The minutes had ticked by while the guests took in the Temple the remainder of the pieces had clicked into place nine processions, those of the nobles, had converged on the Temple one at a time, these were the nine title holders including one proxy for the purposes of the day but it was nevertheless the usual sight of nobles on horseback with soldiers in ceremonial dress riding behind them, banners on show, and in front of them bands marched playing music associated with the various parts of the Empire. The procession under the Rosemoor banner had brought many of the remaining members of the Royal family to the Temple as well.
There was however one last procession to come from the Marble Palace, it was a small one, only a handful of people involved on horseback - Serenity led it, dressed in a white dress a cord belt around her waist held a sheathed katana style sword and hunting dagger, she also wore an icy blue cloak, which was fastened in place by two brooches the first was a miniature version of the
torque given to her as a wedding present by Nya Aland, made of fine silver and cascading blue enamelling in flowers, the second brooch was also made of silver and featured in the same blue enamel the insignia of the Ngāti Paoa iwi, the iwi that had essentially adopted Achkaerin into it. Around her neck hung her amulet of sovereignty, that which symbolized her authority as Queen of Revana. Riding with her on this short journey were her brother
Simon, wearing his Air Force dress uniform and her cousin
Sakura wearing a purple dress, then there was Astrid and her sister Lisa both riding small ponies and finally Astrid's sign language interpreter Val. The small group made their way through the streets towards the Temple and it would be about now that the Temple bell rang, alerting those within to take their seats while outside the Temple those waiting members of the Royal Guard formed a shield wall with their lances protruding from it, essentially blocking the access to the Temple.
With the guests seated it was only a matter of moments before proceedings began, standing at the front of the Temple was
Captain Cianna Higgins, the commander of the Royal Guard who marched up the central aisle to the doorway, it was all timed to coincide with Serenity's arrival in front of the temple stepping to the entrance Cianna took a deep breath "Halt!" She bellowed "Who comes?"
"Serenity Azurewind" came Serenity's reply she was speaking into a microphone so she was heard over the speakers inside the Temple "Crown Princess of Achkaerin, Queen of Revana, Countess of Midvale, member of the Ngāti Paoa iwi, daughter of the first sacred bloodline."
"Part the wall" Cianna ordered, the shields parted forming the guard of honor up the steps now as Serenity's party walked up them. Once inside Serenity waited at the back just inside the entrance while the rest of her party headed down the aisle to take their seats.
Now it began in earnest the moment everyone was now finally seated the military band stood off to one side
struck up the first piece of music as they played Serenity made her way down the aisle at the altar halfway down the aisle she was met by
Alexis Minette, the High Priestess of the Cult of Namis, wearing the white and gold robes that went with her office, it was Alexis who led Serenity down the remainder of the aisle when they got to the front Serenity stood on the small 'bridge' in the water doughnut facing those gathered while Alexis stood slightly to the side of that.
"Your Majesties, Your Royal Highness's, Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen." Alexis said "Today we come together to celebrate and witness the coronation of Serenity Azurewind as Empress of Achkaerin, for the history buffs amongst you she will become the youngest monarch this nation has ever had by just under a year. It's been said many times in the build up that this is a most unusual coronation for this nation. We begin with the pledge of the Crown, which is what we call the formal promises made and witnessed by all here."
Alexis turned to Serenity and took a few breaths "Your Highness, in front of all these witnesses gathered here today I ask you to make the promises of the Crown." Alexis said "Will you govern and serve the peoples of Achkaerin in accordance with law and custom?"
"I will." Serenity replied
"Will you uphold and defend the Constitution, our democracy and our laws?" Alexis asked
"I will." Serenity said
"Will you exercise mercy and grace in rendering judgement according to the laws of this world and the next?" Alexis asked
"I will." Serenity said
"Will you with the utmost of your strength and power maintain that this is a nation where all are equal and free regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation. Where all have the right to express their opinion and where the rights of the people to such are inviolable?" Alexis asked
"I will." Serenity said
"Do you swear?" Alexis asked
"All of these things I have declared I swear to." Serenity said, drawing the curved hunting dagger from its sheath "And my blood is my bond." she made a very shallow cut on her left hand and held her hand over the water so the blood could fall into the water.
"I invite the Consul, elected representative of the people to come forward, to give the affirmation of the people." Alexis said
The Consul was
Michael Williams he walked from his seat to the front, buttoning up his suit jacket as he went before stopping a few steps from Serenity.
"I present to the Consul of the Government, he who was elected by the people to speak for the people, her Royal Highness Crown Princess Serenity Azurewind she has as is our custom sworn the pledge of the Crown and therefore meets the criteria to be Empress, what say you?" Alexis asked.
