Natasha Luepke - Blood Innocence
Coronation
Later that day, Leonida stood on the balcony of the State Room. She stared at the throngs of people below, nervous. She was dressed in one of Skadi's old gowns, in sea green and blue; it was a bit small, but there was nothing else for her to wear.
"It is my right as High Councilwoman to crown our new queen," Niamh was saying. She held the tiara of coral and gold and pearls aloft. "I now present Queen Leonida Hlin Seafarer, the First. May her reign be long and peaceful. Long live the queen!"
The crowd joined in the chant as Niamh placed the crown on Leonida's head.
Leonida declared that the "official" coronation would be in midsummer, after she had a chance to put her country back together. Almost bankrupt, she set to selling Skadi's most extravagant dresses and dressed in Hlin's cast-offs. Leaving Niamh in charge at the palace, Leonida left for a tour of her kingdom.
