Finale: Part II

One month later...

Serena stood before a crowd. The Crown of Nilfgaard on her head. She had just been crowned as the next ruler of Nilfgaard in the Temple of the Sun.

She looked to her left where many Nilfgaardian citizens bowed to her. She looked to her right to see the Brotherhood of Sorcerers nod, satisfied with her actions. She looked back to the front where a carriage waited to take her back to the palace.

Serena descended the steps of the Temple and got into the carriage. She rode back to the palace where a ball was soon to be in full-swing. Once she was back in her room, Tissaia appeared.

"Well done, cupcake. You've managed to secure Nilfgaard."

"Is Artorius mad at me for killing his niece?"

"No, he was disappointed by her fall. Artorius knows that you did what was best for the Brotherhood and all of the mages."

Serena nodded.

"Are you thinking about Emhyr?" Tissaia asked.

"No, why would I? I did not love him. I only married him to use him. Any affection was all one-sided. Plus, it's not like I can ever bear an heir. Should I take a husband, he will have to get someone pregnant. I'll remain out of the spotlight as if I really am pregnant. Once the baby is delivered, I will kill its mother. That way, she cannot come back later and say the child is hers."

"Nilfgaard needs an heir," Tissaia agreed.

"Yes, but I what I said before was all hypothetical. I plan on naming Ciri as my successor. Upon her twenty-first birthday, I will name her Empress. She is Emhyr's daughter after all. She can bear a royal son to succeed the throne."

"You seem to have everything thought out."

"I had time to do so."

"When did you come up with all of this?"

"When I was sick."

Tissaia remained silent. Then, she took Serena's hands in her own.

"You chose right, cupcake. To not choose one part of you or the other, but both. I'm very proud of you, Serena, and I'm sure your parents are too."

Serena nodded.

Then, she said, "I must go. The ball is about to begin. I cannot be missing from my own celebration."

"Of course not."

Then, Tissaia was gone. Serena sighed and walked out of her quarters. She headed over to the throne room and soon, a man announced her entrance.

Serena held her head high as she walked into the throne room. Nilfgaardian nobles and other countries' envoys turned to look at her in her black and gold ceremonial dress. She glided up tot he throne and sat down gracefully.

"Let the festivities, begin!"

She watched as people partnered up and began to dance. The musicians played lively songs and slow songs. Just as a song was coming to a close, someone walked up to her and bowed.

"May I have this dance?"

"I didn't know you danced."

"I'm a man of many talents."

"And vanity."

He laughed.

"Well, Your Majesty?"

"Please, you can still call me Serena."

"Okay. Serena, may I ask you for this dance?"

She smiled.

"You won't take no for an answer, will you?"

"Not at all."

She chuckled lightly. "Alright, Valentin. One dance."

He smiled and led her out onto the floor. People parted ways for them and as a slow song started up, they began dancing. Valentin swirled her around the room; they had become the only ones dancing, since everyone else had stopped to watch.

"You're a decent dancer."

Valentin laughed, "Only decent?"

"Maybe good."

"Well, I think you're a wonderful dancer, Serena."

She blushed. "You can thank Rectoress de Vries for that. What do they teach you at Ban Ard?"

His lips drew into a fine line, and he looked down.

"I'm sorry, I-"

"No, it's okay."

"It's really not. Out of rashness, I destroyed Ban Ard. I'm sorry for that. I promise, I will help rebuild the school."

"Will Nera be okay with you being in Kaedwen? Or any Nilfgaardian for that matter?"

"Probably not. I have many challenges ahead of me, I know that. But I soon hope to redeem Nilfgaard and slowly build up good relations and trust again."

He looked at her and saw the fierce sincerity in her eyes.

"This means a lot to you, doesn't it?"

"Of course. Nilfgaard is my homeland, it's where I was born and raised. I cannot just turn my back on it or its people, not if I can do something about it."

The song came to a close, and they slowed to a stop.

"You're a good person, Serena."

"I've killed many."

"But to achieve a higher goal. You saved the Continent from war. History will remember you for that."

"I never wanted to be remembered. I just wanted to live my life. Now, everything's changed, and I don't know who I am anymore."

"You are a Nilfgaardian. You are a mage. But most of all, you are Serena Aep Nyr. I hope that you will never forget it."

Serena looked at him and nodded.

"You're right, Valentin. I am and always will be Serena."

She turned to looked at everyone present. Some looked unsure of her; others proud.

She had a long road ahead of her, but she knew that she could triumph over all because if she could be Aretuza's hope, then she could be Nilfgaard's too.