NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: A few housekeeping things;
1. This is a closed, invite-only RP (in case no-one got it the first time). Those who are invited have already been TG'd with their invitations (you know who you are). If you want to wish the happy couple well, you can post, please keep it short and do it before the ceremony starts.

2. This is a peaceful RP: Any and all attacks, bombings, gatecrashings, and other disruptions will be ignored.

Now, on with the festivities!

IC:
The nineteen-year-old Constantus deMakra, King-Emperor of Macisikan, head of state for seven different nations and owner of more titles than he cared to remember, grimaced as the prune-faced lady in front of him adjusted his clothes for the umpteenth time that minute.
"Now, Constantinus, hold still." That voice belonged to an elderly man with a cane, dressed in the blood-red robes of a cardinal in the Maciskan Orthodox Church. On his head he wore a circlet of gold, indicating his status as Regent of Macisikan.
"You must look perfect today of all days; these events will go into the archives."
"Yes Uncle Sandro," the boy responded wearily.
"Your Majesty does have the figure for the uniform, but the robes of state favour you more." the lady said, adjusting the collar.
Constantinus looked at himself in a mirror, critically.
"Remind me again, why do I have to wear these?"
The lady and the Regent exchanged a long-suffering look.
"Because the Robes of the Order of the Sun are what deMakra Emperors have worn at their weddings for centuries Sire." The Regent said.
"Mind you," the dress lady murmured, "He could get away with the uniform. He does have the figure for it."
The Regent glared at the dress lady.
"Well, he does."
The Regent was saved from replying by a knock at the door.
"Majesty, eminence, ma'am." it was a protocol officer; Macisikan seemed to have tons of them. There was probably a factory somewhere.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but the First Cardinal has reached the Cathedral... and the Thearans have just arrived."
Dress lady, Regent, and Sovereign glanced at each other, and then hurried from the room at breakneck speed.

Today was the day of the King-Emperor's wedding.

Pater Familias Ralik and Mater Familias Celabria were ushered into the room; the pair were briming with happieness; but in respect to the formality of their hosts, Ralik gave a short bow and Celabria bobed a curtsie, before moving to shake the hand of the nervous bridegroom.

Celabria looked his majesty up and down critically, finding nothing out of place she smiled. "You look perfect" she said, "Nicola is lucky"

Ralik shook hands with the young emperor. He put his hand comfortingly on the mans shoulder, "Don't worry it'll be over soon, then the real fun starts"

The Regent nearly choked at Ralik's words, then smiled slyly, and bent to whisper in the youth's ear.
"He's right you, know. I remember my wedding night. Did we make the heavens and the earth move or what!"
Even the austere protocol officers couldn't help but laugh at the shocked look on the King-Emperor's face.
The King-Emperor politely disengaged himself from the Thearan Chief, and shot a glare at the Regent promising retribution. Any action was fortstalled by another protocol officer.
"Alexius Vattyen, and his Aunt, Her Excellent Grace, the First Minister.." the p.o. said, ushering in a young man impeccably dressed in the uniform of the Macisikani Diplomatic Corps and a heavily pregnant woman in her mid-thirties.
"Alex!" The King-Emperor said with a grin.
"Con'!" the other replied, using the much shortened version of the King-Emperor's name. Only his friends called him that, and Alexius could be said to be a friend, being the best man and all.
"You look wonderful Sire," the First Minister said, before greeting the Thearans.
Any interaction between the two youths was forestalled by the P.O. saying "Sirs, the First Cardinal is waiting to go over the ceremony with you."
"Ah. Of course. If you will excuse me, Alex, Sandro, come with me." the three hurried out, leaving the First Minister chuckling with the Thearans.
"Ralik, Celabria, it's been so long, how have you been?"

-----------------------------

[Outside The Cathedral of Our Lady of The Nation, Arn-Maciska]

We now cross live to our reporter outside the Cathedral. Jane, what's it like down there?
"Well Steve, it's madness. The crowds are lined up for miles, hoping to catch a glimpse of our King-Emperor as he approaches the cathedral. And thousands of well-wishers continue to flock to the Palace."
When can we expect the arrival of the Groom?
"We've just been told by the Palace that the King-Emperor will be leaving in about ten minutes, ETA twenty minutes from now."
Is there any truth to the rumour that the King-Emperor will be taking an open carriage?
"We don't know Steve, but if he does, it'll be a great hit..."

