At around nine o'clock, still in the Great Hall, the investiture ceremony officially began.
Fernando II, in the prime of his life, wore a classically styled robe, a crown studded with countless gemstones upon his head, and held a scepter. Without displaying anger, he inspired awe.
Most of the nobles attending the ceremony wore modern attire.
Formal wear across the Northern Continent was now largely similar in style to tailcoats, differing only in length, usually paired with bow ties or brooches.
Several bishops from the Earth Mother Church had also come to observe. They were generally dressed in bishop's robes embroidered with the symbol of the Earth Mother.
Christine was invested first. He walked before the king and knelt on one knee. First came the oath, followed by the king's bestowal. The king declared him a noble count and encouraged him to uphold the lofty morality and conduct of the nobility.
Next came Hobart's investiture. He approached Fernando II with solemn steps and knelt on one knee before him.
At the Ceremonial Officer's prompting, Hobart began to swear his oath. Its contents were roughly a pledge of eternal loyalty to the king and obedience to the obligations of tribute and military service.
Then came the bestowal. As a baron, the king would grant him soil and branches, representing land and resources. Christine's gifts also included a sword. In ancient times, a count had the authority to declare war on surrounding nobles, and the sword bestowed by the king represented that authority.
However, after entering the modern era, newly created nobles were basically all nominal sealings, with no territories at all. The bestowed sword was purely ceremonial.
For a duke, the king would also grant a set of silver and copper coins, along with a copy of the "Constitution." This represented