By Her Majesty's Side

Chapter 3

A few days after Selene decided on making the court recognize same sex unions she came to me with her plan. In short she was going to completely bypass the church and say that we would immediately support it as the Empire. She was familiar with the church's inner workings having been present at many of their events from a young age. To say many followers of the church both inside the bureaucracy of it and outside of it adored her would be putting it lightly. With that in mind I encouraged her to try and persuade them first but she persisted that this was the best way.

"I can persuade them after we make the decision as the court. If I try to push them now I may not get through to them for years to come but this way It will put pressure on them to do it sooner!" She sounded so excited it was hard not to give in.

"The church could come to resent you for going about it this way." I couldn't argue with her reasoning but I didn't want her to become the target of the church in the way I had by going above their heads.

She seemed to take a few moments to digest my words. "...Perhaps, but I am their little princess. It would be hard for them to all turn on me, at least not before I can get them to come around."

I nodded slowly in response before rising from where I was seated. "Very well, it is as I said. I will support however you choose to go about it. Tomorrow I will introduce you to the royal advisors who will help draft the laws with you and I will set up a public hearing for next week in which you can give your first imperial decree." I approached her and planted a kiss on top of her head. "I'm really proud of you sweetie. Your father would be proud too."

She smiled a little shyly in response.

There was resistance from the advisors at first but when it was clear I wouldn't budge they reluctantly helped Selene draft her first law. I had to fight a smile that was forming as I saw my daughter engage with my political team. No, our political team.

As I set about our public hearing Selene had two requests, the first was that it be held in the middle of the city (not a difficult request to fill) and the second was that she have a basket of white lilies and sweet violets on the stage. I did not know the significance of these flowers but I made sure she had both.

Come the day of the hearing and I could see just how nervous Selene was. She was dressed beautifully in white dress with gold accents, mirroring the military uniform I wore under my red cloak, but the confidence she usually bore was gone. "Princess, are you feeling unwell?" As I speak I call over her maid with one swift wave of my hand.

"N-no Mother, I just..." She trails off as Vivian approaches.

"It's alright princess." Vivian spoke reassuringly as she rubs her arms to soothe her. "I understand your nerves but you can do this, think of it as nothing more than the hundreds of other public appearances you've done before."

She nods and takes a few deep breaths before straightening up. Vivian smiles at her but I can tell Selene is no less nervous. "I trust you won't disappoint me." I speak in my same serious tone before stepping closer and whispering in her ear, "I believe in you, sweetie."

She relaxes a little and blushes deeply, and with that I walk away. I make my way to the stage and am greeted by cheers from the crowd. I nod and wave gently as I walk towards the throne. I take in the crowd in front of the stage and the nobles in the stands to the side of it. It's quite the crowd today, I hope they are ready to accept Selene. I sit in the throne and cross my legs, giving off the image of refined relaxation, truthfully it is quite stiff however.

A moment later Selene walks on the stage eliciting more cheers from the crowd. They really do adore her. She beams and waves to the people, her people (in this moment anyway) and gingerly approaches the front of the stage where two baskets sit on either side of her. "Hello citizens of the Colette Empire, I am your Princess Selene Luminaria Colette." The crowd cheers again. "With the support of my Mother, Empress Theia Etheria Colette I come before you to announce my first policy change to this great Empire." Another round of cheers, though this one is noticeably quieter than the previous one as many were undoubtedly unsure of what to expect from Selene.