The fanfare was loud and cheerful. Only a week after the events in the Royal Garden, the palace staff had set to work rebuilding the wall, repairing the garden, and hosting a funeral for the departed King and Queen.

It was decided that Liara’s uncle would take over the ruling of the kingdom until she came of age. Under the new ruler, many changes were made to the Royal Guard and anyone who had been allegiant to Emile were promptly removed from their service. It was proposed that a trusted individual would serve as a “Knight” for each monarch, in addition to having a whole wing of the military dedicated to it.

And on the Tuesday after the week of mourning for the departed monarchs, a ceremony was held to appoint the first-ever Knights.

It was a grand event held in the Ballroom. The fanfare played merrily and the gathering cheered as a boy and a girl walked down the carpet stretching the length of the floor, approaching the throne that had been seated at the end of it..

Tristan, dressed in a black formal suit, Aeon in a green gown.

They both walked up to the throne and paused, two metres away. The fanfare stopped and the crowd quietened.

Liara’s uncle, Renault, stood near the microphone.

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“Today we are gathered here to honour the two brave young individuals who protected our land from treachery in the recent past. And to appoint the first-ever Knights to the Monarchy.

Two aides stepped up on either side, one bearing a ceremonial sword on a red cushion, the other holding a tray on which sat two metallic crests of the Royal Family.

“Step forth, Aeon, accepted daughter of Easuterrain!”

Barely containing her excitement, Aeon took a step forwards and bowed.

King Renault raised the sword and spoke: “I dub thee, Lady Aeon of the Royal Knights, sworn protector to Princess Sylvie, the second daughter of King Treville and Queen Lucille.”

Applause filled the hall as a crest was pinned on her chest. With a bow, she took a step backwards. “Step forth, Tristan, son of Marcus!”

Tristan took a step forwards. Renault once again raised his sword. “And I dub thee, Sir Tristan of the Royal Knights, sworn protector to Princess Liara, the first daughter of King Treville and Queen Lucille.”

Tristan breathed deeply and shut his eyes as Renault’s voice finished through the darkness.

“Hero of the Uprising of 341.”

The ballroom exploded into cheers and applause as the kingdom hailed its hero, a young boy of 13 from a poor farming village of the East.