TRADITION AND CHANGE

"Your Royal Majesty." The servants said as they welcomed their king back into the Palace.

He was not alone and at the time, the King had been joined by the Queen mother and his uncle.

He walked swiftly and ascended the staircase as he continued to the waiting room.

"Your Majesty." The servants that came across him said as they bowed but he did not look bothered by their actions at all.

He still continued until he approached the doors of the room.

The servants on the doors opened them immediately as they bowed and the King walked in on the Prime Minister and his Queen.

Valerian saw that Alexander was standing behind the Prime Minister and stopped what he was going to say.

The Prime Minister seeing the attention of the Queen elsewhere turned and faced the direction that his gaze had been fixed.

"Your Majesty." Valerian said as he curtsied.

"Your Majesty." The Prime Minister said afterwards and bowed his head.

The Queen Mother who was proudly following was halted at the door by the servants and they shut it.

"Let me go in." Queen Marietta said.

"I can't your Majesty unless the King allows me." One of the servants replied.

"I said out of the way." Queen Marietta insisted.

"Not if the King has not allowed me to let you in." The servant replied again.

The Queen calmed down and ceased fighting to get in.

"My Queen, Mr. Prime Minister, what a pleasant surprise." Alexander said as he walked over to Valerian's side.

They hugged as Alexander kissed the sides of Valerian's cheek.

"It is a surprise to see you to." Valerian said.

"I heard that there was an urgent matter that needed to be discussed." Alexander said as he sat down and Valerian followed.

"Yes your Majesty." The Prime Minister replied.

"What is it then?" The King asked.

"It is about the coronation your Majesty." The Prime Minister replied.

"My coronation?" Alexander asked a little bit surprised.

"Yes your Majesty." The Prime Minister replied.

"What is very vital about the coronation that needs my consent?" Alexander asked.

"Everything." Valerian replied.

"There is nothing, it is just the same old ceremony that we perform, how hard can it be to organise one?" Alexander asked.

"That is why I was requesting to propose your majesty." Valerian said.

Alexander looked a little bit surprised.

"And what does my Queen wish to propose?" Alexander asked.

"A change in the coronation and the entire ceremony." Valerian replied.

At once, the doors of the waiting room flung open and then the Queen mother walked in.

"Mother?" Alexander asked.

"Your Majesty." Valerian said as he stood and curstied.

"I think that I should be filled in on this." Queen Marietta said.

"Mother it is fine." Alexander said.

"No, it is not, I need to at least play my part in suggesting as the Queen mother." Marietta said.

"Very well then." Alexander gave in and Marietta moved over and sat down opposite the Prime Minister.

"Proceed." Alexander turned and said to Valerian.

"As I was saying, it would be good if we did some adjustments to the ceremony." Valerian said.

"Adjustments?" The Queen mother asked.

"Yes." Valerian replied.

"That is ridiculous." The Queen mother said.

"No it is not, I think the coronation needs to have a few changes added to it." Valerian replied.

"Very well then." Alexander said.

"Are you out of your mind?" The Queen mother asked.

"No." Valerian replied.

"What is it mother?" Alexander asked.

"We are talking about a ceremony that has been unchanged for about a thousand years, not a birthday party or something whose schedule can be changed from one thing to another." The Queen mother replied.

"A few changes won't alter the entire ceremony, it won't cease to be a coronation." Valerian said.

"I agree with that." Alexander said.

"This is tradition, it is a Scoln way of doing things, you can not simply undo some things because you want to do so." Queen Marietta said.

"I understand that is why I am not changing the entire ceremony, I am sure the Prime Minister has something to say." Valerian said as he turned to the Prime Minister.

"Mr. Prime Minister, can I change the coronation?" Alexander asked.

"As the Queen mother has said, this ceremony is traditional but as usual, the best I can do is advise.

Otherwise, in the very end, the final say is yours Your Majesty." The Prime Minister said.

"I am certain then that some change shall not be bad after all." Alexander said.

"That is the problem, a change to some things leads to the eventual altering of all the other events." The Queen mother said.

