Prologue
The Royal Palace was the jewel of the capital of Naboo. More than a thousand years of monarchy lined every hall of the palace. Sola Naberrie looked out of the massive window on the topmost spire in the North wing of the palace. From here, she could see the entirety of her capital. From the top of the ornate staffs held by monuments to the greatest Nubain philosophers which lined the forecourt to the palace in the North and the waterfalls that cascaded down the cliffs on the Southern face of the palace; to the marshlands the bordered the city, and the Solleu River which cut through the middle of the city. Theed was without any doubt in her mind the most beautiful city in her country. A beacon of enlightenment by tradition in an ever changing world. Sola drew closer to the window and looked down. Below, she could see the crowds still surrounding the palace and taking pictures and looking through binoculars in hopes of getting a glimpse of her. She could hear cheers and praise to her as the new Queen even from where she stood.
A bubbly giggle slipped past her lips as she stepped back and did a twirl. Queen. All her life, she had been preparing for this moment and yet, now that it was here, she still felt as though it were all a dream. She was the Queen. True, Naboo was little more than a small country lost between the boarders of Spain and France, and most people often draw their maps with her territory a part of Spain, but her sovereignty was recognized by official international doctrine, and she is now a Queen. Sola took one last gaze at the onlookers below. Despite the celebrations going on in the city, the work of government had no time to waste on such a momentous day. She took a moment to compose herself. The girlish smile on her face was replaced by the serious and solemn face of one deserving of the crown as she held her head tall and gracefully descended from the tower.
Along the way to the throne room where she would receive the lords and nobility who serve her government, she picked up her loyal staff who served as both friend and ally in such political environments for where ministers and lords had their parties and clubs, royalty had their ladies in waiting, and peers to stand beside them.
"There you are!" As she reached the intersection of the halls that separated the private residences from the public areas, her younger sister, Padme quickly came to her side. She was dressed in an elegant dress of purple and blue, her hair tied tightly and caged in a gold headpiece. Over her shoulder she wore the same green sash and the eight pointed star encrusted pin that she wore; regalia to signify their place in The Order of the Lotus. Sola smiled as her sister looped her arm in hers as they walked slowly towards the throne room where the ministers and nobles of her country were waiting. "You shouldn't have kept them waiting," Padme whispered, sending a warning glance at her. "Panaka was already groaning about how you're ill suited for the crown. He still remembers that time you snuck out of the palace to go to that club."
Sola giggled, ignoring how Padme tried to hush her, "Relax, dear sister," She said. "That was years ago. Like he never did anything rebellious before."
"Panaka wasn't the daughter of a king," Padme reminded her, "You forget too easily that we're held to a higher standard."
"And you think about it much too often, Padme." Stepping forward as they reached the doors, she adjusted herself once more as the Royal Jeweler brought her the lighter ceremonial crown that was used for activities that were more active but still required a strong symbol of power. It was still heavy on her head and she felt as if she would topple over if she leaned too far forward, but it was necessary for this occasion whose tradition goes back more than six-hundred years.
Satisfied that she was stable enough to meet with her court, the herald opened the doors before banging his staff to announce her and her entourage. She entered first, followed by her sister, and then her handmaidens. The crescent crowd of people that formed for her arrival all bowed to her before parting for her so that she may approach her throne and sit. The throne was made of gold flake covered wood that stretched upward into a regal point and cushioned by red fabric pillowed cushions. The red had faded some after years of seating royals through countless engagements, but it still shone brightly and the fading only represented the strength and security of the monarchy. Sola climbed the three steps to the throne, and turned to face her subjects. To her right, one step below her was a smaller but still regal chair for her sister, and to the left on the tiled floor sat a line of seats for her handmaidens.
Sola took a moment to observe the men and women who stood before her. Many were of noble birth but some, like Panaka, had been elected directly by her people. She knew most of the people in the room already, having spent the better part of her years sitting in her father's study with him, learning about all the important people in Naboo who would serve her. If she was being honest with herself, she wished that she had paid more attention to her father's lessons as she couldn't remember all of their names and the various titles most of them carried. In the midst of the crowd, she could also make out some foreign dignitaries who were in attendance. It was hard to miss Prince Harry's ginger hair or the headdress on the duchess from Mandalore. Beside her, she heard Padme clear her throat, and it was then that she realized she was still standing. Masking her embarassment from her lapse, she sat with as much grace as she could muster. Her sister and the rest of her party sat down with her, as the group of guests shuffled a little closer.
The handmaiden closest to her, Duja, approached her with her head bowed and passed her the leather folder with her speech held in place firmly. She cast a small smile at her before Sola opened it and ran her fingers over the embossed heraldic seal of the monarchy in the header of the speech. She cleared her throat as she glanced over the top of her folder for a moment, regretting it as she felt her nerves bubble to the surface. "My Lords, ministers, and representatives from my foreign allies," She started, "Now that our matters of state are in order, and the coronation concluded; I ask once more for my government to formally recognize powers held by I, your sovereign."
Her eyes glanced up from over the top of her folder, trying not to lock eyes with anyone. She had practiced this speech for hours, just as she had for the coronation. Where the coronation was more a show for the people, this meeting was for her government and the world powers. Naboo's history had always been one where people would overlook them and ignore them. The tradition of the Recognition Ceremony was just that- asking to be recognized. There had been a time where 'asking' had included the household guard armed with halberds and the consequence for not recognizing the sovereign had meant a less than pleasant death… but that part of the tradition had been dropped a long time ago. Now, instead of halberds there was alcohol.
"My Lord Prime Minister," Sola said, directing Sio Bibble who bowed his head to her, "How says my Parliament?"
"On the matter of the Sovereign's power as stated in the Sovereignty Bill of 1093, unanimously, your Parliament says aye, Majesty." Bibble bowed at the waist as a light round of clapping filled the room.
"Let it then be known across my realm and across the world that I, Sola of the house of Naberrie by the grace of God, shall sit and rule the country of Naboo. Let it be known that I dedicate my life to the protection and prosperity of my land and people."
A louder crescendo of applause filled the room as the speech ended. Sola felt like her chest would burst, but she masked it as best she could as she closed the folder and passed it to her left. Now all that was left to do was enjoy the festivities. There were no more ancient ceremonies she had to preside over for a while and for a moment she felt all the weight and pressure of the crown lift from her head. But the feeling was short lived.
To be honest I think the story does just fine without the prologue but I just really wanted to include this chapter with Sola's perspective because it just felt so right to help set up the world and see it from a different perspective.
Next chapter will take place a little bit before this chapter.