"Your looking well, Your grace" Ralik said with a slight inclination of his head.
"Thank you, Ralik" The First Minister responded, the woman showed little of the ungainliness of most very pregnant women.

"It can't be long now, you must be nearly 8 months?" Celabria gushed, as women always do in the presence of one going through the wonders of pregnancy. "Have you decided on names yet?"

Mariano Villian, ViZion's Major of State (Vice President), as well as his wife, Joan Villian, pulled up to the building in their new black Cadillac STS, the official ViZionarian Government vehicle for the President, VP, and other VIP's.

As they walked in, they saw the First Minister, as well as the couple from Thearas. The two walked up to the three, and introduced them selves.

"Hello, I am Mariano Villian, Major of State in ViZion. This is my lovely other half, Joan. How do you do?" Mariano stated politely, and offering his hand in friendship to the three.

OOC: Sry for this quick reply, g2g

A shinny black BMW (7 Series 760Li Sedan) pulled up to the building. Soon after a small man stepped out from the front passenger seat and quickly opened the back, left door. Out stepped the Imperial Minister of The Irish Isle, Sir Daniel Kelley and his beautiful wife Lady Sarah. After posing for a few paparazzi snapshots, the couple entered into the building and greeted the regent and the King-Emperor. It was the beginning of what was sure to be a wonderful time.

In the corridor the King-Emperor, Regent, and Best Man paused breifly.
"So glad you could come Sir Daniel." the King-Emperor said, shaking the older man's hand.
"Good to see you Sir Daniel. Sire, we must hurry." the Regent said before the Imperial Minister could reply.
"Of course, sorry about the rush. We will be seeing you after the ceremony..." with that the three barrelled down the hallway at the rate of knots, leaving a rather perplexed Imperial Minister and his wife in the hands of the protocol officers, who ushered them into the room with the ViZioners, Thearans and First Minister.

------------------------------

The First Minister fairly glowed at the Thearan's question.
"Eight months. Victoria or Arthur. We actually don't know the gender yet; I'd much rather wait."
"Vice President Mariano Villian and his wife Joan of ViZion," a protocol officer announced, barely a second after the Vice President introduced himself.
"So I gathered." the First Minister's glare was breifly visible before being eclipsed by a much sunnier expression.
She took Villian's hand, and for a moment the ViZioner was possessed by the feeling that he was expected to kiss the back of it, before it was shaken firmly.
"Very pleased to meet you Mr. and Mrs Villian. This is the Pater Familias of Thearas Ralik-" the large man shook the Vice-President's hand firmly "-and Mater Familias Celabria." The other Thearan shook the Vice-President's hand.
"I am glad to welcome you to-"
"Sorry to interrupt Your Grace, but the motorcades are ready."
"Ah. Thank you." The First Minister addressed the other four; "the Protocol Officers will show you to your cars; from there we will drive to the Cathedral while His Imperial Majesty will travel by carriage. When we arrive, His Imperial Majesty will have already arrived and have entered the Cathedral; we will enter at the signal given by the priests; the order of the guests' entry is myself, the Thearans, Imperial Minister Kelley of The Irish Isle, who I believe is just outside," the Irish Islites were ushered in by another protocol officer, "ah, hello, then there will be the Rotovians (OOC: If they're coming) the ViZioners, the other foreign representatives, then the nobility. When we arrive you will be given an earpiece which will translate the service from Macisikani into English, or your preferred language."
The First Minister paused to breath in.
"After we have entered, the Bride will arrive, march to the altar, the First Cardinal will conduct the ceremony, kiss kiss, love love, then the King-Emperor will crown his wife Queen-Empress. We will then depart and return to the Palace for the Reception. With the pomp and ceremony out of the way, everyone will party. To give you an idea of what to expect; at the last Imperial Royal wedding everyone in the Palace got drunk for a week.
"Any questions?"

Four black motorcycles tore down the streets of Macisikan, donning Rotovian security officers in black uniforms. Their tiny paper flags fluttered in the breeze.

Behind them a series of lack four-wheel-drives flashed red and blue silent sirens. With the Rotovian Seal-of-State proudly affixed to their doors.

A similiar setup made up the rear, boxing in the four limosines that shined with emaculate grace. On the right fender of each was proudly flapping a Rotovian flag, and on the left the Flag of Athens. Each car bearing the Presidential Seal.

In the second vehicle President Bacchus quickly punched the phone number of his sister's mobile into the carphone.

"Athena, have you seen my tie?"

