“This isn’t so bad, is it?” Jordan asks whilst leading Nathan through the Accordoan waltz.

“What? Dancing?” the latter asks, almost stepping on one of Jordan’s shoes.

Jordan chuckles, “Yes, but I meant going to the coronation in the first place.”

“We didn’t really have a choice…”

The pair manage to finish the waltz gracefully, receiving surprised expressions from the other guests.

“Th- thanks for leading me through this,” Nathan says, once they walk away from the dance area.

“No problem,” Jordan replies, taking in the beautiful environment around him.

“I- I know this may be weird for you to do. Especially since you’re not actually gay.”

Jordan considers Nathan’s words as they wander through the Main Courtyard aimlessly, the crowds thinning out as they get farther away.

After walking far away enough to avoid prying eyes, Jordan finally takes a seat on a bench. Nathan sits beside him, careful to leave some space between them. Both boys look around at their surroundings, not daring to say a word.

Considering his words carefully, Jordan finally breaks the silence, “When you were in a coma, your friends and I had a good conversation. It was abo- about you.”

Nathan perks up and gains the nerve to look at Jordan — who surprisingly is looking right back at him.

Jordan continues, “When I first heard that you had a crush on me back in ninth grade, I shrugged it off. I thought they were just some dumb rumors that people were spreading around. Your friends also had the same thoughts. The- they actually know that I’m Florian.”

Nathan nods, his expression slightly changing after learning of Jordan’s lie. When he looks back up at Jordan’s face, he can see that he genuinely feels bad.

“At first, I thought it’d be fun teasing you in ninth grade, I kinda gave hints that I was into you without being obvious about it. Obviously, I didn’t like you back but it was funny seeing your reaction and how you changed your behavior every time you saw me,” He pauses, turning to look at Nathan.

Nathan involuntarily blushes, automatically looking away. Jordan continues, “The reason I ignored you in tenth grade is… well…” he trails off, spotting a guard at the far end of the garden.

“You see him over there?” he asks, covertly directing his eyes toward the guard.

Nathan lifts his head up and does the same, finally locating the guard after looking closely. “Which side is he on?” Nathan asks, adjusting his earpiece.

He receives static in response, “Hello? Domani, are you there?” Again, no response.

Seeing his worried expression, Jordan replies, “I can’t make him out from here. Should we try to get closer?”

“Domani isn’t answering, do you know where he could be?”

“Maybe we’re out of range? We are pretty far from where we’re supposed to be.” Jordan takes a breath and tries to think of a solution. If we’re spotted, we’d be in big trouble anyway. Doesn’t matter if he’s from Accordo or Niflheim. If only there was a way to actually figure out where he’s from… if he’s Accordoan we could just pretend we’re lost… “Wait!”

“What? Keep your voice down, I think he’s coming this way.”

“Use your glasses! They should be able to scan people, right?”

“Let me try…” Nathan touches the frame of the glasses as he looks at the guard, willing them to do something. The glasses briefly hum as they try to identify the person, scanning his entire body. Nathan’s eyes widen in shock, “That’s not a guard. We have to go now.”

Jordan tenses at his sudden change in demeanor. “I said we have to go now!” Nathan repeats more insistently.

The pair moves away from the man’s line of sight, staying close to the ground as they make their way behind a tall wall. After successfully hiding, they breathe a collective sigh of relief. “So who was that?” Jordan asks, noticing that Nathan still seems troubled.

“It’s Safay Roth… he’s here.”

----------------------------

“Ignatius’ son is the Governor General of Galahd now?”

“Yes, it was a surprise to me as well,” Maria replies. She had been a servant of House Fleuret since he was young but she felt like Ravus was an entirely different person now. Definitely not the child I once knew.

Ravus looks outside the window, surveying the palace’s grounds. “D- do you think he knows anything about Luna?” he asks.

“I don’t think he does, my lord.”

“It wouldn’t hurt to ask… I’ll see if I can find him.”

“I… I don’t think that’s a good idea. There are Imperial guards right outside the door, my lord.”

