Chapter 74 - Royal (Part 2)
Near the entrance, a group of knights stood at attention, their armor gleaming in the soft light. Despite their stoic expressions, they too couldn't help but speculate in hushed tones.
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"Stand straight," hissed a senior knight to his younger comrade. "Whatever's happening, we need to be ready."
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"Yes, sir," the younger knight replied, adjusting his posture. "But... do you have any idea what's going on?"
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The senior knight's eyes narrowed. "I've heard rumors. Some say it's about the traitor, others think it's about war. All I know is, something big is coming."
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A holy knight, his white armor adorned with religious symbols, leaned in. "Whatever it is, may the gods guide us through it."
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As the conversations continued to swirl throughout the hall, the tension in the air grew thicker. Nobles debated politics and succession, commoners worried about their daily lives, clergy prayed for divine intervention, servants gossiped about secrets overheard, and knights prepared for whatever challenge might arise. The grand Coronation Hall, usually a place of ceremony and tradition, had become a cauldron of speculation and anxiety, all waiting for the moment when the true purpose of this extraordinary gathering would be revealed.
As the first light of dawn crept through the windows of the Royal Coronation Hall, a hush fell over the crowd as the royal family members were escorted in. Their appearance was a stark contrast to their recent imprisonment, each adorned in finery befitting their status, though their faces betrayed a mix of confusion and apprehension.
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Lady Aeliana Emberheart entered first, her emerald gown shimmering as she walked. Behind her came Prince Baelor, his young face set in a determined frown. Princesses Arabella, Seraphina, and Astrid followed, their matching silk dresses rustling softly as they moved.
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Princess Lilith De Lyria Von Draken Mistglen De Zorathian strode in next, her regal bearing at odds with the uncertainty in her eyes. Her sons, Princes Fenris, Eamon, and Idris, flanked her, their ornate doublets gleaming in the early morning light.
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Queen Daleyza Limonizer De Carna Domino entered with her children, Princess Isabella and Prince Tarian. The queen's golden gown seemed to catch every ray of light, while her children's attire complemented her own in shades of amber and bronze.
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Lady Zephyra Skywhisper glided in, her silver-blue gown flowing like water. Her sons, Princes Galen, Alaric, and Lucian, followed closely, their matching azure tunics a testament to their mother's house.
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Lastly, Lady Lily Furia entered alone, her crimson dress a stark contrast to the others, her childless status apparent in her solitary entrance.
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As they were led to their designated places, whispers of confusion rippled through the royal group. Prince Baelor leaned towards his mother, his voice barely audible. "Mother, what is happening? Why have we been brought here after our imprisonment?"
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Lady Aeliana shook her head slightly, her eyes darting around the hall. "I know not, my son. We must remain vigilant."
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Princess Lilith's eldest, Prince Fenris, clenched his fists at his sides. "This must be some sort of trick. We should demand answers!"
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His mother placed a calming hand on his arm. "Patience, Fenris. We are surrounded by knights. We must not act rashly."
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Indeed, the royal family was closely guarded by a contingent of knights, their armor gleaming and their expressions stoic. These warriors had been given explicit orders to prevent any outbursts or attempts to flee.
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Queen Daleyza whispered to her children, "Isabella, Tarian, stay close. Something momentous is about to occur, though I know not what."
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Lady Zephyra's eyes narrowed as she surveyed the hall. "My sons," she murmured, "be prepared for anything. This gathering is most unusual."
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As the royal family settled into their positions, the tension in the air was palpable. They stood, resplendent in their finery yet clearly ill at ease, a stark reminder of the precarious nature of power and the swiftness with which fortunes can change. The knights remained vigilant, their presence a clear warning against any rash actions, as the assembled crowd waited with bated breath for the next act in this unfolding drama.
The grand Coronation Hall fell into an expectant hush as the herald, clad in ceremonial robes of deep crimson and gold, stepped forward onto the raised platform. His voice rang out with practiced authority, echoing through the cavernous space.
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"Presenting Her Highness, Princess Luxana Zen Inara De Carna Mera Domino, the Twelfth Princess of Domino!"
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The massive double doors at the far end of the hall groaned open with deliberate grandeur, revealing Luxana standing at the threshold. The crowd collectively inhaled as her figure came into view, a vision of commanding elegance and regal power.