"Dion you worry me sometimes!" Came the lighthearted reply "You know full well noone will see it under the Robes of State"

"Then I'll go in a suit..."

"You will not! Besides...." Her voiced lowered, gilled with compassion "For now you're not President"

"You really know how to cheer me up.... have they taken the champagne out of your car? One would have thought that violates some law..."

"Dionysus Jazzeutte Bacchus! Could you kindly stop pestering me?"

"....I mean it is technically theft...."

"If I have you killed, I become first in line to the throne... keep that in mind next time you phone me, purely to winge about a lack of alcohol!"

"I love you to"

As the conversation the motorcade rolled into the Rotovian Embassy to await instructions as to the arrangements for arriving at the Catheral. And whether indeed the recently usurped President was still invited.

OOC: Sorry for the delay; on holidays.

IC:
Communication to: Rotovian Embassy
From: Office of Protocol, Imperial Government
Subject: Wedding arrangements

President Baccheus' presence will be required to arrive at the Cathedral within the next half hour (the road to the Cathedral has been cleared; it is a fifteen- to twenty-minute drive from your Embassy to the Cathedral, giving His Eminency time to check his appearance and freshen up). He will be met by the other foreign dignitaries and the First Minister on the steps. An additional military escort will be provided by the Ministry of Defence.

After the President has arrived and been greeted (as he should be the last guest to arrive), the Cathedral bells will ring once to herald the entrance of the guests. Led by the First Minister, the order of entrance will be:
Thearas
The Irish Isle
Rotovia
ViZion
Frencham States
Ebonyway
[Seven Nations, Macisikani Nobles, etc.]

When inside, His Eminency should sit in the second pew, on the groom's side (the first pew is reserved for family) with the other foreign heads of state; the bride's side will be holding the Leaders of the Seven Nations.

Once all guests are seated there will be a brief interlude before the arrival of the bride; when the bride enters, all are required to stand until she reaches the altar. At this point, all guests will sit, and remain seated until the end of the ceremonies, when the bride and groom exit the cathedral. An earpiece with live translations will be provided at the entrance, and protocol officers will be on hand to answer any questions.

Once the ceremony is concluded, President Baccheus is invited to attend the reception at the Palace. Drinks and food are provided (all dietary requirements are catered for).

Please remember that all guests are required to surrender their weapons at the Cathedral entrance; the Temple Guard stationed within are trained in martial arts, and the city is heavily guarded.

We eagerly await your arrival.

[briefings on protocol, a menu for the reception, and a map are attached]

-----------------------

The First Minister smiled brightly.
"No? Good."
She turned to one of the protocol officers and nodded.
The P.O. distributed manila folders to each of the dignitaries. Inside each one was a copy of the agenda sent to the Rotovian Embassy.
Another officer approached the First Minister and whispered into her ear, in the door a dozen make-up and dress experts were watching expectantly.
"Of course," she nodded, and turned to face the foreign guests again.
"In about ten minutes, giving you some time to freshen up, our Protocol officers will escort you to your various transports and from there we will all go in convoy directly to the Cathedral. Thank you all for coming, and I will see you at the Cathedral."
The First Minister was hurried away. Those with keen hearing heard the words "no time to redo your hair, we'll have to just..."then she was gone, followed by the herd of appearance manipulators.
Behind her the others looked at each other, then at the even larger group of similar appearance manipulator experts who were staring at them hopefully...

---------------------

Outside thousands of people lined the road from the Palace to the Cathedral, cheering wildly as the Royal Party passed them; from his seat in the open carriage the young King-Emperor smiled and waved at the legions of devoted subjects come to wish him the best; his image repeated on hundreds of millions of TVs.
Ahead, the massive bulk of the Cathedral loomed, its granite spires reaching for the heavens.

---------------------

Outside the Cathedral, numerous reporters spoke into their cameras to an audience that spanned the entire Greater Macisikani Empire, and in some cases, beyond.
"... and it's madness outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Nation here in Arn-Maciska. Hundreds of thousands of people have been waiting here since before dawn to see a brief glimpse of His Imperial Royal Majesty on this day... hang on..."
"His Eminency President Baccheus of Rotovia is reported to be at the Rotovian Embassy. The Imperial Government has yet to clarify its position with regards to the Rotovian political situation... please wait a moment."
"We've interviewed over fifty people who all say that they've been waiting since last night for the Royal Party to pass... just a second."
For an instant the reporters were all silent, then broke out in a chorus of voices.
"We've just heard that our future Queen-Empress has departed the Ducal Palace for the Cathedral. Her Ladyship is expected to arrive in about 45 minutes."

