#ruinationtask

𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑: @vivianroan

𝑻𝑾: dissociation, mental meltdown

𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: the royal gardens 🪽

𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 & 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: February 14, 1276; lauds ( 5AM )

TASK OO1. - THE THEORIES.

The masquerade of Sotera had been both a success and a rotting failure - with the appearance of the Thorned King and a band of so called Hollows, the kingdoms of Sotera and Asteria are thrown into confusion and discomfort ; even the scheming empire of Frigoria is not exempt from the feelings of unease which followed the Thorned King’s insinuation.  There is more to the story at hand - some of the courtiers have begun to vaguely remember, as if looking to peer through the mist, a whispered tale about the New King of Asteria - that he is not the only heir, but stands as the eldest of three siblings - yet, the younger two have been missing for as long as anyone could remember… if they remembered the Lost Siblings at all. But, there are also some who say that the Old Texts in the libraries of Sotera and Asteria tell a tale about another kingdom - the third kingdom, erased from memory and existence, either assimilated into the Two, or perished for an unknown reason. Only the Council of the Omniscient ( and the members of the Empire ) know the full truth - and the secret Council of the Omniscient exchanges inquisitive glances among its members, as if to ask one another if the Thorned King has been one of their tasteless jokes - or perhaps a warning from Frigoria. In short, the Thorned King has been seen as both amusement gone awry and disruption of peace for those characters who know something - whether it is the truth about the New King or the existence of the Frigorian empire.

yinuo took a deep breath, eyes scanning the crowd. they were clapping, and it felt like a physical weight off the younger lord's chest, breathing easy against the confines of society finally releasing. ceremonies were not his forte, and if he hadn't been required to be there, he would have stayed in his quarters. he had been a little surprised at the invitation; surely a noble of asteria carried little weight at this coronation of sotera's queen to be? however, with the announcement of the new king's proposed marriage to the spare princess, the pieces clicked into place. no wonder the palace was just as full of asterians as it was soterans. if it was not a display of power, it was one of peace—and either way, was vital to the continuation of the two kingdoms as a whole.

the continuation of the kingdoms. the question, he was sure, on everyone's lips: would the peace hold? the old queen could mention the vitality of "fresh blood" all she wished; but it was also an easy entrance, a visible weakness. a lapse in leadership, especially with such an unexperienced princess coming to power. he would be lying if he said it wasn't an opening, for those that wanted it.

it all came down to the queen to be. could she withstand the might of the tides of sotera? could she hold up against the bite of the voices of asteria? could she stand fast against the winds of frigoria, those of which she could not even be aware of?

at first, it had seemed to yixin like a joke. not a good one.

but something in him felt wrong as he watched the thorned king: when he closed his eyes, those shadowy dreams felt real once again. a dizziness swept over him, a chill ran up his spine, and he knew that all of it was true. none of this was a joke or a play. there were not only Three, but there were more.

the scream that permeated the halls of the soteran court dizzied him, and by the time he realised it he had a hand on the wall too steady himself.

and once it was over, and the crowds had transformed from nobles at the height of their game to a collection of scared, sad people, he wanted nothing more than to disappear into a library and research. but he had a duty, and a degree of power not to be neglected. the queen of sotera -- the former queen of sotera -- was fast, and he wished he could have been as fast in placating the nobles, but he quickly joined her. many of the people were too shaken to continue as if nothing had happened. it was time to call it a night, to retreat to relative safety.

yixin was still new enough in his position that speaking with authority felt like impersonating his father. would the asterians watching him interpret him that way? look at this child, in robes too big to fit him, using a big voice to sound more like his betters?

it didn't matter, because it worked. he retreated with those of his courtiers to placate them, and then he returned to the party, only pale and shaken from the events. internally he battled himself relentlessly, feeling a pull to explore until he could find a library or a records hall or something where he might find information. but the scholar in him must come second today, compared to the dignitary. perhaps if he could find someone and have them study for him...

but who did he trust enough? no, that would come later.

   𝕿𝖎𝖒𝖊 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕯𝖆𝖙𝖊: past midnight, February 13, 1276

   𝕷𝖔𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓: grand ballroom of the royal palace

THE OPENING TASK - THE CORONATION

Bells ring from the tower, the cold, iron song echoing through Sotera - calling the citizens to celebrate a change of tides ; a new monarch taking seat on the throne of the kingdom of waters. Life bubbles in the streets, souls hurrying to the prestigious event - a queen’s coronation. Everything that lives and breathes on the continent is invited to Queen To Be’s ascension to the throne, nobles and citizens, old and young.  Today, in the year of 1276., the Old Queen appears in front of her people as their monarch for one last time. Standing on a marble podium in front of the palace, the Old Queen speaks to her citizens, announcing her decision to abdicate, reasoning the same way as she did in front the Council - a need for young, fresh blood is vital for the survival of a fragile peace that stands between two illustrious kingdoms ; and it is not only fresh blood that is needed, but a more intimate kind of peace, as well - a marriage between the ruling king of Asteria to her dear, young daughter. The Old Queen’s announcement causes a slight stir among the citizens, unwilling to part with a dear member of the Angorian line - the sweet, rowdy girl they’ve watched grow and mature, a girl that, in some of their minds, was more fit to weather Sotera’s storms than the Queen To Be - a kind, but inexperienced crown princess. However, their protests are minimal, quieted down by the appearance of the young would-be-monarch, taking a stand beside her mother. A regal pair of strong women, one older and wiser, and the other young and, in all accounts, untried in the affairs of governing their kingdoms. A mother and daughter, standing close to each other before Eliona turns to her daughter and even the wind quiets down in anticipation of what is to come. The Queen To Be bows to her mother as the older woman takes a silver-and-gold cast crown from her greying head and keeps it above the woman’s head. The whole of Sotera holds its breath and not a single bee dares to buzz - and then the Old Queen speaks ; “Do you swear to nurture the fields and the oceans of our kingdom as gently and justly as you would nurture your family?” “I swear.” “Do you swear to do what is right by the kingdom, no matter how difficult?” “I swear.” “Do you swear to always keep the kingdom’s best interest in mind, striving to further the peace without exceptions or hesitation to do what is necessary to keep it? Do you swear to use your powers - those given by the laws of Nature and the grace of Providence - for the benefit of your beloved citizens and all those who put themselves under your protection?” “I swear.” The Old Queen turns to her citizens, holding the crown in front of her, for all to see - and her voice calls out to nobles and commoners ; “Soterans. Do you swear to give your fealty and love to your new queen - to guide her and protect her, so that she may keep her oath?” A moment passes - a subtle tremor, before the citizens bow in unison ; “We swear!” their answering oath echoes down the street. Eliona smiles and bows her head to her citizens, before her attention returns to her daughter. “By the power of the Storms and the grace of Providence, the crown of Sotera passes from Eliona Angorian to you, crown princess.” gently, the Old Queen sets the crown upon her daughter’s head and a look of pride flashes in her eyes ; “Arise, Soleil Angorian. Arise and greet your beloved kingdom.” The Queen To Be stands and turns towards her citizens as her mother holds her hand, guiding her down the steps to the coronation throne - a carved, gilded wooden throne. She honours the attendees with another bow before she sits on the chair ; and a loud applause rings from the crowd, a display of honouring the young queen, accepting her ascension and proclaiming their loyalty to the newly appointed monarch. And so, with little fanfare and without further ado, the Queen To Be, Soleil Angorian, takes her rightful place as the Queen of Sotera and the Silvercove Islands - and the coronation ceremony comes to its end.