A knock interrupts their conversation. A well-dressed man steps in and bows, “I hope I’m not interrupting, Your Royal Highness.”

“The Prince of Lorenzia himself. What brings you here?”

“I noticed the guards outside were quite… bored. I’ve sent them off as I wish to speak to you about some… private matters.”

“One request before I speak to you… I’d like to see Mister Ashwolf.”

“Very well. Follow me.”

----------------------------

“Who’s this ‘Safay Roth’ guy?”

“He’s the Governor General of Tenebrae.”

“That’s it?”

“...”

Jordan sighs, wandering around the empty sitting room they're in. Earlier, Domani informed Nathan that he was to remain where he was as they were going to meet the mysterious Prince of Tenebrae.

A knock signals their arrival. Jordan walks to the door and opens it as Nathan stands up from an armchair.

“Your Excellency, presenting His Royal Highness Prince Ravus Nox Fleuret of Tenebrae,” Domani announces, following him into the room.

“Your Royal Highness! I… uh… it is a pleasure to meet you,” Nathan greets, dipping into a bow.

“Likewise, Mister Ashwolf,” Ravus replies, returning the bow.

A few moments of awkward silence passes as both parties aren’t sure of what to do. Jordan points at Ravus and then one of the sofas before Nathan gets the idea.

“Oh! Uh… please feel free to take a seat.”

“Thank you,” Ravus says, sitting down in an armchair directly across Nathan’s. Jordan stands in the corner of the room, trying to make himself invisible.

“There is one thing I wish to discuss with you,” he continues, staring intently into Nathan’s eyes.

He examines Nathan closely, judging each of his facial features. After confirming his suspicions, he continues, “Is it true that you are Ignatius’ son?”

“I… uh… yes. He was my father.”

“I see… did he by any chance tell you anything about my sis- Lady Lunafreya?”

Nathan considers for a moment… was there anything? I don’t remember…

“Uh… if he did tell me anything about her, I was too young to remember. I only remember him telling stories about Queen Sylva. I saw Lady Lunafreya with her sometimes as she tended to the people… those were the days…” Nathan trails off, holding back his tears.

“I see… that is all, thank you.”

“Of course, Your Royal Highness.”

Ravus stands up and begins to walk to the door before being stopped by Domani, “I believe His Royal Highness promised a meeting with me?”

He frowns, “Ah, yes… shall we move to a separate room or…?”

“No need, Mister Ashwolf and Mister Martenis should also hear what you have to say.”

“Well then, let’s begin, shall we?”

----------------------------

“Where the heck are they?” Rhea asks.

“How should I know? They didn’t tell us anything,” Vincent replies as they both walk down one of the palace’s many hallways.

“I thought you were following them, where were you?”

“I was trying to follow Domani but I got distracted by the Astonishers.”

“They’re here?!”

“Yeah, they’re going to be performing in front of the new queen. I was watching them set up and practice. The better question is where were you?”

Rhea blushes, “I was with that guy from earlier.”

“You mean that weird guy from earlier. What are you even thinking of doing with him?”

“N- nothing! He said he had to get some stuff done and left without ever coming back.”

Vincent almost bursts into laughter but keeps his mouth shut. He’s definitely not interested.

As the pair turns around another set of corridors, they spot Domani exiting a room. “Domani! Over here!” Rhea shouts, attracting his attention immediately.

Domani scowls and mouths “be quiet” before making his way to them, “Nathan and Jordan are currently in a meeting with Prince Ravus. I had to excuse myself as I have to deliver a speech in a few minutes. I suggest you join them before re-convening in the Main Courtyard.” He waves them goodbye and confidently strides to his destination.

“Guess we have no choice…” Vincent says, walking to the door Domani exited from.

After Rhea gives the door two knocks, they wait for an answer.

“I’ll see who that is…” a voice says from within.

Jordan appears at the door a few seconds later, “Oh, hello Miss Vitra and Mister Amicus. Hold on while I-”

“Come in! We don’t have much time,” another voice shouts, his harsh tone bleeding through the thick door.

