11-05-2023, 05:43 PM
Lumiere, Auria
November 5th, 2023, 9:45 AM
The day had finally come.
The Aurian Royal Palace was draped in purple banners, the royal crest emblazoned on each one. Crowd barriers divided the square into a secure area and a pen full of excited Aurians who were desperate to catch a glimpse of their new Queen. On either side of the palace steps, there were two stands of seats filled with Aurian officials, diplomats, and even foreign politicians, including Lauchenoirian President Emilia Obando and Eirian Minister of Diplomacy Alice Lancaster. A platform full of TV cameras and reporters was placed between the crowd and the steps, ready to broadcast the ceremony to thousands both in Auria and abroad. It seemed like the stage was set for a flawless coronation.
—
Queen Katherina stood in front of a large mirror, the hair and makeup stylists bustling around her. The makeup lighting was obscenely bright, and the queen had to fight all of her natural impulses not to blink or close her eyes as the stylists did her eye makeup. Is anyone even going to see my eyes from that far away? Would it really matter if I went without eyeliner?
Despite her grumbling about most of the makeup, she did have to give the stylists credit on one thing: Her prōtint tattoos. Her arms were lined with ornate images of flowers, jewels, swords, and other symbols, and the backs of her hands held the royal crest. These designs matched her outfit, which was a cut-sleeve (purple, of course) halarei with a long, embroidered train. The designers had certainly pulled out all the stops with the outfit, ensuring that it was truly fit for a queen.
As the stylists applied their final touches, Katherina heard a knock at the door. "Oh, mons kōr. You look so beautiful."
Sophie Laurent gingerly stepped over her daughter's train, standing next to her in the mirror. Her eyes were full of pride. "I am so happy that I am here to see this. You really look like a queen. Your father would've been so proud." She reached up and kissed her daughter's head, careful not to smear any makeup. "Your siblings are ready, although Tōmas grumbled a little bit about the makeup. He's always hated taking it off afterwards, though, so I wouldn't worry to much. He's still happy for you."
Sophie turned back towards the door. Katherina glanced downwards, before speaking up. "Mate?" *(Pronounced "Mah-teh," means "Mom")
The queen dowager stopped under the door frame. "Yes?"
"Tei nejem."
Sophie smiled. "I love you too. Now, come. A lot of people are waiting for you, my dear."
—
The man who called himself Daniel Benar glanced from his apartment window towards the ceremony in Theōdōsia Square, occasionally glancing towards the television to see how far the coronation had progressed. The priest performing the coronation was still reading, giving some sermon on "perseverance through hardship." The man gave a harsh laugh at that. If they only knew what's coming.
As the priest finished up his segment, he gestured towards a priestess, who brought out the Aurian High Crown from a protective case. "Bernar" took that as his cue, and he grabbed his sniper rifle from the couch, peering out the window at the tiny figures on the palace steps. I don't get another chance at this. I have to make this count.
With one eye closed, he stared through the gun's scope, trying not to put too much of his rifle's barrel out of the open window. As the priestess placed the state crown on Katherina's head, the man took a few deep, calming breaths, before exhaling fully, steadying the crosshairs on his target. Three, two, one..
BANG
November 5th, 2023, 9:45 AM
The day had finally come.
The Aurian Royal Palace was draped in purple banners, the royal crest emblazoned on each one. Crowd barriers divided the square into a secure area and a pen full of excited Aurians who were desperate to catch a glimpse of their new Queen. On either side of the palace steps, there were two stands of seats filled with Aurian officials, diplomats, and even foreign politicians, including Lauchenoirian President Emilia Obando and Eirian Minister of Diplomacy Alice Lancaster. A platform full of TV cameras and reporters was placed between the crowd and the steps, ready to broadcast the ceremony to thousands both in Auria and abroad. It seemed like the stage was set for a flawless coronation.
—
Queen Katherina stood in front of a large mirror, the hair and makeup stylists bustling around her. The makeup lighting was obscenely bright, and the queen had to fight all of her natural impulses not to blink or close her eyes as the stylists did her eye makeup. Is anyone even going to see my eyes from that far away? Would it really matter if I went without eyeliner?
Despite her grumbling about most of the makeup, she did have to give the stylists credit on one thing: Her prōtint tattoos. Her arms were lined with ornate images of flowers, jewels, swords, and other symbols, and the backs of her hands held the royal crest. These designs matched her outfit, which was a cut-sleeve (purple, of course) halarei with a long, embroidered train. The designers had certainly pulled out all the stops with the outfit, ensuring that it was truly fit for a queen.
As the stylists applied their final touches, Katherina heard a knock at the door. "Oh, mons kōr. You look so beautiful."
Sophie Laurent gingerly stepped over her daughter's train, standing next to her in the mirror. Her eyes were full of pride. "I am so happy that I am here to see this. You really look like a queen. Your father would've been so proud." She reached up and kissed her daughter's head, careful not to smear any makeup. "Your siblings are ready, although Tōmas grumbled a little bit about the makeup. He's always hated taking it off afterwards, though, so I wouldn't worry to much. He's still happy for you."
Sophie turned back towards the door. Katherina glanced downwards, before speaking up. "Mate?" *(Pronounced "Mah-teh," means "Mom")
The queen dowager stopped under the door frame. "Yes?"
"Tei nejem."
Sophie smiled. "I love you too. Now, come. A lot of people are waiting for you, my dear."
—
The man who called himself Daniel Benar glanced from his apartment window towards the ceremony in Theōdōsia Square, occasionally glancing towards the television to see how far the coronation had progressed. The priest performing the coronation was still reading, giving some sermon on "perseverance through hardship." The man gave a harsh laugh at that. If they only knew what's coming.
As the priest finished up his segment, he gestured towards a priestess, who brought out the Aurian High Crown from a protective case. "Bernar" took that as his cue, and he grabbed his sniper rifle from the couch, peering out the window at the tiny figures on the palace steps. I don't get another chance at this. I have to make this count.
With one eye closed, he stared through the gun's scope, trying not to put too much of his rifle's barrel out of the open window. As the priestess placed the state crown on Katherina's head, the man took a few deep, calming breaths, before exhaling fully, steadying the crosshairs on his target. Three, two, one..
BANG
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