It was showtime up at the Castle Manius, now showered, washed, groomed and fully dressed in the clothes that befitted the occasion, was with the rest of his siblings climbing onto a horse, tradition had it that the would be Monarch travelled to the Cathedral with family and journeyed back with the whole pomp and pageantry thing. Manius waited until all nine of them were mounted and comfortable in their saddles, and then with a nod he led them out and down the road towards the Cathedral the others were riding in pairs behind him, the crowds gathered at the sides of the road were packed deep and cheered the group it was an event that the country hadn't seen for a fair few people's lifetimes, Manius smiled as he and his siblings acknowledged the crowd as they rode, he knew how much of a tough day this was going to be for him mainly on the mental side, get crowned King of Vafleon, get made head of the Commonwealth of Eswen and then once the ceremony was over there was the reception at the Castle which would see him meet several important players in Mundus's international community.
It took them about ten minutes to travel the distance to the Cathedral, when they arrived the youngest six of the children entered leaving just Manius, Catrain and the third oldest
Adela outside for a few moments.
"Are you ready?" Adela asked
"Yes." Manius said
"Then let's go." Catrain said
"Two minutes girls." Manius said telling his sisters how long it was going to be as Catrain and Adela entered the Cathedral.
Two minutes later with the congregation in the Cathedral settled and ready Manius stepped inside waiting at the back for a few seconds until he met Natalie's eyes, the question asked with a look by the First Minister and the would be King's answer given with a nod. Natalie looked to her left and nodded, three buglers all decked out in their military finery sounded the Royal fanfare. Manius flanked by Catrain and Adela made his way down the central aisle, the congregation on their feet. Natalie took a step to the side when Manius reached the front so that the future King could sit on a chair facing the assembled people, Catrain and Adela now took their places in the front row.
"Your Majesties, Royal Highness's, Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen." Natalie said "Today we come together to crown a new King of Vafleon and swear in a new head of the Commonwealth of Eswen. I did not have the honour to serve our late King Richard for that long however I have in the months since had the privilege to come to know his children and to see how they have prepared the Crown Prince for today and the days that lie ahead. Today's ceremony falls into two stages one concerned with Vafleon and another with Eswen. We will begin with the affirmation of Manius Silverwood as Head of the Commonwealth." at this point Isabella and Stella along with the King of Asmeir
Caelus Castus stood and walked to the front so now the leaders of all three constitutent parts of the Commonwealth were assembled. It was a little odd that they were for symbolic and ceremonial purposes essentially duplicating something that had been done weeks ago. Natalie had a piece of paper on a clipboard.
"The statement reads as follows." Natalie continued "By the agreement of the leaders of the Kingdom of Vafleon, the Kingdom of Asmeir and the Republic of Thaeros it is resolved that on this day the twenty third of June in the year two thousand and eighteen that Manius Silverwood be proclaimed Head of the Commonwealth of Eswen." she paused for a moment "I now invite the three current leaders of the constituent nations to affirm this declaration. Queen Isabel of Vafleon?"
"Vafleon says Aye." Isabel said, she signed the statement with a pen handed to her by Natalie
"President Lia of Thaeros?" Natalie asked
"Thaeros says Aye." Stella said, she signed her name
"King Caelus of Asmeir?" Natalie said
"Asmeir says Aye." Caelus said, he signed his name
"I now invite the people gathered here to show by standing vote their support of this declaration that Manius Silverwood be made Head of the Commonwealth of Eswen." Natalie said, at this point everyone who was going to stand did so Natalie waited a few seconds "Please be seated." everyone who had stood sat and Natalie turned to Manius with a smile "Congratulations."
"When was it decided that we were doing the ceremonies in reverse?" Manius asked
"Last night actually." Natalie said "Blame Catrain and Adela for thinking of your confidence."
"I will." Manius said
"With your permission shall we move on?" Natalie asked
"Yes." Manius said
Natalie took a deep breath as matters now moved to the coronation itself this was in relative terms the simple part of the day.
"Is Your Highness willing to take the Oath?" Natalie asked
"I am willing." Manius said
"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of the Kingdom of Vafleon according to their respective laws and customs?" Natalie asked
"I solemnly promise to do so." Manius said
"Will you to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your judgements?" Natalie asked
"I will." Manius said
"Will you to the utmost of your power maintain the Laws of God and the true profession of the Gospel? Will you to the utmost of your power maintain in the Kingdom of Vafleon the Christian faith established by law? Will you maintain and preserve inviolably the settlement of the Christian church in Vafleon, and the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government thereof, as by law established in Vafleon?" Natalie asked
"All this I promise to do." Manius said
Natalie smiled again, everyone in the inner circle knew the importance of keeping Manius's confidence high, now she awaited the procession of five Royal Guards coming down the aisle one of them carrying on a velvet cushion the crown, more specifically Manius's crown, there was a tradition in Vafleon that when a King or Queen died their crown was destroyed and a new one made for the next ruler, Manius being who he was hadn't opted for a particulary fancy one, it was more of a circlet than a crown. Natalie took the crown from the cushion when it arrived at the front of the Cathedral and approached Manius, she lifted the crown high.
"I crown you King Manius Silverwood of Vafleon." Natalie said, she gently placed the crown on Manius's head "Long live the King.", Manius stood as the call of 'Long live the King' echoed through the Cathedral. Now the eight siblings went and stood in the aisle as Manius, now the ceremony was completed, walked down the central aisle with his siblings as a sort of honor guard. Stepping out into the open air to loud cheers Manius acknowledged the crowd again which considering he'd almost got away with oversleeping on his own coronation was something. The nine Silverwoods mounted their horses again, this time for the procession back to the Castle but there was one more tradition to be observed first.
"Whenever we crown a new King in this country we light a beacon." Natalie said explaining again to the international guests who were gathering just outside the Cathedral, she felt a lot more relaxed now, she was indicating where a ready to be lit beacon that looked like it belonged in the Medieval era stood atop a stone column monument "This starts sort of a relay of beacon lighting around Vafleon as other beacons are lit." she fell silent as Manius glanced at one of his younger sisters
Elianor"Go on El." Manius said "Just don't miss."
"I never miss." Elianor said, her horse was carrying her quiver and her bow, she took the bow and notched an arrow to it, Adela lit the arrow once Elianor had drawn the bowstring back she let it fly straight into the beacon's kindling, the beacon caught fire and started to burn. Then the nine Silverwood children were on their way back to the Castle.
"If you would like to follow me." Natalie said to the international guests "We have transportation waiting for you, His Majesty King Manius looks forward to meeting you all at the Castle."
Upon arrival back at the Castle the Silverwoods got off their horses and after a few seconds they dropped their shields and there were hugs all around as they slowly made their way back inside.
"We've got the reception in the ballroom." Catrain said "So best foot forwards and all that."
"Yeah we know." Adela said
"Anything else?" Manius asked
"Yes." Catrain said, she hugged Manius "Dad would be so proud of you though probably not as proud as me."
"Thanks." Manius said "So time to mingle?"
"Cars should be getting back any moment now." Adela said "Just remember there are nine of us plus the other Commonwealth VIP's. Let's not get overwhelmed."