18 The Coronation

When Aurora awoke, the night before seemed like a strange dream. Had it really happened? There wasn't time to dwell on her thoughts as a dozen servants burst in the room.

"Good morning, Your Majesty!" Anna said brightly.

"It's coronation day!" said Bella.

"And don't forget the babies' naming ceremony," added Candela.

The fog in Aurora's mind slowly cleared as she had a light breakfast brought in on a tray. The sisters ushered their mistress into a tub of warm water and scrubbed her hair and skin until they shone. They dressed her carefully. While the announcement of Zephyra's death had been given to a crowd from a great distance, the coronation would be held in the throne room with some of the most notable royal families. Aurora and Devrim would be viewed at close range, which would be a truer test if they could pass for a more mature Empress and Emperor Consort. The ladies-in-waiting wrapped thick cloth around Aurora's torso, giving her a more womanly shape. The dress itself was engineered to give the illusion of shape as well. The blue fabric—she was growing tired of blue—with white lace had a high neckline and various tucks and folds that made the gown appear as if it were flowing like a river. It was true craftsmanship.

Anna went to work on the girl's make-up while Bella did her hair. Candela, being the youngest, helped each in turn. Anna colored her mistress's eyelids a deep blue, tilting the paint up at the end to give an effect of cat-like wisdom. She gave the girl ruby red lips and bright pink cheeks. The overall effect was impressive.

Bella did similar magic to the girl's dark hair. She added extensions and curled them with a hot rod from the fire. The waves fell down Aurora's back, making her look long and tall. "You turned me into a different person!" Aurora exclaimed.

"Maybe on the outside," Anna conceded, "but on the inside Your Majesty is still the same."

"I hope so. Thank you, ladies."

"Glory to the Empress," the ladies curtsied. It was finally time.

The throne room was adorned with banners and decorations of blue and white. The nobility were seated by order of importance, with the highest ranking nobility closest to the throne. The rows of chairs were filled with ornately dressed men and women, all eager to get their first glimpse of the new ruler.

Looking out from behind a curtain concealing the royal entrance, butterflies filled the girl's stomach. She hadn't realized there would be so many people. Other than the week before, she had never seen so many people in one place, and all eyes would be on her. "I think I'm going to be sick."

As if on cue, Devrim appeared with his entourage. He smiled and held up a thumb, which she took to be encouraging. "Are you ready?" She asked. The boy merely shrugged. He was acting odd.

Music rang out from some hidden alcove, and Cafer took center stage in front of the throne. He smiled widely. As the tune came to its end, he opened his arms to welcome Aurora and Devrim to their thrones. The curtain pulled back to reveal the pair, and a collective sense of awe was heard. Devrim offered his hand to Aurora, both as a sign of respect and to steady her as she walked. She took his hand gracefully and walked to the throne in her high shoes, barely wobbling as she went. The audience rose as she entered and waited for her to be seated. After a dramatic pause (which she had been instructed to give), the future Empress sat and nodded for others to do the same.

Cafer remained standing between the Emperor and Empress's thrones, waiting for the room to settle into quiet. One gentleman took too long to quiet himself, and with one look from the Chief to the guards, he was removed without another word. Clearing his throat, Cafer announced, "Today is a joyous day! We have come to crown our new ruler and pledge our undying allegiance to her."

"Glory to the Empress!" The crowd responded. Cafer removed a large Golden crown from a pillow which a servant held. It was ornate and had strange symbols resembling some of the writing from the vault. The filigree on the front caught her eye before it was it was placed on her head. It was the symbol from the map!

Cafer began the ritual. "Do you, Aurora, swear to uphold the Empire of Valiant with honor and dignity, pursuing justice and defending Valiant against her enemies?"

Aurora was still staring at the crown, but managed her answer, "I do."

"With this, I crown you Empress of the World and everything on it." Cafer took a smaller crown and faced Devrim. "Do you, Devrim, swear your loyalty to the Empress? Do you promise to uphold the integrity of the Valiant Empire at all cost?" Devrim nodded once slowly. Placing the ornament on the boy's head, Cafer said, "I crown you Emperor Consort of Valiant."

"Glory to the Empress! May she reign forever." The crowd said in unison. The ceremony ended and everyone rushed to the throne to be the first to pledge their allegiance. The Council, who had been standing along the back wall since they were not nobility, came forward to conduct the mass into an orderly line. After a minute of chaos, things began to run smoothly.

Each nobleman or family would come to the base of the throne, pledge their allegiance, and kiss Aurora's hand. The new Empress hated everyone touching her, but kept her face straight and nodded indifferently. Most of the faces seemed friendly, and Cafer gave encouraging words to each subject. Once the crowd was settled into a rhythm, Zan appeared at the princess's side and bowed. With permission he came close and whispered. "Toward the back of the line, you are being watched very closely by Lord Turpilius. Except for his older brother, he would inherit the throne if not for you and the babies. I fear he may make mischief, Your Majesty."

"We shall see," Aurora answered more bravely than she felt.

At last Turpilius approached the throne. He kissed her hand and boldly looked her in the eye. "It is a shame I have not had the pleasure of meeting Your Majesty before," the lord feigned his concern. Those who could hear turned to watch the scene. Turpilius's green-hazel eyes resembled a snake, and the new empress struggled to hold his gaze.

"Really, Lord Turpilius?" Aurora asked. "I remember when you came to see my mother about needing additional land for your manor just last year." Turpilius was caught off guard. He had intentionally not introduced himself. The lord did not know that the girl had been hiding in an alcove during the meeting, trying to find a way out of the throne room without being seen. He stroked his dark mustache and smiled at his adversary.

"Of course, my apologies." Turpilius bowed his head and changed his tactic. "You look very young and inexperienced, Your Majesty. I humbly offer my assistance. Have you considered having a regent?"

Aurora anticipated this question, and had rehearsed her answer carefully. "I thank you for your concern. I do look young, and my experience will be hard earned. As for a regent, would you have considered one at the age eighteen? I will lean on the wisdom of the Council and my husband until I am more confident." The Empress eyed him coolly, which frustrated Turpilius. He was supposed to shake the confidence of the nobility concerning Aurora's leadership, and instead she was making him a fool. He reached for one last insult.

"Ah yes, your husband. Greetings Emperor Consort Devrim. I have yet to hear you speak. I am curious if you are unable or unwilling. Does the Empress have you trained to only nod and smile?"

The air was sucked from the room. Aurora was furious, but Devrim gently touched her arm. He cleared his throat. "I would do anything the Empress desired, but no such command was given. I simply know when to speak and when to keep silent. Do you not think this is a valuable skill, Lord Turpilius?" Devrim's voice was deep and booming, completely unlike how he had sounded the night before. Aurora's mouth opened slightly in awe. Had she not been watching her friend, she would not have recognized that it was Devrim who had spoken.

The lord pressed his lips tightly together. He had lost. "I pledge my loyalty to the Empress," Turpilius said. "Glory to the Empress." Dejected, he left the platform.

Zan leaned forward, "Well done, Your Majesties! You hit him like the mosquito he is."

Aurora smiled at Zan, thankful for his praise and encouragement. But her mind was on Devrim. As they exited the platform and went behind the curtain, she looked at him expectantly. "What happened?"

Devrim looked embarrassed. "When I woke up this morning," his voice cracked to a high pitch, and he covered his mouth. "I woke up and I couldn't control my voice. It goes high and low. My attendants say it's changing." His voice modulated strangely.

Aurora slapped him on the back playfully. Now she understood his strange behavior. "Welcome to adulthood," she laughed. "Now let's go name our kids!"