Orleans

A flash of lighting brightened the night sky for a few seconds and then came a sonic boom of thunder. The princess stood up and shyly held her hands together. "And so it begins," she whispered. The white-hooded figures lowered their hoods. They were all members of nobility from either House Orleans or some of the other Houses. They approached the new Queen, bowed and shook her hand to congratulate her.

Bern, Snow Haven - The Federal Assembly has not officially started their session yet but several members have begun discussion on which nations around the world and Europe especially should have diplomatic relations established with Snow Haven. The current government, and Princess Abigail, plan to keep the kingdom peaceful and neutral in conflicts but isolation could cause alienation from the rest of Europe. A few of the nations discussed during an open discussion include France, Italy, Sparta, North-Lands, and Alvonia. Non-European nations included faraway places like Tikal and Japan but also looked just across the sea at Carthage. Of course no foreign policy decisions can be made without approval of Princess Abigail who will return as Queen.

"Yes I do," she said softly but very clear. She faced her head back forward so that the pope could crown her. It was clear outside. The blizzard was over. Snow still lightly fell but it was nothing compared to before. The wind could still be heard though. It howled around the corners of the castle almost louder than the pope when he spoke. Then there was silence. Utter silence.

Everyone understood why the Pope hadn't started yet because he was a bit older. So they let him take his time.

Vaduz,Snow Haven - Will Princess Abigail marry within one of the Snow Haven houses or into another European house? That is the biggest question for those in the government and members of nobility throughout Snow Haven. Another question yet to be answered is if the Princess has a choice of who she will marry or if the regency council has authority to choose for her. No official statement has been given by the government but it is rumored that the Princess may have trouble ruling as Queen without a male at her side. But female nobility especially from House Orleans say that a woman is fit to rule just as much as a man. "While Princess Abigail has not completed her studies, she is no less human then her father or any of her cousins," said Lady Porsche of House Orleans. Perhaps the Princess will tell the kingdom what her intentions are once she is Queen.

The guests inside the thrown room heard the soft chime of bells. It started as almost a whisper of metal noise but grew louder and louder. The soldiers from the Guards of The Sleeve opened the back doors to the room. The lights inside the thrown room dimmed significantly. Only a few candles lit important places like the alter, the throne, and occasionally along the white carpet which went from the doors to the throne. Fourteen white-hooded figures came into the room in two single file lines. Each one held a small bell which they rang in together every five seconds or so. Their faces couldn't been seen and they did not speak any words at all. It was even hard to distinguish if they were men or women. The fourteen figures stopped walking once they lined the entire walkway from the doors to the throne. Suddenly they broke their perfect chain of ringing bells and rang them together seven times in a row. Then there was silence. Lightning struck outside. The blizzard was not close to being over yet. Everyone in the castle could hear the howling winds outside. They could faintly see hundreds of snowflakes flying by the windows especially with each flash of lighting and rumble of thunder. Princess Abigail appeared at the doors. Her white dress rivaled the purity of the snow outside. It had a small train only about two feet long. In her hands was a single white rose which she held with both hands. Everyone was silent. There was no noise, no rumbles, no artificial noise in the room. The only exception to this silence was the howling winds and occasional blast of lightning that caused the distant roar of thunder. Abigail took her time walking to the Pope. But once she made it she curtsied respectfully, kissed his ring, and offered him the white rose. Then she sat and waited for him to begin. One of the hooded figures stepped forward to the Pope and bowed. Another one of the hooded figures did the same. At the same time they both had half of a gold crown in their hands studded with blue and white jewels and diamonds. The figures connected the crown together with a few snaps, clicks, and twists. Now it was one crown. They held it together and bowed to the Pope again. They handed it to him and walked back to their posts. Outside behind the alter and behind the thrown through one of the windows the clouds cleared. The full moon, bright almost like the sun was visible. The stars twinkled high in the sky and watched down on everyone in the castle. Everyone but Abigail and the figures looked up to the Pope for him to begin.