A small band played the gentle strains of the Rotovian National Anthem as the Prince Baccheus' Limosine rolled to a halt. A Rotovian Gaurd in the traditional black uniform of the old Imperial Gaurd opened the door.

"Ladies and gentlemen, His Imperial Eminency... Crown Prince Dionysus Baccheus!"

Stepping onto the ground the Dionysus was followed by an aide (given his sister had taken up residency in the embassy to liase with their supporters in the Senate)

A gentle wave of his hand had the small group of Rotovian nationals gathered in the crowd reason to ferverently wave their tiny paper flags and drop to one knee.

OOC: I hope no-one minds if I move this along a little; the other heads of state are in the same motorcade as the First Minister and arrive at the same time.

IC:
The First Minister's carriage approached the Cathedral; as with her sovereign, she rode in open horse-drawn carriage, waving to crowds that cheered exuberantly; the First Minister had recently secured the first part of the restoration of Democracy in Macisikan, and was enjoying a massive approval rating.
As her carriage drew up outside the cathedral, a footman stepped up to help her out, and, accompanied by her husband, the Archduke, she walked up to President Baccheus.
"President Bacchues, I am Elgiva deMa'iska, First Minister of Macisikan." She held out her hand, and, in the proper form of a gentleman, the President kissed it, earning a roar of approval from the Macisikani crowd. "We're so glad you could make it. This is my husband, Duke Alexius."
"Mr. President." The Duke was a man in his mid-thirties, tall, and strong. But it was clear his wife was the more powerful of the two.
"Your Grace."
The two shook hands, while the crowds cheered wildly.
"And this is Pater Familias Ralik and Mater Familias Celabria of Thearas, our oldest neighbour," introducing a large man and an elderly lady in unfamiliar tartans.
"Mr. President."
"My lord, milady."
"Vice-President Mariano Villian of ViZion and his wife Joan, representing their nation."
"Mr. President."
"Pleased to meet you."
"And this is Imperial Minister Sir Daniel Kelley and his wife Lady Sarah, leaders of The Irish Isle, one of our oldest friends."
"Mr. President."
"Sir Daniel, milday."
President Baccheus tried to massage some life into his fingers; every single handshake had been firm, and in the case of the Thearan Pater Familias, a little too firm.
Overhead the Cathedral bells rang out once, signalling the entrance of the guests.
"Time to go in. Places, everyone!" appearing out of nowhere, scores of Protocol Officers appeared to usher people inside.

OOC: This is a long post, and just goes through the ceremony itself; if you don't want to read it, feel free to skip down (but don't say I didn't warn you).

IC:
The youth stood nervously at the altar. Dressed in his finest imperial robes, he looked far too young to be the ruler of several billion people. Then you saw his eyes; they had a distinct look about them. The look of one who is used to the exercise of power.
Behind him stood the best man, Alexius Vattyen, nephew of the First Minister, and one of the King-Emperor's closest friends. Soon to be a distant cousin-in-law
The priest, the First Cardinal of the powerful Maciskan Orthodox Church, was quietly going over the ritual with several protocol officers and acolytes.
Then the cathedral bells rang once, signalling the entrance of the guests.

Leading the way, in full dress robes, was the First Minister Elgiva Antonia deMa'iska, head of the Imperial Government, pre-eminent noble in the nation, and holder of more titles than she cared about.
Following her were the invited foreign Heads of State and government; the Pater and Mater Familias of Thearas, Imperial Minister Kelley of The Irish Isle and his wife, President Baccheus of Rotovia, Vice-President Villian of ViZion and his wife, Representative Smith of The Frencham States, and the Countess of Ebonyway (who had slipped in at the last moment). As they entered, a protocol officer handed each of them an earpiece, so that parts of the ceremony could be explained if they wished, but mainly to translate it from Macisikani into English.
Following them were the leaders of the Macisikani Great Clans, the Noble Houses and Uath Lords, leading clergy, and various family members.
As they entered, each Macisikani drew his or her sword and handed it to a waiting monk; one did not come into the presence of God armed.

