Empyrian- Chapters 29-31 free porn video

This is the continuation of the novel "Empyrian". Please make sure you've read chapters 1-28 before proceeding! Also, please, if you are reading the story, let me know what you think. This work has taken over a year and countless hours to complete. Your feedback is a must! Please, please leave a review so I know if someone is reading! Still LOTs more to come!! - Alice CHAPTER 29 There had been strict instructions not to wake them. Viktoria and Asta communed with Catrine and Alina through the Empyrian, before falling asleep and word was spread that all had gone as planned. As they had arranged after dinner the night before, Alina, Catrine and Valencia met in the morning where they told Valencia the good news. They were, of course, ecstatic to learn that things had indeed turned out as foreseen by Catrine. Asta turned up at the HQ just after lunchtime wearing her now perfectly fitting uniform. Almost everyone in the room stopped and stared at her. The effects of her changes into womanhood were to transform her from merely gorgeous into a goddess. Not only was she impossibly beautiful, but she also exuded an air of confidence and command that was hard not to notice. This was a by-product of her full communion with the Empyrian that now coursed through her and it showed just how powerful she had become. "General Skarpsv?rd," Asta said, snapping a sharp salute. "Apologies for my delay ma'am." "My goodness, Major," Alina exclaimed as Asta brought down the salute. "I continue to be stunned by your transformation," she said examining her head to toe in complete wonderment. "You have embraced the Empyrian fully, I can feel it radiating from you." She stepped close to Asta, looking her in the eyes and said in a low voice so only she could hear it, "You will make an excellent leader for our people." Pride welled up in her hearing those words. She felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction at Alina's words and before she even knew what was happening, she felt a kind of energy radiate out of her and out into the room. Alina immediately felt it and became overcome with a sense of strong loyalty to Astrid. Everyone within a certain radius of her felt it too. Alina was still looking at her when a knowing smile spread across her face. "I...I didn't know I could do that General. I'm sorry! I didn't mean to ruin your kind words. I...I don't know where that came from" she said apologetically, almost sheepishly. "Of course you do. You got the power to instill devotion in those around you from her Majesty. This is one of her many gifts, and now that you two have joined, you share those powers. It is remarkable and just makes what I said all that more appropriate." "Thank you General Skarpsv?rd," she said softly. "Now, as much as I would love to hear all about your evening, I suggest we get back to work." Turning back to the other officers she said more loudly, "General Lopez, will you brief us on the counterintelligence capabilities you mentioned yesterday?" As Lopez spoke to the team, Asta quietly connected with Viktoria through the Empyrian. "Darling," Viktoria came to her in a glowing astral projection. The two were alone in the Empyrian just as they had been the night before. "Is everything alright?" "Of course, yes," she said, working up the courage to ask Viktoria. "Tonight...will you give me a lesson in these powers of yours?" "Of course, my love. Let's plan to discuss it after dinner. I have so much to show you! Perhaps the first lesson will be how to connect with me without having to enter into the Empyrian. All you need do is just think it and I will respond. It will also be less obvious to those in the meeting that you have left them. I'll explain more tonight my love." "Oh," she said, realizing she probably looked like she went catatonic in the General's meeting. "Thank you, Viktoria," she replied, a bit relieved to know she would be getting some answers. "I love you," she added. --- Astrid could tell that all the changing of clothes was going to be something to endure in the years to come. As a military officer, she would be expected to wear her uniform during the day. But as the Empress's consort, she would be expected to be chic and wear proper clothes as befit a member of the court. As such, Asta hustled back to her apartment, made much easier now that she had her own badges and credentials and didn't need to rely on Marta to get her everywhere. Still Marta opened the door to her apartment and walked in first to make sure it was secure before Asta rushed up the stairs. She had asked Hanna, increasingly a much relied on advisor, to lay out some choices for her to wear tonight. She had chosen a lightweight liquid satin cowl-neck blouse with bell-shape sleeves, and black wool pencil skirt with smart gold belt, both which hung obviously in the closet so Asta would see them. There was a pair of four-inch stiletto heels in black patent leather on