"Kneel for Her Highness, Princess Selene Channary Jannali Blackburn of Luna!"

Selene knotted her fingers together in front of her gown and stepped forward as the doors were pushed open by servants. Selene stared straight ahead at the pedestal at the end of the aisle, where Head Thaumaturge Mira stood with the veiled crown on a pedestal before her. Selene heard gasps and murmurs from the kneeling citizens as she started walking slowly toward Thaumaturge Mira. She always seemed like an idealistic fool to Selene. Why Levana had decided to promote her to Head Thaumaturge was beyond Selene. Most likely because Levana was an idealistic fool as well.

Selene's long, heavy red sleeves rubbed against her arms and started to chafe them. Selene winced as her train caught on something behind her, and then cringed as the servants carrying it cursed and rippled the light fabric while trying to free it from whatever it was caught on.

"Incompetent idiots," Selene muttered under her breath, stepping forward and drawing in a sharp breath as something pricked her in her shoe. A pin must have fallen in while the dress was being fitted. Selene tried to move it with her toe, unsuccessfully. Suddenly, every single imperfection or annoyance in her gown was clear as day. Selene couldn't breathe properly, feeling every single loose thread and itch all over her body. But she gritted her teeth and bore it.

Finally, she arrived at the podium at the end of the throne room's aisle. Thaumaturge Mira unveiled the crown, a light, regal tiara made of pure silver. Diamonds dotted it in even intervals, and the Lunar seal, a depiction of Artemis, an ancient Earthen goddess of the moon, holding Luna in one hand, was carved out on a large diamond on the center of the crown.

"Kneel." Mira said, gingerly lifting the crown as Selene fell to her knees.

Thaumaturge Mira started saying each line of the sacred pledge that would tie Selene to her people and her country. With each and every line, Selene grew more and more impatient. Even without the vows, countless kings and queens abused their power for their own personal gain in the past. Her people were fools if they thought this would keep her from being a tyrant. It was just stupid.

But nevertheless, Selene suffered through it, repeating the vows without hesitation. Finally, Mira nodded in approval and held the crown up over Selene's bowed head.

"Selene Channary Jannali Blackburn, do you pledge to rule over Luna with grace and mercy, kindness and wisdom, and take your place on the throne as the rightful queen of Luna?"

Selene smirked. "I do."

And the festivities commenced. Selene sat through it, but she couldn't wait to go to her quarters and start researching a way to get Earth in her grasp. It had to start with diplomacy.

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A/N

Please comment thoughts on how you like the story so far! I've been having a lot of fun writing it, and I'd love to have your feedback. Thanks a bunch!