While the guests were entering the cathedral bells rang out twice. The foreign guests watched bemused as the normally solemn and composed Macisikani suddenly whistled and catcalled to a young man and woman who were standing in the entrance, their faces crimson with embarrassment.
President Baccheus tapped his earpiece, and heard the explanation; "The bells tolling twice signal that the Bridal party has been sighted approaching the cathedral. Tradition holds that whoever is standing under the entrance arch at that time is blessed to be the next to fall in love and get married."
The Rotovian President looked back towards the altar, in time to see the groom and best man grinning and giving thumbs-up signs to the youth who had been standing at the threshold.

When the guests had entered and were seated there was a short pause while the protocol officers did a quick head count. When they were done there was the briefest of pauses, before the cathedral bells rang three times, signalling the arrival of the Bride.

One of the interchangeable protocol officers stepped forward and said "Would you please rise." It was not a question.
The crowd stood with a rustle of silk and fine cloth. Silence reigned briefly, before being broken by the opening bars of the traditional wedding march.
Down the aisle came the Archduke Alexius de'Ma'iska, Duke of Maciska, Aire Tuíese of House de'Ma'iska, Leader of the House of Lords, dressed in full ceremonial armour, minus the sword. On his arm, dressed in a white dress of the finest silk was his niece, the Lady Nicola deMa'iska.

As last ringing bars faded into silence the First Cardinal stepped forward, bearing a decorated and inlaid tome; it was a special version of the Macisikani equivalent of a Bible; this one had the script for weddings, funerals, etc. in it.

The First Cardinal then began to speak the ritual words;
"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and in the presence of these witnesses, to join Constantine Augustus Viktor deMakra and Nicola Celestine deMa'iska in holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocence, signifying to us the mystical union which is between God and His Church.

"Into which holy estate Constantinus and Nicola come now to be joined and to unite two hearts and lives, blending all interest, sympathies, and hopes. I charge and entreat you, therefore, in entering upon and sustaining this hallowed union, to seek the favor and blessing of Him whose favor is life, whose blessing maketh rich and addeth no sorrow. Let us now seek His blessing."

The First Cardinal bowed his head for a count of ten, then continued.
"If there are any amongst you who can show good cause as to why these two should not be wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace."

The First Cardinal waited out the full count of one hundred in silence, then continued.
"Will the guardians of the Bride and Groom please stand?"

The First Cardinal turned to speak to the bride's aunt and uncle; -- "Who is bringing Nicola to be joined in holy matrimony to Constantinus?"

The First Minister and the Archuke replied in chorus; "We are."

The First Cardinal then spoke to the Regent, Alessandro Perez; "Who is bringing Constantinus to be joined in holy matrimony to Nicola?"

The Regent replied; "I, in the name of the people, am."

The First Cardinal then spoke to the three guardians; "Are you willing now and always to support and strengthen this marriage by upholding both Nicola and Constantinus with your love, your concern, your counsel, and your prayers?"
The three answered in chorus; "We are."

The First Cardinal replied; "Thank you, you may be seated."

He turned to the two young people who stood in front of him.
"If therefore, it be your desire to be united in this holy bond, will you signify that fact by joining your right hands."

The First Cardinal then turned to the young King-Emperor: "Do you Constantinus, take this woman whose hand you now hold, to be your true and wedded wife; and do you solemnly promise before God and these witnesses to love, cherish, honour and protect her, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only for her; to cleave unto her, and her only, until death shall part you, and beyond into the keeping of God?"
"I do."

And to the bride; "Do you Nicola, take this man who now holds your hand, to be your true and wedded husband; and do you solemnly promise before God and these witnesses to love, cherish, honour and protect him, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only for him; to cleave unto him and him only, and him forever until death shall part you, and beyond into the keeping of God?"
"I do."

The First Cardinal smiled slightly then turned back to the King-Emperor; "Constantinus, repeat after me: I, Constantine Augustus Viktor deMakra , take thee, Nicola Celestine deMa'iska be my wedded wife . . . to have and to hold . . . from this day forward . . . for better or worse . . . for richer, for poorer.. in sickness and in health . . . 'till death do us part . . . and beyond into the keeping of God . . . and thereto I pledge my faithfulness"

He then turned back to the bride;
"Nicola, repeat after me: I, Nicola Celestine deMa'iska, take thee, Constantine Augustus Viktor deMakra to be my wedded husband . . . to have and to hold . . . from this day forward . . . for better, for worse . . . or richer, for poorer . . . in sickness and in health . . . 'till death do us part . . . and beyond into the keeping of God . . . and thereto I pledge my faithfulness."

Turning to the King-Emperor -- "Constantinus what pledge do you give to Nicola?"
"A ring."