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Luxana began her walk down the aisle with unshakable confidence. Her gown was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, woven from fabrics that seemed to defy reality. The base was a deep black, shimmering with an almost liquid sheen that caught the light like obsidian under a full moon. Crimson accents ran like veins of molten lava along the bodice and skirt, creating an intricate design of flames that licked upward toward her shoulders. The neckline was daring yet sophisticated, plunging slightly to reveal a silver pendant shaped like a phoenix rising from ashes. The sleeves were fitted at the top but flared dramatically at the wrists, trailing behind her like smoke in her wake.
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The skirt flowed to the floor in layers of cascading silk and velvet, each step revealing glimpses of an inner lining embroidered with fiery red and gold threads. A subtle slit on one side allowed her movements to remain fluid and graceful while hinting at strength beneath her poise. Her train stretched several feet behind her, carried by two young attendants dressed in simple white robes, their heads bowed in reverence.
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Her hair, once bright orange like a blazing flame, now gleamed like obsidian stone under the soft glow of the chandeliers. It was styled in an intricate updo adorned with delicate black and ruby hairpins shaped like falling embers. Her eyes burned with intensity—ruby red, so piercing it seemed to see through every soul in the room.
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As she moved forward, the crowd parted before her like waves yielding to a ship's prow. Nobles bowed their heads slightly; commoners stared in awe; clergy members murmured prayers under their breath. The knights stationed throughout the hall stood straighter, their armor clinking softly as they adjusted their stances to attention.
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The raised platform where Luxana approached was draped in crimson velvet embroidered with silver flames—a motif repeated throughout the hall as a symbol of renewal and power. The Pope from earlier stood at its center, his expression carefully neutral but his posture betraying a hint of unease. Behind him loomed an empty space where a throne should have stood—a glaring absence that did not escape anyone's notice.
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Luxana ascended the steps leading to the platform with measured grace. Each step she took seemed to echo louder than it should have, as though even the stones beneath her feet acknowledged her presence. She stopped before the Pope and inclined her head ever so slightly—not in deference but as an acknowledgment of his role in what was about to unfold.
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The hall remained silent except for the faint rustling of fabric and the occasional clink of armor as everyone awaited what would come next. Luxana’s presence filled every corner of the room, commanding attention without uttering a single word.
The Coronation Hall was silent, save for the faint rustle of fabric and the soft clink of polished armor. All eyes were fixed on the raised platform at the far end of the hall, where the Pope stood, his hands clasped tightly before him. The absence of a throne behind him loomed large in everyone’s minds, a glaring anomaly in a ceremony so steeped in tradition. The tension in the air was palpable, thick enough to weigh on every chest.
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The herald stepped forward once more, his voice ringing out with ceremonial precision. "Let it be known to all present that we now proceed to crown Luxana Zen Inara De Carna Mera Domino, Twelfth Princess of Domino, as 106th Queen of this realm."
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The crowd stirred slightly, murmurs rippling through the gathered nobles, clergy, and commoners alike. But as the words settled over them, a reverent hush returned.
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The Pope raised his hand, signaling for the sacred rites to begin. Two holy knights stepped forward, carrying a golden basin filled with shimmering holy water and an ornate vial containing consecrated oil. The choir began to sing softly in the background—a hymn that spoke of divine favor and eternal sovereignty.
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Luxana stood at the base of the platform, her head held high and her presence commanding. Her gown seemed to come alive under the light of the chandeliers—black silk glimmering like starlit midnight, with crimson flames embroidered along its edges that flickered as if truly aflame. The long train trailed behind her like molten lava, carried by her two attendants who moved with practiced grace.
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She ascended the steps slowly but deliberately, her every movement exuding confidence and purpose. When she reached the top, she turned to face the Pope, her zircon blue eyes locking onto his with an intensity that made him falter for just a moment.
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The Pope cleared his throat and gestured for Luxana to kneel before him. She did so gracefully, lowering herself onto a crimson velvet cushion placed at the center of the platform. The choir’s voices swelled as one of the holy knights handed the golden vial to the Pope.
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"This oil," he intoned solemnly, "is a symbol of divine blessing and eternal wisdom. With it, we anoint you as ruler of this land."
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He dipped his fingers into the oil and touched them lightly to Luxana’s forehead, her hands, and finally her heart. The crowd watched in rapt silence as this ancient rite unfolded before them.