"You can't be sure." Alexander said.

"It is just sonething minor." Valerian said.

"Nothing concerning order and the way of doing things is minor, nothing concerning the crown is a minor issue." Queen Marietta said.

"I understand that very well which is why this adjustment isn't just for me and my King but for the country, the people." Valerian said.

"I am sure what ever it is we can hear out the Queen." Alexander said as he turned to Valerian.

"Thank you your Majesty." Valerian said.

"And what do you propose your Majesty?" The Prime Minister asked.

"I would wish for the people to be welcomed into the Cathedral, the citizens and commons." Valerian said.

"There is nothing wrong with it." Alexander said.

"What?" The Queen Mother said.

"There is no harm if we let in the common people into the Cathedral." Valerian said.

"This is not just a gathering, it is a coronation." The Queen mother said.

"That is why it would be good if the common people were allowed to participate in it." Valerian said.

"This is a sacred ritual, you fill in for the gods, that is why the ceremony is entirely shielded from the commoners.

It represents divine assortment and appointment, exposing it is no good but only bad." The Queen mother said.

"At once even god steps out of his sanctuary to see his people, if more people are allowed to see the coronation, it shall ignite a sense of unity.

The people have a feeling of pride in their rulers and a feeling of belonging.

The people have a feeling of being indulged and loved, I believe that I have a reason for everything I plan on adding to the coronation." Valerian replied.

"I see the logic in that." Alexander said.

"It is not too bad an idea." The Prime Minister said.

"This is not about logic, the Crown preserves." Queen Marietta said.

"The Crown is also a symbol of progress, steadfastness and forwardness." Valerian said.

"And I see no reason why we shouldn't make adjustments." Alexander said.

The Queen mother looked disappointed.

"You must be serious." Queen Marietta said.

"I am." Alexander replied.

"Besides, I admire the diplomacy of my Queen and I believe this might contribute to giving the Crown a better image amongst its people." Alexander added as he looked at Valerian and smiled.

Valerian smiled back.

"But I really can't do much though." Valerian said.

"Of course you can." Alexander said.

"How Your Majesty?" The Prime Minister asked.

"I want my Queen to be put in charge for organising my coronation." Alexander replied and every one including Valerian was surprised.

"Are you sure?" Valerian asked.

"You spent time learning Scoln traditions and I believe that you are the person fit for the job." Alexander replied.

"Very well then, if your Majesty says so then I shall do it." Valerian said.

"I suppose that now it is settled and  I need to also resume my duties at the time being." Alexander said.

"Very well then your Majesty." The Prime Minister said as they all stood up.

The Prime Minister placed the King's right hand on his forehead and kissed the Queen and Queen Mother's right hand.

"I shall take your leave." The Prime Minister said as he turned around and walked out of the room.

Alexander followed leaving behind the Queen mother and her son-in-law.

Queen Marietta slowly started approaching Valerian who looked at  her curiously.

"What are you always up to?" The Queen mother asked.

"Giving the Crown a loveable image, not one to be feared." Valerian replied.

"Then you would best understand that it is tradition that defines this monarchy and makes it distinct from all the others." Queen Marietta said.

"I know that but progress and change is a part of society we must embrace.

If Endra can then so can Scoln." Valerian replied.

"Need I remind you that you are the Queen of Scoln and not the Queen of Endra.

So you would do well to understand that this is the Kingdom of Scoln and not the Kingdom of Endra." Queen Marietta said.

"Don't worry mother, you shouldn't be afraid that anything bad will happen to the Crown.

After all, I am not as formidable  versatile and demure as the Queen's who came on before me." Valerian replied.

Queen Marietta looked and rage overcame her entire face it was clearly visible in her eyes.

"If you would excuse me, I have a coronation to prepare." Valerian added and then he walked away leaving the Queen mother alone in the waiting room.

She was furious as she looked at the retreating figure of Valerian waltzing through the doors.

"Clearly not as formidable as I ever expected you to be." The Queen mother whispered to herself.