Victor's family members gracefully distanced themselves from the edge of the platform, each movement executed with the dignity befitting their noble station, and took their seats beside the grand throne.
Victor, however, remained standing at the forefront, his gaze sweeping over the expectant faces of the crowd, eyes filled with both authority and warmth.
Drawing in a deep breath, he began his long-awaited speech. "My beloved people," his voice carried a resonant authority, "We stand together at the dawn of a new era… For a hundred years, our family has lived and thrived, and another thousand years lie ahead of us... Today, we honor our first father, Kylian, whose name we proudly bear… He established our noble lineage, and it is through his vision that we stand as the mightiest and most glorious among all families."
Victor's words reverberated through the assembly, capturing their undivided attention. "Our world today is unlike any other," he continued, "since the dark night ascended, most have been swallowed by darkness and lost to time... Yet here, in this final haven, we remain standing… Kylian was, and always will be, our guiding light."
The guests leaned forward, hanging on his every word. His powerful oration stirred a profound sense of pride and belonging among them. Applause roared back to life, heartfelt cheers echoing from all corners of Lenine City, now tinged with fervor and hope.
Margaret watched Victor with admiration, her heart swelling with pride at the sight of her husband's commanding presence. She knew that every word he spoke was not just for the crowd, but also for their family and the future they were building together.
Meanwhile, Advisor Philip, standing off to the side, couldn't help but ponder the delicate situation with the Kylian family. He knew that any greedy, dissenting voices seeking to sow chaos and dethrone Victor would need to be dealt with swiftly and decisively to maintain their hard-won place as the strongest in the Cyrene lands.
Sophy, lost in her own world, watched the fireworks with wide-eyed wonder. The brilliant bursts of color captured her attention, causing her to neglect her father's speech. In her youthful innocence, she found joy in the simple spectacle, unaware of the gravity of the moment.
As Victor's speech continued, the guests erupted into applause once more, their loyalty to their ruler reaffirmed and deepened. The echoes of their clapping hands mingled with the bursts of fireworks.
Victor raised his voice, his words cutting through the night air. "Thus, our unity, strength, and unwavering resolve have brought us to this moment… Together, we will forge a future for our children and the new generation, a future brighter than the fireworks that light our sky tonight… For me, the pride of being a Kylian is above all".
The audience's great response and harmony with his words inspired Victor to continue playing the notes of determination and pride in their ears, and he began to deviate from the prepared speech.
"This year has been challenging for everyone... We have faced many calamities at critical times... But through our unity and wisdom, we have thwarted all desperate attempts to undermine our position... To anyone who dares to challenge our family, Know that Kylian will surely destroy you... Reconsider your plans, for the Kylian family is at the top and will remain there... and we shall forever stay that way".
His words, charged with threat and resolve, ignited a fervor, striking the representatives of the three families like lightning. The applause surged to a crescendo, providing Victor the perfect moment to gauge their support.
"I may be the ruler and the head of this family... but I am nothing without your support... Nothing will deter me from doing anything for the family, and no one can... as long as you are my support and my backbone... For years, I have shouldered the responsibility and honor of leading the family, giving it all I could... With pride, I say our family has become the strongest without rival after being on the verge of collapse... Today, I ask you once again to renew your trust in my leadership... Let us together safeguard the future of this glorious family."
Victor paused his epic oration, eagerly watching the audience's reaction. He disliked the brief silence, focusing intently, waiting for the same applause as before.
Thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the audience, reaching the heavens. They all rose to salute the great leader Victor, showing their confidence in his leadership. Their faces revealed the impact of his powerful words, some mixed with tears, others with optimism.
"We are with you, ruler... continue," "We rely on you," "Ruler Victor... we love you," "Let those scoundrels see who the Kylian family is".
This resounding applause and positive response to his speech brought peace to Victor's heart. His heartbeat quickened with joy, and he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He had successfully regained their trust, ensuring his rule for years to come, and all his doubts from past events dissipated like mist in the morning sun.
Victor hastened to wave to the audience, interacting with them, remaining in this state for a while. As the cheers subsided, Victor retreated to sit on the throne prepared for him, and the audience returned to their seats.
From afar, advisor Philip approached with an old man, a representative of the people chosen to carry an ancient scroll containing the laws and foundations on which the rule is built, considered the charter of governance in Kylian's land. They would read the oaths for the ruler to swear upon, thus completing Victor's reign.
Philip stood to the left of the throne, while the old man stood to the right.
"We can begin whenever you wish, sir," Philip addressed Victor, asking for permission to start.
Seated on his lavish throne, after getting comfortable, Victor signaled them to begin the final ceremony before the audience's eyes.
The aged representative of the people gingerly unfurled the ancient scroll, the parchment crinkling under his careful touch, and his parched lips began to move deliberately.
"Since the founding of our family a century ago, our great ancestor laid down a path to guide us... This path is woven from eleven sacred oaths that every ruler must adhere to without exception..."
Fixing ruler Victor with a piercing gaze, he intoned, "Governor Victor, are you ready, freely and without coercion, to swear before the people to uphold all the oaths handed down from the great ancestor Kylian?"
Victor raised his hand, placing it solemnly on the gleaming silver amulet, and in a voice that resonated with strength and conviction, he answered, "Certainly..." With Victor's assent, the old man began to recite the oaths one by one.
"I swear to put the Kylian family, its interests, and its people first and foremost." After each vow, Victor responded with unwavering firmness, "I swear."
"I swear that all my decisions, orders, and goals will serve the best interests of the family." "I swear."
"I swear to protect all the lands of the Kylian family, its borders, mountains, and rivers, and to safeguard its resources for its people." "I swear."
"I swear that justice will be the foundation of my rule, and to treat all people as members of my family and not to discriminate against any of them in any way." "I swear ".
"I swear to preserve the family's name, history, identity, and everything that belongs and relates to it." "I swear".
"I swear that…". But at that moment, with a slow and deliberate movement, the old man's voice was abruptly cut off, catching all the listeners off guard, as they had been deeply engrossed in the solemn proceedings.
Like the first drops of rain that always come unnoticed and stealthily, an intruder appeared. His arrival was as silent and sudden as a butterfly's emergence, its wings flapping lightly. From nowhere, on the platform, he materialized, shocking everyone and plunging most into a state of panic. The shadow of a human loomed, as if conjured from the very shadows themselves, disrupting the sanctity of the moment.