonya got dressed up, the group was amazed at how pretty she looked, especially Obi.
"Whoa" Obi uttered almost speechless.
"You look beautiful Sonya" Shirayuki complimented. Sonya didn't really respond, but had a look of discomfort on her face.
"Why are you wearing a gown? Shouldn't you be in uniform?" Zen asked.
"Your brother insisted. Trust me, I wish I was in uniform. I'm so uncomfortable right now" She replied.
"Well I agree with Mistress, You do look beautiful" Obi complimented giving Sonya his signature smirk.
"Thank you Obi" She responded softly. Just then Prince Raj and Sakaki joined.
"Sonya I'm surprised to see you dressed so elegantly for this occasion. You look nice" Raj commented.
"Thank you your highness" She replied.
"You look absolutely stunning m'lady" Sakaki complimented with a smile which caused Sonya to blush earning a muttered growl from Obi. It was time for the ceremony. Sonya sat up front in between Obi and Mitsuhide. She was so nervous about the ceremony that she held both their hands. It didn't exactly please Obi that she was also holding Mitsuhide's hand, but he kept quiet about it for now. The ceremony went on and Izana was officially crowed the new King of Clarines.
"Thank you everyone for coming. As you all know I mentioned in the invitation that I had an important announcement to make." He announced. "Miss Sonya Rosse, can you please come up here" he finished as he invited his aide up to the alter. She looked at him confused and he gestured for her to approach him. She let go of both their hands and stood up while smoothing out her dress. she walked up to the alter and looked at Izana still confused. "Turn and face the crowd" he whispered to her. Sonya nodded and she turned around and faced the crowd in the room. "As you all know, Sonya has been my aide for a little over seven years now. Up until her I never had an aide and for a while I even trusted her to protect my dearest little brother Prince Zen until he got his own aides. She was 16 when she started working here at the castle and I've watched her grow up into a fine young woman with a heart of gold and her desire to protect those precious to her." Hearing her newly crowned King praise her made her blush. "She has developed such analytical and leadership skills that I don't wish to go unnoticed. So I decided that Sonya has earned a promotion." He continued. Sonya was now surprised and anxious at the same time.
"Everyone as the King of Clarines I'd like to present to you the new Commander of the Royal Guard, Commander Sonya Rosse!" He announce. Sonya was stunned by this declaration. The crowd cheered in response. After the ceremony, everyone was scattered throughout the castle. Sonya went to find the King to talk to him. She found Izana in the throne room.
"Hello Your Majesty" Sonya greeted as she entered the room.
"Sonya my dear, is there something you need?" He questioned.
"I just wanted to say thank you for earlier" She told him.
"There's no need to thank me. You've earned it. I know I don't point it out but I know just how hard you work and you are a worthy leader. If there's anyone that I choose to command my soldiers it's you" he praised.
"I appreciate the compliment sir I'm honored that you feel that way" She responded.
"You should go mingle with the guests. I'm sure everyone would like to meet the commander personally" He suggested. Sonya nodded and left the room. She went to find Zen and the others. While looking for them she was approached by Sakaki.
"Congratulations on your new position Sonya. You deserve it" he told her with a smile. Sonya smiled back at him.
"Thanks can you tell how thrown off I was? I had no idea he was going to do that. I guess that explains why he wanted me in a gown" she mentioned.
"Well like I said earlier, you look stunning. The gown compliments your eyes" he commented. Sonya blushed in response.
"Y-You really think so?" Sonya stuttered. Sakaki nodded his head.
"So has Obi been treating you well?" he asked. Sonya nodded in response.
"Yes, even though I'm not royalty, he treats me like a princess" She told him.
"Good...I'm glad" he responded.
"Where's Prince Raj? How come you're not by his side?" Sonya asked.
"He went to talk to Shirayuki in private so I came to see you" he told her. "Listen I know things didn't work out between us and that's mostly because I didn't treat you as a priority and I want you to know that I fully support your relationship with Obi. I hope we can still be friends" he continued. Sonya was a little surprised by this. She then smile with a nod and gave her friend a hug.
"Of course Sakaki and I promise soon I will come visit everyone in Tanbarun as well" She told him. Sakaki returned the hug.
"I look forward to that day. Princess Rona won't stop asking about you" he mentioned. Sonya giggle in response as she let go of him.
"I'm sure she's not gonna be happy when you tell her the news" She commented.
"Yeah I'm sure as well" he responded. "By the way if you're looking for Prince Zen and the others I saw them out on the balcony just down the hall" he added figuring Sonya was looking for the young Prince.
"Oh thanks Sakaki it's almost like you can read my mind" She giggled as she walked away. Before she went to see Zen and the others she stopped by her room and changed clothes. She decided on a more casual dress and a pair of comfortable ankle boots. She also let her hair down and left it alone. She then made her way to the balcony where Zen and the others were hanging out.
"Mind if I join the party?" Sonya asked teasingly.
"Not at all. Congrats Commander" Mitsuhide said teasingly with a wink.
