The Reveal

Jasper got up and followed Katherine out into the hallway so that they could make their way to the media room to film the announcement. As they walked, Jasper called to let the media team and Eric know that the Queen was on her way.

The media room was a room in the castle that was dedicated to the royal version of a press team. Cameras, greenscreens, and lighting materials filled the space to ensure that everything needed for any type of filming that needed to take place was available.

By the time they got there, there were about twenty people running around trying to set up any last minute devices and fix any last minute details so that they were ready for the Queen.

"This way, Your Majesty," a woman with a tight bun and clipboard said as Katherine and Jasper entered the room.

She led Katherine to a well lit vanity and two people immediately started working on Katherine's hair and makeup. Jasper, now in guard mode, stood at the wall next to the lit mirror so that he could observe the room while still being within arms reach of Katherine.

"Don't tell me I'll need to change too," Katherine said to them as they pulled at her face and hair. She was still in the outfit she wore to her father's funeral.

"Black is appropriate for mourning and we want the people to feel sympathy for you, so this outfit will do nicely," the man who was working on her hair noted as he looked at Katherine through the mirror.

While finishing touches were being done to Katherine's appearance, Eric came over to confirm what would be said in the announcement. "Here is your script, you can look over it," he said as he handed her a stack of papers, "but all of this has been typed into the teleprompter that will be next to the camera."

Katherine suddenly felt the nerves bounce around in her stomach. Although she had been on camera for royal announcements before, her parents were always the ones speaking, while all she had to do was stand up straight and smile at the camera.

This would be her first time addressing the people herself, and it had just hit her.

"I'm saying all this?" she asked with shock in her voice as she skimmed the many paragraphs.

"We have a lot that's happened the last few days which is why this is a longer announcement than usual," Eric said as if it was the most obvious explanation in the world.

"Crown or no crown?" one of the hair and makeup people asked Eric.

Eric stared at Katherine pensively for a while before he decided, "No crown. She can start wearing it after the official coronation."

"She's ready then," one of them noted after Katherine's makeup was done and her dark hair was wrapped up at the base of her neck.

"Alright, follow me Your Majesty," Eric said as he started to swiftly walk across the room with Jasper slightly behind them. "X marks the spot you'll stand on, right here," he said to her as they reached blue tape on the floor.

Katherine stood on the X and looked up to be blinded by the three white lights that were all pointed at her face. She quickly brought her hand up to shield her eyes as they adjusted.

"Ready?" Eric asked her once she was situated in the spot between the pillars and in front of the two cameras.

"Do I have a choice?" she asked with a helpless laugh.

"No," Eric said with a straight face as he turned to leave and pointed at the camera crew.

"Look right here, Your Majesty. We'll count down from five, four, three two," one of the camera men said. Instead of saying 'one' he pointed at Katherine to indicate to her that they were live.

Katherine saw words start to flash on her teleprompter, and she immediately started reading before they started to disappear.

"Hello my people of Helios and the Kingdom of Titanus. As you know, I am Princess Katherine Mors, and I am here today with an unfortunate announcement," Katherine started to say as she held her head up high to feign confidence.

"A few days ago, the traitorous rebels conducted an attack on the castle and on my family. They murdered many innocent people in cold blood and wreaked havoc on my home. Servants ran the halls in fear, and so many people I loved and cherished lost their lives that day. Not only did the ruthless traitors kill innocent civilians, but they also killed your King, my father," she choked on the last words.

Katherine closed her eyes and took a second to compose herself before she continued.

"He and his guards were brutally murdered. I held a private funeral for him this morning so that I could say my goodbyes. Unfortunately, that is not where the bad news ends. My mother, your Queen, was not at the funeral because although she was not murdered during the attack, she was taken by the rebels. I do not know where she is, who has her, or what state she is in. As her people, it is your duty to inform me if you know anything about her whereabouts or who took her. Any information provided will be compensated handsomely with money based on the accuracy and helpfulness of the details provided. This is the time to come together and fight for our land and for our Kingdom."

Katherine took a moment to look over at Eric to see how she was doing, and he removed his hand from his chin and gave her a thumbs up to continue.

She returned her eyes to the teleprompter and continued to read, "The rebels have not only stolen my castle's safety, but they have stolen your safety. Since you are my people, you are my top priority, so in order to keep you safe from them, there will be a mandatory daily curfew of nine p.m. This is for your safety, but it is also to punish those who have chosen to go against the crown. In addition to the curfew which is effective immediately, gatherings of more than five people are strictly prohibited by the new law. If your town's guards find you breaking either of these laws, you will be flogged in your town square for all to see. Moreover, if you are found discussing any type of rebellion against me and the crown, you will be shot instantly."

Katherine swallowed hard. She kept reminding herself to appear strong and unmoving.

"The rebels are a menace to our Kingdom, and they have proved just how deadly and dangerous they can be. Let this stand as your reminder that treason against the crown is the highest offense, and now that I am on guard against all of you, I will exercise my powers if it is deemed necessary. I hope I have made myself incredibly clear on what is expected of you, Helios. My final announcement I do not think will be a surprise to you after all of this. Due to my father's death and my mother's kidnapping, I am now your Queen. My official coronation will be filmed and broadcast for you an hour after this announcement ends. Unlike in years past, much like my father's funeral, this event will not be open to the public. I wish you all the best and vow to do my duties as Queen to the best of my ability. Goodnight, Helios, remember how resilient we all are."

"And cut," one of the cameramen said as the lights around Katherine started to dim.

"Very well done, Your Majesty," Eric said as he walked towards her. "How do you feel?"

"Like I checked another thing off of my list. The faster I get through today, the faster I can focus on finding my mom," Katherine replied.

"Well then let's go film your coronation, shall we?" Eric asked.