The Romantic Trials Of A Transmigrated Empress-Chapter 236: Reassuring the citizens.

Roland and Sigrid remained in an embrace until the royal advisors came in search of the crown prince. The time to address the citizens had come. Every member of the royal family was present for what was equal to a press conference in these times. It was held in the throne room, Roland did not sit on the throne but his royal seat.

Sigrid was beside him to show her support for her husband. Both of them were wearing their crowns to remind everyone of their positions as crown prince and princess.

Nobles from the strongest and oldest houses that lived in the city or close enough to rush to the royal castle had been invited and briefed on the situation. The throne room was packed close to the brim, Unlike the usual days when chatter graced the air, it was quiet. A heavy, solemn atmosphere blanketed the room.

All around the kingdom, from the capital to Nemoris, citizens were glued to their televisions as they went about their day. The had been waiting to hear from the king about what the victory in the war signified, unexpectedly, it was not the king’s face they saw but that of the prince.

While they were confused, for many that did not stop the rush of happiness when they glanced upon their prince. In many places applause and cheers broke out and they reached all the way to the royal castle. The heroic prince that had conquered a new territory was a good sight to see.

Roland stared at the cameras with a face as light but serious as he could muster and finally addressed the nation, his voice steady though his heart wavered.

"People of Eldoria." he began, his words carrying through the throne room like a low cry of trumpet in the city wall. "Today should have been a day of unrestrained celebration. Each and everyone of us, through courage, prayers and sacrifice has contributed to our victory in a war which we once thought unwinnable. A war that we never dared to fight ever since the loss we suffered at the hands of Medoris fifty five years ago. We have reclaimed our lost city and expanded the boarders of Eldoria, restoring them to what they once were.

Now, our brothers and sisters that were separated from us and living in Nemoris can finally return to their true homes and embrace their roots, reclaim the ancestry. We can all rebuild our lives without fear of each other. We have become an empire together and I believe that we will be the strongest empire in the world. For that, I thank you--from the depths of my heart.

Your royal family, the mage estate, the noble houses, each one of us, thanks every citizen that has contributed to this great cause, thank you."

He made a small bow.

A wave of murmured agreement swept through the crowd in the throne room. Through the kingdom, citizens wiped away tears and held the hands of their neighbors’ tightly. The humility of the crown prince touched them for he had not claimed the victory for himself.

The speech which had been edited by Sigrid was an emotional one, designed to evoke the feelings that it was bringing out in everyone. Now, Eldorians and Nemorians were officially tied together by a past which the royal family seemed to have been aware of.

Roland took a breath, one that was heavy under the weight of his next words.

"Yet," he continued, "amidst our victory, we have been visited by darkness too. Our king--my father--who has always led us with wisdom and valor lies ill. He undertook a war of his own this year, the war to reunite the lost shards of the most powerful Eclipsion sword which was once wielded by our ancestor, the strongest mage knight who ever lived. Our king went in person, braving many dangers to retrieve the last shard.

Unfortunately, on the way back, he and his men were ambushed by enemies, assassins, cowards that sought to end his life and steal the shard. Our king and the knights fought valiantly but the king was injured and has not awakened since the battle’s end."

On the paper he was reading his speech from were the words, "Show some emotion here."

So, Roland, looked down, his shoulders fell and he clenched his hands. From all appearances, he was devastated but quickly steadied himself.

Gaps, loud cries, shouts and whispers erupted across the hall and through the kingdom. All triumphant music was dimmed and the kingdom fell into sadness.

Roland held up his hand for silence, his gaze fierce and unyielding. "I will not lie, this news is heavy for me, not just as a son but a citizen of Eldoria too and I know it is the same for you because you are all the king’s children--his sons and daughters.

I know that you are afraid but I call on you to be brave and hopeful. The royal doctors and healers of the mage estate tell me that it may be days...or weeks...but before we know it, his strength will return and he will be back on his throne, leading us like he was born to do.

In the mean time, we must be vigilant. Our new empire is young and fragile, we have enemies that would love nothing more than to see us fall." He looked directly into the camera as if he was speaking to someone in particular. "To those enemies I say, it will be a long wait--eternity if I should say so."

Many hearts felt proud and soldiers and knights, watching the press conference felt a new fire igniting in their hearts. The crown prince was right, they could not fall, they had an empire to protect.

"After a war comes rebuilding which will be no small task. Despite the void that is left by my father, the empire must keep moving. I would like to use this opportunity to remind you all, my brothers and sisters that Eldoria is more than one king, one man. Eldoria is you--its people. The farmers who toil to feed our armies and our children. The soldiers who stand stead fast and protect us at the cost of their own lives.

The teachers on whose shoulders we stand in search of wisdom. The doctors who bring us back to life even when all hope has died. The singers, dancers, jesters, actors and actresses who bring smiles or tears to our faces with their talents. The children who laugh even when the skies are red with fire or dark with sorrow.

You are many, I cannot mention you all but from the strongest to the weakest, YOU are Eldoria and the strength we share is one."

His words rekindled embers of hope among the people. Those whose occupations were mentioned even stood straighter.

"As your crown prince, along with my crown princess," He turned to Sigrid briefly before looking back at the cameras, "We vow to shoulder the burden that my father cannot. In his place, we will lead with the wisdom he has taught us, guided by the people he trusted and the love we have for this empire. Together, we will weather the storm, build our empire, increase our fields and broaden our hearts. Together, with all of you, we will ensure that when the king awakens--and he will awaken--he will find an Eldoria that is stronger than ever before."