(i like how you wrote that like a poem :) ) "Welcome to Snow Haven, representative of the great nation of the Bear Islands. I am Sir Edward, chief regent of this kingdom. Please follow me so we can get somewhere warm, and I must say your dress is quite beautiful."

"Welcome to Snow Haven," Sir Edward said. "It is my pleasure to meet you both on such a joyous occasion. Please, come inside where it is a bit warmer." While their bodyguard was welcome, he would sadly not be able to view the ceremony. The thrown room inside the castle was small and each nation was only permitted two diplomats or leaders. However, there was a barracks where many of the other guards were keeping warm and enjoying food where they could watch the coronation on a TV or sit back and relax. They would be assured that they were in a safe place. Snow Haven's bravest soldiers and the Swiss Guard from Vatican City were there to protect the Princess, the Pope, and all of the foreigners there who had come to witness history.

Chief Regent Sir Edward of House Glass would personally meet Prince Vicente and welcome him to Snow Haven.

One of the servant girls carrying food across the castle saw when the Crown Prince jumped into the snow and giggled softly. The Guards of The Sleeve politely escorted the Prince and his guard inside where the other foreigners were. He was welcomed to any of the drinks or sweets or foods that he wanted but was told that the coronation was going to take place soon.

Chief Regent Sir Edward Glass thanked Director Wilding for the best wishes and gave some of his own. Also, he requested that if any major developments would occur, that the Alvonian government would contact the regency as soon as possible.

Bern, Snow Haven - The Regency Council has departed from Vaduz to return to Bern so that they may begin working on government affairs. Chief Regent Sir Edward of House Glass has stayed to watch the coronation ceremony on behalf of the other regents who regrettably could not be there. The Federal Assembly will officially start their session once the Queen returns to Bern to open it. The Federal Assembly has many things to address in the next session like the new proposed tax code and strengthening national transportation, especially the railroads. The Queen's Regency Council has also begun working on the organization of the military to the Queen's wishes. Recruitment facilities have opened around the kingdom for those who wish to join the military.

Vaduz, Snow Haven - Foreign diplomats from around the world have traveled to Snow Haven to watch the crowning of Princess Abigail of House Orleans as Queen. Preparations by the government have show through a heightened level of alertness among military and security personnel and the Papal Swiss Guard who will also be providing defense at the ceremony. Leaders from as far as Japan have come to watch the ceremony. Hundreds of people from Valduz and other nearby cities and towns have pilgrimaged to the castle to try to get a glimpse of the Queen after she emerges from the castle to head to the capital, Bern, where House Orleans has another castle to provide a residency for her.

However Ambassador Caroline got there it must have been a very interesting journey through or over so many different European countries. The ambassador of the great United States of America was let into the castle without much hassle. Sir Edward offered her a glass of wine and asked about her journey and what she thought of Snow Haven so far.

The President and his guard were allowed into Snow Haven and welcomed with open arms. If they didn't mind taking Snow Haven transportation, a private train would take them a good part of the way to the castle which was stuffed with a wide range of drinks. It was well-known that Belarus was home to lovers of the bottle so most of the alcohol had been taken off the train except for some drinks with a low alcohol content. Once President Lukachenko and his guard arrived at the castle, the Guard of the Sleeve would allow both of them into the castle to socialize with guests and many of the Haveners who were already there. A young, voluptuous Lady from the House of Glass would approach the President with a bottle of imported Russian vodka and three glasses.

