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Nohr and Hoshido had become one in multiple ways long ago. It was before Siegbert's time, he grew up alongside his cousins like Shiro and Kiragi. It was a bit hard to grasp that they used to be at war. Of course he believed his parents when they told him as much, they were his parents. He loved them and trusted them with his life. It was just so bizarre, especially when looking at how madly in love they were.
Xander and Hinoka were royalty of Nohr and Hoshido respectively. Apparently a slight misunderstanding on his mother's part led to them getting engaged. He couldn't help but be amazed how his existence was thanks to chance. However, he was so glad it happened. He was happy with his family, and he hoped he could live up to their expectations.
One of the saddest parts of growing up was seeing your beloved parents get older. It wasn't like either of them had a foot in the grave. They were going to live for a long time, but it didn't make the anxiety go away. He just tried his best not to dwell on it. He'd never brought it to their attention, he didn't want to bother them with this.
There was a silver lining though. Thanks to their age, they could finally rest. They both worked hard in their efforts to make their respective nations appreciate each other. They ruled over Nohr with compassion, unlike his grandfather from what he's heard of the man. The power couple, as he's heard them called, practically renovated the country itself. What was once a land of decay and chaos was now prosperous and peaceful.
They deserved to rest, plain and simple. Nohr couldn't go on without some sort of leadership though. What was a kingdom without a ruler, watching over them? He had been trained from a young age, he knew the day would come. He wasn't sure if he was ready, but time waited for no man. The people needed a king, and he'd have to be just that. Whether he felt he was worthy or not. Today was his coronation after all. He didn't have time to learn any more. Behind the curtain was the stage where he'd address the nation. There was no way to delay things any further. He had to do this, no matter what. He just hoped the powerful darkness that was his anxiety wouldn't spread to the rest of the country. They spent long enough there.
His father put a hand on his shoulder and smiled. Where some may have seen a stubborn old man, he saw wisdom and courage. It was all he'd seen for as long as he could remember. Xander was not a perfect father, but no one was. He was as close to perfection as Siegbert felt a man could be.
"How are you feeling my son?"
Siegbert forced a smile. "Fine."
Xander's expression was replaced by a frown. "Siegbert. I've told you many times. A king must be strong, but they are allowed to rely on others. Standing alone would drive anyone to madness, regardless of their strength."
Siegbert shrunk. "Yes… yes of course."
His smile returned just as quickly as it vanished. "Don't take my words the wrong way. I am simply concerned, not angry. Now, what is on your mind? I'm here to listen. Not just as your predecessor, but also as a father who loves his son."
Sometimes Siegbert questioned what he did to deserve a father like him. Xander was a greater man than he, yet he suffered under the ironclad fist of a tyrant. It just wasn't fair. Though perhaps it was thanks to that trauma that he became such a strong man. He didn't want his child to suffer the way he did. Even if it took him a long time to accept that he wasn't a good person, according to his mother it took finding out that the real him was long dead, he at least always knew that the stress he faced wasn't fair to him.
Siegbert placed his hand on top of Xander's. "Oh Father I… How do I phrase this." He pursed his lips as he tried to find the right words. He didn't want to sound ungrateful or anything. "I am… nervous. Scared for this country's future under my rule. What if I… lead them down the wrong path? What if I undo all the hard work you and mother bled for?"
"Siegbert…" Xander couldn't help but chuckle. "There is literally no future where you undo our hard work. Where you take us back to those dark days. I know you. Your Mother knows you. That is not the kind of man you are. As always, you are unfairly cruel to yourself. A cruelness you have done nothing to deserve."
He looked down at his feet. Sure, it was true that as far as he knows, he hasn't done anything worthy of his self critical nature. Logically he was fully aware of that. He knew it wasn't helping anything or anyone. His heart though… it told him he had to be hard on himself. Otherwise he'd never measure up to his parents. He had to learn that hard way how to be a good king.
He looked up as he heard footsteps, belonging to the queen of Nohr. She never lost her edge, despite being royalty of two nations. She still fought with vigor some men could only dream of. Yet she was graceful and beautiful too. Her bright red hair matched his own, something he always prided himself on. He was so happy to share so much with his parents.
"He's right you know." She said. "I'm so proud of you my son." She then placed her hand on his head and ruffled his hair. "You have never brought shame on the Nohrian or Hoshidan royal family. You're a proud member of both. Lighten up, you're doing great, and you're gonna keep doing great."
Siegbert frowned. "I'm no longer a child."