the floor below one of the benches. More interestingly, Hanna had placed a cream colored floral laced body suit on top of the same bench to wear underneath the outfit. "For a little spice!" read a handwritten note on top of it. Asta smiled. Spice indeed. She doffed her uniform and put on the lingerie before sitting down and brushing out her hair. She let it fall to its full length, just below her shoulders and applied light makeup. She chose a soft pink lipstick to finish the look, and put some of the makeup items into a shoulder purse Hanna had placed out. Finally, she carefully put on the shoes, and studied herself in the mirror. She still had to learn how to do her hair and really, her make up as well if she was honest, but she was going to be late if she fussed with it any more. She put the handbag over her shoulder and went downstairs and out the front door with Marta close behind. Once in her Majesty's apartment, Asta was greeted by Valencia and they took a seat on one of the benches in the large main hallway and caught up on the day and more particularly the prior evening while they waited for Viktoria to come down. Valencia got all the details Asta was willing to share and the two sisters giggled and hugged until, at last, Viktoria began climbing down the stairs. The two stood and curtsied to her Majesty as she approached them off the stairs. She gave Asta a deep kiss and looking at her deputy Chief of Staff, muttered something about not wanting to have to wait to do that all day anymore and to fix the schedules. They all chuckled a bit, but Valencia made a mental note just in case she was serious. She then bid them both good night and left the Royal Apartment out the front door. Viktoria took Asta back around the grand staircase on the right and through the door into her main living room. Bregit stood at attention on the other side of the door awaiting the two. She took their drink orders and disappeared through the servant's door. "Tonight I will show you more of what you can do, though I suspect you've figured the main gist of it out already. My connection to the Empyrian allows me to affect those around me, to encourage them, to make them feel loved and respected, to feel pride, and, when necessary, to change their, ah, perspective on certain matters," she said, choosing her words carefully for the last part. "So you can control people's minds, is that what you're saying?" "No, no, not exactly, darling," she corrected her. "No, I can make their feelings stronger, that is one thing, and I can shape a few things in their minds if I need to, that's all. I wouldn't call in "mind control". More like I can give them suggestions that they find hard not to accept," she said, again very diplomatically. "Hmm," Asta said, as Bregit returned with their drinks. "Well if it walks like a duck..." "So, after dinner, I will show you how you can wield these gifts and then I want you to practice them tomorrow. It sounds like you already tried it today." "Yes, but quite by accident. The command room will now follow me blindly into battle I suppose. So, I have that going for me," she said smiling as she took a sip of her wine. She had a devilish little thought and looked back at Viktoria. "So after dinner you show me your gifts and I will show you mine," she said and sent a wave of arousal over to Viktoria who made a small gasp just as she had put her glass down. "Yes, touch?, dear. But two can play at that." And Viktoria sent a wave of energy back over to Asta. "Mmm...I really like that. Should we just skip dinner and get straight to the show and tell?" she asked Viktoria coyly? "Contain yourself ch?re. I'm famished, first we eat then I can eat you, I mean then we can talk more," she said, pretending to have made a Freudian slip To say Viktoria greatly under sold her powers would itself be an understatement. After dinner, she explained that she could, in fact, make someone believe or feel anything she wanted him or her to and she could project that power out into the world at great distances. If she were standing in front of a large crowd, they would all be affected if she wanted. If she wanted to reach out to one person on the other side of Virago and make them believe something, she could do that as well. She was likely the world's strongest telepath. What she couldn't do, at least until her union with Astrid, was affect the physical. She could only manipulate the mind and emotions of those around her. Now, of course, she could do both, as could Asta. Viktoria explained that the only caveat was that neither of them could use the Empyrian power for "iniquitous intentions" or treachery against Virago, which was itself the embodiment of the Empryean in the physical world. This seemed quite subjective to Asta and Viktoria agreed it was certainly 'grey' at best, but nonetheless, those were the rules as had been laid out in the gospel of the Empyrian. She also explained there was no punishment for trying it