Empress Hoshiko and her friend were allowed through the border with France and would be escorted to one of the most northeastern parts of Snow Haven. A blizzard was sweeping most of the kingdom with the white fluffy substance which was chemically frozen water but visibly the peaceful white ashes of the clouds above. The sky wasn't blue but a stable white which made it hard to see where the clouds were (which was everywhere). When the Empress and her friend approached the castle the first thing they would notice was the French-like flag flying above it with a golden symbol in the middle. Snow Haven had heavy influences from French and Swiss culture which made themselves evident not only in the flag of the kingdom but in many aspects of the culture and the government. At the main door of the castle, a Guard of the Sleeve suspiciously looked at the Empress's sword but Chief Regent Sir Edward Glass (commonly called Sir Edward) told the guard to let her pass. Sir Edward understood she was from a part of the world with different customs and practices and that they shouldn't offend one of the leaders of a nation so friendly to one of Snow Haven's parent countries, France. Sir Edward greeted the Empress and walked her over to one of the larger rooms of the castle where he offered her any of the food and anything imaginable to drink. Plenty of knights and members of the nobility were walking around to converse with any guests who would dare come through the blizzard to witness history. The other knights including Sir Edward had their swords holstered as well. "Empress Hoshiko, the Princess and myself are very honored to have you witness the coronation. I hope that the blizzard didn't cause too much trouble for your trip from France. According to legend, there has been a blizzard at every coronation in Snow Haven's history. This country has very interesting secrets, especially in such historical places like this."

The European Community, On behalf of Princess Abigail, the crown princess of Snow Haven who will soon be its first Queen, I would like to request that the Kingdom of Snow Haven is granted membership into this organization. After reviewing the rules and conditions of joining this community, I believe it would be in Snow Haven's best interests to become a member among our European brothers and sisters. Regent Sir Edward Glass of Snow Haven

Sir Edward and Abigail had never been so close to all out conflict. At night she would have nightmares of him strangling her with a scepter or locking her in a tower of one of her family's many castles. She wasn't sure if it was God trying to keep her on her feet or if it was her own mind reminding her that he wasn't to be trusted. She already knew these things, but this only made the stress worse. The coronation of a Queen should be one of the happiest moments in her life, but it looked like it was going to be one of the scariest. The time was coming for her to affirm her sovereignty as Queen of Snow Haven, protector of the realm, and defender of the faith. Seven of her handmaidens helped her put on her white dress. She told six to leave but made her favorite stay. The girl didn't know her name and no one else did either so Abigail started calling her charcoal because she was formerly in charge of tending the Princess’s fires. Now she brought her tea or other less dangerous tasks. She couldn't have been older than thirteen. "Play me a song Charcoal. Something seaworthy." Abigail handed Charcoal a violin and she started to play a pirate-like song. Warm thoughts made Abigail so happy. She loved her homeland, she loved the snow and the cold but she could never imagine being in such a warm place like the Caribbean or Africa or Australia or the Pacific islands. "What an adventure pirates must have had," she said to Charcoal who nodded and finished her song a few minutes later. One of the Guards of the Sleeve knocked on Abigail’s door and whispered, "Princess, your time approaches. Sir Edward would like you to come out soon." And so it began. Leaders from all around the world were invited to watch the ceremony. The castle in Liechtenstein was one of the smaller ones that her family owned which is why bringing more than one guest would not be allowed. Security would be provided by the small military of Snow Haven which was steadily growing to match its size and needs and the Swiss Guard from Vatican City who had come along with the Pope. The Queen was going to be crowned in the throne room of the castle where an alter was also present for religious ceremonies. Dozens if not hundreds of men had been crowned before her and now she was the next in line to be crowned in the castle where the kingdom of Snow Haven had started. If any leaders from around the world would decide to come to the coronation, they would be invited to explore the castle and the snow-covered grounds around it. The Guard of the Sleeve would keep a close eye on everyone to ensure their safety. Anyone from France or Italy would be given special treatment because of their close relation to Snow Haven.

