Zhao Chen stood upon the dais a full minute.
For that minute the whole ceremonial ground was exceedingly quiet, for all the world as though at a pilgrimage.
Until Zhao Chen slowly raised his left arm, and a slender jade arm came out, those fair fingers resting upon Zhao Chen's forearm.
With Zhao Chen's steps, a fair figure appeared before them all.
A lavish gown of white and platinum, its train a full several meters long behind her.
With slow steps, the Princess Qin Xiaolei's figure came slowly into view before them all.
Zhao Chen thus supported the Princess Qin Xiaolei as she walked toward the throne.
Qin Xiaolei halted before the throne and faced the assembly.
Qin Xiaolei's fair head lifted slightly, her gaze keen; she had, truly, the bearing of an empress of the realm.
No few of those invited were astonished at the little princess's change.
The great majority of them had seen a little princess who was like a tender flower within the royal house.
But the little princess now, though her face still carried some of its youth, gave off an aura beyond the ordinary that one could plainly feel.
At this point Zhao Ruyue came up bearing a brocade case, within which lay a new-made crown and scepter.
The old crown and scepter had gone missing when Qin Xiaotian died in the palace fire.
So after Zhao Chen and Qin Xiaolei conferred, they had simply had a new scepter and crown made.
Zhao Ruyue walked to Zhao Chen's side.
In this moment, everyone perceived something, and astonishment showed in their eyes.
Ordinarily, when a new emperor takes the throne, there is one who leads the way, who sets the crown upon the new emperor and presents the scepter.
And that guide is generally the old sovereign, or the mother, or a revered elder, or a member of the royal house.
In short, that one may preside over this rite for a new sovereign means that his standing is beyond the ordinary.
And that Zhao Chen, a man with no blood tie whatever to the royal house, should crown Qin Xiaolei — the meanings within that were many indeed.
"The crowning of the new sovereign," Zhao Ruyue's voice rang out.
Zhao Chen lifted that crown, set with precious stones of every kind, and looked to Qin Xiaolei.
Qin Xiaolei took up the hem of her gown and inclined her body slightly forward.
That slight movement sent a jolt through the expressions of those below the dais.
For it placed Zhao Chen wholly in the position of the one above.
Zhao Chen now set the crown slowly upon Qin Xiaolei's head, then took the scepter from the brocade case and, holding it in both hands, presented it to her.
Those with a mind for such things would notice that this new scepter had certain particular features: upon its haft was a very clear dragon pattern.
And within that fist-sized gem at the scepter's head there was, likewise, the figure of a dragon's head.
Qin Xiaolei, crowned and scepter in hand, looked proudly down upon all below, and raised the scepter in her hand.
"Hail the Empress!"
Within the palace, the guests in the rear ranks prostrated themselves outright upon the ground; some of the guests in front knelt upon one knee, and some bowed slightly.
Among them, every one of the Owl Dragon Legion's women officers laid a hand over her heart and gave a military salute.
Different standings, and the courtesies performed differed with them.
Amid the assembly's cry, this newly raised Empress seated herself slowly upon the imperial throne.
And Zhao Chen and Zhao Ruyue stood at either side of the Empress, for all the world like a pair of door-gods.
This went on three minutes.
And then the Empress Qin Xiaolei spoke slowly. "Rise. Today is the day our Starlight Empire is reborn from the fire. Before this, for a year and more, the Starlight Empire, for reasons of every kind, has known troubles within and enemies without, and the fires of war on every hand. But under the whole-hearted struggle of the many loyal and righteous within the empire, the Starlight Empire has at last been brought back to its proper course. And here I shall first announce the first decree of my reign. From this day forth, I invest the former Owl Dragon lord Zhao Chen as a Prince of another surname, and grant him the title 'Prince Owl Dragon.' And at the same time I raise him as Prince Regent, to assist this sovereign in the governance of the Starlight Empire. At need, he may directly requisition every imperial fleet within the Starlight Empire, and the lord-fleets of every domain. To see Prince Owl Dragon is to see this sovereign!"
At these words of the Empress Qin Xiaolei, the people of every power present were more astonished still.
They had supposed that letting Zhao Chen crown the new sovereign was already a display of the Owl Dragon lord's standing.
They had not looked for the true sweetness to come after.
First was the rank: a Prince!
That was a standing above a Duke; Qin Xiaotian before had been Prince Yan, and such were generally members of the royal house.
As for Princes of another surname in the Starlight Empire, since the batch invested at the founding of the state, not one had appeared again.
And the trouble was, Zhao Chen was granted a "Prince Regent" besides.
Prince Regent — a position that had never once existed since the Starlight Empire's founding.
Everyone understood well: Prince Regent added to Prince made him near enough an existence standing shoulder to shoulder with the Empress.
And after that, the Empress gave Zhao Chen a power more terrible still.
He might move the imperial fleets of the whole Starlight Empire, and the lord-fleets besides.
Which amounted to commanding the whole military strength of the Starlight Empire!
Power and standing both.
It might be put this way: so long as Zhao Chen had the notion, the Starlight Empire could change its dynasty and its surname.
A thread of astonishment flashed in Zhao Chen's eyes.
He had known he would have some bestowal.
But the details Qin Xiaolei had settled herself.
He had not thought Qin Xiaolei would give quite so much.
Though it was understandable on reflection: the Starlight Empire now had 100 things in ruins awaiting revival, and there was the Holy Radiance Empire eyeing it hungrily beside.
Qin Xiaolei's only choice was naturally to bind Zhao Chen wholly to the Starlight Empire's war-chariot.
Having announced this first decree, Qin Xiaolei announced several decrees more…
The coronation ceremony soon ended, and after it came the celebratory banquet.
Zhao Chen and Qin Xiaolei withdrew.
Coming to a place where no one was—
Zhao Chen looked at Qin Xiaolei and asked, "This bestowal — why did you not discuss it with me beforehand? A Prince, and a Prince Regent besides…"
Qin Xiaolei looked at Zhao Chen in earnest. "What problem is there in that? Your strength is plain for all to see. And I trust your character, so of course I mean to employ you fully."
"You have no fear that I might seize this dynasty of your Qin family's?" Zhao Chen covered his face and laughed helplessly.
Qin Xiaolei blinked, and looked at Zhao Chen teasingly. "Would you do such a thing?"
Well, then. Qin Xiaolei knew he would not do such a thing, and that was why she had made such a decision.
Zhao Chen looked at Zhao Ruyue beside them, holding back her laughter with an effort.
"Big Sis, did you know of this too!"
"What problem is there in that?" Zhao Ruyue asked back with a laugh.
Zhao Chen knew the timber was already a boat, and could only stress, "Whatever standing you arrange for me, I don't care. In short — those vexatious affairs of the empire you handle yourselves; don't think to fling them onto me."
Having said it, Zhao Chen waved a hand and slipped away.
The Owl Dragon Legion's affairs Zhao Chen was unwilling to manage himself, and flung onto Lilith and the rest.
Still less this shambles that was the Starlight Empire.
Let whoever loves managing it manage it!
Qin Xiaolei pouted at Zhao Ruyue.
Zhao Ruyue came close to Qin Xiaolei's ear and said in a low voice, "Only make him truly your king. And will he then not manage your affairs?"
Qin Xiaolei's cheeks flushed.