The Imperial Castle seems in a different mood today. Crystal chandeliers hang high above the ceiling, shedding light on each of the castle’s corners. Bouquets bring life to the usual dreary scene. Delicate paintings and the velvet carpet, as if the sight of an old, dusty castle has wholly vanished. As the one who has spent all her life in the old mansion, Amber can’t help but look around in utter astonishment. Though have been here for a few months, the shocking expression can’t leave her widening eyes for a second. Place her hand on the exquisite golden frame, her fingers tracing the velvet curtain that hides the painting behind.

“Amber.” A familiar voice stops her. “Time to go, her Majesty is waiting for us.” Smiling gently at her is Sheritre, with a wooden, curved hyacinth cane in her hand. She was still the Sheritre she knew, but this time, her silver eyes were forever asleep under the white cloth. Quickly running to her side, Amber wrapped her hand in hers. “Greetings, the High Priest.” The servants bow at them, then harmonize with the bustling sound of the castle. “It’s coming, isn’t it? The day we have been waiting for.” Sheritre nodded at her. Though she can only lean on her other senses, she can feel the joy lingering in the air. “Indeed.”

Guiding Sheritre to the wooden door, she then gently knocked on the door. Welcomes them is the Queen of Averi, Evelyn Ashworth. Wearing a simple dress with her golden hair untied, she leans on the window. The bustling sound of her people cheering outside brings a smile to her face. “Your Highness.” Her charming smile was even brighter when seeing them. “Sheritre, Amber, you don’t have to come here.” Though saying that, her expression showed the contrast. Taking their hands in hers, she is clearly grateful for their presence. “Your Highness, the time has come. How come you have still not prepared?” asked Amber in a worried tone. Sheritre sighed at Evelyn’s reluctant smile. “I will find someone to help.” With her departure, only Evelyn and Sheritre were alone in the room.

“Can’t believe we have come this far.” Evelyn turned her attention to the lively scene outside. Some parts of her still think this is just a dream, an illusion. Sheritre leans on her cane, lightly shaking her head. “You built this day with your own hands. This day is yours.” Sheriche senses her desire to assist, but she politely declines. Being unable to see surely brings some difficulties. Favored by the gods, she is bestowing a greater blessing than ever before, the ability to foresee and judge. Yet, her hand still reaches out to Evelyn, only finding relief when her fingertips touch her soft skin. “Though I couldn’t see, I’m sure you will be the most beautiful, the greatest Empress of all.” A hint of tears glittering in the golden eyes. ‘I will accompany you in every step of your reign.” A determined smile curved on Evelyn. “I won’t disappoint you.” Patting her hand softly, Sheriche smiled back. “You have never been and will never be.”

The time has almost come. Consuls and commanders of Averi and Hyram fill the room with the most exquisite clothes. The embroidery of the lion and the dragon fell into the pleasant chat. With utter solemnity, they all await the final moment. The final note of this devastating song. Never could they imagine this day, the day the golden lion and the crimson dragon, finally returned to the embrace of the maiden. The power only lies in the honorable heart of the true heir. Hiding in the corner of the room is Reid, with crossed hands. Without the usual dark cloak, the white, golden clothes chase away some of the distant feelings on him. Though even just a bit of them. The neat hair reveals his charming yet mature lines, enough to catch several unwanted attentions. Well, being in a crowded place is the last thing he wants.

Then, his attention is caught by a familiar face. In an elegant dress, she waves at him. With only a silver rose tied to her crimson hair, her grace still easily stands out from the rest. “Not even surprised to see you here, in this dark corner.” Cecil laughed at his sigh. “You look beautiful, Cecil.” A compliment hiding under an apathetic tone. “Can you be more honest?" She throws a glare at first, but then smiles softly. “You too.” Leaning against the wall, the two watched the crowd ahead quietly. Soft music runs in the background, harmonized with touches of laughter. A happy ending.

Yet a bittersweet feeling stuck in her throat. “Axl would love to be here. He likes parties.” A thought escaped her lips before she could stop. In contrast to her fear, Reid smiles lightly. As if his name has cast a spell, gentleness sparkles in Reid’s expression. "He would dance all night long and drag me with him.” He added with soft laughter. “Have I mentioned Luke’s singing? He would definitely make them burst into tears from begging.” Both of them cracked into laughter. “How fast has the time become.” Cecil ponding. How quickly they come into their world just to say farewell so soon. Try to hide the tears under her smile. She missed him, so much. And she knows the man standing next to her feels the same. “They will always be with us.” Reid turns to her, taking her hand in his. “Till the end of time.”

“Let’s live the life they have protected to the fullest.”

The sound of the clock announced the blessing time. The knights in shining armor lined up from the side, and the guests swiftly rose from their seats. All await the sight of the Queen. The moment the melodies of the choir resounded, the door of the throne chamber broke open. As she steps in with a golden gown, the whole room bows in her presence. Following behind her are Cecil, Amber, and the maidens, carrying the imperial rope embroidered with the combination of Averi and Hyram, the symbol of unity. There were no ashes, no ruins, this time only utter majestically. Halo bathed each of her steps, to the throne, to her reign. The halo of hope.

The golden throne welcomes its master.

Standing in front of the throne is the High Priest, Sheritre Wennefer. With her pure cloak and the scale of justice scepter in her hand, she is no different than Themis, goddess of justice. Kneeling lightly at Sheriche, Evelyn speaks solemnly.

