"Are you sure you want to do this?" Rita combed through Estelle's hair, preparing her for the event.
"Yes," Estelle told her, "With Löder gone, I'm the only candidate left..."
Rita teared up slightly looking at Estelle, "You look so beautiful..."
Estelle hugged Rita, "I'm sorry, this is something I have to do."
Rita buried her face into Estelle's chest, leaving teardrops on her fancy dress, "We could run away... disappear..."
Estelle kissed Rita on the forehead, "We'll still be together. Trust me." Estelle smiled as she walked out to the balcony of the castle.
A massive crowd, nearly every single person who lived at the capital, was gathered for her. Among the crowd was the entire party, including Duke, Hisca and Chastel, who had recently been knighted into their guild.
Estelle approached the microphone, "Thank you all for coming out," the crowd cheered louder upon hearing her speak, but eventually died down.
Estelle cleared her throat, she was slightly nervous, "For the past several months I have been traveling the world with my friends, up until this point I had never seen the outside of the castle."
Everyone was dressed in their most formal attire for Estelle's big day, even Raven had washed and combed his hair and Judith had put on clothes.
"I didn't want it to end," Estelle looked down, "I felt selfish at first, but I have come to realize that I did more good out there than I ever could have done from the castle."
"Where is she going with this?" Flynn whispered to Yuri.
Yuri smiled, knowing full well what she was doing, "She's doing what she's always done."
"I've seen the entire world now, I was even able to help my friends take down some of the worst people ever, even stopping our own former commandant, Alexei, in his tracks," Estelle gained confidence in her speech, "We stopped Barbos, we stopped Alexei, we stopped Ragou and Cumore from torturing innocents, we infiltrated the tower and stopped the evil villain atop!"
Duke looked up, "She didn't use my name?" He muttered to himself, "Then I am truly forgiven..."
"I've learned a lot," Estelle sighed, "But most of all I've learned that having one person ruling over everything isn't right. Nobody elected me to this position, and this sword should not grant someone absolute power over the empire!"
Estelle raised Dein Nomos, "That's why, as of sundown, I am resigning as Emperor."
The crowd collectively gasped and began chattering.
"Here are my final acts as Emperor," she started, "The role of emperor will now be voted in as a democracy, as well as the seats on the council. All votes shall be treated equally."
"This sword," Estelle dropped Dein Nomos to the ground by her feet, "No longer has any power. The power is in the hands of the people."
"Further more," She continued, "I'm imposing a term limit of 4 years for the emperor before a re-election could occur, no person shall serve more than 2 terms. That is all."
The crowd erupted into shouting, not out of anger, but out of curiosity as Estelle walked back into the castle.
Estelle looked into the precious eyes of her happy little mage, who was gushing tears of happiness.
"I don't know what to say..." Rita's voice was cracking.
"You don't have to say anything," Estelle smiled and took her hand, "Let's just run away for a while."
•••
"So we part ways here again?" Yuri unbuttoned his shirt.
"We both have places to go," Flynn told him.
"Maybe you do," Yuri smiled, "I'll be riding around with Judith, Ba'ul, and anybody else who decides to come along."
Flynn nodded and began walking away, but was stopped by Yuri placing his hand on Flynn's shoulder.
"You're more than welcome to come along," Yuri told him.
"I can't. I'm sorry," Flynn replied.
Yuri looked at him, "Are you sure? You could leave you could leave your stiff second in command in charge."
Flynn placed his hand on his chin, rubbing it in deep thought, "She was a pretty good leader out there..."
"C'mon," Yuri said, "Just take a little vacation."
Flynn sighed, "Fine. You win. One week."
"2 weeks," Yuri told him, firmly.
Flynn rolled his eyes, "Fine, two weeks," he chuckled, "I'll tell Sodia."
•••
Duke and Patty stood together, overlooking the royal quarter from the steps of the castle.
"You've done pretty well for yourself, Aifread," Duke's words sent a slight shiver up Patty's spine.
"How'd you know?" Patty asked him.
