Today was the day. Quiesné, the Day of Peace. The seventh day of the week. The coronation.

Benedict walked the Royal Hall of Lux Aestius, staring at the paintings of all the Kings and Queens of Sersalvon, all the way to Emperor Atlantes, the First Emperor of Sersacelv and Lord of the Caraíbes Isles. He was the one who built this great palace. It was rumored that the First Emperor had been a Stormwarden, an Order of Aetherwielders during a time when magic was in the world. A time before the Banishment. A time of fairy tales, myths, and legends.

"Benedict!" called a familiar voice, pulling him from his thoughts. It was Sir Terrance delle Lafoulé, Lord Captain of the Serpent Guard. One of the best knights in the kingdom. He wore the serpent green cloak of the Guard clasped by a serpent, and was fitted in plate armor with chainmail filling in the gaps. At his belt, Steelheart, an Aes Sídhe blade. The Lord Constable had brought with him all three hundred knights of the Serpent Guard, along with another two-thousand soldiers of the houses Navíste and Laurent.

Benedict smiled. "Sir Terrance."

The old man clapped him on the shoulder. "My good boy, Benedict! It is rejuvenating to see you! Perhaps once this coronation is over, we can spar together like old times in the square. May the late king's soul rest in peace."

Benedict nodded. "Perhaps, Sir Terrance. Perhaps."

"Something seems to be going down here, my boy. A power showdown. The Arch-Cardinal brought a troop of his elite Cleric Knights. There are thousands of troops of different fealty concentrated in this one place... it worries me. Stay close to your guard boy, that is how you shall stay safe."

He's patronizing you, Juliana whispered in his head. The angel of leadership was a comforting voice to have. She seldom spoke now after the battle in Heaven that Benedict had witnessed.

Benedict lifted up his chin. "I've fought in a battle now, Sir Terrance. I'm no longer the unblooded young boy I once was. I know what it's like to swing my sword in battle."

The knight snorted. "That pitiful skirmish against House Canova? Bah. You haven't seen true war, boy."

"Neither have you," he shot back. That hit the knight where it hurt. To be a knight meant to be a warrior, but the Serpent Guard had not deployed in the entire reign of King Gallo.

The knight stiffened. "I suppose you're right about that, Your Highness." Just as he was about to leave, something seized Benedict and he reached out to grab onto the old man's arm.

"When the time comes, Terrance delle Lafoulé, you must choose. And choose with haste." He let go of the knight and walked away.

The final preparations were made and Benedict went to gather into the Great Hall, his heart beating faster. Before he entered, he was stopped by the Arch-Cardinal, flanked by her Cleric Knights. She was wearing white robes with gold linen and a high neckline. She wore the ornate silver Tiara of Evangelynn, the Angel of Faith and held the gold Staff of Corentina in her hand.

"Benedict Navíste, the Pious, Kind, and Warrior Prince," said the Arch-Cardinal by way of greeting. She smiled fondly at Benedict and he smiled back. "It has been a spell since we have spoken."

"Indeed." He kneeled to kiss her ring and she promptly pulled him into a warm embrace. The Arch-Cardinal was in her middle-ages and was an absolute beauty. Her skin was like that of a sweet dark chocolate and her eyes were a stunning gold.

"The time has come to crown a new king," she said.

"Yes."

"One that will strengthen the land."

No. "Yes."

Then, Benedict noticed a glint in her eyes... like she knew something he didn't. "Have faith, Benedict, like you always have. Today we forge a united Sersalvon." She said those last words with such conviction that he almost stepped back. She patted his shoulder and moved away.

The Great Hall was lined with nobles that had accompanied Benedict from la'Manse to Lux Aestius. The retinue of Count Jovan Galamez stood near the Florjeses and nodded their heads at Benedict. Jovan himself gave the prince a lopsided grin. Myeria was almost fainting with excitement. Angelica acknowledged him with the barest of nods while the Duchess of Mercenaries locked eyes with him. She too, had a glint in her eyes.

Benedict took his place next to his family. He stood a small distance away from them though, out of disgust. Jacquez noticed it and narrowed his eyes. Benedict's mother was too busy speaking with her friends about the coronation and fawning over her son. There was excitement in every movement of her body.

Francisco wore regal purple clothing and a flowing green cape that seemed to sparkle with his every movement. He wore a princely crown on his head and tilted his chin high. His auburn seemed to radiate light throughout the Great Hall.

Oh how his brother looked like a king. Even Benedict's stoic uncle had a small smile on his face.

Of course he would, Juliana snapped. His spawn is about to be crowned.

No he's not, Benedict replied.

The ceremony was both a coronation and a funeral, as was Sersalvonian tradition. King Gallo had a deathly calm expression on his face as his corpse was carried up the aisle. The musicians played a mournful song, but Benedict heard none of the sobbing usually present at funerals. In fact, on the faces of those gathered (especially Francisco's friends), Benedict saw smirks. Benedict felt rage; his father may not have been the best man, but he still deserved at least seriousness from the mourners.

Then, the Arch-Cardinal began her monologue. She droned on about the characteristics of King Gallo. She claimed he was beloved by low and highborn alike. She claimed that he would have many years left to live had the Company of the Hook not killed him. She spoke about how even though he was dead, he had left behind a great heir to take his place.

Francisco beamed.

Benedict felt his mother's journal in his pocket and readied himself.

