"Imperial coronation robes... you designed them yourself, Sebas?" Selene asked in surprise.
Architecture and fashion design—were those even remotely the same discipline? She wasn't convinced. "Sebas, time is short. My coronation is in three days... you—"
"Milady, please don't forget—this old servant once studied at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna!" Sebas said proudly, seeing the doubt on Selene's face. "Design is well within my expertise!"
"Please, take a look."
He spread open a large portfolio before her, pointing to the first design on the cover—a white ceremonial gown embroidered with golden patterns, modeled after the classical European royal court style.
It was stunningly ornate. The main robe reached the floor, its wide lower hem spreading like a skirt, the sleeves slim and fitted to the wrists, the cuffs bound tight.
"This design, Milady, was inspired by Empress Elisabeth of Austria—Sisi's coronation gown!" Sebas announced proudly.
"That's quite the magnificent royal treasure..." Selene remarked dryly, then reached for the enamel-glass teapot held by Susanoo beside her, pouring herself a cup of red tea.
Steam rose in delicate tendrils as she lifted the cup, took a sip, and said with gentle firmness, "But... no. It's not suitable. Though beautiful, it lacks the weight and dignity an empress requires."
"It looks closer to a bridal gown than a coronation robe—I'm ascending the throne, not getting married."
"Ah... my apologies, Milady. That was my oversight." Sebas bowed his head, then turned another page. "Please, look at this next one."
"This design is far more radiant. I've used a great deal of Honkai Particle embroidery!"
"The color scheme combines white with deep violet-blue tones, elegant and majestic while maintaining lightness and grace."
"The concept integrates the notion of 'change'—using special threads and gemstones woven with Honkai Particle infusion. The hem, cape, ornaments, and crown will shimmer with brilliance, as if alive, glimmering with shifting starlight that flows with each breath and moment in time."
Selene gazed at the design, then smiled faintly. "...It is beautiful. If I were a few years younger, perhaps I'd love it. But now..."
Raising the glass cup to her lips, her tone turned calm and cool. "For one who commands the empire, whose words determine life and death, who shepherds billions of subjects..."
She paused, glancing at Sebas before continuing, "...this attire might better suit a gentle, graceful, and beloved princess than an emperor."
"Time truly flies, Sebas... it's been ten years already."
Physically, thanks to accelerated growth from experiments, Selene was now twenty-four. Her face remained that of a young woman in her prime—and would stay so forever, should she will it. But she no longer pretended to be young.
Setting the glass cup aside, Selene said, "Not suitable. Next, Sebas."
"Yes, Milady."
Though his previous designs had been rejected, Sebas remained eager, his tone full of enthusiasm.
"Milady, this one draws inspiration from the robes of the Roman Papacy..."
"And this one follows the ceremonial attire of former Emperors of the Empire..."
...
Time passed swiftly. Before they knew it, dusk had fallen. Selene and Sebas had spent the entire afternoon reviewing designs, yet none satisfied her.
Until—
"Wait, Sebas... what's this one?"
Fixing her gaze intently on one of the designs displayed in Sebas' open portfolio, Selene handed her teacup to Susanoo, rose from the throne, and stepped closer, her voice filled with faint excitement.
Sebas immediately understood—his mistress had found the one.
"Milady, this design is temporarily named Oracle," Sebas said with pride.
The sketch before them depicted a regal ensemble of white, gold, and royal purple. With moderate exposure of skin—neither overly concealed nor revealing—the design allowed the intricate layers of ornate detail, dazzling embroidery, and radiant arrangement of patterns to blend into a perfect harmony of majesty and splendor.
"This one—it's perfect!" Selene exclaimed excitedly. "...Though... it still needs a few adjustments. The shoes—replace the current design with high heels. Reduce the size of the gemstones on the instep and transition the structure into a platform stiletto form, six inches in height."
"And also..."
...
Three days later, in the Imperial Capital—
Fortune favored Selene that day. The weather was immaculate—bright sunshine, clear skies, and a gentle breeze.
The entire capital was alive with celebration. Streets were flooded with people, alleys empty as everyone poured into the main avenues to witness the grand event.
Countless citizens had come to see the face of their new ruler—the one who had delivered them from Honest's tyranny, their new sovereign and savior.
The crowds were so dense that the capital's thoroughfares were completely blocked.
Suddenly—Dong!
Like a signal, the sound was followed by another, then another. The great bells of the capital rang out in unison.
Dong!Dong—Dong!!
...
Everyone knew what it meant. The former Great General, Duchess of Habsburg—Selene von Habsburg—was about to begin her coronation ceremony.
Above the Imperial Palace's Grand Hall, not a single cloud marred the vast sky. The golden light of the sun bathed the magnificent structure in divine brilliance.
"Her Majesty, the Empress, arrives!!" came the sharp cry of the court herald.
Clank—
Before the gathered ranks of Imperial officials, ten towering guards clad in golden power armor slowly pushed open the heavy gilded gates.
Tap—Tap—
Footsteps rang clear and crisp as a figure stepped into view—radiant in white, gold, and royal purple, beautiful and immaculate, her very presence exuding majesty and purity.
She wore a five-winged golden crown. Her features were exquisite—graceful brows and eyelashes, flawless skin, lips touched with light pink color. Crimson eyes shaded with gold shimmered beneath long, silken white hair cascading down her back.
Her ornate gown, fitted perfectly to her form, accentuated the soft curves and slender waist that bespoke both power and elegance. Across her prominent chest gleamed a magnificent violet hue, golden lines radiating from a central sun emblem, forming intricate patterns of light.
The white and gold base fabric was overlaid with golden filigree that extended downward into a miniature constellation—a celestial map woven in radiant threads that shifted into shimmering purple-gold.
At her cuffs, golden embroidery spread like phoenix wings. From her forearms hung slender ribbons of gold that floated freely in the air, glimmering like starlit rivers under a night sky.
Her shapely legs were wrapped in seamless white hosiery that framed her feet, now adorned with crystal-gold high heels, faceted like sacred gemstones. Each heel was paired with a delicate anklet that glimmered like an enchanted ornament—graceful, regal, mesmerizing.
And behind her, suspended in the air, shone a vast golden halo—an image of the sun itself.
With a resounding thud, nearly a thousand Imperial officials, including the Astartes guards, dropped to one knee in perfect unison.
Before Selene, none remained standing.
"Your subjects pay homage, Your Majesty!" they cried in a single, thunderous voice.
Whatever their thoughts or fears, at that moment, all bowed to her will.
"Long live the Empress!"
In the thousand-square-meter Grand Hall, she alone stood.
Stepping forward along the crimson carpet laid across the gilded tiles, Selene moved with unhurried grace. Wherever her gaze fell, no one dared meet her eyes—not even Budo.
At the end of the long carpet rose a set of stairs leading to the elevated throne dais. There, at the very top, stood the Imperial Throne—majestic and resplendent, radiating a divine glow.
Selene stopped before it, turned slowly to face the kneeling assembly.
There was no hesitation, no ceremony master, no formal proclamation—only Selene's commanding presence and calm, imperious voice:
"Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" came the unified reply.
Then, without preamble, she declared:
"I, Selene von Habsburg—am the Empire. I am the law of this world!!"
"Long live the Empress!!"
The ministers and generals, who had just risen, once again knelt as her voice filled the vast hall.
...
And thus, the Empire—no, the world—welcomed its eternal ruler.