Hinoka giggled. "You're always be one to me kiddo. Anyway, are you just gonna ignore everything else I said?"
Siegbert smiled. "I suppose I can't Mother. Thank you. You too Father." He nodded at the two of them. "You've always been there for me. I couldn't be more grateful."
"The same goes for us Siegbert." Xander replied with a gentle smile. "We couldn't ask for a better son."
Siegbert looked at his happy parents. He still wasn't sure if he deserved all these accolades, but perhaps he should just believe in his parents. They had faith in him. He should have faith in himself too, even if it was just because his parents did. They've never steered him wrong before.
He hoped if he wasn't ready to be a king, he'd grow into the role. While he wanted to believe that Xander was a perfect king from day one, he really wasn't. He didn't have any scandals or anything, but there was no way he didn't make missteps. As he implied earlier, he had his siblings and other people to help push him through the tough times. To help him make better decisions.
He wasn't alone, and never would be. Even aside from his parents, he had people like his Hoshidan cousins and their parents. He had so much support, and he wouldn't let it go to waste.
He took a deep breath. "I appreciate you two. Everyone who's helped me get here… you're all invaluable." He turned around and placed his hands on the curtains.
"I can do this… I can do this…"
He looked behind him again, and was greeted by a joyful smile from both of his parents. Upon closer inspection, Hinoka was tearing up. He smiled back before slightly opening said curtains and stepping outside. Upon seeing their new king, the crowd erupted into cheering.
It wasn't just his family, even the people of Nohr believed in him. They knew of him for so long, and they never had a bad thing to say about him. His birth was celebrated, and the people seemed so ecstatic to see him finally taking over.
He started feeling a bit teary eyed himself. He tried his best to hold the dam together. He couldn't lose it here. He'd have to cry about everything later. Being an emotional king wasn't necessarily a bad thing. It showed how kind and caring he was. The kind of person he wanted to be. However, he wasn't sure if it was a good look for that to be the first thing he did. Before even beginning his speech.
"Thank you. Thank you all." He began. "We've enjoyed several decades of peace among Nohrians, thanks in no small part to the former king and queen, my parents. Through thick and thin, they fought to protect both of their territories. They came together to bridge the gap between their respective nations, and I am the result. I have no intention of letting them down, or you, my lovely people."
He continued his speech, the one he rehearsed so many times to himself. The one he began to write the second he found out that his coronation was coming, even if it was years away at that point. He was improvising a bit, but he still had bullet points he wanted to cover as he addressed everyone.
"Know you can rely on me. I will protect what my parents fought so hard for. This peace… this beautiful peace. Any who dare to threaten it, to put us back in a bad spot, will be handled accordingly. The cruelties faced under my grand father will never repeat. I will protect this proud nation with my very life. Too many had to die for this future. The bright future we find ourselves in now."
He still didn't think he was going to do better than his Father, but he hoped he could at least match him. He didn't have a spouse of his own in mind yet, but he knew whoever they were, they had to be on the same page. They had to raise their own child the way he was raised.
"For King Xander. For Queen Hinoka. For Nohr and Hoshido. For Valla. For our world, for our people. I will fight to maintain the light that has graced us. I will shed as much of my own blood as needed. I will cry as many tears as I must. Anything, for this wonderful continent we call home! Thank you."
He began to choke up a bit. His voice started cracking. He guessed now it was okay to let at least a bit of it out. It was finally time. His reign was here. There was no going back now. No running away, no time to do anything but fight for light.
"For the future!"
He lifted his fist in the air, and many people in the audience followed. Those who didn't clapped, but they were all cheering. Siegbert kept his fist in the air as tears fell down his face. For the first time, he saw a future with him as king that looked bright. The darkness around him no longer loomed. His anxiety began to clear up.
He still felt pain in his chest, and that was okay. It was okay to be scared. There was nothing wrong with being nervous. Siegbert had no intention of letting it take him over though. It wouldn't take over the country. His country.
He meant every world he said. He'd do whatever it took to make sure everyone was as happy as possible. One day, he hoped he could be included in that everybody. One day, when he was older, he'd look on his reign with pride. Things weren't perfect, his time as king would not be perfect. That was okay. He was surrounded by kind, understanding people.
His people loved him, his family loved him, his friends loved him, and he loved them in turn. That love would be the force that carried them through any trial or tribulation that dared to show it's face. They'd face his sword, Siegfried. It's dark power would no doubt swallow any form evil took, and with it, he'd lead them to a beautiful new dawn.