Eric's coronation was a somber, limited affair. The High Court Justice, the most powerful official in Sorrow outside of the royal family and the Imperial General, spoke the oath and Eric, on bended knee, repeated the words he would spend the rest of his life upholding.
Chenzhou stood with Helena as witness, alongside the Imperial General and several other high ranking officials. The head of the Vermeer family and his wife were present, as Eirian's father and step-mother would have been if they'd arrived in time.
The head of the Vermeer family had been present at the coronation of every king since they'd lost the throne, although Eirian and Eric couldn't figure out if it was the masochist tendancy that most artists shared or an egotistical reminder that they were still important.
It was easy to see why Finn had run all the way to the Camelia to find himself, as he seemed to be the black swan of his famous family.
It didn't actually take that long to swear Eric in as king, the public ceremony would last days when it happened, and when he stood and the room rose from its bow, he waved Eirian forward.
"My cousin remains my heir, until such time as I declare otherwise."
And then it was Eirian's turn to step forward on bended knee. Her oath was much shorter, a recognition instead of a promise. It wasn't often that a king had their heir sworn in officially, let alone at their own coronation, but Eric and Eirian were in a unqiue situation as cousins of the same age and so close to one another and the throne.
There would be immense pressure on Eric to marry and produce heirs now, and likely on Eirian as well.
Which meant it would be on Chenzhou too and wasn't that great? He was just beginning a crisis of feelings and this was only added worry.
Eirian was stunning in the low candle light as she rose to her full, adorable height. Something he would never, ever say to her outloud.
The crowns they both wore were simple circlets, the most simple crowns they would ever wear and according to the official history, were the original crown of the first king and queen of Sorrow.
Chenzhou was doubtful, given how long ago that actually was, but they were certainly old. Most likely predating the Soliel and Vermeer families, who even predated his own bloodline.
"There is much to prepare, your grace. I will take my leave." The High Court Justice bowed one last time to Eric and Eirian and even paused to give Helena and Chenzhou a respectful nod before he swept out. Most of the matters around a coronation and royal funeral fell to his office, most to ensure that the royal family of the time didn't take advantage of their access to the royal treasury or the gaps in power that always came when leadership was changing.
Chenzhou's regents had gone so far as to freeze access to the Camelia's treasury until several months after he'd taken over and the leadership of the estate was solid.
Eric and Eirian had to stay until the rest of those present presented themselves and congratulated them, but Helena went first, kissing them both on the forehead.
"I'm going to ask your husband to escort me back to my rooms, my darling." She told Eirian, cupping her cheek with a gentle hand. "I think I'd like to rest for a while."
Eirian and Eric both nodded in understanding, kissing her on the cheek, before she stepped away and Chenzhou quickly took her place, bowing deeply.
He hadn't planned to say anything, hadn't expected that he would need to and they'd left in such a hurry, but he'd been witness to Eirian's greatness enough these past few months that the words came easily enough.
"May you rise as the sun rises: radiant, unshaken, and eternal. As your forebears brought light to the darkest days, may your reign shine with the warmth of their legacy and the brilliance of your own strength. May your rule burn away the shadows of fear and doubt, and may your name blaze in the hearts of your people for all generations. Long live the Sun King."
They were meant more for Eirian, than Eric. Or rather, more inspired by.
But Eric actually seemed a bit happy with it, cracking a small smile.
Helena looked openly pleased. Regardless of how loudly he yelled his loyalty to the throne, Chenzhou knew there would always be those who doubted. And now that he wasn't dying, he would need to pay more attention to the politics of the capital.
Thankfully, he had Eirian to help him with that.
And she looked, she still looked terribly sad, and tired, but there was a glint her eye Chenzhou recognized from that day she'd first met the court of the Camelia and grown a tree from nothing but her will.
She'd been proud of herself then, but now it seemed she was proud of Chenzhou, which was…surprisingly exhiliarating.
He rose and stepped back, extending an arm to Helena, who took it, and they left through a side door a servant quickly opened for them.
The path back to the royal apartments was quiet, with the palace still mostly empty and soldiers at every corner.
Helena made no move to speak while they were walking, so Chenzhou stayed quiet, running through a mental list of things he'd need to to include in his letters to Yuze and Mingzhe at some point today.
He should probably write Ana as well. He hadn't left on a good note, they didn't seem to have many of those since they returned from Tira-Lian.
By the time they'd arrived at Helena's rooms, the lack of sleep was starting to make itself known and he was contemplating ducking back to Eirian's rooms to sleep while he could, when Helena motioned him to a chair.
"Please, sit." She smiled but it was clear he didn't have a choice. He sat down, surprised at how comfortable the chair turned out to be. "We haven't gotten a chance to know one another, Lord Ye."
Suddenly, it felt like he shouldn't be sitting. He had the strangest urge to stand at attention, but when he shifted to do so, she pinned him in place with a mere look.
"Eirian is the only daughter I have ever had." Helena poured two steaming cups of coffee and all Chenzhou's hope of a nap disappeared.
"She speaks fondly of you." Chenzhou offered.
Helena gave him an amused look. "Mothers and daughters are complicated, but we are incredibly fond of one another. She is all I have left of her mother now." At Chenzhou's confused look, she continued. "Jacques was the other and now he is gone." A faraway look entered her eyes. "I lost Erin, I lost my children, now I have lost Jacques. Someday I will lose Eirian. Life is crueler than it would have us believe."
"I don't think life is necessarily cruel," Chenzhou admitted softly. "I think it simply is and it does not care how we feel about it."
"Very wise." She smiled. "As you and Eirian grow clsoer you will come to learn she loves to debate philosphical topics. Any kid of argument really." Her smile turned wry. "She learned that from Jacques. Erin hated arguing. It was part of why she refused to become Queen."
"What was she like? Eirian's mother?"
~ tbc