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“I, Evelyn Leith Ashworth, promise and swear before God and the people who are witnesses of this oath, that I will maintain and preserve the truth and fairness. And I will keep peace and defend the realm against all enemies and rebels, with the advice and assistance of my faithful barons. In my hands, justice and mercy will be done.”

Sheriche carefully places the imperial crown on her head, guiding her to the throne. With one hand holding the royal orb, and the other holding a delicate sword, she stands before her people. The halo of her crown, of her supremacy, sends each of them to bow.

“Long live the Empress!” Sheriche cried out, the scepter rising high in her hand. Following her is the roar from the whole castle to the entire kingdom. “Long live Your Imperial Majesty, by the grace of God!” All greetings before the dawn of the greatest dynasty.

With a signal from a commander, Reid steps away from the guest. Standing before the Empress, he kneels. “Reid, honor to present before Your Majesty.” Rising from the throne, Evelyn looks upon him. “The man works tirelessly in the dark. sacrifice his blood, his tears, and his life for the fate of the kingdom. My trusted ally, the kingdom’s trusted hero. On behalf of the kingdom, I wished you, Reid, to be my honorable knight, forever protecting the realm."

The golden sword lies sacredly on his shoulder. “I, Reid, do hereby serve as your faithful knight. I swore to keep this solemn oath with my life.”

With a signal from a consul, Cecil kneels next to Reid. “Cecilia Adler, honor to present before Your Majesty.” The Empress speaks solemnly. “ The woman devoted all her knowledge, her bravery, and her life to the dawn of a bright future. My trusted ally, the kingdom’s trusted hero. On behalf of the kingdom, I wished you, Cecilia Adler, to be my honorable knight, forever protecting the realm. “

“I, Cecilia Adler, do hereby serve as your faithful knight. I dedicated my knowledge and life to the Empress. I swore to keep this solemn oath.”

With a signal from a priest, Amber stepped from behind Sheritre. Flashing a smile at Cecil and Reid, she joins them before Evelyn. "Amber, it is an honor to present before Your Majesty.” The poor girl tried her best not to misspeak. “The woman steps beyond her own fear to protect her loved ones, protect the kingdom. On behalf of the kingdom, I wished you, Amber, to be my honorable knight, forever protecting the realm. “

“I, Amber, do hereby serve as your faithful knight. I swore to keep this solemn oath.”

This is when the triumph should start, to celebrate the rise of the honorable knights. Yet, only silence replies. As the guests fall into confusion, the Empress breaks into a smile. Cecil, now standing a side with Reid and Amber, can’t help but laugh reluctantly, “There they go again.”Then, from the corner of her eyes, a familiar figure. Camille, under a cloak, smiling and waving at her. Just like how she appeared, Camille quickly vanished. In the end, she is also not a fan of such an event.

The chamber is once again open, but not for an ordinary thing to happen, this time, it is a complete miracle. Stepping out from the light to welcome the crowd is no doubt the familiar silhouette of the doctor - Theodore. He enters the chamber with a vibrant wind, dressed elegantly and smiling warmly. His sudden presence alone was enough to bring utter surprise to each guest. But the one holding his hand is none other than the Lord of the North, the one rumored to be dead. Not just the strangers, but even the allies are astonished at their appearance as Amber keeps turning to Cecil and Reid with countless questions. Wearing a black cape and the usual silver sword on the side, and the golden crosses were shining on his chest. The night-like hair was neatly stroked to the back, revealing dazzling emerald eyes. The black raven flies from his shoulder to Evelyn’s hand. Like meeting an old friend, Orville happily tucks its head in, wanting to be pet. Notice a few confused sights on Theodore, Alderic's glances quickly shut them down. As if his own presence possessed power. Coming back from the hands of death, they are now walking down the path together.

“Welcome back, brother!” Her golden eyes glistered with happiness. Alderic replies with a smile. “Alderic Livius Sylvester and Theodore, honor to meet Your Majesty.” Theodore turns to the sight of his friends; apparently, he meets the relief on Reid and the little waves of Cecil and Amber. Even Sheritre, who remained silent from behind Evelyn’s back, smiled gently.

“The protector of the North, despite the wheel of fate, is willing to fight against destiny and prejudge. The fiercest warriors, the most loyal knights of the realm. This reign would be in ashes with his devotion. On behalf of the kingdom, I wished you, Alderic Livius Sylvester, to be my honorable knight, my chief commander, forever protecting the realm.”

“I, Alderic Livius Sylvester, do hereby serve as your faithful knight. I swore to keep this solemn oath with my life.", ”My apologies, Your Majesty, I wished to live a lighthearted life with my love.” Alderic turns to Theodore with a loving smile. The hand holding him tightens. For such reasons, Evelyn is in no position to force.

The golden sword now rests on Theodore’s shoulder. “The protector of the South, saving lives all his life, this time a new dawn of the kingdom has once again come into his life. My most trusted ally, my most trusted friend. On behalf of the kingdom, I wished you, Theodore, to be my honorable knight. I wished you a happy, carefree life without any burdens. Do teach my brother to behave, will you?” She smiles softly.

“I, Theodore, do hereby serve as your faithful knight. I swore to keep this solemn oath with my life, to live this life to the fullest.” He smiled brightly.

“Blessings of the sun upon your journey.”

A wave suddenly rushed at the priest’s mind, a vision coming like a storm. Of a strange world, of strange faces she never sees. “Ashworth…” Words slip from Sheritre’s trembling lips. “The world will shiver before the power of the new Ashworth.”