There had been discussion if the Rhimodians would understand the meaning. After meeting Harbin, Bianca was certain he would appreciate the importance.
Diado came in with a box, and Bianca’s eyes went wide, realizing this must be the recommission of the crown jewels.
She knew that Caoimhe had wanted to do this, but she wasn’t sure why she felt this was the time to do such a thing.
Diado removed a necklace with a very wide display base and placed it around Caoimhe’s neck.
Bianca gasped as the necklace shone in the light, twinkling with an inordinately large number of stones.
What had she done?
She stared at the elegant necklace with the oddest configuration of stones she'd ever seen. If she didn’t know it was the crown jewels, she would have never guessed.
“That will be all, Diado,” Caoimhe said.
He backed out of the room, not saying anything, but his gaze passed over everyone.
Bianca spoke first, her eyes wide. “Is that what you did to the crown jewels?”
“What?” Veta asked, looking stunned at the revelation.
"I felt we all needed my mother here with us, in spirit." Caoimhe caressed the necklace's metal framework.
The bar of jewels was both stunning and off-balance. Nothing on it was proportional, and the shape was odd.
Hard and rectangular.
Unusual, for certain.
She watched as Caoimhe gave away sections of the necklace to each girl—and the pieces were small versions of some part of it. Veta received a bracelet, Freya a broach. Bianca had been given earrings, and even Eleanor received a piece, which was a hair clip.
Bianca put on her earrings and felt the little shock from the bio-coding in them. Evidently, a new, special security measure kept anyone but her from being able to wear them. “If I may, I don’t believe your mother would have chopped up her crown,” Bianca said. “Though these are quite beautiful.”
“I am pleased you all like them,” Caoimhe said. She patted what was left of the necklace. The framework and only the crowing jewel remained in the piece, right in the center. And interestingly enough, if one had not seen the other components inside it, they would never have noticed the frame was missing anything. It looked to be just a unique, ornate piece.
“And special,” Caoimhe said. “They all have been coded specifically for you to wear. Guard them with your life,” she said.
“Why?” Veta asked.
“Hopefully, for no other reason than to honor my mother.”
Veta raised her eyebrow. “And what would the other reason be?”
“I cannot say, not yet.”
Caoimhe gestured to the door where Diado was waiting. “He can come back in now.”
The dresser burst in, huffing and puffing and generally being far too stressed. “Okay, ladies, we must get you into position!”
“It is time, everyone,” Diado said, clapping his hands, his expression landing squarely on Veta. “And what are all these jewels you are wearing?”
He looked almost panicked.
“My gifts, Diado,” Caoimhe said.
The dresser didn’t look pleased, but he nodded. “As you like.”
Everyone pulled their overdress hoods on and got into position. Freya stood next to Bianca, behind the princesses. Veta led the way, though Diado stood in front of her.
