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Aria always preferred to be at sea. She admitted to herself that being based upon land would take some getting used to.
She had seen these lands from the water, she had even seen them from the southern portion of the river - but to be standing in Sanctuaron - that was something she had only dreamed of.
She had insisted that if this would be her home as well, she would come personally to accept the premier’s surrender. She would let the Cromah people see their glorious new leader, their empress. She would let them see that the freedom they perceived for their Republic was no different under her rule. They would be her people too, just as the Huscarn were.
Novick was at her heel, guarding her life, and a ring of loyal soldiers fanned out to protect her as she moved into the heart of the governmental campus. The premier was there, at the hastily erected stage, surrounded by Huscarn Militia soldiers. General Yongo, looking incredibly proud and honored, stood beside him.
Aria reached the stage and stepped upon it. She wore her new uniform, an amalgam of the dress uniforms of both the Militia and Imperial Navy, as well as her crown.
She looked tough, she looked regal, and she carried herself as the conqueror and ruler of the whole world should.
Empress Aria Knight stood now before Premier Yul Tropoli. The last Cromah premier looked sad, but he still had an air of pride she found she respected. His surrender showed that he had some wisdom. That was one of several reasons why she had chosen to spare his life.
Novick was presented the ceremonial pike, which he banged three times upon the stage to get the attention of everyone present.
“My lords, my ladies, all people gathered here today. I present to you Aria Knight, Empress of the Huscarn people!”
Her soldiers cheered. Perhaps some of the Cromah joined them.
Aria stood in front of the premier. He did not bow before her, which did not surprise her nor upset her.
“Premier Yul Tropoli,” she began formally. “I know you are the elected representative of your people. You were chosen to speak on their behalf in all world affairs. Do you surrender the Republic of Cromah to me and my empire?”
His voice quavered, but he still stood tall. “I surrender the Republic of Cromah to you, Empress Knight.”
And with that, shaking, he took a knee before her.
“All hail the empress of the world, Aria Knight!” cried Novick, his voice booming across the campus.
“Long live the empress!” called out the Militia soldiers. “Long live the empress! Long live the empress!”
She held her hands in the air for silence. “I know that the Cromah people value your freedom and independence. Though it will take time, I think you will find that my rule will lessen neither, and will in fact increase your freedoms, independence, and prosperity. One world, one nation, one empress for the good of all!”
“Long live the empress!” called out the Militia soldiers once again. “Long live the empress! Long live the empress!”
Soon, even many of those who had been Cromah joined in.
Aria looked around her, took in her new land, her new city, her new people. She knew that all she saw, everything she knew, all was hers.
Aria Knight ruled the Huscarn Empire, the one nation of the world. Empress Knight had achieved her destiny, and the whole world was under her sway. Everything she had ever desired, just as she had known it would be, was hers.
The cheers had changed, growing louder. Aria smiled. This was just the beginning of her legend as ruler of the world.
“Long live Empress Knight! Long live Empress Knight!”