"We the people say she is worthy and swear our allegiance" Michael said "And our blood is our bond." it was Serenity who offered Michael the dagger and he did exactly as she had, a small cut, a few drops of blood into the water before handing Serenity back the dagger before looking at her "I present to you." he continued "The ring of the Empress, symbol of the office you will hold from this day forward." the
ring was fairly simple just silver band with different jewels on it and the inscription on the reverse of the band that identified what it was. He placed it on Serenity's finger.
"And I return to you the elected representative of the people the Swords of the Crown." Serenity said, these were two swords, silver blades and gold handles they were usually found one in the Senate Chamber and the other in the Noble Moot as symbols of the Crown, those bodies only sat when these swords were present in those chambers. For the day's purposes two members of the Royal Household staff, all dressed up in their regalia took from a nearby table the two swords and brought them to the Consul, this was symbolic of the resumption of primarily the Senate's term, then they followed Michael back up the aisle.
"I now present to the Nine Grand Nobles, they who hold title over the constituent parts of this Empire, her Royal Highness Crown Princess Serenity Azurewind she has as is our custom sworn the pledge of the Crown and received the affirmation of the people and therefore meets the criteria to be Empress. I invite you now to make your affirmation." Alexis said "Aelmoor what say you?" This was the moment that
Kristina Ayanami stood up and made her way forward, she as a Cult of Helus follower not to mention distant cousin to King David, had her sword at her waist but she carried another in her hand, this was the sword of mark for Aelmoor. Keen observers would have noticed that Serenity's hand was on the handle of her own blade, this was another tradition of the day in pre Constitution days it was not unheard of for one of the Lords to use this moment as an opportunity to attempt to kill the would be Emperor or Empress. Upon reaching the ring of stone around the water doughnut, Kristina put the blade point down and drove it into a waiting slot.
"Aelmoor says she is worthy and swears allegiance." Kristina said "And my blood is my bond." she nicked her thumb on the sword and let the blood drop into the water.
"Awhaele" Alexis said "What say you?" now just as Kristina had
Queen Siora Qivalur stood up and carried Awhaele's sword of mark to the next spot in the stone ring she drove it in.
"Awhaele says she is worthy and swears allegiance." Siora said "And my blood is my bond." she nicked her thumb on the blade and let the blood drip down to the water.
"Greencliffe" Alexis said "What say you?" this was the moment that
Emma Elsif stepped forwards, this was to be a significant moment the Elsif house had essentially been banished into exile since the Achkaerinese civil war in the early 1700's and then reinstated in 2015 when Emma had come home, as such they'd never sworn in this manner. Emma walked to her spot and drove the sword into place.
"Greencliffe says she is worthy and swears allegiance." Emma said "And my blood is my bond." she nicked her finger on the blade and let the blood flow.
"Icebridge" Alexis said "What say you?" now it was the turn of
Martin Silvermist to stand and move forwards he put the sword he carried in place
"Icebridge says she is worthy and swears allegiance." Martin said "And my blood is my bond." he did as the others had done and nicked the blade to cut himself before letting the blood drip into the water.
"Rockmount" Alexis said "What say you?", this meant it was the turn of
Antonio Gliss to step forwards, going to his spot he put the sword in place.
"Rockmount says she is worthy and swears allegiance." Antonio said "And my blood is my bond" he nicked his thumb on the blade and let the blood drip into the water.
"Rosemoor" Alexis said "What say you?"
This was the likely unique moment, typically all but one of these lands swore allegiance due to the person being crowned being the last of the title holders but not this time, for while Serenity would be Empress in a few moments time she was not yet Duchess of Rosemoor that would only come to her when her father died so now Rosemoor had to swear to her, which presented the next problem Peter was in a coma but his wife
Renee Azurewind was present and it was she who stood carrying the sword of mark for Rosemoor, she put the sword in place. "Rosemoor says she is worthy and swears allegiance." Renee said "And my blood is my bond." she nicked her thumb on the blade and let the blood drip into the water.
"Silverlea" Alexis said "What say you?" now
Olivia Leonidas stepped forward and put her sword of mark in place
"Silverlea says she is worthy and swears allegiance." Olivia said "And my blood is my bond." she nicked her finger and let the blood flow down to the water.
"Snowflower" Alexis said "What say you?" Snowflower was the ceremonial term for the area of land that constituted Gowu's territory so it was
Chief Councillor Xiaoling Tsu who stood and bore the sword of mark, she went to the eighth spot and put the sword in place.
