Chapter 5– Crowning and Council

The wind was hitting my face as the Hover Speeder went through the crowds of people on the streets. Everywhere I looked there were people– even on the tops of buildings. They were all waving, cheering, and throwing flowers, and I tried to watch the people's expressions. Most of them were happy; this was a nice reprieve from everything that has happened. I have been putting on a smile the entire time, and it's making my face hurt. I noticed I am good at hiding what I truly feel. I have to put on a good face for the people– make them believe everything will be ok.

It had only been a week since my father's funeral. It was a sad affair, and the streets were filled with seas of people, like they are now, and they looked like dots in the light. I don't remember much from that day, but from what I do remember, my head hurt, I was hot, and my heart was filled with sorrow.

Del Miedo continues driving the Hover Speeder at a steady pace through the crowds. I have eight guards with me, because it is a risk coming out in the opening like this considering what just happened to my father. I really try to look confident, and I hope my act is fooling everyone around me. I am wearing my highest heels and most prominent outfit to try and disguise the fact of how young I am. I feel stiff.

As we get closer to the palace, the bright windows blind me and I can't see the people surrounding me anymore– but I can hear them. There were even more people gathered by the palace cheering out of the windows near the palace. It was a sea of people, and everything was so bright.

When we landed, four guards went ahead of me and four went behind me as I stepped off the Hover Speeder. I walked along the blue and green path that was laid out for me towards the giant doors. Somehow, this did not feel like my house anymore; it just felt like the place where I existed.

Two guards opened up the floor to ceiling doors while I walked up the steps. They seemed daunting and it was almost like I was having to force myself to climb up them. Every step I took the more weight came onto my shoulders and the louder the people got behind me.

Then everything quietened. The doors were closed and I was standing in front of the long corridor leading to the throne room awaiting my crowning for Duchess.

I tried to stay as confident as possible as I passed all the people in the long hallway. There were guards standing salute every ten feet or so, and there were servants, cooks, and other workers standing with them watching me.

Before I knew what was happening, I was entering the throne room and I saw Bo standing at the far end, and I could see her smirk from here. She never wanted to lead this country, so she is giving me a hard time that I'm the one who has to do it. The Prime Minister was on the other side of the throne, and the counsel members were in a line to the right and to the left. I walked in between all these people up to the throne, and as I did, everyone bowed. I guess I will have to get used to that. Some of the council members bowed for me before this, but I have never had everyone bow for me at the same time. I was no longer a child, I was a ruler.

I bowed down, and the Prime Minister then placed my headpiece upon my head. It was heavier than I thought it would be. I raised my head and turned around, and then thunderous applause and cheering came from the room, and I could even hear some from outside. I was the ruler of everyone in this room. Father was gone, and I now had to be the one to make the important decisions. I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream. But I stood there with poise and smiled at my citizens. My citizens.

The rest of the day was filled with food and meetings. We had a celebratory lunch after the ceremony, and then it was off to the council to discuss upcoming procedures. Since father had never let me sit in on one of the meetings, I had no idea what to expect. I was surprised that for the most part I just sat there in silence and listened. The council members seemed to know what they were doing and were conducting business as normal. I learned a lot from just this one meeting. For example, we were on good terms with the Banking Clan, which is profitable, because they apparently have much more power than I thought. Also, we help the people in the lower parts of Mandalore by building them shelters, providing them with food, and ways to work other than selling on the Black Market. Moreover, we have good contacts with the senators on Coruscant, and we even have some ties with the Jedi. This somehow makes me feel safer.

We also talked about the coming danger plaguing all our minds. I was exactly right, there is danger near. And it is close. There have actually been several attacks around the city that I did not know about, and the one father talked about was the biggest and most serious one. There have been three or four attacks in the lower parts of Mandalore, and at least two in the upper parts. One attack was a direct assault on our storage facilities. Somehow knowing about the danger made me less worried, because I actually knew what was going on, and I was able to do something about it.

"Could we post more guards at these locations?" I asked. This was only the second time I spoke up.

"We could, but we don't have the resources to do so. We could start a recruitment process however," said one of the council members.

"That's not a bad idea," said another.

"Why don't we send someone to the schools to start building up a younger generation who will protect us?"

"I'll go," I said. The entire counsel turned their heads. Mal Rotta, one of my father's good friends, smiled.

"We'll have to send you heavily guarded."

"I understand."

"Then it is settled, Duchess Satine will go to the schools to talk to the children about working toward Pacifism. All in favor?"

"Aye."

"Aye." And everyone agreed. My first act at Duchess– going to talk to my peers and young children about Pacifism.

We sat there and talked for what seemed like only an hour or two, but soon the sun was going down and we had to stop for the night. By the end of the meeting, I was able to contribute some thoughts that were helpful for the council. After the meeting I felt much better about ruling, because it meant I was not going to rule alone.

When we leave the room, Mal Rotta walks with me.

"I am very impressed with how you contributed to the council meeting today. I can tell you are going to be a good ruler."

"Thank you Mal Rotta. I appreciate your support. Do you think the school visit will go well?"

"Yes I do," Mal Rotta said, "I think this will be a great support and a great way to start your rule toward our city." I smiled. "Satine, I loved your father, and I am so sorry for your loss. If you need anything at all, please do not hesitate to reach out."

"Thank you, I appreciate you." We both bowed to one another and went separate ways.

As soon as I walked into my room, I realized how exhausted I was. I collapsed on the bed. As everything hit me, a tear pooled in my left eye. As soon as I was in the first stage of sleep, Bo barreled through the door.

"Hello my sweet sister. How was your day today?" She was drunk.

"Hi Bo. It was busy. I was in council meetings all day. How was yours?" I asked rhetorically.

"It was wonderful. I started drinking at noon and stopped at midnight. I think I kissed someone but I don't remember. Dad's dead, did you know that?"

"Yes, I did Bo." I got up and helped her to her bed. I took off her shoes and started pulling the cover over her.

"No, I do not want to go to bed. I want you to come out with me and party. You need some fun."

I laughed, "No Bo it's ok. I had fun here. I have to rule Mandalore now, you know?"

Bo laughed and laughed, "I know! Because dad is dead!" I tried to hold back the tears.

"Goodnight, Bo."

"Night night Sati."

Immediately Bo fell asleep and was snoring within seconds. Her red hair was tangled around her face, and she was drenched in sweat. I kissed her on the forehead and went back to my bed. I would be moving rooms soon most likely.

I fall back onto my bed and try to go to sleep. I see the stars up above out of my window and think about the different kinds of people living across the galaxy.