INT. HOUSE OF HELLUZAR/THRONE ROOM- DAY

Drums, horns, and violins blare upscale music as Alauress gets up from the throne in her home. Everyone around her are media filming for the whole world and realms to see, the royals, the Ides, and her own family. Alauress's hair is half up with a braided bun and half down. She is wearing an aqua-to-peach gradient empire gown with long lace sleeves, and a golden belt that wraps around her waist.

Alauress looks at the past kings and queens on the giant paintings on the dark swirly walls. She sees her mother and father in the same painting, standing by side together.

ICHIMA (O.C.) 

She has her father's eyes.

Alauress glances at her mom but sees her mom smiling at her, along with Equazael.

EQUAZAEL

 She has my eyes too.

ICHIMA

 Yours's more of a lighter blue. Did you forget what Demitor looked like?

EQUAZAEL 

No.

[Beat.]

EQUAZAEL (CONT'D)

But no one questioned if I was the actual father.

ALAURESS 

That is because you said I was adopted.

EQUAZAEL 

Not to everyone, Ala.

ICHIMA 

Alauress, ssssshhh, go to the middle of the room.

Alauress, amused, walks to the middle of the throne room with people surrounding her. She can still hear Ichima and Equazael talking.

ICHIMA (CONT'D) (jokingly to Equazael) 

You can stop roleplaying as a single father now.

EQUAZAEL 

How about you... as the queen?

[Beat.]

ICHIMA 

What were you actually going to say?

EQUAZAEL

 A single mother.

[Beat.]

The crowd near them gasp.

SOME PEOPLE IN THE CROWD 

Oh my god.

Alauress drops her mouth.

ICHIMA

 Nice catch... I never thought a Holy Mark would have a mouth like that.

EQUAZAEL 

That's why I didn't actually say it because I'll feel bad.

ICHIMA 

Give me some slack, Equazael, I've been in a coma for sixteen years, so I couldn't find a man. It won't be you.

[Beat.]

EQUAZAEL 

Besides, I got that from your daughter, Ichima.

Alauress turns red from humiliation, covering her eyes with her hand, trying not to laugh or cry. The crowd is either gasping or laughing.

ICHIMA 

Don't blame my child for your mouth; you are the one that raised her for sixteen years.

EQUAZAEL

 I didn't teach her that.

TERO (pointing to Amnestu) 

Imagine being with her for sixteen years.

AMNESTU

 Hey!

TERO 

I thought this coronation would be serious.

Alauress turns to look at Mother, waiting for her signal.

ICHIMA 

It was until Equazael spoke.

AMNESTU 

By the way, they're recording this. Good luck staying in Holy Marks after that.

EQUAZAEL

 I am a citizen here too, Amnestu.

ICHIMA

 I am on good terms with Equazael, so I am not offended by him at all.

CYPHAS 

Miles better than the last coronation.

Yeah, he was there watching Cilitu become Queen of Everess.

Cyphas looks at Alauress. Alauress nods at him, telling him that she is waiting.

Cyphas looks back at Ichima.

CYPHAS (CONT'D)

Mother, she is ready.

ICHIMA (loudly)

 Let's begin!

Alauress kneels down and lowers her head. Music and everyone goes silent.

ICHIMA (CONT'D)

 Everessians, other realmers, the time has come for another Queen of Helluzar. Do the Ides of Everess, the half gods, approve?

THE IDES OF EVERESS

Yes, Ichima.

Alauress looks up.

A man in white robes with sky blue linings, THE CROWNER, walks behind Alauress with a silver diadem with a ruby red gem in the middle.

THE CROWNER 

By the approval of the Ides and former queen, Ichima, I hereby pronounce Alauress Demitor Dakhfirah the Queen of Helluzar.

The crown goes on top of her head. The crowner steps back as people cheer. Alauress stands up and goes to sit on the throne. Everyone goes quiet and kneels on the floor. Solar rays beam from the windows behind Alauress.

She takes a deep breath. She waits for everyone to stop kneeling and all rise back up.

ALAURESS 

My first step as queen is rebuilding what we lost- our reputation, our people, and our home. Realms will not look at us the same, but in time, my goal is to reconcile.

FADE TO BLACK.

END.