"Today we are here to crown the next King of Sersalvon!" the Arch-Cardinal cried. "A man who will unite this kingdom under one ruler. A man who shall lead this fractured kingdom back into the Light of the Angel King. A man who will rule." Her eyes narrowed as she focused on Benedict and took the Serpent Crown off of Gallo's head. "Step forward, Prince Benedict Navíste, heir to the Serpent Crown and Throne."

Benedict's jaw dropped.

The hall erupted.

Jacquez, Francisco, and Cecila shot to their feet and started shouting. The supporters of Francisco also went to their feet and voiced their own protests. Benedict glanced at Sir Terrance's whose face wore an expression of shock. The knights of the Serpent Guard had their hands on their weapons and shields at the ready. The Cleric Knights with their white robes were also prepared for a struggle.

The Duchess of Mercenaries stayed sitting with her daughters, calm and serene. But there was a small smile playing on her face.

She has something to do with this, Juliana said.

I can see, he replied.

Angelica also had bewilderment on her face.

"What is the meaning of this?" Jacquez bellowed. "Benedict! What is the meaning of this?"

The hall fell silent as Benedict slowly rose. He tried to speak but his voice stuttered and failed. "I-I, it... I..."

Everyone waited for him.

His brother had only rage in his eyes. Rage and hurt. Betrayal.

"Why does it even matter? I am the eldest son of the late King Gallo of Sersalvon!" Francisco snarled.

"Show them the journal, Benedict," the Arch-Cardinal ushered.

Benedict's eyes narrowed. How does she know? Nonetheless, he pulled out his mother's journal and showed it to the hall. In that moment, he knew he had forever betrayed his family.

He licked his lips and began. "This which I hold in my hand, is the journal of my mother, Queen Cecila Navíste of Sersalvon. Wife of King Gallo Navíste." He flipped to a page he had marked. "On Lunée, the 17th of Sixthmonth, my son, Jacquez was born. I held my little boy in my arms that day and the whole world melted away. Everything for me changed. And I knew it would be for the better. The king had to be rushed in as soon as he heard that the boy had been born. He wept as he took the little bundle into his arms and swayed him, singing an alehouse song. Nobody noticed the man standing in the shadows of the room, watching, waiting. Jacquez. He had been with me the entire time, up to the moment that our son's head popped out. Yes... our son. Who would one day be the King of Sersalvon."

He closed the book, his hands trembling. He snuck a glance at his mother; the queen was crying. Benedict raised his arms. "Proof."

"Lies!" Jacquez accused. "How are we to know whether this is true and you did not forge it?"

"I swear on my honor,"

Jacquez scoffed. "Honor? You're trying to seize the throne! Do not speak to me about honor."

"I swear on the Angel King!"

The Arch-Cardinal nods. "Benedict is a pious man. He would never break an oath to the Angel King."

Jacquez laughed without mirth. "It is a power play by the church then! To seize power in the kingdom with Benedict as their puppet, dancing to their every tune." The nobles shifted uncomfortably. "No... it is known that Gallo loved Francisco and always wanted him to inherit the throne. He made it quite clear at multiple celebrations and feasts. I will not dishonor the wishes of our late king and my brother."

"Your sleeping with his wife, Jacquez," The Duchess Florjes purred. "Frankly, I don't think you care about your brother's wishes."

Finally, Francisco spoke. "Enough of this!" He turned to Benedict. "Brother, end this madness now you shall be forever forgiven. I will wipe this... farce from my mind and we will continue on as before. The throne is mine no matter what your fabrications claim. Please... end this now." His voice pleading at the end.

The room waited for Benedict's response.

Too late to go back now, he thought.

It's the moment you've been waiting for, Juliana said.

Yes... it is.

Not saying anything, he walked up the steps to the raised platform which the Arch-Cardinal stood upon, flanked by Cleric Knights and Serpent Guard alike. The body of his father lay there, waiting. When this was over, Benedict would go to the beach and give his father a proper funeral: on a burning ship over the Royal Seagrave just like their ancestors had done for centuries, in which the flames would help carry him up to Heaven.

Although Benedict wasn't too sure that was a good thing anymore.

Standing before the Arch-Cardinal, Benedict fell to a knee. "I am ready to take up this responsibility."

Although he didn't see, Benedict could feel the rage radiating off his family.

"Look at me, Benedict! Look at me!" Jacquez roared.

Benedict's heart sped up as he slowly shuffled around to face his uncle. He locked eyes with his mother and shook his head. I love you, but I'm sorry, he said with his eyes.

Don't be sorry, Juliana scolded. If you don't do this, who will?

His uncle was fury incarnate as he stepped up to the raised platform which Benedict knelt on. "I will never forgive you for this."

Benedict kept his gaze. "I don't need your forgiveness." His eyes flicked up to Angelica who was eyeing the skittish Serpent Guard and Cleric Knights.

Then, a knight of the Serpent Guard rushed into the hall, his face white from fear. "Sir!" he shouted at Prince Jacquez. "There's another host approaching the palace. They bear the flag of Veroña!"

Jacquez just stared at Duchess Lilliana in surprise. But that surprise slowly gave way to fury.

"That's it!" Francisco screamed. "The Serpent Crown is mine!" The once Crown Prince marched up to Serpent Guard, ripped the poor guard's spear from him and buried it into the face of a confused Cleric Knight.

All hell broke loose.