Your Holiness, Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. I ask that only the Papal Swiss Guard come to assist if that would be possible. I would like to keep this security issue discreet and instead make this look more as an act of unity with Papal Swiss Guardsmen, Snow Haven guards, and possibly French legionaries providing security at the castle itself. We will be awaiting your arrival. Regent Sir Edward Glass of Snow Haven

Your Holiness, I intend for it to be a traditional ceremony. I believe it would be best for the kingdom if the ceremony was public. Princess Abigail needs to acquaint herself to other leaders and foreign peoples. Inside the castle is a modest thrown room and an alter. I hope this will satisfy Your Holiness. We possess the crown jewels here at the castle and will hand them over to Your Holiness once you arrive. I am sure that the Vatican Archives has what is traditionally said when a king, or in this case Queen, is crowned in Snow Haven - nothing but the gender of the words is to be changed. On one final note, if the church could help with security her majesty would be most grateful. Snow Haven's military has yet to be organized and stands only at a few hundred guards. Regent Sir Edward Glass from Snow Haven (Ill send you a message of what the pope should say if thats ok)

Abigail always enjoyed the winter palace in Liechtenstein. It was rich with history and a relaxing place to be. Liechtenstein was the the original size of Snow Haven until it grew to the big kingdom it was today. According to what she had been told by Sir Edward, she was going to be crowned here at the winter palace where her ancestors had been crowned long before her, including her father. The castle was not very big but it was plenty fancy and very safe. What Sir Edward had not told Abigail until now was what other plans he had for her to partake in while she was in her ancestral homeland. "You need to be married as soon as possible, princess," Sir Edward said. He was tall which made him appear to be a natural born leader but he was two self-centered and greedy to lead anyone. When he smiled you could see his intent to stab you in the back only hiding beneath his tongue. He was not an honorable man but he was not a man to be dishonored either because he would make sure that he got his way. "I have requested a few gentlemen to come here and meet you. As the soon to be queen you have the pick of the litter." Abigail couldn't help but feel disgusted. She crossed her arms in betrayal and bit her cheek within her mouth. "You promised me you wouldn't disregard me just because I am a woman." Sir Edward's eyes grew cold. He glared down at Abigail and stepped half a foot closer to her, "You mean girl, my princess." Those moments were so tense that the air could have been cut with a knife. He continued his little speech of why he was right and the princess was wrong. "I am not judging you because of your gender. I simply believe that every queen needs a king, the same goes for every king who needs a queen. Also many people are not as understanding as I am. They will believe there needs to be a man in your life, otherwise you would be unfit to rule. It would be a shame, my princess, if one of those people were to get a hold of you. I only have your safety and best interests at heart, but I can't protect you from everything. Do you understand what I am telling you?" Abigail reluctantly nodded her head. Sir Edward brought her to the library room where her potential husbands were waiting. Her cheeks flushed red when she entered the room with Sir Edward. Some of the men were two times or three times her age, the oldest appearing to be in his late forties. Others were from the House of Glass or the House of Stone that she had never met before but perhaps what was most terrifying was that many were from the House of Orleans, her House. To the far right was Thomas Orleans, to his left was Julien Orleans (her first cousin from Geneva), and to his left was Alexandre Orleans who was another of her cousins and was from Gersau. A few of the men she did not know but she felt she did not want to get to know any of them. "My Nobles, Sirs, and gentlemen, the Princess of Snow Haven and rightful heir to the thrown, Princess Abigail of House Orleans." They all bowed, some more than others, but said together, "My princess." She started to feel lightheaded but probably could not have collapsed even if she wanted to with all of the eligible bachelors waiting for an opportunity to save her from a fall. The way this was going to work, according to Sir Edward, was that Abigail would meet each man one by one and eliminate those who she did not pursue any further interest in. This felt eerily similar to a poorly-made American reality show but she couldn't bother at the time to make the connection. She thought about eliminating