just wouldn't work. It was as though the Empyrian had some mystical way of calculating deceit and treachery. Viktoria then explained, that much like Asta could send waves of sexual energy, she could send waves of suggestion as well. She told her to think about a feeling, pride for example, and then send that thought out. For this, Bregit became the guinea pig. "I don't know, your Majesty, I don't want to hurt Bregit," she said with some trepidation. "Beg your pardon ma'am, but I would be pleased to help you in any way I can. Don't worry about me," Bregit said. "That is most kind of you Bregit, thank you," said her Majesty. "She has been very keen to do anything she can to help you ever since that first night we were in the living room. She was also affected by the energy wave." "Well, I guess that's proof in itself it works," Asta quipped. "Ok, let's give it a try Bregit." Asta closed her eyes and thought of the joy she had in giving her Tor to Viktoria. She then opened her eyes, looked at Bregit and made small hand gesture like she was pushing open a door. Bregit immediately brightened and broke into a big smile. Her breathing picked up and she made a sort of giddy face. Her hand also went slowly to her crotch. "Oh, it's wonderful, ma'am. I feel so happy!" she exclaimed. She took a deep breath and let it out before a quizzical look broke out on her face. "Ma'am," she started, then paused. "Did you mean to make me, ah, you know...aroused, as well?" Both Asta and Viktoria broke into laughter. "Oh, my goodness, Bregit, I am so sorry. I may not have figured out how to separate the different powers. Forgive me," Asta said will Viktoria continued to giggle next to her. "You must feel very good though, Bregit," the Empress chimed in and started laughing all over again, amused at herself. The rest of the night was spent both helping Asta learn to use her newfound mental powers as well as the two of them trying to learn what else they could do with Asta's powers over the physical. They had already mastered sexual arousal and climax and they certainly weren't going to torture the staff with that influence anymore. But they started to find that Asta could deliver pain or pleasure. She could make it feel as though your skin was burned, or that you had something in your eye. Viktoria gave Bregit a stomachache but then made it better moments later. Soon they had several members of the staff standing in the grand hallway experimenting with different ideas. One of the security staff had a wrist injury from a training accident the prior day. The wrist was swollen and bandaged. Asta found that she could not only make the pain from the sprain go away, but that she could also make the swelling go up or down, much to the guard's thrill. Viktoria asked the staff to stay there for a moment and led Asta into the receiving room. It occurred to her that the powers that metamorphosed Andreas into Astrid may also be channeled through them now. That meant it might be possible to change the anatomy of another person. "This could be a very powerful tool for us to wield, but also very dangerous if done poorly. I can't ask my staff to subject themselves to this kind of experiment," she said. "We'll need a volunteer," she finished. A call was put into General Skarpsv?rd. In ten minutes, she and a dozen military officers walked through the front door of the apartment, including General Lopez. Viktoria explained what they were doing. "I've never heard of someone having powers like this your Majesty, it is truly remarkable. So, you think you might be able to change someone's appearance? Somehow morph them into someone new?" Alina asked. "Yes, that is exactly what we are trying to say. Well, maybe not into someone "new" but into their opposite sex we think. And yes, Astrid seems to be the first one on record to wield the Empyrian with so much power. We now share a wide array of abilities." There was a pause as the assembled group contemplated the news. "I will volunteer your Majesty," offered General Lopez. "You may experiment on me first." "Very good Tilda, I accept your offer," the Empress responded. She thought a moment and then said, "Asta, could you see if you can change him back into his old self? Tilda, come stand over here against the wall. Asta, why don't you try first? Concentrate on Lopez as you knew him," she said. This was not a situation that made Asta comfortable. Messing with Generals went against a dozen plus years of military training but she had been given an order by the supreme commander so she took up a spot in front of the General and stretched out her arm putting her palm on the General's chest just between and above her breasts. She leaned in and shut her eyes picturing the General as she used to be as a man. She could feel energy flowing through her warming her hand. She could sense the change happening and when she sensed it was finally complete, she opened her eyes. She was stunned to see General Lopez, the