Lillandra and Jeryn returned after an hour's time to find that the men had retired. Xavier had gone to his and Lillandra's private bedroom, and the other men were bedded down in the outermost chamber of the suite. Four cots were in the rear corner of the main reception room. Rogue, with her invincible body, was nearest the door. Storm was nearest the center of the room, giving her a clear shot at any intruders. Jean was on the inside, where she was both protected and able to see to focus a psychic attack. Jeryn's cot was in the rear, behind them all.

Rogue and Storm were chatting quietly; Jean appeared to be asleep, though Jeryn's telepathic senses told her otherwise. Lillandra gave her a hug, and left for her own room. The princess crawled into the empty cot, and Rogue turned the lights out. Steady breathing soon told Jeryn that Rogue and Storm had fallen asleep. Jeryn reached out with her newly minted telepathic senses towards the locus of sorrow that was Jean Gray, with the light touch that was the telepathic equivalent of a polite knock on a door. Tears were flowing silently down Jean's face as she relaxed her outermost layer of shields in response to the request.

Jeryn had known that her friend was awake and upset from the moment she had entered the room. Since they had first met in the infirmary at Xavier's school, there had been a particularly close bond between the two of them. What had started out as a friendship born of compassion, empathy, and shared pain had turned into nearly a mother-daughter relationship between the two. There were few hidden thoughts among telepaths - and no escaping from one's own emotions, either. The maternal feelings that Jean had been unable to put aside came bursting forth as her young friend wrapped her in wordless thanks, love, and comfort. Without exchanging a word, their emotions said all that needed to be said before they fell asleep.

They were all up early, even though the presentation would not take place until midday. They had a substantial breakfast, for Lillandra and Jeryn would be going to a Council meeting directly after the presentation was finished. They had debated on whether Xavier should attend the meeting; he had the right to be there, since he was Imperial Consort. It was decided in the end that it would be best that he not appear though, as many of the nobles remained irritated by his ongoing association with Lillandra. They needed to have Jeryn accepted as quickly as possible, and his presence could slow down the process by distracting everyone from the issue at hand.

The royals changed into their formal attire, which seemed to be composed of as much hidden weaponry as fabric. Gladiator came in to report on the security arrangements. A final dress run of the ceremony was made to ensure that everyone knew their parts perfectly. They reviewed everything that they thought of that could possibly go wrong, and how to deal with it. By late morning, everyone was as ready as they were going to be.

Lillandra and Jeryn were resplendent in their gold attire. A rich chestnut and gold cloak that would conceal the new heir until the proper moment was draped over a divan. Everyone was conversing quietly, waiting. Only the conspirators were in the room. Jeryn stood up and crossed the room to where Xavier and his wife were conferring, and everyone saw her stop a wingspan away from Lillandra. "Majestrix, there's something I'd like to say. I'll be repeating a version of this later in front of the nobles, but it means more to me to say it now."

The empress watched mystified as Jeryn sank to one knee, raised her joined hands as if in prayer, and began speaking. "I, Jeryn, being of age, do willingly enter your homage and become your liegeman of life and limb and earthly worship. Faith and truth will I bear unto you, to live and die against all manner of folks, so help me God."

Xavier recognized the old oath of fealty taking to a sovereign lord. Touched by the gesture, he sent a thought-burst of explanation to his wife. The majestrix was equally moved. Her heir would of course swear an oath of loyalty before the Shi'ar nobles. By swearing before the members of their conspiracy however, Jeryn was confirming her willing and total commitment to the task at hand - and to Lillandra personally.

Prompted by Charles' information, she took Jeryn's joined hands between her own and returned the oath. "And this do I, Lillandra of the Shi'ar, pledge; to return loyalty for loyalty, honor for service, to bear faith and truth unto you, and to protect you, my sister, Princess Jeryn of Earth and the Shi'ar, against all manner of folk. I call on Sharra and Ky'thri to witness these vows and bless them." She raised Jeryn up by their joined hands, and they embraced warmly. Lillandra looked at her heir with tears in her eyes. "I thank the gods for giving me such a wonderful sister to share my journey with." They embraced again and then Jeryn backed away, giving the majestrix formal obeisance.