"Zen you did great in the ceremony. You handled everything perfectly" Sonya complimented.
"Thanks and congratulations. You know now you can basically order Lord Haruka around" Zen joked.
"Honestly that's probably the most fun I'm going to get out of this position" Sonya commented.
"You always did like torturing him" Mitsuhide noted.
"Oh come on. Half the time he deserves it." Sonya defended.
"yeah true but he's been well behaved recently" Zen noted.
"So Zen, did you know about my promotion? Cause I had no idea he was going to make an announcement like that at his own coronation." Sonya questioned.
"No, you of all people know my brother doesn't tell me anything" he responded.
"Yeah good point" she replied.
"What happened to the gown?" Obi asked.
"I took it off. I told you, it was uncomfortable and it wasn't just because of the occasion" She answered.
"But you looked so pretty in it" he noted.
"I don't care if I looked drop dead gorgeous in it. I wasn't keeping it on" She voiced.
"Well you look gorgeous in anything to be fair" Obi countered. This made Sonya's face turn as red as Shirayuki's hair. Shirayuki giggled at Sonya's reaction.
"You two are cute together" Shirayuki commented.
"So are you and Zen" She responded teasingly causing both her and Zen to blush. The others laughed in response.
"So Sonya, we're having our own little party later. You wanna join?" Mitsuhide invited. Sonya shook her head.
"Nah I'm good. I'm actually a little tired so I'm probably just gonna go to bed" She replied.
"I'll walk you to your room" Obi offered.
"That's not really necessary Obi" She told him.
"But I insist" Obi countered. Sonya sighed knowing Obi wasn't going to give up.
"Fine, I'm too tired to argue with you" Sonya said giving up. Sonya left the balcony with Obi following behind. "You know you really are persistent" she then commented.
"I just wanted to spend a little time with you." he defended. Sonya sighed again as she grabbed his hand to hold.
"Sorry I'm just not used to this yet" She mentioned. The two walked across the castle holding hands. They eventually reached Sonya's room. "Well goodnight Obi. Thanks for escorting me" she said before walking into her room leaving him in the hall. She began to shut the door but Obi stopped it with his hand midway.
"What's wrong?" She asked him confused.
"Don't you think you're forgetting something?" he asked in response. Sonya just silently looked at him confused. Obi sighed as he decided to take the initiative and he leaned for a kiss. Even though the two were together Sonya was still surprised when Obi suddenly kissed her. Sonya cupped his cheek in her hand as she kissed him back. Obi grabbed her by the waist pulling her closer to him. Sonya used her free hand to grip his shirt. They heard a noise down the hall causing the two to break apart. Sonya looked around yet there was no one in sight.
"Wow that was quite the goodnight kiss" She joked with a smile on her face.
"I can't believe you almost forgot" Obi teased.
"Again, not used to this" She defended as she blushed.
"Well get used to it cause tomorrow during break I'm taking you out to celebrate your promotion" Obi told her.
"As in…like a date?" She questioned. Obi nodded his head. Sonya then wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a peck on the cheek.
"I'm looking forward to it then" She whispered to him.
"I love you" he whispered back to her which took her by surprise. "What's with that look?" he then asked.
"Sorry it's been awhile since I heard you say that" She replied. "I love you too by the way" she added.
Things worked out for everyone. Sonya took her place as the Commander of the Royal Guard and stayed in Wistal while Shirayuki, Ryuu, and Obi returned to Lyrias. Zen handed over his reigns on Obi to Sonya, however she told him to continue his job of being Shirayuki's guard. She also told him not to call her Master because it would be too weird since they're in a relationship. Kiki proposed to Mitsuhide and even though he turned her down the two remained close friends. Eventually Sonya did go to Tanbarun like she had promised and told the young prince and princess the news of her new title. She also took the time while in Tanbarun to visit the southern mountains where she grew up. There she stood in the spot where the pharmacy her parents owned was and also the place she once called home.
"Things have changes since I was last here. Mom and Dad I know things were rough and you made a lot of sacrifices including your own lives. I hope you're looking down on me and are proud of everything that I've accomplished. When I left Tanbarun I was just an herbalist. Then I became an assassin in order to protect the people I care about. However, I decided I wanted to do more than that. I wanted to protect an entire country. So I got a job at Wistal Castle in Clarines as a soldier. The First Prince of Clarines was so amazed by my skills he made me his aide. The Wistalia brothers treated me as part of the family and I'm forever grateful for that. Now the First Prince is King and he made me the Commander of his army. I wish you both were around to see this. You wouldn't have to struggle anymore. I can be the daughter that supports her parents so they don't have to worry about money." Sonya stated before taking a breath.
"I want you to know I'm happy now and I hope that up their you're smiling down on me and are proud of the path I've taken. I've met so many great people including the person I love so deeply. Anyways, even though it's been nine years and there's nothing here now. It feels nice coming to the place I once called home" She continued. She placed a flower on the ground. It was a flower that her mother was rather fond of and always had them placed throughout the house.
"Goodbye for now"