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over their hearts instead of bowing at the waist so that they could remain alert for any threat to their emperor. Acting as ordinary Citizens, Jason, Marius, and I bowed like everyone else. I have to be honest. I like the other way better. I can keep watching things then.
    Luckily, the bows didn’t last too long. It looked like a wave that followed the imperial couple. The emperor was dressed in a uniform similar to the Legion Fleet uniform except his was black. It was also obviously better made. I thought it looked a little more comfortable than what I was wearing. Being emperor had its perks. About his throat was the Imperial crest. It looked to be made of the same iridescent substance as the sword hilt at his hip. A woven iridescent crown was perched on his brow, and gleamed against his dark hair.
    The empress was dressed in a slender white gown whose creator obviously came from the school of simple elegance. A silver necklace studded with star emeralds glittered at her throat. The stones echoed her bright silvery-green eyes. Upon her head was a finally woven coronet of the same iridescent metal as her husband’s. The only difference was that hers was simpler, but no less finely made. Her black hair gleamed under the lights. Before they stepped upon the dais, the admirals stood and bowed. Nodding to the admirals, the imperial couple turned to face the gathered crowd, before the empress settled on her throne in a graceful movement.
    Emperor Vailence Imperen’s gaze flickered over the gathered mass, before he finally spoke. He did not need to shout, it was pretty quiet with everyone standing at attention. His voice was one of those that carried easily. It helped that it was melodic, too. “You know why we are here. Who is to be called before Us? Let him or her be called.” And then the emperor sat, his movements just as fluid as his wife’s.
    Of the admirals who remained standing, it was Admiral D’rz who stepped forward. There was no chance that anyone wouldn’t be able to hear him. “We call upon Captain Braeden Wingstar,” he said, and I heard Jason’s, ‘I knew it.’
    The crowd looked around for the called captain. Movement came from the farthest corner of the room. Captain Wingstar had apparently thought that if he was out of sight he would also be out of mind, but he had been mistaken. As I leaned toward Jason, I noticed Admiral L’Seral’s small, satisfied smile. “Why were you worried that we wouldn’t be able to hear?” I whispered very softly.
    Without looking away from the approaching captain, Jason whispered back, “The formal stuff is always easy to hear. I wanted to hear the whispered conversations they have before announcing things.”
    “Oh.”
    Captain Wingstar reached the dais. He performed a smooth half kneel, his right fist over his heart and his head bowed. He held the pose for a moment before rising and stepping up onto the platform. I wondered if the grace came with practice as you rose through the ranks, because I doubt I could have been that smooth.
    “Captain. Once again you stand before me, called to this position,” the emperor said in a softer tone. And now I really understood what Jason was talking about. Only those on the dais and those of us close to it could hear what was being said.
    The captain inclined his head before saying, “And again, Your Imperial Highness, I must beg forgiveness…”
    He was cut off by the emperor’s raised hand. “Captain, the appropriate answer is, ‘Thank you, Your Imperial Highness, for this great honor. I pray to God that I serve admirably’… no pun intended of course,” the emperor said softly, with a smile. He continued when the captain didn’t immediately parrot him. “You are needed, Captain. And there is no one else.”
    Captain Wingstar bowed his head slightly before saying in a louder voice, “Thank you, Your Imperial Highness, for this great honor. I pray to God that I serve admirably.”
    No pun intended, I added