Coronation: Chapter One
(I don't own any copyrights to Xenogears, I'm just an avid player and fan!)
Bright sunlight streamed through the Prince Bartholomew's bedroom windows. Groggily, he rolled over and tried to go back to sleep, but a moment later
there was a polite knock at the door, followed by Maison's cheery voice as he entered the room saying, "good morning, Young Master!"
A grunt issued from Bart, who was trying to bury his face under a pillow. Sigurd, white-haired and slender, entered the room and sighed.
"Young Master, should you really be sleeping so late when you have still have so much to do before the coronation? Margarite has already been up for
hours!" Finally giving up, Bart rolled onto his back and blankly stared at the ceiling.
"How many days left?" He asked softly, and neither Maison or Sigurd needed to guess what he meant.
"One week," Sigurd answered uncertainly. Bart sighed and sat up; Golden-blonde hair cascaded down his back in a silky waterfall. Bart had often
thought of cutting it, lately, and only dim memories of a man with a warm laugh, and hair like his, kept him from doing so. It was foolish really, but Bart had
never really known is father, and if he could ever be anything like him at all...
"I don't know if I can do it, Sig..." Bart put his face in his hands. Sigurd came and sat down beside him, gently putting an arm around Bart's shoulders.
"Father would have wanted you to be happy," he sad gently, "weather you are King or not." Bart looked up, seeing the smile on Sigurd's face, and he
smiled back. Maison stifled a sob, and pulled out a starched white handerkerchief from his pocket; He blew his nose politely.
"This old man is so--happy--to see the late King's sons displaying such brotherly love!" Maison sobbed.
The door to Bart's bedroom had been left open, and a few beautiful maidens were hiding outside, trying to sneak glances in at him. Bart blushed a deep
scarlet when realized he was completely naked underneath the covers...and the covers were barely covering his hips! While Bart was mumbling about
needing some clothes, Sigurd shooed the maidens away and shut the door with a sharp click.
"Who let them in here?" Bart muttered, digging deep in a drawer partly to cover his embarrassment, and partly because he really did need a pair of
socks...
"More and more noble families are coming back to Bledavik ever since you came out of hiding," Sigurd explained, "some are curious to know if the
rumors about you are true...others are ready to throw their full support behind you concerning your claim to the throne, but most simply believe they are
returning home after a long time in exile..."
"My," said Maison thoughtfully, "there are so many young people around the castle these days, it is rather heartwarming to see that Bledavik is coming
back to life!"
"Well, I'm dressed," Bart pulled on his last boot and grabbed his whip from a chair, "so I think I'm gonna go find Margie now. I'll see you guys later at
thebig meeting!" He strode from the room, but Maison and Sigurd hung back for a moment.
"Do you know why Samson has been summoned here?" Maison asked worriedly.
"Not a clue," Sigurd replied, "I only hope it doesn't mean trouble for the Young Master..." Samson had been responsible for unofficially overseeing that
Aveh's traditions and values were observed during the reign of King Edbart IV, and it was thought that he had been killed when the King was
assassinated, but he had reappeared a few weeks ago and made contact with Sigurd; As-of-yet, Bart knew nothing of him, and Sigurd only hoped it could
remain that way. The king had been a great tradtionalist in his time, but Sigurd profoundly believed that, as King, Bart should be allowed to deal with the
old traditions in whatever way he wished.