Rifiuto: Non Miriena
A/N: I'm so sorry about this. My darling sister-in-law's stories can get so confusing sometimes! Though it's clear she certainly loves to write, considering all the stories she has on here... I'll try to get this one uploaded (or reuploaded in the right order) as fast as I can! Written: 2005, Found: 2018.- Licia
"Trism, I'm nervous."
She met his gaze as he gently adjusted the sapphire blue velvet and white spotted fur-lined robe on her shoulders. He already wore his, and gently took her face in his hands. "You have nothing to be nervous for, my love. You have done this before, remember? You will hold no power unless you wish to; you are merely my consort. The choice, to hold power or not, is up to you."
"Since you are ruling, I will rule by your side, my darling." She lifted her chin. "But on one condition."
He raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"I will not be treated as a subject, and therefore, I will not bow before you."
"You will be my queen, Fabala." He replied calmly, adjusting the robe on her small shoulders.
"But you forget, Tris, I am also an empress. I bow to no one."
"I'm aware, Elphaba." He whispered, taking her face in his hands. "But you are aware that while we may be equals upon the throne, within this country, I am your king. And therefore, in the eyes of the crown, I am one step above you."
She pulled away. "And you are aware, that in my country, I stand above you. I will rule the Vinkus by your side as long as you will have me, but Fliaan, I rule alone."
They locked gazes, silence reigning between the two for several minutes, before he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her flush against him. He studied her gaze for several minutes, brushing his knuckles across her cheek, before capturing her lips in his. It was evident, this power struggle would be more a game than anything else for the two ruling monarchs, a way to show the other up, to remind each other of the importance they held not just in their countries, but in each others' lives. He rested his forehead to hers when he pulled away. "I would not have it any other way."
She glanced at her husband out of the corner of her eye. Trism seemed to be trying to maintain as much composure as she was; silently, he reached over, holding his hand palm up, and she slid her hand into his. A moment passed, before he bit his lip; as a boy, he had always had trouble maintaining composure at ceremonies such as this- usually because Locasta kept such a stern eye on him and his brother- but he had often found himself trying not to break into laughter because it was just so boring. He could feel his mother's gaze boring into his skull and quickly squeezed his wife's hand to let her know that they were being watched by the one person that mattered.
The couple managed to lose their desire to burst into laughter when the Imperial Crowns were brought out. As was custom, the king was crowned first; once crowned, he would then crown his queen, showing that he saw her as his equal in all rights and ways in regards to rule. The newly crowned king would then drape the Order of Saint Lurline about her neck, signifying that the responsibility for the welfare of the country belonged to both of them, and that she had the blessings of Lurline, patron saint of the Vinkus, not only in her right as his wife, but as his queen.
She met his gaze as he held out a hand, but she refused it, remaining knelt before him; the meaning loud and clear. Just this once, I will kneel before you.
She lowered her gaze, her breath catching as she felt him rest the crown upon her head and then drape the Order around her neck, before holding out a hand, which she took, and helping her to her feet. Without a moment's hesitation, Trism leaned forward, brushing a soft kiss to his wife's lips. It stunned the court; the priest opened his mouth to speak, but stopped when he caught Locasta's eye, and the meaning was clear. My son is not like the men who came before him. This is his court now; he is not going to be your traditional ruler.
Once he pulled away, he led her to the thrones, helping her up the dais, before accepting the orb and scepter. Elphaba stood by his side; she covered his hands with hers- a sign that they would rule jointly, together, for as long as the Unnamed God allowed. Neither said a word as the Grand Priest anointed them both on the forehead with holy chrism. Without a word, he slipped his pinkie around hers, and she tried desperately to hide the smile tugging at her lips.
"By the Unnamed God's will, Trism IV, King and Sovereign of the Vinkus, of Elfnix, of Kelve, of Ugabu, of the Great Kells, of the Lesser Kells, Prince of Restwater..."
A moment passed, before Trism glanced at his mother over Elphaba's shoulder; Locasta nodded. Very few Vinkun queens had ruled their own countries as well as ruled jointly with their husbands, but it was known to happen; Kumbria II, Preenella I, and Sarima I were three such women who had married Vinkun monarchs, ruled by their husbands' sides, as well as ruled their own countries before and after their marriages. Though originally it was custom for the queen to change her name upon ascending the throne with her husband, the practice was dropped around eighteen-twenty. Elphaba, like so many queens before her, would keep her name, only accepting the title of Queen of the Vinkus, adding it to her already long list of titles which she held in Fliaan.
"... Imperial Ruler of Kvon Altar, Grand Duke of Rux, Yeter, and Unbar and others..."
Trism met his wife's gaze, and she lowered her gaze briefly before returning it to his. I'm here, my love. I'm not going anywhere.
"... Hereditary Ruler and Owner and his wife, Queen Elphaba of the Vinkus and Empress of Fliaan."
As chants of 'The Unnamed God Save the King!' rang out, the pair left the dais, going to the balcony of the palace, so the Vinkun people might see their new rulers. As the heavy wooden doors opened, Trism and Elphaba stepped out, still in their coronation regalia, to cheers and applause from the crowds below.
