Bounded by Chains (Orangebat)

Chapter 9: Welcome Empress Lemrina

As we sit in the car that will take us to the coronation, I watch the streets that flash by. Trees, signs, buildings, and people are all but a blur as the car zooms past. We pass a park and I see a group of people all dressed in black. A man standing at a makeshift stage gestures to a screen behind him: an image of Empress Asseylum  fills the screen. Although Princess Lemrina's coronation is taking place today and we are forced to move on, the entire nation will continue to mourn Empress Asseylum's death for months yet to come. 

As I focus on the group of people, a realization occurs to me. People think I'm dead. How will my appearance at this coronation work out if I'm supposed to be dead? After the assassination attempt and war had been blamed on me, they had said I was dead, or at least that's what I had heard before I was completely shut off from the outside world. But why would they release me and let me wander about if both Earth and Mars think I'm dead?

I quickly turn my head to the brunet beside me. "Inaho..?"

He turns his head and his crimson eye meets mine. "What is it?"

"When I was imprisoned, didn't they say I died? What happened when I was released? You said before that people knew I was released, so I don't get how this lines up?"

He studies me for a minute before speaking. "The public declaration stated that you were thought to be dead, but recently traces of your survival had been discovered. Upon discovery, you had been captured and imprisoned. During your imprisonment, a private investigation had been underway. As the UFE didn't know how many people were involved, they were forced to keep this investigation a secret. After thorough investigation, you were deemed not to be the main perpetrator and you were released with the condition that you are in constant surveillance for some time, as you still largely contributed to the war. Count Saazbaum was labeled as the main perpetrator and the Orbital Knights, including you, were labeled as accomplices; however, you were all granted a pardon so long as you pledged allegiance to Empress Asseylum and the United Forces of Earth"

I feel anger rise within me. Those bastards at the UFE really just say whatever they want. None of that happened. There was no proper trial. I wasn't even told of the reasons why I was released. Had a private investigation really happened? But if so, why had I known nothing of it? Even if the verdict had been against me, don't I still have the right to know I had been proven guilty? "What really happened that made them release me?"

"I have only been told what was officially released to the public."

I click my tongue and look away. Of course he won't tell me anything. There's no way War Hero Inaho Kaizuka knows nothing. He's choosing to omit whatever the real reason was. Perhaps someone with authority had threatened to expose the truth if I wasn't released?

"Yeah, right. You just don't trust me, do you?"

"I do trust you. I've told you before that I wish to become friends with you. I couldn't be friends with someone that I don't trust."

I look back at him and glare. "Well I don't trust you, Orange. I'll never trust you and I'll never be your friend!" 

I glare at him for a few seconds more before tearing my gaze away and focusing on the blurry surroundings instead. Orange says nothing and we continue the rest of the drive in silence. When we arrive at the coronation, we both get out, each saying nothing to the other.

I look ahead at the crowd that fills the stone pathways. I follow the pathway with my eyes and at the head of the crowd stands a platform with a throne placed upon it. Soon to be Empress Lemrina is not yet seated upon it and several different conversations fill the air. 

"Princess Lemrina will make a great Empress."

"These pastries are delicious!"

"I can't believe Klancain was the one to murder Empress Asseylum!"

"Isn't is suspicious how Empress Asseylum was murdered only shortly after that Troyard boy was found innocent?"

Parts of different conversations float above the jumbled mess, and I feel anger fill my chest as I hear people suggesting I killed the Empress, but I can't blame them for thinking that given the reason I was imprisoned. I turn my head to the side and meet Inaho's gaze. He must have heard the statement, too, as he says, "It's just gossip."

"Yeah, I know." I grab his wrist and make my way through the crowd. Suddenly, I feel a pull at my wrist and realize Inaho's stopped moving. I look back at him.

"Not this way." Sliding his arm out so I hold his hand instead, he leads me to a more secluded area off to the side. "People still resent you. It's best to stay here where it's less conspicuous."

I hate to admit it, but Orange is right. For all I know, if someone sees me, they may think I'm here to assassinate another princess. I open my mouth to retort, but music sounds and the coronation begins.

After the coronation, Empress Lemrina makes a short speech, then makes her way through the crowd, greeting the citizens as she goes. Some people move towards the buffet table and others await the chance to greet her Highness. What seems like forever passes before the empress finally stands in front of me and my brunet supervisor.

"Empress Lemrina," Inaho and I both bow deeply, then look back at the empress.

"I'm so happy you both were able to make it," she smiles gently.

Even though she forgave me for the transgressions I've committed, I can't easily forgive myself. I did horrible things. I used her, lied to her, hurt her. "Of course, your Highness."

I meet her deep blue eyes and she looks at me sadly. "I can tell you're struggling, Slaine. You did what you had to during the war and to achieve your dream. I hope you're able to forgive yourself with time."

"Empress.." I can't bring myself to say anything else before she smiles at me again and moves to greet the next group of people. As she moves away, I stare at the ground and quietly mutter "I'm sorry."

"Slaine," I glance back up and see Inaho staring at me. "Let's go home."

I nod at his comment and we weave our way through the crowd, heading to the car that will take us back.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Wow, it's really been a long time. Life has sure been a crazy time. I think the last time I posted was right after I started college? I didn't know what I expected, but college was a lot more busy than whatever I thought. Especially doing the capacity of credit hours as a biology major. 

Anyway, I went back and rewatched Aldnoah.Zero and realized I somehow missed a lot of stuff, so the next few chapters might be fixing some of the weird things I missed like not realizing they proclaimed Slaine as dead. Ooopsss... I hope I can get some more updates out soon.

Bye, bye!

17-6-2020