A young man with hair combed back stood infront of a camera.
"We're live in three...two...one..." Someone said behind the camera.
The man cleared his throat and smiled lightly.
"For those of you just turning in, we are here on planet Nevers in the Burgundy system." he glanced to his left, "Ah, it's about to start."
The Camera man moved the camera and faced towards a nicely decorated area and zoomed in to get a better focus.
A young lady was seated on the stage near a podium. Within minutes a contingent of Royal Marines approached the stage and took up positions, they were wearing formal white uniforms of the Royal Guard, the 132nd Royal Detachment that was stationed with the Prince.
The Gallic march started to play as the Prince made his way calmly towards the stage. He was wearing a white Naval uniform, decorated with a few ribbons, on the side of his hip, he wore a silver sheath and sabre. He took his place at the podium. He cleared his throat and took a deep breath in.
"As many of you know," He said into the microphone, "the fall of Champagne was a cost for many people. It broke families apart as the rebel fighters swept across the planet side. It eventually ended the lives of a few noble family members. Mainly the life of Duke Ta'loon, and Duchess Ta'loon. Her father violently overthrown and forced out of their homestead, during the Marne uprising, later to pass away on Avallon station, and her mother died in the battle of the Minefield onboard the Cassard. Their daughter, Elria Ta'loon, reclaimed her title as the Exiled Duchess of Champagne, while living on Avallon." He paused and glanced over at the young lady who was seated nearby, "Enough of her past, however. It is with a great honor that I bestow upon Madame Elria, a new title, and a new house." He raised his hand towards Elria and waved it for her to come over.
Gracefully she stood up and walked smoothly over towards him. Stopping a few feet away and bowing, then kneeling down before him. Joseph turned to face her fully and drew his sabre, holding it out towards the right side of them. "My Father sends his regards." He whispered, then he raised the sabre towards her and placed it on her right shoulder.
"Elria Ta'loon, Exiled Duchess of Champagne. Your family has suffered a great deal of dishonor by the rebels that plague your world. It is the will of the King, and my self to restore your honor. As of here on out, you are the Duchess of the house of Ciel. Duchess of Champagne, and Regent Margrave of Nevers." He raised the sabre off her shoulder and replaced it back into it's sheath. "Elria Ciel, Head of the House of Ciel, Duchess of Champagne, and Regent Margrave of Nevers, rise." He said calmly.
She lowered her head for a moment, as if remembering what happened. Shortly, she lifted her head up high and arose to her feet, standing straight. Joseph mumbled lightly under his breath as a people in the crowd cheered. "Dismissed."
She gave a slight nod and turned quickly to walk off the stage. She was escorted out by two royal guards. The remaining four stood near the Prince, as he returned to the podium.
A slight smile came across his face. As he opened his mouth to speak, someone in the front row shouted,
"Down with the crown! For the Revolution!"
Joseph glanced over and saw a man pulling out a pistol rather quickly, a guard nearby saw the same thing. The man pulled three times, rapidly, the crowd screamed and scattered. Acting quickly one of the guards managed to get himself between the bullets and the Prince, taking the hits, the guards corpse fell back into Joseph causing him to fall to the ground.
More gunshots rang out from the assailant, Armed Guards had their weapons drawn and fired a volley of rounds, which struck the assailant. Quickly the guards rushed over towards the man.
"Damn! Get back!" One of the guards shouted stumbling to a stop and falling backward. "Dead man swi--"
There was a sudden explosion...
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"Did...did you just see that?" The News reporter was heard mumbling.