The closer Graxin got, the more panicked the new Queen felt. In some deep dark corner of her mind, she knew. She knew he was here. Knew he was close. But she refused to admit it. Refused to let herself know who he was. It was so hard keeping that nagging guilt down, so hard to keep the memory of him at arms length. He'd been so small... She didn't want to know who he was now.
Or did she?
She stepped up to the edge of the balcony, looked out over her supporters, her people. They all knew now. She was met with cheers.
That, more than anything was the most unnerving thing. She was supposed to smile. She was supposed to feel so happy. But how could she? She was not used to this. She wasn't used to being celebrated. How could she be? How could she ever expect it? She wasn't in this for the publicity. She wasn't in this for her own vanity.
How could she serve her people with all this... distraction?
She held up a hand. Waited. The noise died down. Finally. Feena could think.
"People of Naboo," she spoke at last, voice gentle but firm, "Friends, Family. On this day, you the people, have chosen. Choice. It is what makes Naboo the jewel of the Protectorate. The ability to chose, the freedom to decide. Be proud."
She paused a moment. That itch in the back of her mind was making it difficult to concentrate. Someone was near. Very near. And she needed to take her medicine. She forgot to do that.
"There is no greater honor than to be chosen to serve this great world. My home. Your home. A Queen is nothing, if not a servant to her people. And from this day, for as long as you want me, Naboo, I am yours."
She went silent now. The crowd was silent. It was a short speech. Feena was not ever one to dwell in the spotlight. Never one to drag things out.
She stood straight and proud, gazing out at the streets of Theed, at the sea of people. Her people. No. She was theirs. She belonged to them now. Each and every one of them.
She did something... unexpected then. She bent at the waist, bowing low. She kept her eyes to the ground. Even above the crowd, the tall woman somehow managed to make herself small, humble. And that was how she stayed until the crowd one by one did the same. It started slow at first, just a small drop in the sea of people. But like a drop in the ocean, a wave passed through. Small, then bigger and bigger, until those who chose to hear her out, were bent with her.
The new Queen dared to look up after a moment. They had not cheered for her speech, but the silence was deafening all the same. She stood above an ocean of Naboo citizens, all bent for the Queen who had bowed first.
[member="Graxin Rade"] [member="Romeo Sin"]