"And this Ring, do you give to Nicola as a sign and seal of the endless affection with which you will cherish her, and the unbroken fidelity with which you will perform to her the vows of a husband? Do you?"
"I do."

The First Cardinal then began the ring vows;
"Constantinus, As you place this ring on Nicola's finger please repeat after me. With this ring I thee wed; and with all my worldly goods, I thee endow . . . now and forever . . ."

He then turned back to the bride "Nicola, what pledge to you give Constantinus?"
"A ring."

"And this ring, do you give to him as a sign and seal of the endless affection with which you will cherish him, and the unbroken fidelity with which you will perform to him the vows of a wife? Do you?"
"I do."

"Nicola, as you place this ring on Constantinus' finger, please repeat after me. With this ring I thee wed; and with all my worldly goods, I thee endow . . . now and forever . . ."

The First Cardinal then bowed his head, murmering another prayer calling for the blessing of God on the couple. He then raised his head and made the pronouncement;
"In consideration of these solemn and sacred pledges, by the power vested in me by the Holy Imperial Kingdom of Macisikan, its dominions, viceroyalties, and grand duchies, and by the power vested in me by the Living God through our One True Maciskan Orthodox Church, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Henceforth you are one; one in interest, one in reputation and above all else one in affection. What God hath joined together on this day, let no-one part asunder!"

The First Cardinal closed the Bible and handed it to one of his attendents. He then smiled at the couple.
"You may kiss the bride."
There was a pause.
"OK."
Another pause.
"Guys? . . . Guys?"
No reaction.
"You can stop now?"
Still no reaction.
"Oh well, they'll have to come up for air some day..." the tension broke and there was a wave of laughter.

The two broke apart, blushing, and the King-Emperor then stood in front of his new wife, who remained standing where she was. The First Minister, now the King-Emperor's aunt, stepped forward holding a cushion, on which rested a crown. The Archduke stepped forward and removed the veil.
Those with the earpiece heard; "As part of the ceremony, the King-Emperor will now crown his wife Queen-Empress."
The King-Emperor took the crown in both hands and turned towards the altar, raising it towards the crucifix and whispering a prayer which no-one else could hear.

While he did so, the Duchess Marie deIntan, the highest sitting judge in the Empire stepped forward with the heavy book of succesional laws. She held the tome out to Nicola and, in a scene reminiscent of an inauguration told the soon-to-be Queen-Empress to "place her left hand on the book of the law and raise her right hand towards heaven, and repeat after me;
"I, Nicola Celestine deMakra . . . do hereby solemnly swear . . . that I will faithfully exexcute the office of Queen-Empress . . . and will to the best of my abilities . . . promote, protect, and defend . . . the People over whom I am to reign."
The First Minister stepped forward and said "And I, Elgiva deMa'iska, First Minister of this nation, do bear witness to this pledge, and accept it in the name of the Parliament and People."

The King-Emperor, having lowered the crown and turned around during the oath, stepped forward as the other two stepped back.
"Do thou, Nicola Celestine deMakra, swear upon thy honour and life, before these witnesses and in the presence of the Living God to govern the Peoples of the Seven Nations; the Holy Imperial Kingdom of Macisikan, the Royal Dominion of Akmadar, the Imperial Dominion of Nak-Saldar, the Viceroyalties of Savil-Mar and Kuvarlaron, and the Grand Duchies of Macuchistan and Makaluiki until death take thee or their people release thee?"
"I do so swear."
"Will you take up the burden and be the Queen-Empress of the Seven Nations?"
"I will do so, if it is offered to me."
"It is so offered to thee."
"So it is offered, so I accept."
Constantinus then raised the crown and whispered the blessing, before stating loud enough for everyone to hear;
"By the powers vested in me by our One True Faith and the Peoples of this Greater Empire, I hereby crown thee Queen-Empress of Macisikan, Akmadar, Nak-Saldar, Savil-Mar, Kuvarlaron, Macushistan and Makaluiki and all the terroritories and dependencies ruled thereunto until death take thee or their people release thee."
He lowered the crown onto her head.
"God save the Queen-Empress!"
The crowd answered "God save the King-Emperor and the Queen-Empress!"
Nicola rose gracefully and took her new husband's hand.
Then, looking far more like the teenagers they were instead of the heads of state for over seven billion people, the two hurried out of the cathedral, followed by the leading Macisikani and foreign heads of state, as the bells pealed out overhead.