man, standing in front of her. CHAPTER 30 "I can not believe it," Alina stammered. "General, how do you feel?" "I'm fine, I think," he said in a low male voice. Lopez looked down and saw his old hands. He brought them up to his face and then looked around for a mirror. They all followed him further down the grand hallway to a hanging mirror. "It's me again. I can't believe it," he said. "This is so crazy! God a looked awful as a man," he added and the ladies behind him chuckled and sighed relief, especially Asta. "You are astonishing my love!" the Empress proclaimed. "You did it! Do you know what this means?" she paused thinking for a moment. "General Skarpsv?rd, let us schedule some time tomorrow to discuss the implications of this. I think we may need to amend some of our plans given this new information. Now, you lot," she said addressing the group of now almost 20 staff and officers who gathered around her. "Not a word of this outside this room, do I make myself clear?" she said, sending a wave over them insuring their secrecy. She looked over at Asta. "And that is how you use that power Astrid," she said giving her a wink. At the back of the group General Lopez was still peering into the mirror pushing the skin around his face. "Can someone change me back please?" Viktoria walked through the group to the General. "Turn around please," she asked. "Now, let's see," she said thinking. She closed her eyes and repeated what Asta had done placing her palm on his chest and closing her eyes. Soon, Tilda Lopez reemerged just as she appeared when she walked in. Checking her face in the mirror again she exclaimed, "Oh thank goodness your Majesty. I'm not sure what I would have done if I were stuck that way," she said, her voice back to that of a woman. "You are very welcome Tilda, and thank you for your bravery. You make us proud," she said patting her on the arm. "Now, the rest of you may go. Major Wahl and I have things to discuss." The group dissipated with the staff heading back to their duties and the military team heading back to their posts. Alina watched them go and bid them both good night. She turned and faced the Empress. "My head is swimming your Majesty. This may just change the entire game!" she said. "I agree. Enjoy your evening Alina, we have much to discuss tomorrow." "Very good your Majesty," she said with a crisp salute. She then turned and left through the front door. Viktoria stepped over to Asta. "You are a fast learner, Miss Wahl," she said. "I try," Asta replied. Viktoria put her arms around her and kissed her. What should we learn next?" she asked "How about the finer points of how to take off a lacy body suit?" she said coyly and kissed her back. "I do love a challenge," Viktoria said and took her hand guiding her up the stairs toward her bedroom. CHAPTER 31 The next week went by quickly. More plans were made now that Asta and Viktoria were aware of their newfound powers. Asta in particular began to practice each day and found after a while it was intuitive. Those she affected were even unaware that she was doing it, at least while it was happening. For example, she had one of the junior officers crying about how cold the coffee had gotten and then break out laughing at the thought of stapling two papers together. Each time Asta returned her to normal before anyone saw. She went out into the town during lunch breaks with Marta and would watch as people felt mysterious pokes in the back or pin pricks on their fingers. She started to feel very comfortable by the end of the week using her powers. By this time, it was clear to Viktoria the she could not and would not live without Asta by her side. She felt joy in her presence and distracted and muted when she spent too long away from her. The Empyrian had indeed bonded them so tightly, so perfectly, that there was only one, inescapable solution to Viktoria. And so that Saturday night she had another intimate dinner with Asta. Once they were finished eating, she had them retire upstairs to her bedchamber. They got out of their dinner clothes and put on negligees and matching night robes, black for Viktoria and a light pink for Astrid. Once dressed, they retired to the sitting area. On the far end of the sitting room were glass doors. They walked out into the warm night and on to the balcony. It was late, but the sun never really set this time of year and so it wasn't completely dark. They could still make out the hills in the distance. Viktoria stood behind Asta as they looked out and held her from behind. It was a lovely feeling to be loved Asta thought. She turned back around facing Viktoria, still in her embrace and studied her lover. She could sense tension and nervousness in her partner that wasn't usually there. She tenderly pushed Viktoria's hair back over her ear. She felt her cheeks and ran her fingers down her neck then reached up and kissed her. Perhaps her gentle touch would relax he Majesty she thought. "Tomorrow