Gladiator stepped forward and cleared his throat. It was time. The X-Men rose. Jeryn claimed the cloak from the divan. Jean helped her to get it in place, sending her friend a wordless burst of approval and love. They assembled themselves into the proper formation, and went out to introduce Jeryn to the Shi'ar.

The group proceeded under heavy guard from the Imperial Quarters to the main presentation hall from which the rulers of the Shi'ar customarily addressed their people. Jeryn was under double - or even triple – guard. For she was surrounded not only by Gladiator's men, but within them by Vellan and her own personal guard, and within that by the X-Men. When Lillandra sent a brief telepathic query, Jeryn gave the equivalent of a disdainful snort and replied, If someone took my feet off right now no one would ever notice it, because all these bodies would keep me marching right along! A smile briefly traveled across the empress' face as she advised her young friend, Get used to it. A wordless sigh was the only response.

They didn't have to travel very long. A brisk ten-minute walk brought them to the doors of the hall. Jeryn and her group stayed by the door while the majestrix went forward to confirm that all was in readiness. When she returned – ostensibly to her consort – she gave the group a quick nod before leading them into the hall.

Jeryn took in a huge gulp of air and squared her shoulders against the fears that arose inside her. It was way too late to back out now. The only way open was forward. She felt a surge of gratitude at a wave of telepathic reassurance from Jean, who was right behind her.

Cheers erupted from the massed voices of the thousands of Shi'ar who had assembled to view the presentation, representing billions who were scattered around the homeworld and beyond. It continued for some time, as Gladiator's men secured defensive positions around the speaker's platform. Lillandra was as well beloved and respected a monarch as her father had been.

When the platform had been secured Lillandra walked alone to center stage. A small computer bank stood before her. She was acutely aware of the need for her people's approval, and let the cheers carry on for some few minutes before holding up a hand for their forbearance. The crowd hushed in order to hear her words clearly. When the hall was as quiet as it was likely to get she dropped her hand, breathed a silent prayer to the gods, and began.

"My beloved people. I come before you this day filled with a joy such as I have never known." The crowd seethed with excitement; from the majestrix' words and demeanor, they gathered that the news she was about to reveal was for good, rather than ill. Lillandra actively scanned the gathering, both to make her subjects feel that she was looking at them individually, and also to scan for potential troublemakers.

"As you all know, my parents of blessed memory – may Sharra and Ky'thri guard their souls – were lost to us many years ago, in a remote sector of Our Empire. Though the greatest search in our history was mounted immediately, their ship had disappeared, never to be found." Noise from the crowd swelled in anticipation. Had the Emperor been found?!

Lillandra continued, "For many years our ships combed that area of space, seeking some news or sign of our beloved Emperor and Empress. I rejoice to inform you that after all these long years, that sign has been found!" As she had expected, sound erupted in the hall, temporarily drowning her out. While the crowd seethed in excitement, the Majestrix turned and beckoned to the cloaked stranger standing among her consort's students.

They had debated whether or not Xavier should accompany Jeryn to Lillandra's side. Again, they had ultimately decided against it, wanting to distance Jeryn from the imperial consort in case of a disaster. It was also symbolic, having her walk the considerable distance to Lillandra's side alone. The Majestrix kept her hand extended while Cat deliberately crossed the hall. The crowd buzzed with anticipation. Surely the cloaked and hooded one was a messenger of some sort, come to report to the Empress?

They saw the richly garbed figure stop at the prescribed distance and go to one knee, bowing deeply before the galactic ruler. Only when Lillandra gestured permission did the figure rise and approach. Confusion permeated the crowd sounds – normally no one was allowed to approach the Empress so closely. Confusion turned to outright astonishment as Lillandra drew the hooded figure close in to her, laying an arm across the shoulders of the mysterious one. This flew in the face of all precedent! No one was allowed contact with the Imperial personage! Why was the Empress' bodyguard taking no action?

Lillandra raised her voice and spoke in her best parade-ground command tones to cut through the din. "My people! From beyond the grave my parents have sent us an answer to our greatest prayers. I present to you the Imperial Princess Jeryn!" With a swift tug, Lillandra pulled the concealing hood from the young woman's head. The astonished crowd went berserk.