them all but knew that Sir Edward would not be happy if that was the case. First she met with Julien of House Orleans. They were alone in the library room for five minutes before he built up the courage to say anything. "My Princess I-" she stared him in the eye and started her own dialogue. "My Cousin, what brings you here to the castle of our honorable ancestors?" He must have been either forced to come or bribed because he too was uncomfortable, especially after she said that. "Sir Edward said that you were looking for-" she stopped him again, "I told Sir Edward no such thing, my Cousin. But you are going to tell him something, are you listening, Cousin?" The young man shyly eyed the princess who was dominating the conversation and nodded. "You're going to tell him that we had a pleasant conversation and you believe that I liked you, even though your mother is my aunt and you are my Cousin. Do you understand?" He nodded his head again and left. One down, but the others would not be that easy. He was maybe one year older than her which is why it was so easy to intimidate him, but most of the others had never met her before and would not be afraid of a young broad with a kingdom in her pocket. She interviewed a few more men, including the one is his late forties. He had no idea what romance was and kept asking her if she was a virgin to try to seduce her. He found out it wasn't working when she asked him to leave and call in the next bachelor. Her other cousin, "Sir" Alexandre of House Orleans. He was of the House Orleans, but his mother was of House Glass (Sir Edward's House). His father had died when he was young, and there was a rumor his mother had a part in it but to talk of such things was a "dishonorable" act. It was clear his allegiance was not strictly with House Orleans which is what worried Abigail. "My princess," said Sir Alexandre. He was twenty years old which made their age difference only four years. At first she assumed there would actually be hope here had they not been related. He was wearing some type of military uniform, probably related to his knighthood, and presented Abigail with a rose. "It is an honor to be in your presence." Instead of sitting in one of the other seats in the library room, he sat next to her on the love seat and placed his hand on her leg. A cold shiver went up her spine. His hand was cold like a demon's. "Sir Alexandre, I'm sure that you know it is treason to touch the queen without our permission?" He moved his hand farther up her leg from her knee to the middle of her leg. She was happy she decided to wear a longer dress that day so his hand touched no more than fabric. She slapped him and stood up before things could get anymore inappropriate but he pushed her out of frustration against one of the bookshelves and forced his hand over her mouth. "Why are you being so rude you little-" she sunk her teeth into his hand and broke his skin good. He wailed out in pain and punched her in the jaw out of reaction. Abigail grabbed onto the bookshelf to stop herself from falling and managed to get back onto her feet. "Guards! Guards help!" she shouted. Two Guards of the Sleeve forced open the door that Sir Alexandre had apparently locked from the inside. The guards were at first confused and scared of Abigail who had blood running down her lip to her chin, she looked like a vampire. But they grabbed a better understanding of what was happening when they saw Sir Alexandre holding his hand. "Arrest Sir Alexandre, he assaulted me!" she cried like a helpless little girl. She wasn't a helpless little girl, but acting like one usually bought her sympathy. Sir Alexandre faced the guards and backed up. "I am a knight!" he shouted. The guards didn't care. They handcuffed him and turned to Abigail, "What would you like us to do with this traitor, my princess?" She wiped the blood off her chin and pointed down with that same hand. "Bring him to the dungeon down below. I will decide his punishment later." He screamed and kicked like a little boy who didn't get his way. Nobility and royalty had a tendency to do this but Sir Alexandre had a double dose of that particular ailment. One of Abigail's handmaiden's ran inside after the guards left and tended to her. She asked if she was alright or if she needed something to drink or if she wanted to take a nap. The only thing Abigail could think of is what else Sir Edward had in mind for Abigail and if he had planned this little event. If the audacious knight would have gotten his way with her she would have had two choices. Wed him and bare his child or claim she was raped and arrest him. Unfortunately, past incidents with the nobility proved that the women were not as virtuous as the old stores made them and sometimes slept around. Many danes and female royalty had claimed the horrendous crime had been forced on them by one