Pride is an emotion Rose tries not to let herself feel very much of. But today, such a feeling is difficult to stifle. “I remember the day I was standing in your shoes,” comes Petra’s voice from beside her. Her pride is palpable. Rose’s lips curve into a smile as she steals a glance at the Queen’s Wrath. But it’s shaky at best; nervous. The techeun at her other shoulder, for her part, is silent, though gives a warning tilt of her head towards Petra. Rose takes a deep breath, smoothing the awoken-made fabric on her armor. An overwhelming guilt nearly closes her throat. Despite her pride attempting to war against it. She should not be here. And she knows it. The hunter grits her teeth. The elevator door opens, and the awoken makes her way towards the center of the room; there stands the ever ethereal Mara Sov. Her Queen, waiting for her. Rose looks again to Petra beside her. Oh, Petra... After everything Rose has done… The hunter swallows. Petra’s single blue eye meets her gaze, encouraging. Still, there remains a question in her cousin’s glowing golden eyes. [i]Why? [/i] It was all terribly overwhelming. She did not deserve Mara’s forgiveness, and certainly not Petra’s. Yet, Rose is not about to add insult to injury by interfering with the ceremony. She turns to face her Queen. And slowly, she lowers herself to the crystal floor. Petra and the techeun move past her to acknowledge Mara, their voices echoing against silvered halls. “Your Grace. We here present to you Rose Sov, your loyal servant, wherefore all you who are come this day to witness her homage and service. Do you acknowledge her?” Rose’s throat tightens once more, her eyes hot. “I do,” Mara says. Both Petra and the techeun turn to face Rose. “Rose Sov— are you willing to take the oath?” “I am,” comes her shaky reply. “Will you solemnly promise and swear to protect our people, our holdings, our territories, and our immaterial interests?" “I solemnly swear to do so.” Rose’s voice comes much steadier now, filled with purpose and conviction. “Will you to your power be merciful in all your judgments?" “I will.” “Will you, to the utmost of your power, uphold your sospital duties in defense of your Queen's life? Will you execute and preserve inviolably the orders of your Queen? And will you preserve unto your dying breath the secrets committed to your charge?" “All this… I promise to do.” “Then rise,” says the Awoken Queen, “and declare yourself.” Slowly, as to not fall off balance in her dazed state, Rose stands. Her eyes rise to meet Mara’s piercing blue gaze. “Let it be declared that the oaths which I have here before promised, I, Rose Sov, will perform and keep." The Queen’s porcelain face is soft with unspoken affection as she steps forward; a garment draped across her arms. “Then receive this cloak, brought now from our ceremonial looms.” Rose eyes the fine, deep-purple fabric as Mara attaches the single-shoulder cape to her armor. “With this cloak upon you,” Mara goes on, “demonstrate and symbolize the selfless heart of our people. Maintain our diplomatic relations with our allies— and those yet to be allies— as required of you. Stop the growth of inequity, restore the things that are gone to decay, maintain the things that are restored, and mediate the things that are amiss: that doing these things you may embody my will …and become the First Queen’s Mercy.” A sob is barely held back from Rose’s throat. Eyes so alike to her own brother’s search Mara’s gaze. “May your heart be always true,” says the Queen, gentle. “May your heart be always true,” echoes the assembly. Rose does not look away from the deep, cosmic aura of her Queen’s eyes. Her voice comes ever so quiet, yet filled with the truest conviction. “I will never betray my people again,” she swears, emotion choking her, written on her face. A heartfelt expression crosses Mara’s own features as her hand raises to cup the side of Rose’s face. The touch is unexpected; cool and calming. All this time, the patient Queen of the Awoken has been awaiting Rose’s return. “Welcome home, cousin.”