can we find some time to get away from everyone, just you and me?" Asta asked leaning against her lover then turning to kiss her again. "Of course. You and I might be a little busy tomorrow though," Viktoria replied, reaching into the pocket of her silk robe. Asta sensed a little more tension. "Why is that," she replied, starting to become concerned but still lost in beautiful curves of Viktoria's lips. "Well," she said, pulling two small boxes out of her pocket, "for one thing, we will be busy planning our wedding." She held up the two velvet covered boxes, one purple and one blue, one on top the other. Asta didn't comprehend straight away. She had been trying to clue in on Viktoria's nervousness and the words sort of washed over her clearing her mind. "Wait, what did she just say?" Asta thought to herself. Viktoria looked at the boxes and separated them with her other hand. She held the blue box closed in her hand and held out the other box to Asta. "Take this," she said handing the purple box to Asta. "Now, you need to present that box to me, and I present this box to you." She opened the blue box and faced the contents toward Asta. Without looking, Asta did the same for Viktoria with the purple box. Inside Asta's box was a stunning eternity band set with rubies down the middle and smaller accent diamonds. It looked enormous but in reality, it was a not inconsequential five-eighths of an inch wide. Even in the low light of the terrace is seemed to shimmer brightly. In Viktoria's box was the identical ring signifying the bond and the shared purpose. The rubies were her birthstone and therefore the imperial stone of her reign. Asta's mouth dropped open as the realization of what was happening finally meandered into her mind. She was a little slow on the uptake given thinking she should be worried about Viktoria. As her brain caught up, several funny things popped into her mind, but she stayed silent, not wanting to ruin the moment. "Will you be my wife and Queen, Astrid Wahl?" Viktoria said confidently, looking deeply into Asta's eyes. The Empress smiled broadly and, tapping into the Empryean, allowed a wave of joy to emanate from her and enveloped Asta. Asta was overwhelmed with happiness and love and tears started to form in her eyes. She had never felt such strong emotions as this before. Her voice was suddenly hard to find but she paused, collected her thoughts and then managed to respond in a quivering voice. "It would be my honor and privilege to serve you as your Queen, and to be your wife and partner in this life your Majesty. I love you deeply and truly," she added. "And I love you my darling," Viktoria said kissing Asta again. She took the ring out of the blue box and took Asta's left hand, sliding the ring down her third finger. Asta looked at it, hand outstretched before catching herself. She apologized for gawking and removed the ring from the purple box and put it on Viktoria's left ring finger. She looked at it too, arm outstretched. They hugged and kissed and the Empyrian's energy seemed to again wrap around them, somehow stronger, reminding them of their bond. They returned to the sitting room and toasted each other with sparkling wine that seemed to have materialized out of nowhere, still chilling in the bucket. It was the same vintage as the first night they had met, a fitting touch. They talked and snuggled for a while and finally, made love and fell asleep. The Empress had seen to it that both of their morning schedules were cleared so that they could spend the morning in bed leisurely. They lounged for much of the morning in each other's arms and ate a light breakfast, only heading into the sitting room by late morning to read the paper and watch some news. The Empress's schedule did not start until lunch, which was meant to be another intimate meal including Catrine, Alina and Valencia. The three women were summoned to the residence prior to lunch and the couple met them in the drawing room. The Empress wore a red matte silk sheath dress with an imperial sash and tiara on, owing to the fact that she had official government business today. Asta had on a cream silk dress with a light pink wool jacket, closed at the waist with a thin gold belt with diamond buckle. Her hair was pulled neatly back into an up do, which tucked back into itself and seemed to be held in place by Hanna's magic. She had a few golden strands left hanging at the side of her face as well that curled softly as they descended and showed how much longer her hair had become since the solstice. She had in her mother's diamond stud earrings as well and light pink pointed heels that matched the jacket. They didn't immediately tell the other three about the engagement, but Valencia, standing next to her mother, spotted the ring on her sister's finger straight away. Asta saw the flash of recognition but since Valencia was now the most junior in the room and a member of her Majesty's staff at that, she didn't dare