Chapter 29:
The Barrister From Beyond
Myradel’s dawn painted the marble castle gold. Broken thrones were replaced by an ornate stone throne adorned with rubies and gemstones and a carved phoenix on the back. Amber stood in front, draped in a red cloak with a deep blue dress underneath.
After three days of ousting Alaric from power, word of the princess returning to restore justice to the land had spread to the furthest corners of Ur. Nobles, peasants, and workers from all across the Kingdom gathered in the throne room to witness the coronation of their new queen.
My tie and suit were now replaced by a black cloak and aristocratic clothing, with a gold phoenix emblem embossed at the very back, as I stood beside Lucius, Faelar, and Jaeger while Amber took a seat on the throne.
“By the divine grace of the Ashvale blood that flows through you, do you, Ambrose Ashvale, solemnly swear to protect and defend the sovereignty of Ur, to face all enemies foreign and domestic with unwavering courage, and to hold your people safe beneath the shadow of your crown?” said the priestess, draped in white and carrying a gold crown that seemed to be two wings of a phoenix meeting each other.
“I do,” Amber replied, her gaze on the crowd before her.
“May the All-Mother’s light bless this crown and seal your oath to justice, Ambrose Ashvale.” She placed the crown on her head, cheers erupting from within the crowd as Amber waved to the audience.
“Faelar of The Forest,” Amber called out, prompting Faelar to ascend the steps to the throne and kneel before her. “For your unwavering bravery and strength lent to me throughout my journey,” she grabbed a sword from the priestess and proceeded to tap both of Faelar’s shoulders. “I grant you the title of Commander, responsible for leading the royal guard of Ur.”
The cheers for the newly crowned Queen Amber, Ambrose Ashvale, were deafening, echoing off the high marble ceilings of the throne room. The polished stone throne, now adorned with the blazing phoenix symbol of her House, suited her perfectly. The red cloak fell around her shoulders like a mantle of fire.
"I thank you, Your Majesty," Faelar's voice was low and rough with emotion as he accepted the title, rising to stand respectfully to the side of the throne.
"Lucius Van Moore," Amber called next, her voice clear and strong over the subsiding applause.
Lucius, who had been standing beside me, straightened his shoulders and ascended the steps with the practiced gait of a career soldier. He knelt before the throne, his scarred face alight with pride.
Amber held the sword, the historic piece passed down by the priestess, and proceeded to tap both of his shoulders. "For your decades of unwavering loyalty, service, and for ensuring the people of Myradel were brought safely through the night of our return, I grant you the title of Field Marshal of Ur. You will oversee the defense of our borders and lead the entire Urian military alongside Commander Faelar."
"My life is yours, Your Majesty," Lucius affirmed, his bow deeper than before. He rose and took his place beside Faelar. The nobles murmured their approval, recognizing the swift and decisive command structure being put in place.
She then turned her gaze to Jaeger, who was nervously adjusting his borrowed aristocratic tunic.
"Jaeger of Luxion," Amber called out, a genuine smile finally breaking through her regal composure.
Jaeger lumbered up the steps, his huge frame dwarfing the space, and knelt awkwardly before the throne. "Ma'am," he mumbled, causing a few relieved chuckles to ripple through the nobles.
Amber tapped his shoulders with the blade. "For your unmatched strength and devotion as my personal shield since the day we met, I appoint you the Warden of the Royal Guard. You will be my right hand in all matters of personal security, ensuring no harm comes to the crown or the palace walls."
"It would be my honor, Your Majesty," Jaeger replied, finding his focus and speaking with a rare seriousness before rising to stand beside the other two commanders.
The priestess and nobles glanced expectantly at me. I could feel the weight of every eye, the commoners who saw a foreign face, and the nobles who knew I was the mind behind the coup.
I ascended the steps, resisting the urge to kneel. This was not a military rank, but a political post, and it needed to be acknowledged as such. I stopped just short of the dais, bowing formally instead.
"And finally," Amber said, her voice dropping to a low, powerful register that commanded complete silence, "the man who brought the fractured pieces of the Ashvale legacy back together. The man whose wisdom guided our return."
I took a look at Amber, unable to resist smiling ear-to-ear, as she did her best to hold onto her serious, regal expression.
“Don’t laugh,” I mouthed to her, as she pressed her lips tightly.
“Aizawa Itsuki from the East,” she cleared her throat, “for your unwavering loyalty, cunning mind, and wisdom.” I knelt before her, the sword tapping my shoulders. “I appoint you as my personal advisor in running the kingdom.”
The whispers started immediately, louder than for any other appointment. A foreigner in a role of such influence was unheard of.
"It is my purpose, Your Majesty," I replied, bowing again, acknowledging not the rank, but the mission.
As I took my place a half-step behind the throne, Amber raised her hands, and the cheers erupted anew, drowning out the murmurs of doubt. The coronation was over. The revolution had its Queen, its army, and its strategy. Now, the defense of the realm had to begin.
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