Jordan grimaces before he opens the door fully, ushering both of them inside.

“Your Royal Highness, these two are Miss Rhea Vitra and Mister Vincent Amicus, pending members of the Executive Council of Galahd,” Jordan introduces in a practiced fashion.

After bowing in unison, Vincent speaks, “Good evening, Your Royal Highness. We hope we’re not disturbing you.”

Ravus waves them off, “Please take a seat, we’re just about to conclude the meeting.”

“Actually uh… if I may, Your Royal Highness... I think we’re about done,” Nathan interrupts, standing up from his seat.

“Well then, just one question… are we clear on the execution of the plan, Mister Ashwolf?”

“Ye- yes. Yes, we are.”

“Good to hear. Shall we all head to the Main Courtyard then?”

“Let’s.”

----------------------------

“Signore, signori e tutti gli altri. I welcome you to Il Palazzo Altemeria, the grandest palace in all of Accordo. Historically, Altissia was governed by Casa Lorenzia and we are honored to be given the opportunity to speak before the coronation of every new monarch. Without further ado, I present my son, Principe Domani.”

Domani shakes the Duke of Lorenzia’s hand as he steps up onto the podium, his father giving him a stern look as he walks away.

“Grazie, Tua Grazia. I would like to begin my speech by repeating what I stated at the inauguration of the Governor General and First Secretary of Galahd. Effective at the beginning of the first session of Galahd’s Executive Council tonight, my title as Principe and heir to il Ducato di Lorenzia shall be relinquished.”

He pauses for effect before continuing, “Moving on… I shall use these opening remarks to say a few words about Her Majesty Regina Camelia. While her reign began before I was born, she has made countless contributions to Accordo and her people since then. She is known to always prioritize the Accordoan people before anything else and I believe this commitment has made everyone — from ordinary citizens to the upper echelons of nobility — regard her highly. From my studies at the University of Accordo — whose renovation she commissioned — I have found that her dedication to the protection of the Accordoan people is practically unmatched by any other monarch in Accordoan history. I am sure her daughter will be able to continue her legacy, especially at the upcoming treaty amendment conference. On behalf of all Accordoans, I say addio, Vostra Maestà.”

Applause fills the entire courtyard as Queen Camelia gives dignified nods from her seat beside the podium. Domani joins in and waits a few minutes before continuing, “And now, for my last act as Prince of Lorenzia, I invite all of you to follow me to the Sala del Trono.”

----------------------------

It’s finally time for her to shine. Princess Caelia gracefully makes her way to the dais at the front of the Throne Room, waiting for the Duke of Lorenzia’s command.

“...and now I ask Her Royal Highness Princess Caelia the Third to approach the rostrum to sign the accession declaration.”

She does as she’s told, taking the quill pen off the rostrum’s surface to ingrain her royal signature onto the paper declaring her faithful to the Astrals. A smattering of applause is heard as she places the pen back into its ink bottle. The duke joins her at the rostrum, “Is Her Royal Highness willing to take the oath?”

“I am willing,” she replies.

The entire oath is administered in Accordoano but she’s not worried. After all, she’s fluent in it and had rehearsed her replies many times.

After concluding the entire oath ceremony, an attendant presents the crown to the duke. Everyone in attendance rises from their seats as the duke brings it above her head.

“Siete pronti?” he whispers.

She nods, “Pronto come sarò mai.”

Once the duke places the crown on her head, she stands up from the throne to thunderous applause. Putting on a practiced smile, she looks around the entire room.

After a couple of minutes, the applause finally dies down. The duke hands her the Royal Trident (representing the monarch’s command of the sea and its tranquility) and Sceptre (said to be the first King of Accordo’s weapon of choice while also representing the monarch’s power).

Now wearing her entire regalia, she raises the trident, “Gloria al mare!”

The attendees reply with the same spirit, “Gloria al mare!”

She puts the trident down before raising the sceptre, “Gloria a Accordo!”

“Gloria a Accordo!” the guests respond, seeming to embody the voices of Accordoans from the farthest reaches of the archipelago.