speak up. She nudged her mother however and whispered something in her ear. "I know, I spoke to her Majesty last night," she whispered back. "You could have told me, mother!" she whispered back. "Your Majesty, you look rested and full of vitality today. What news do you have for us this fine day?" asked Alina. "We officially welcomed a new sister, our dear Astrid, into our empire only a week ago. What's more, the Empyrian has chosen to bless and embrace her to a degree to which only very few are blessed. In fact, in strength and power, there is only one other woman that can call her an equal and that is me." "And so, it is with this in mind, and because I have come to love her more deeply than anything I have ever known, that we choose to combine our power into a single wedded union," she exclaimed, gripping Asta's hand as she did. "Together we will rule over Virago and the continent beyond it!" she said proudly. She looked into Asta's eyes and gave her a gentle kiss. The other three ladies gave deep curtsies in deference to their new sovereign. Once done, they all moved in to give Asta and her Majesty congratulations and hugs. Catrine cried tears of joy and Valencia rubbed her back and studied her ring. A light lunch was served to the ladies and once the plates were cleared, the Empress got back to the business at hand. "I have called for the cabinet, key members of the parliament and our military leaders to come to court today so that I may make this announcement. I would ask that you take your places in the front and I will meet you all there," she commanded regally. She gave Asta another kiss and told her she loved her and the four of them went out the front of the Royal Apartment and back through to the Throne Room, which had been set for the announcement. Valencia took Asta's arm as they walked and the sisters giggled. "Only you could have gone from failed military leader to Queen in less than a month," said Valencia. "The history books will need to reflect that somewhere," she said, needling her sister. "We have a lot of planning to do, I'm sure, and I have no idea what custom and tradition allow for, but... will you be my best, er, maid of honor?" she asked, wincing. She still needed to get used to her new life. Valencia did not acknowledge the error and immediately said yes, and hugged her sister's arm even tighter, giddy with joy. By the time they got to the throne room, various members of the government were already mingling. Security was considerably more visible at each door and, Asta was sure, in the halls and corridors that led to the throne room. Asta had never met most of them but did recognize a few of the sycophants from the evening her Majesty hosted them. Valencia leaned into her ear and pointed to the gaggle of women with her elbow. "I give them ten minutes after the announcement is done to mob you. They will want to be your best friend, now that you will be Queen," she said. There was that word again, "Queen". It still didn't register in Asta's mind. The General had many of the growing crowd come up and speak to her. Most acknowledged Valencia as she was Deputy Chief of Staff. A few recognized and said hello to Catrine but almost noone, save a few of the sycophants staffers whom she'd met, said anything to Astrid unless the General or her mother introduced her. It was just as well to Astrid as she enjoyed watching and learning who was who. Before long, the throne room was packed full of the Empress's closest supporters. When it was deemed time, the door to the throne room opened and the Empress walked out and onto the throne dais, placing one hand lightly in the other and at rest in front of her and she began her remarks. She spoke at length about the path their great nation was on, their history and their future. She spoke about the fabric of their society and she spoke about how the Empyrian guides them. "The Empyrian has shown me many wonderful things in my life, but none more so than these last weeks and days. I have been blessed, of late, to become even more deeply entwined with the mystical forces of our land and have come away even stronger. I owe this privilege to the strength of one of the daughters of Virago, Ms. Astrid Wahl. I am proud and humbled to say that the Empyrian has shown me that she is my equal in its' eyes and that together we are stronger than either of us alone." There were murmurs coming from the crowd now. This was new news to almost all in the room and powerful words coming from the Empress herself. This woman that seemed to be the Empress's constant companion was not just a fling but rather an equal within the Empyrian! "Sisters," the Empress said, raising her hands to calm them. "We have all been blessed that Ms. Wahl has come to us. She is of noble birth and the Empyrian flows through her as it does me." Again, there were murmurs from the assembled officials. "It was only when the Empyrian showed me her true nature that I understood the