"The way you talked, the way you moved, your knowledge," he replied.
"I meant how did you know Aifread."
"She was a legend, most people still believed Seipher was Aifread, as he was the face of the fleet, but I saw through the charade," Duke reminisced, "I've always wanted to meet her, and now I have."
There was a silent pause, which Patty filled, "What? Do you want an autograph or something?"
Duke smiled, "I will aid you in battle any day."
"What about the Blastia?" Patty pointed to his wrist, "Don't you despise those things?"
Duke looked at his wrist, "I still have mixed feelings, I will not use it unless absolutely necessary, but I believe that they have a place in this world. Mordio is a genius."
"You're pretty stubborn," Patty told him, "But I'm glad you've changed your mind a little bit."
Duke began walking off, holding Dein Nomos in his hand, "Where will we be venturing to next?"
Patty followed him out the gate, "I've gotta return to Heliord and check up on my restaurant, and then head to Aurnion to see how the second one is going, and then head to Dahngrest to get another one started up."
Duke smiled, "It would be my pleasure to accompany you."
•••
Karol and Raven walked toward Estelle's room to say their goodbyes to the group, but they were stopped by a high pitched, loud voice.
"Karol!" The voice shouted.
Karol turned around, "Nan?"
"Karol..." Nan panted, she was dressed in a formal dress without her weapon, her hair was even dressed up. "Karol I..."
Following close behind her were Clint and Tison, both dressed up as well.
"You all came out to hear Estelle speak?" Karol looked at them.
"Yes, we did," Tison told him, then looked to Nan, "Someone insisted we come out."
Nan blushed, "Well I just wanted to come out and support you and Estelle."
"It's not my day..." Karol said.
Raven facepalmed, "Kid, you still don't get it."
"Get what?" Karol got impatient, "I don't get anything, what's the get?"
"Congratulations, Karol," Tison told him, "You and your friends have accomplished more than we ever could have."
Clint uncrossed his arms and gave Karol a nod of approval, "You've made the hunting blades proud."
"Thank you guys," Karol blushed.
Raven and Karol began walking back to Estelle's room, leaving the three hunting blades behind.
Nan groaned slightly, she had chickened out once again.
•••
"Well, we're all here now," Yuri shut the door behind Judith, who was the last to arrive.
"Karol, would you do the honors?" Yuri motioned to the three new people in the room.
"Uh... yeah sure," Karol stuttered slightly, "Welcome to Brave Vesperia. Duke, Hisca, Chastel, we're glad to have you on board.
"We will enjoy your aid from around the world," Estelle told them, "And we thank you for your assistance in our time of need."
The group exchanged hugs and handshakes, minus Duke, who just stood awkwardly.
•••
Dorik sat alone in his prison cell, knowing full well he deserved it, but missing his daughter.
"You've got visitors," The guard told him.
The Loli Twins walked close to his cell.
"You two came to visit?" Dorik asked, "How's my little girl?"
"Ask her yourself," Droite said, revealing his daughter hiding behind her.
"Daddy!" She exclaimed, running over to the cell, "I miss you..."
"Daddy misses you too..." Dorik said, trying not to cry.
Gauche stepped forward, "We're in contact with the council about getting you a pardon, they said Estelle sent one over and you should be out within a week."
"You hear that, sunshine?" Dorik asked his daughter, "Daddy's gunna be out soon, but for now your aunts are gunna look after you."
Dorik's daughter smiled, "I'll see you soon!"
The three walked away, Dorik sat back down on the prison bed, content.
•••
In a private room next to the many blossoms of Halure, two girls stood next to each other, their hands intertwined.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Estelle asked.
"She sure is..." Rita replied.
Estelle giggled, "Are you taking about me or the tree?"
Rita brought her princess in close, "Mostly you."
"An entire week of complete isolation with you in Halure..." Estelle's heart rate slowed, "It's my dream come true."
"Mine too..." Rita ran her fingers through Estelle's short, pink hair.
The two gazed into each other's eyes, and shared one long, passionate kiss.
End of Act 1