of their enemies when really their child belonged to their secret lover. The important parts of the government, and her own House, would believe her but the rest of the kingdom and the other Houses might not. It would have been an interesting way to force her to give up the throne. Either let a rapist claim it or abdicate and watch a civil war unfold. What an evil plot. It didn't take a long time for Sir Edward to discover one of his top choices for the next king of Snow Haven had been thrown in a wet and cold dungeon fifty feet below him. Princess Abigail ran down as soon as she discovered Sir Edward knew. Her greatest fear was that he would free him. Had she not arrived when she did, that would have been reality. Sir Edward was glaring at Sir Alexandre. His face was bruised. The Guards of the Sleeve had a special allegiance to the princess that not even Sir Edward could manipulate. The Protectors (the normal army of Snow Haven) might be different though. It was to her distaste that a protector was guarding the cellar which Sir Alexandre was being held in. He was fumbling for the keys while Sir Edward watched carefully. The princess intervened. "What do you think you are doing?" Sir Edward wasn't surprised to hear her voice. He didn't even look her in the eye. "Freeing an innocent man. He was just excited to see you. A word of advice, my princess. Learn to take a compliment." "He grabbed my leg! He pushed me against the wall and covered my mouth! That is no compliment but a forceful threat!" Abigail turned to the guard who was stuck between the two most powerful people for hundreds of miles. "You will not release that man." The protector gulped and looked to Sir Edward, "I am the chief Regent of Snow Haven. You will release this man, it is best for the kingdom." The protector was terrified. "My princess, Sir Edward please-". "DROP THE KEYS" shouted the princess. The protector did so. Sir Edward grabbed them and pushed one into the dungeon door. "Arrest Sir Edward," she growled. Sir Edward faced the protector. "I am sorry my Princess, he is the chief Regent." Sir Edward unlocked the dungeon door and Sir Alexandre crawled out before getting to his feet. "Sir Alexandre, promise you will not touch the princess again without her permission." "I never-" Sir Edward looked at him with glass eyes. "I will not touch you again without your permission, my princess. I so swear it." Alexandre wasn't broken, that was the scary part. But before he left with Sir Edward she stepped in front of him. "Protector, give me your sword." Sir Edward turned around, "Don't do anything you might regret, my princess." The protector handed Abigail his sword very carefully. "Get one one knee, Sir Alexandre." He didn't know what was going on. Was she about to knight him again? Sir Alexandre took one knee and looked up at the princess. She placed the sword on the ribbon which represented his accomplishment of being knighted. "We will not forgive traitors and will always remember their names. We will punish evil, demand justice, and will always serve with honor. We are Queen," she stated formidably. "We will not be forced to do anything by anyone." She and God thrust the sword against Sir Alexandre's ribbon, ripping it off his uniform. No longer was he Sir Alexandre. "We strip you of your knighthood. Return home with no honor, Alexandre." Abigail dropped the sword and left the chamber. Alexandre could be heard weeping as he left the castle with nothing more but citizen's clothes.

Your Holiness, After the tragic and unfortunate loss of Princess Abigail's family, it is now time to move on with crowning her as Queen of Snow Haven. Originally, the bishop of Saint Gallen was going to crown her Majesty but he is sadly not available because of issues in Saint Gallen. It is with the deepest respect and honor that I request you crown our Princess as Queen or send a cardinal in your place to do so. The crowning will take place at the winter palace, Lichtenstein Castle, where Snow Haven began as a small city state and was able to grow to the size that it is today. We would like the ceremony to be sooner rather than later due to political issues but I would of course never try to rush His Holiness. Regent Sir Edward Glass from Snow Haven

"It is most rewarding to receive recognition from a fellow European state. Unfortunately I can't make any promises when it comes to international organizations like the European Community. Snow Haven's current policy of neutrality may prevent us from joining, but we are ever so grateful for your offer." Princess Abigail Orleans

"Thank you very much for your recognition and continued understanding while we continue to set up our government." Princess Abigail Orleans

"My appreciate can't be described with words for the support the European community and other nations have given." Princess Abigail Orleans