Isabel I

December 25th.

This is Ligeia's birthday, and also David's birthday.

But they were clearly not in the mood to celebrate their birthdays.

Just days after Queen Sophia fell into a coma, a phone call came from the Silver and Tin Palace to all the ministers.

"At 7:15 p. m., the dragon arrived at the Lake Isle."

This is a code word.

To prevent the deliberate dissemination of news about royal deaths, which could spread false information and cause chaos in this era where debunking is difficult, the death of a royal member is represented by a "dragon." The closer the dragon is to the center of Glass Island, the more important the person who has died.

The Lake Isle is the same small island where the Silver and Tin Palace is located.

In fact, many people had already guessed it the moment before they received the news—

For directly above the Silver and Tin Palace, which always shimmered with a brilliant silver light, a magnificent and clear rainbow suddenly appeared in the sky at dusk. A light drizzle fell with the night, and the rainbow vanished.

Then, a beam of silvery-white light emanated from the palace, shooting straight into the sky and lingering for a long time.

Four knights, riding winged horses, wielding holy swords, and clad in silver armor, descended from the pillar of light and entered the palace.

Many people witnessed this scene.

This is undoubtedly a spectacular sight.

Not all monarchs are personally greeted by knights sent by the Silver Crowned Dragon upon their death.

Queen Sophia is the first in two hundred years.

Immediately afterwards, black obituaries were posted on the fence at the entrance to the Silver and Tin Palace, and the national flag on the Silver and Tin Palace was lowered to half-mast. All the griffins on the Griffin Bridge were draped in black scarves.

Upon receiving the news, the ministers one by one called their respective departments, issuing brief but similar obituaries, each with slightly different details:

"My dear colleagues, it is with a heavy heart that I inform you that Her Majesty the Queen has passed away."

Within half an hour, the news reached the newspaper office through various channels. The next day's morning paper urgently revised its headline and began printing.

But the people of Glass Island already knew about it before they even saw the newspapers.

—That towering beam of light really didn't need to be hidden.

The people of Glass Island spontaneously gathered, holding umbrellas, and headed towards the Griffin Bridge. Most were not allowed to cross the bridge, so they simply stood at the entrance, watching the silvery-white pillar of light shooting straight into the sky.

It was bright enough, but not dazzling. Even though it was night after sunset, it made the surroundings look like morning.

People instinctively piled flower baskets in front of the Griffin Bridge.

But then, some people gradually became bolder and stepped onto the Griffin Bridge, sending flower baskets to deeper places.

Perhaps only today will the White Lion on the Griffin Bridge remain silent.

They are draped in black silk scarves, like shawls, and quietly watch people pass by and deliver flower baskets to places closer to the Silver and Tin Palace.

Less than three hours after the news spread—before midnight— the Griffin Bridge was covered in flowers.

People neither cried nor made a fuss. Without any rehearsal or call to action, people spontaneously placed flowers in the empty spaces on the bridge.

Inside the Silver and Tin Palace, Isabel, her face somewhat pale, now wore a crown and held a scepter. The magical painting was personally drawn by Yanis.

She rested her hands on the handle of the scepter as if supporting a sword, while the three-eyed snake head, shaped like a triangular pyramid, coiled around Isabel's wrists and rested on the back of her hands.

There are two portraits on her left and right. The one on the left is her Grandmother Queen Sophia, and the one on the right is her father Prince Albert.

But her father was not in the Silver and Tin Palace at that moment, nor even on Glass Island. Therefore, he was unable to participate in the ceremonies of his mother's passing and his daughter's succession.

Iver stood beside Yanis, watching how Yanis drew the magic painting.

Soon after, he was pushed by Yanis.

"Stand over there."

Yanis said softly, "Stand to the side behind His Majesty."

Iver raised an eyebrow. "Am I... suitable?"

This painting will later be published in the Glass Staircase Newspaper as visual proof of the New King.

The monarchy in Avalon is continuous and uninterrupted; upon the death of the previous king, the New King effectively ascends to the throne immediately, only the coronation ceremony has not yet been completed.

After all, the national mourning period alone will last for a week, followed by the Queen's Funeral. The royal mourning period will then last another week, during which Isabel will tour all the important cities of Avalon to introduce the New Queen to the public.

The coronation ceremony is the most solemn ceremony for New Queen's accession to the throne, and it is impossible to begin preparations while Queen Sophia is still alive. Nor can it be prepared hastily—for this reason, the coronation ceremony is usually not held immediately after the New King, but rather several months or even half a year later.

Queen Sophia was formally crowned more than half a year after her accession to the throne.

"According to the rules, His Majesty's relatives, his closest brothers and sisters, and his trusted chief ministers should all stand together. Sherlock should have come too, but it was really inconvenient for him, so he didn't come."

Yanis explained.

Strictly speaking, Sherlock is not suitable to be photographed or painted at this time. Because "Young Sherlock" will only last for a short period; he will soon return to his youth, and before long he will become middle-aged or even old.

With three harvests a year, the rate at which photos are updated simply cannot keep up with the rate at which he grows.

What am I supposed to say?

Iver asked softly, "Or what action?"

"No need. But you can offer His Majesty some encouragement."

Master Agnes spoke.

However, Master Agnes's voice is a little hoarse today.

She was also deeply saddened by the passing of her best friend of sixty years. But this was the fate of those born into immortality, and she had long since grown accustomed to it. Not to mention, Queen Sophia's body was gradually declining... she died of old age, not from a sudden misfortune. The others had long been prepared.

Even so, I still feel sad.

Iver obediently walked over and stood behind Isabel. Isabel was also somewhat silent due to her grief—no matter how much she had prepared herself mentally, facing that outcome still brought tears to her eyes.

He gently patted Isabel on the shoulder, and the young Queen turned to meet Iver's gaze.

She nodded slightly, then quickly regained her composure and looked up straight ahead. Iver then lowered his hands, placing them behind his back as he looked at Yanis.

Yanis could draw magic pictures very quickly, perhaps even faster than printing in this era—a moving magic picture could be completed in less than three minutes.

The painting will then be published in the Glass Staircase Newspaper and preserved.

After the magic painting was finished, Isabel, whose eyes were still a little red, extended her right hand, which was adorned with a ring, to Iver.

"You're the first one, Iver."

She said in a low voice.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Iver said softly."

He knelt on one knee, took Isabel's hand, and gently kissed the silver dragon's head on the Dragon Head Ring.

"I swear allegiance to you, my Queen."

But Isabel did not retract her hand afterward.

Iver looked up at her with some surprise.

Seeing that Isabel's cheeks were slightly flushed, but she didn't meet his gaze, Iver smiled slightly, silently took Isabel's right hand, and kissed the back of her hand again.

Isabel didn't withdraw her hand. Instead, she turned it around and gently stroked Iver's cheek and earlobe, looking down at Iver.

"I accept your allegiance, my knight."

She murmured softly.

Update complete! I went out this afternoon, so I'm a little late! But I felt I could still write, so I didn't ask for leave~