The throne room was lined with the nobles of Fae Society. Galnyar went down the aisle and approached the throne. A priestess stood by with the Codex in her hands. Rellmeer stood opposite of the priestess with a crown of leaves in her hands. Galnyar approached Rellmeer and knelt in front of her. “Long afore,” began Rellmeer, “the Fae were a cutthroat people, great houses vying for control of the Republic. Buried were concepts of unity and love. Now, out of love for the people, my son hath stepped up to the challenge of ruling the Republic. Galnyar, son of Embrek and Myself, dost thou swear to stay true to thy new life as Emperor?”
“This I doth swear,” replied Galnyar.
“Dost thou promise to protect thy people and defend them from threats without and within?”
“This I doth promise.”
“Dost thou wish to remember the wisdom of rulers before thee?”
“This I doth wish.” Rellmeer then placed the crown on his head.
“Rise now and take thou the Oath.” Galnyar stood up and turned to the priestess, placing his left hand on the Codex and raising his right. Before the priestess began the oath, Keshnakh went down the aisle and knelt in front of Rellmeer. Rellmeer retrieved a second crown of leaves. “Keshnakh, daughter of Gurtagh and Wulmafu, wife of my son, dost thou swear to stay true to thy new life as Empress?”
“This I doth swear,” replied Keshnakh.
“Dost thou promise to protect thy people and defend them from threats without and within?”
“This I doth promise.”
“Dost thou wish to remember the wisdom of rulers before thee?”
“This I doth wish.” Rellmeer then placed the crown on her daughter-in-law’s head.
“Rise now and take thou the Oath.” Keshnakh stood up and waited behind Galnyar to take the oath.
“I, Galnyar Almaydia, do solemnly swear,” began the priestess.
“I, Galnyar Almaydia, do solemnly swear,” repeated Galnyar.
“That I will execute my duties as Emperor of the Fae Republic faithfully.”
“That I will execute my duties as Emperor of the Fae Republic faithfully.”
“I will uphold the laws and dreams of my people.”
“I will uphold the laws and dreams of my people.”
“I will care for those that are in dire straits.”
“I will care for those that are in dire straits.”
“With the help of the now Mortal Divine Ones, I will not let evil corrupt my judgement.”
“With the help of the now Mortal Divine Ones, I will not let evil corrupt my judgement.”
“If necessary, I will give my life to save my people, should disaster strike.”
“If necessary, I will give my life to save my people, should disaster strike.” He then removed his hand as the priestess held the Codex in front of Keshnakh. She then placed her hand on the Codex and raised the other.
“I, Keshnakh Almaydia, do solemnly swear,” began the priestess.
“I, Keshnakh Almaydia, do solemnly swear,” repeated Galnyar.
“That I will execute my duties as Empress of the Fae Republic faithfully.”
“That I will execute my duties as Empress of the Fae Republic faithfully.”
“I will uphold the laws and dreams of my people.”
“I will uphold the laws and dreams of my people.”
“I will care for those that are in dire straits.”
“I will care for those that are in dire straits.”
“With the help of the now Mortal Divine Ones, I will not let evil corrupt my judgement.”
“With the help of the now Mortal Divine Ones, I will not let evil corrupt my judgement.”
“If necessary, I will give my life to save my people, should disaster strike.”
“If necessary, I will give my life to save my people, should disaster strike.” She removed her hand from the Codex and both she and her husband were directed to sit upon the throne.
“I now pronounce you Emperor and Empress of the Fae Republic!” called the priestess. As the crowd cheered, Galnyar and Keshnakh looked lovingly in one another’s eyes before kissing. That kiss prompted louder cheers of joy.
The ball would be held five days later. Recent years called the event as an Adventurous Masquerade. The people attending would have a mysterious escort and would dance until they found their lovers. They would say a code phrase as they looked for their lovers while dancing with everyone else. Once all parties had found one another, a villain would try and capture one of the guests and a hero would dash into the ballroom and fight the villain. Once the villain is slain and unmasked, the hero unmasks, then the guests unmask themselves. With their costumes a secret, the ball could last throughout the night. Right now, Keshnakh was trying to figure out who would be her escort. Arsha was giving some suggestions. “What about Quenthem?” asked Arsha.
“Quenthem?!” yelped Keshnakh. “You want me to ask Quenthem Roltam to be my escort to the ball?!”
“It’s just a suggestion.”
“With all due respect, it’s a bad suggestion! Number one, you used to go out with him. Number two, he’s got two left feet. Number three, and the most important point of them all, his eyes just wig me out!”
“And you don’t want a person with crazy tiny eyes escorting you.” Arsha simply rolled her eyes and chuckled. “Well, what about Lady Drulyar? She’s cute, she’s a very good dancer, I never dated her…and she has very big eyes.”
“Yeah, but her legs bother me.”
“Which ones?”
“The ones running down her tail!” Arsha just scoffed in disbelief.
“You are VERY picky when it comes to appearances!”
“And, sometimes, your definition of attractiveness frightens me!”
“Look, it’s a masquerade! You won’t see behind the mask or a lady’s skirts anyways! Okay, how about Lardeth?”
“…I was kind of thinking Foresna.” Arsha winced.
“He…declined attending.”
“What, why? You told me he’s a good dancer!”
“He’s not all that wild about masquerades.”
“It’s tradition, Farm Boy!” Lardeth wheedled to Foresna as they spoke in the guest room. “You should appreciate that!”
“I DO appreciate it,” replied Foresna, “but I STILL won’t go!”
“Why not?” asked Falnii’s voice as she entered the room.
“Falnii, I don’t want to have to spend the entire night looking for you guys! It’s just not fun!”
“But it’s like a mystery!”
“When was the last time you saw me enjoy a mystery of any kind, hm?!”
“Come on, you’re not gonna spend the night looking for us!” argued Lardeth.
“You know how I am with deductions!”
“I hate to say it, Arsha,” continued Keshnakh, “but with our history, Lardeth wouldn’t be a good escort for me. We…didn’t exactly part on good terms.”
“Oh dear, that DOES limit your options,” said Arsha. “Maybe I can get Foresna to come along.”
“Not you too!” protested Foresna.
“Look, all you need to do,” urged Arsha, “is dress up, bring Keshnakh to the ball, head to the corner, and say your code phrase to those in the area. We’ll be there.”
“But I’m not gonna spend the whole night dancing with you three!”
“You won’t be dancing with strangers for long. Come on, for us?” Foresna sighed.
“…Fine, I’ll do it,” he finally grumbled.
“YAY!” Arsha hugged him. “You’re the best! See you later!” She then headed down the hall.
“…The things I do for my lovers,” he grumbled.