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Next came the holy water. The second knight stepped forward with the basin, holding it carefully as the Pope dipped a ceremonial branch into its shimmering depths. He sprinkled droplets over Luxana’s head and shoulders while reciting an invocation for protection and guidance.
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As he finished, another attendant approached with a velvet cushion upon which rested a magnificent crown—crafted from gold and adorned with rubies that gleamed like captured fire. The Pope lifted it carefully and held it aloft for all to see.
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"By divine will," he proclaimed, his voice carrying through every corner of the hall, "I crown thee Luxana Zen Inara De Carna Mera Domino—Queen of Domino!"
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With deliberate precision, he placed the crown upon Luxana’s head. At that moment, her hair—which had already darkened from bright orange to obsidian black earlier—seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly sheen. Her zircon blue eyes shifted once more into deep ruby red as if mirroring the crown’s jewels.
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The room erupted into applause and cheers as trumpets blared triumphantly from every corner of the hall. Nobles clapped politely but fervently; commoners cheered with unrestrained joy; clergy members bowed their heads in prayerful acknowledgment.
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Luxana rose slowly from her kneeling position, now crowned and radiating authority. She turned toward the crowd below her and raised her chin slightly—a silent but powerful acknowledgment of their acclaim.
"As the celestial orb of day embraces the argent mistress of night, and she in turn caresses the verdant sphere we call home, I bid all those gathered in my presence to hearken. I, Luxana Zen Inara De Carna Mera Domino, do solemnly avow that the mantle of tyranny shall not rest upon my shoulders. Upon the sanctity of my appellation, I pledge this sacred oath.
My reign shall not mirror the oppressive shadow cast by former sovereigns. For too long have our predecessors bequeathed naught but anguish, animosity, and invidious rivalry. On this most auspicious day, as I ascend to the throne, we witness the denouement of their legacy and the genesis of a new epoch.
Let it be known that His former Majesty, Hades Limonizer Vernoke Domino, has departed this mortal coil. So too has Lady Vespera Thornfield taken leave of this earthly realm. May the divine powers grant them clemency in the hereafter.
As your newly anointed Queen, I vow to usher in an era of unprecedented prosperity and harmony. The crown I bear shall be a beacon of hope, not an instrument of subjugation. Together, we shall forge a kingdom where justice and compassion reign supreme, where every subject, from the noblest peer to the humblest commoner, shall find their voice heard and their worth acknowledged.
Let this coronation stand as a testament to the indomitable spirit of Domino and the dawn of a resplendent future that awaits us all."
As Luxana concluded her speech, the hall erupted into a wave of emotion. The crowd—nobles, commoners, clergy, and knights alike—responded with a collective roar of approval. The sound was deafening, echoing off the grand marble walls and soaring up to the painted heavens of the vaulted ceiling. It was as though the very stones of the Coronation Hall reverberated with the energy of their cheers.
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The nobles, who had initially maintained their decorum, now clapped fervently, their jeweled hands coming together in a rhythm that spoke of cautious optimism. Whispers of admiration rippled through their ranks.
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"She speaks with such clarity and strength," murmured one nobleman to his companion, his golden brooch catching the light as he leaned closer. "Perhaps she truly will be different from those who came before."
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"Indeed," replied another noblewoman, her sapphire earrings swaying as she nodded. "A beacon of hope in these turbulent times."
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The commoners, however, were far less restrained. They cheered and shouted Luxana's name with unbridled enthusiasm, their voices rising in a cacophony of joy and relief. A farmer in simple linen clothes raised his calloused hands high above his head.
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"Long live Queen Luxana!" he bellowed, his voice cracking with emotion. "May she bring justice to us all!"
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A merchant in a modest tunic grasped his neighbor's arm tightly. "Did you hear her?" he exclaimed. "No more tyranny! She swore it on her name!"
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The clergy members stood in solemn acknowledgment, their white robes glowing softly under the light of the chandeliers. A priest clasped his hands together in prayer.
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"May the gods guide her steps," he intoned quietly. "Her words carry both wisdom and conviction."
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Even the knights stationed throughout the hall could not help but feel stirred by her declaration. Though they remained at attention, their expressions betrayed a glimmer of pride and hope.
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"She has the bearing of a true ruler," one knight whispered to his comrade, his gauntleted hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword. "Perhaps this is the dawn we've been waiting for."
To be Continued...
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