The Lodjan ambassador entered the Throne Room in the Hall of Brilliance once she was announced, thrice. She had followed the protocol having done this before. After entering the Lodjan Noble bowed low at the waist, she took twelve steps, bowed again in the same fashion. Then nine steps, bowed; six steps, again another low bow. The final three steps ended with the Lodjan ambassador falling to a full kowtow. Ambassadors were instructed to follow Court Procedure to the letter when presenting themselves before the Daughter of Heaven, else their credentials would be revoked and they would be deported from the country.
A gong rang resonating through the Hall, the Lodjan ambassador lifted her head from the ground and remained kneeling, eyes down. “Honorable and genial, the Divine Queendom.” Ehtelë spoke loudly on behalf of his mistress, “Lodja shines bright upon Mundus, blessed by Heaven and Earth. Fortune and glory.”
“The Great Tercenë govern with integrity and fortitude,” The Lodjan noble said, answering a compliment with another as things were done in here. “Arda Tuluva is the beacon the lights the way. Honor and glory.”
“Honor and glory.” The Empress’ ómari bowed his head, “The Ambassador from the Divine Queendom of Lodja had a petition to present before the Daughter of Heaven, She Who Commands Harmony.”
The Lodjan Noble had a thin wooden box that she held out, another servant came to claim it as she spoke, “Oh Sublime and August Majesty, tidings of fortune come from the Isle of the Goddess! Sessifet has chosen her vessel, who has taken the name Klara II.”
The Empress received the opened box with the official invitation from Varlaam Kohut, the Father of the Queen. Of course, the Autárimë Empress knew of these events from her ambassador in Gaia. However, tradition dictated that she receive it in an official capacity. “Glory unto the highest!” Ehtelë intoned, “May Sessifet’s Guardian guide Lodja to prosperity and fortune!”
“We shall attend this Ourselves.” The Empress spoke.
It was then that the Minister of Rites, Vorondil Ohtarmenelicarë, stood from his kneeling position and moved to the carpet, bowing into a full kowtow before he spoke, “Your Sublime Imperial Majesty, radiant and inspiring. I beg before the Phoenix Throne! It is not proper for the Daughter of Heaven to attend a foreign coronation. Please reconsider!”
Many of the hardline conservatives at court also kowtowed from where they were kneeling speaking in unison, “Majesty! Please reconsider!”
High Overseer Ellālie Spānturo calmly moved to the center and bowed, “She Who Sits Above All Thrones, Oh Majesty, Great and Wise. The stars and omens are in favor of the decision of the Daughter of Heaven.” Before any further protest the Imperial State Astrologer continued her argument, “The Phoenix Throne declared the Crown of Lodja a friend by the infallible Will and Wisdom of Her Most Sublime and August Majesty.”
“Your dissent, Minister, was in the interest of the State and for Our wellbeing, however misguided. Your loyalty and concern are noted. This transgression shall be forgiven. Yet remember Minister, the Phoenix Throne has a long memory that does not forget.”
“The Daughter of Heaven is benevolent. Your servant bows in respect and thanks the Throne for such generosity and absolution.” The Minister of Rites said slinking back to his position in Court.
The Empress stood as to servants opened the beaded curtain, “Ambassador. It is with great pleasure that We accept this invitation to attend the Coronation of Lodja’s new Queen and the last rites of Our dear departed friend.” Looking out at her ministers, “We leave the governance of Our empire into the capable hands of Our most trusted ministers. Let it be known that We shall go
under the veil while We are in Lodja. So let it be written.”
“So let it be done.” Everyone in the Hall said bowing as the Empress departed.
The Empress and the Ingaran listened to Princess Nessanië's account of the selection process as they were driven from the airport to the Isle of the Goddess. Although the Empress read the full report, the Princess felt obligated to give the Daughter of Heaven her own personal opinions. Nessanië was, after all, a civil servant and official reports to the Grand Secretariat were suppose to be written without bias and only with facts; little to no personal opinions.
"She is more independent thinking that the others, Majesty." The Princess said, speaking of Tatiana, "Assertive and direct. She understands Lodja and what needs to be done. A respect for tradition, but also of adaptation. She might be willful, but I think the burden of rule will temper her. She is too clever to become Besarian's puppet, I suspect much to his vexation."
"The Conclave, Nessanë, will there be major changes to its membership?"
"I apologies to the Daughter of Heaven for I remain ignorant on the workings of Conclave appointments."
The Empress waved dismissively, "In time you shall learn the finer workings of Lodja's court and politics."
"Majesty, if I may speak freely?" She asked, the Empress gestured her approval, "The interim High Priestess is slightly... unorthodox in her demeanor."
"Whatever actions or words taken before Her Majesty are sure to be understood as simple cultural misunderstandings." The Ingaran said, "Not all are as enlightened as us, Nessanië."
The Empress set her hand on his lap, "We concur. This is why We have decided to go under the veil."
Going 'under the veil' is an Arda Tuluvan tradition used by the Imperial Dynasty and members of the Blood that is used for two reasons: to atone for a transgression or to bridge the gap between the castes. It was first used when Empresses would lead their troop into battle, so that she could command easily and so that her soldiers could speak freely to her in the heat of battle.
The Arda Tuluvans arrived at the Isle of the Goddess. The Empress and the Ingaran wore matching white silken
arlapili with red accents embroidered with ornate designs in red and orange; phoenixes adorned the Empress’ garments while dragons decorated the Ingaran’s. However, the Empress wore a veil that covered her headdress and face, it was so sheer it appeared almost invisible. On the Empress' left index finger she wore the
Polished Ring that had been given to the her on behalf of the Lodjan Plebeians on her first visit and a silver bracelet with a single charm of a Kingfisher that Vikotirya had gifted. The Empress knew that only Lodja's queen was allowed to wear blue, so she made sure that no blue adorned either of their robes for this auspicious and significant ceremony.
Ehtelë, who had memorized the roster and pictures of all the guests and Lodjan officials, introduced the Empress and the Ingaran to the parents of the future queen. She did not extend her hand, nor bowed, but simply stated, "Blessings and fortune upon your House. Honor and glory." The Ingaran bowed his head in respect. Even though she was under the veil, being introduced to Ladies in Waiting was still far to undignified for her station as she continued.
The Empress noticed the King of East Moreland speaking with the Achkaerinese emperor. King David III had noticed the Arda Tuluvans enter; as it wasn't the most subtle of entrances, their ostentatious dress and the host of servants the followed the Empress holding various banners and sigils. He bowed in respect as she nodded making her way over towards her fellow monarchs.