Coronation day.

Princess Arerto was carefully wiping the tears from her eyes as she stood before the coffin of her deceased mother Queen Alcippe. Her sisters stood two paces back as Arerto touched the casket laying her wreath on the top then she bowed her head and said a prayer to Simetra. She took a step back, turned to her left, walking away to her throne, and sat down while her sisters paid their respect. The old queen had died defending a village from barbarians close to the border. Today the nation of Freeconia would bury their old Queen and tomorrow a new Queen would be coronated to the throne.

Arerto watched followed the procession towards the family vault where the coffin of Queen Alcippe would be laid to rest. On arrival, the heavy stone outer coffin waited for its treasured occupant. The coffin bearers laid the coffin inside the outer coffin and the lid was lowered. The high priestess walked around the coffin sealing the two sections with molten wax placing the queen's seal on the side in the wax. With this done other priestesses laid candles on top of the coffin and as Arerto turned to leave she noted the priestesses lighting all of the candles.

Arerto headed to bed and fell asleep plagued by happy dreams of her mother when she was younger and then receiving the news of her ****. She woke with a start sweating then lay her head back down and slept until morning when Bella came in and woke her. Arerto had her breakfast and then took her bath with the help of Selina. Next came the dressing and she had to wear the traditional coronation dress rather than her favourite casual leather armour. The dress was white woven with gold silk inlaid with diamonds and other rare jewels and was very heavy. It was heavy by design as the wearer had to prove she could carry the weight of her new responsibilities.

Many queens had worn the dress in the past so this was Arerto's time to bear that responsibility. Next came the silk shoes and finally her princess crown. She would pass this crown onto her sister Chasin making her the next in line to the throne of Freeconia should anything happen. Finally ready she headed for the door and allowed her escort to form up around her then they headed to the main throne room. As they approached the guards opened the big ornate oak doors and Arerto saw for the first time the throne room full. The crowd fell silent as the heralds announced the arrival of princess Arerto with a fanfare.

Arerto headed to the Throne where she would sit very soon but for now, she took her place at her old throne and soon as she sat everyone else did. The high priestess stood and headed to a spot just in front of the queen's throne and gave a short speech to the gathered crowd then beckoned Arerto to come to her. Arerto did and took a knee on the plush red pillow.

Princess Arerto, is your Highness willing to take the Oath?

I am willing.

Will, you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of Freeconia, according to the respective laws and customs?

I solemnly promise so to do.

Will you to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your judgements?

Queen. I will.

Will you to the utmost of your power maintain the Laws of Goddess Simetra and the true profession of her teachings? Will you to the utmost of your power maintain in the Freeconia religion established by law? Will you maintain and preserve inviolably the settlement of the Temple of Simetra, and the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government thereof, as by law established in Freedonia? And will you preserve unto the priestesses of Freeconia and to the temples there committed to their charge, all such rights and privileges, as by law do or shall appertain to them or any of them?

All this I promise to do.

With the oath administered Arerto was invited to sit in the Queen's throne and then two retainers approached carrying a pillow between them on which sat the crown. The high priestess lifted the crown and then lowered the crown down onto Arerto's head pronouncing her the new Queen of Freeconia. Arerto stood up and looked out over the gathered lords and ladies all in their finery then addressed them.

"The things which I have here before promised, I will perform and keep. So help me God."

Arerto then kissed the sacred book of Simetra and started to walk from the throne room to the strains of the traditional coronation march. Once outside she headed to her chambers followed by her escort and once inside she summoned Selina and Delia to get her out of the coronation clothes. She then headed to bed after the long day for tomorrow she guessed she would be busy with royal affairs.