The current queen facing the new.
“Princess Asteria Faelynn Earendel,” Mother began, her voice carried by the magic in place. “Do you come here today with a clear heart and mind, to promise yourself in service of the gods?”
“I do.” Asteria nodded regally.
“Then kneel.” Mother smiled slightly, a bright flush of excitement over her cheeks.
Asteria kneeled, adjusting her skirts, and as she did so, they created a circle around her.
“We come here today, to transition the power of Day Kingdom’s crown from the traitor King Aelius, to the next in line for the throne, the heir chosen by the gods themselves.” Mother intoned, raising her hands into the air.
“We call upon Hyperion, god of the sun, who holds dominion over Day Kingdom. If you bless this ruler to take the crown, shine your light down upon her.”
This was the part that had most of us nervous. The goddess Asteria had somehow chosen her instead of Hyperion. But Mother was sure that since the glow of the heir had appeared around her, all would be well.
As glowing beams of sunlight appeared from above, shining through the domed crystal window on the ceiling above, they fell directly on Asteria, bathing her alone in the light of the sun…
Mother was proven correct.
She opened her mouth to continue, a smile firmly in place from the moment the sunbeams appeared, when starlight suddenly shot through the window, shimmering and shining, hovering around the beams of sunlight and joining it in caressing Asteria’s skin.
The crowd murmured in wonder, having never seen such a thing. I tried to control my facial expression since everyone could see me, but shock reverberated through me.
“We give thanks to the gods for showing their approval, and blessing the chosen heir,” Mother continued once she gained her bearings over the surprise. “The time has come for the princess to become a queen.”
She looked down at Asteria instead of the crowd. “Princess Asteria, do you promise to love, protect, and serve the citizens of Day Kingdom as your own?”
“I do.” Asteria nodded her head once.
“Do you promise to honor the gods who have given you this blessing?”
“I do.”
“Do you promise to uphold and respect the tradition and laws of the land?”
There was a small pause, and I swore I couldfeelAsteria’s smile as she responded.
“I promise to uphold and respect the traditions and laws that deserve it, and to improve and adjust the ones that don’t.”
A cheer went up from the back, the humans present showing their appreciation for her answer. She was better at this than I’d expected, but I also knew it was entirely genuine and not any kind of political ploy. Calix’s proud smile was prominent as he watched her, and I saw similar ones on the faces of all his people.
Mother even looked proud, and I knew she struggled with Asteria’s attitude toward this. She clearly enjoyed the reaction. However, her political mind saw the benefits of having these additional bodies at her disposal. I saw several more fights coming to pass about this in the future.
“Then, as the current queen of Day Kingdom, let it be known that I renounce King Aelius on behalf of Day Kingdom and its citizens.” Mother swallowed hard, and I could tell that despite the years of planning, this was difficult for her.
Father may have never been much of one to me, but hewasher mate. I knew there was no way it didn’t hurt her deeply. But Mother had always been willing to do whatever it took to protect her children.
She nodded to me, and at that signal, I turned and picked up the crown from the podium. It was one we had commissioned for Asteria, knowing the masculine crowns from previous rulers wouldn’t work for her. Instead, the craftsmen made a more feminine version that still fit the aesthetic of the traditional crowns.
It was, of course, gold, with a large golden sun in the dead center. Inside the center of the sun, a round purple jewel shone brilliantly. Clouds crafted of star opal, chosen for both the white hue and it being a major export of Day, sat on each side of the crown. Curved golden rods held up golden stars with star opals in their centers. I didn’t mention it to Mother, but I ensured the curves resembled the shape of a crescent moon. Rows of shining light blue gems were used to line the bottom and represent blue skies, and small purple jewels and golden stars hung down from the bottom and were meant to lay across her forehead.
I handed it to Mother, who held it above Asteria’s head as she tried not to cry.
“I crown you today with the blessings of all of the gods, including your ancestor, Earendel himself, one of the kings of the gods, and Hyperion, god of the sun who rules the day,” Mother paused for a moment before a small smile snuck out. “As well as Asteria, goddess of the stars, and your namesake, to be the first ruling queen of Celesterra.” She placed the crown gently on her head, and Asteria stood gracefully from her knees, turning to face the crowd.
“I now pronounce you, Asteria Faelynn Earendel, Queen of Day Kingdom!” Mother called, and the crowd cheered wildly.
“Queen Asteria!”