"Snowflower says she is worthy and swears allegiance." Xiaoling said "And my blood is my bond." she nicked her thumb on the sword and let the blood drip into the water.
"And finally Southvale" Alexis said "What say you?" the final of the title holders was
Leonardo Amberbrook he stood and carried Southvale's sword of mark to the final spot in the stone ring where he drove it into the provided slot.
"Southvale says she is worthy and swears allegiance." Leonardo said "And my blood is my bond." he nicked his thumb on the blade and let the blood fall into the water.
Alexis turned her attention back to those watching "I now present to the commanders of our valiant warriors, they who we call the Brave, those who fight to defend this Empire, friends, allies and values abroad, her Royal Highness Crown Princess Serenity Azurewind she has as is our custom sworn the pledge of the Crown, received the affirmation of the people and the affirmation of the Nine Grand Nobles and therefore meets the criteria to be Empress. I invite you now to make your pledge." Walking down the aisle now was the most senior officer in the Achkaerinese military
Field Marshall William Dawson, in his dress uniform and carrying an Achkaerinese lance, that was clearly more ceremonial and distinctive than the ones the Royal Guard used. He stopped in front of Serenity. "Field Marshall" Alexis continued "What say you?"
"On behalf of all those who serve I recognise Serenity Azurewind as Empress and Commander in Chief of the Achkaerinese military and swear loyalty to her as the head that wears the Crown." William said "I present the August Lance as symbol of her office and authority to command." he handed Serenity the lance before drawing his own ceremonial dagger "And my blood is my bond." he did as all those before him had done, he cut his hand and let blood drop into the water.
The ceremony was now into its final act as
the crown was brought forward by Cianna, like the ring and the swords of mark it had been made especially for this occasion, it was made of glass and designed to resemble being made of ice. The once clear water was now very much red, Alexis indicated for Serenity to sit on the chair behind her in the centre of the water doughnut as the crown reached her. Alexis turned to the congregation again "Your Majesties, Royal Highness's, Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen I present to you her Royal Highness Crown Princess Serenity Azurewind she has as is our custom sworn the pledge of the Crown, received the affirmation of the people and the affirmation of the Nine Grand Nobles, received the loyalty of our warriors and therefore meets the criteria to be Empress. With all conditions met and by the authority granted to me..." she raised the crown high turning back to Serenity "I crown you Empress Serenity of Achkaerin." she brought the crown down onto Serenity's head who smiled a little "Long may she reign."
"Three cheers for Her Majesty the Empress." Cianna said "Hip hip."
"Hooray!" came the response from those present
"Hip hip" Cianna said
"Hooray!" came the response from those present
"Hip hip" Cianna said
"Hooray!" came the response from those present
Now the band struck up once again this time with a
different piece of music as Serenity, still with the crown on her head but having handed the lance off to a member of the Royal Household staff processed back up the aisle as she approached the Temple doors she smiled more broadly because there he was, the hallucination she'd been expecting to see earlier but despite being a figment of her imagination being able to picture her deceased husband Isaac there wearing that red and gold jacket of his, that in truth hung in her wardrobe, meant something as did the bow and cheeky smile the said figment of her imagination gave her as she passed by. Waiting for her for the return journey to the Palace was a horse drawn carriage and Royal Guard escort, she would ride with her daughters and Val while the rest of the family took other carriages, the procession back would also see the resumption of the national flag flying across the land where the flags of the constituent nations had been flying for the last few weeks as things had built to this day.
Inside the Temple Esme, somehow controlling being the proud aunt, allowed the international guests some time to move around, look at the swords and what was essentially a pool of blood at this point before getting them together "We're about to head to the Palace for the Coronation Ball" she said "Which is basically a reception where you can speak with the Empress, have a dance, eat, drink and socialise. If ypu're wondering about something you've just seen the various people who've been involved in the ceremony will be there and will be more than happy to answer your questions. If you'll follow me." she led the guests outside to where the cars were waiting to take them to the Marble Palace.
Having now arrived at the Palace attention for Serenity shifted to the rather large ballroom, the music was already playing and her daughters as well as her nieces were already dancing while they waited for their guests to join them. Simon stood next to his sister giving her a supportive squeeze on the shoulder, originally this would have been his day but ever since he'd returned from captivity he'd watched Serenity grow, seen how she'd become one of Mundus's foremost international figures and diplomats, he'd known for a while that when the time came the country would be in safe hands with her and he was very proud of her.
When Esme arrived with the guests Serenity greeted each of them before pointing them into the ballroom, there was food and music awaiting them.