𝑯𝑬𝑹 𝑽𝑶𝑰𝑪𝑬 ~Kix~

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓣𝔀𝓮𝓷𝓽𝔂 𝓣𝔀𝓸

"Do you think you're ready?" The voice of Evelyn pulled Caroline from her daydreams as she turned to look at her. Caroline had spent the past few days separated from her sisters and training to become queen. And of course, today was the day. Today was coronation day. The eldest of all the sisters nodded. She balled her fists, her knuckles becoming white before she let out a deep breath which she didn't even know she was holding in. "I am." She replied. "I am ready." And with her words the grand double doors to the sanctuary swung open. The congregation that had gathered for the coronation of the queen stood in her presence, all eyes on the blonde. Caroline could see both familiar faces and those she didn't know. She could see the face of the senator from Naboo who had been the most diligent in her visit to Atla. She could see the faces of the princes her sisters were to marry, even her own prince stood out to her in the crowd. Prince Sterling looked on at her with a gaze she couldn't quite place. His eyes were filled with wonder as he stared transfixed at the princess, and soon to be queen. She could see her sisters, all in a line of either side of the throne where the priest stood, holding the queen's crown, the Sovereign's Orb, and the king's sword. But most pecurly she could see the face of Captain Rex who stood with both the senator of Naboo and her Jedi General. His brown eyes were trained precisely on her, taking in every bit of her regal figure and drinking her in slowly like a fine wine. Caroline noticed the way he looked at her, the way his eyes combed her body and it got her wondering. She would have dweled on the idea longer, letting her mind wonder loosely and unhinged for hours but time would not allow it. Presently, she was to become queen, and queens do not have time for boys and daydreams.

Caroline stepped forwards, her satin gold gown flowed effortlessly around her like ocean waves in the evening sunset. The fabric glittered and glistened in the elegant lighting of the castle as she moved forward, ascending to her destiny, her birthright. A cape of pearl satin flowed from her shoulders and brushed against the floor as she walked, it was embroidered in the golden detailing of both flowers and the sun, gold was her color and she wore it well. Rex watched her, focusing on the way her gown moved as she walked so elegantly, the way her soft white cape made her the perfect image of a queen to be. Her tiar sat upon her golden curls, a symbol of her current status. Stained Glass windows emphasized the gold on her gown. She was the picture of regality. She stopped once she had reached the throne and bowed her head for the priest to remove her golden tiara before taking a seat upon the throne her father once sat upon. She was handed both the royal sword of the king and the Sovereign's Orb. She sat up straight, her back against the throne as she held the orb in one hand and gripped the sword tightly, a symbol of power. The priest spoke in a native tongue, one that was foreign to those not native to Atla as he moved to place the queen's crown upon her forehead. The crown was gold and lined with stars and suns that were made of of fine stones and pearls. It sparkled in the light that pooled in through the stained glass windows. When The priest finished his speech he presented the queen to her people. "It is with the highest honor that I present to the people of Atla their leader and heir to the throne, Caroline Cantoa of Atla. Queen of the rising sun. Gods save the Queen!" He shouted only for those who were citizens of Atla to shout back "Gods save the queen!" in response. Remember women, you were born from the fire of Queens and Conquerers.

When the coronation had ended, The queen was allowed to greet her guests and exchange formalities with them as they left the palace. Presently, she spoke with Senator Amidala who was the most urgent out of all of the guests. "Your majesty," Padme began with a respectful curtsy before Queen Caroline. "With the untimely and unfortunate passing of your father I must ask you what you plan to do about your kingdom's alliance with the Republic and where you stand on that?" Caroline sighed. She knew this question was coming. "Senator it is with both a heavy heart and a level head that I have decided to come with you to Coruscant to discuss a treaty or even a possible alliance with the Republic." This was delightful news to Padme's ears. Finally, a diplomatic agreement with Atla was in sight. She reached out to take Caroline's hand in hers and smiled at her politely as she gave it a firm shake. "Your decision will not be in vain I promise you, your majesty." Padme said, "I will see to it myself that everything with your trip to Coruscant will go as smoothly as possible. When do you think you will depart for the capital?" "As soon as I can get a handle on things in my own kingdom." Caroline replied. "So within the next three days, if all goes well." Their conversation was interrupted by a Prince whom Caroline knew all too well. "Prince Sterling." Caroline addressed the man who couldn't seem to wait for her business with Padme to end. "May I introduce you to Senator Amidala of Naboo." Caroline said properly. "I know who she is." Sterling replied. "I wanted to speak to you on the matters of our betrothal." Caroline tried to hide the expression of distaste that threatened to overtake her face. "Prince Sterling," Caroline addressed him once more. Her shoulders moved back and she stood more stoically as she spoke with him. "Customarily all people bow before a queen before even thinking about addressing her." She stated but Sterling raised a brow in confusion. "As your future husband I cannot bow to you. But it is you who should bow to me as a future king." Padme's eyes widened at the boldness of Sterling's words. She looked up at Caroline who remained stoic. "No, Prince Sterling, you will bow to me as the present Queen." "Caroline-" "I will bow to no man. I am Queen Caroline Canto of Atla, it is you, Prince Sterling, Who will bow to me. Show some respect." Sterling was stunned silent. Finally he bowed ever so slightly before the Queen who rolled her eyes. "Now about our marriage-" "I am so glad you brought that up." Caroline cut him off, clearly tired of his politically powerful games. "Because I have decided for my first act as queen that I will no longer require the previous arranged marriages for the Princesses of Atla to be in place." "What?!" Sterling hissed as his eyes widened in shock. "You can't do that!" He added. "I am the queen, Sterling, you will listen to me. My word is law, and my first law will be that the Princesses shall chose whomever they wish to marry."