strength and power she will wield on behalf of our people. What's more, I am blessed that the Empyrian has brought to me a soul mate and my one true love. And so," she said raising her left hand up, palm facing her, "we have decided to join together in matrimony so that our love will become the bedrock of our empire." The front row, Alina, Catrine and Valencia began clapping immediately and soon the government officials began to applaud loudly as well with some letting out cheers. The Empress had a broad smile and raised her arms. The applause grew louder still as she did. She let it fill the hall for a few moments and then again settled them down with a gesture of her hands. Asta was not really certain what to do as they applauded her nuptials so she focused on the Empress, watching how she commanded the room. "Thank you. Now, as we are all here, we have some business of the court to attend to. Catrine, would you please join me on the dais," she said gesturing to her in the front row. Catrine got to her feet and carefully climbed the two steps up to the Empress. Catrine approached the Empress and gave a deep curtsy. "Few in the Empire have done as much for the people of Virago as Catrine Elizabetha Wahl has," the Empress started. She motioned to the footwomen standing off to the side of the throne who immediately came forward with a small rectangular cushion and placed it in front of Catrine on the ground. She then turned to Catrine and addressed her. "Please kneel before me," she said. Catrine lightly took her dress into her hands and deftly knelt before her Majesty, lowering her head in a small bow. As she did, the footwomen returned from the wings carrying a long narrow red velvet pillow on which the Imperial Scepter lay. They held the pillow in front of the Empress. As she spoke, she took the scepter and held it out above Catrine. "For services to the crown and to the Empire, I grant you the position of Duchess and ask all present to bear witness," she proclaimed. She placed the scepter on Catrine's left shoulder and said "Arise Catrine, Duchess of Alonor. May you be faithful, brave and worthy of us." Viktoria placed the scepter back on the pillow as Catrine got to her feet. The crowd applauded her and those that knew what she had really done, namely Alina, cheered. "Your Majesty," Catrine said and again curtsied. "Thank you," she said standing again to her full height. "You are most welcome," Viktoria said with a broad smile. "And thank you," she said earnestly. There was continued applause as the new Duchess of Alonor, curtsied again and then carefully stepped down off the dais and retook her seat. Valencia leaned over to her mother. "Duchess Alonor," she said respectfully, albeit with a little wryness. The Empress looked back down to the front row. "Astrid Wahl," she said, holding out her hand, "please join me here." Viktoria had walked Asta through the plan so she knew she would be coming up in front of the most important people in Virago. She walked up to the dais, curtsied and stood next to her future wife. The room started clapping and then cheering loudly. "They truly love you, your Majesty," Asta said through her smile. "And soon they will love you as much as I do," she replied, not breaking her smile either. She let the applause go on for long enough and then gestured to the room to once again be quiet. "It is time to bestow onto Astrid her new title and for you all to bear witness. Astrid, please kneel before me. "I pronounce that hence forth, you shall be known as Astrid, Archduchess of Virago and General of the Viragonian Army. Arise Archduchess Astrid. May you be faithful, brave and worthy of us," she proclaimed. She waved the scepter back and forth in an arch over her head and then, channeling the Empyrian, she touched the scepter to Asta's left shoulder and sent a sensation of warmth and confidence into her. Asta looked up into her eyes and felt a surge of loyalty and strength well up into her. She felt like she could run through walls for her Empress if she asked. She, in turn, cast the same spell on her Majesty so that she would feel the same sense of loyalty and strength she had shared with Asta. As Asta stood, the Empress returned the scepter to the footwoman, who, still facing her Majesty, took several steps back out of the way. Viktoria took Astrid's hand and applause erupted again for the two of them. They stood on the dais for a few more moments and then hand in hand headed to the same door the Empress had entered through. While a footwoman held the door, Asta allowed the Empress to enter through the door first as was customary. Once through, the door closed behind them and Viktoria turned to face Asta. "Archduchess Astrid," her Majesty said. "Empress Viktoria," she replied and curtsied. "You need not genuflect to me in private, darling" she said to Asta. Asta stepped in close to Viktoria and looked up into her eyes. "You are the most powerful person I know, and, I fear, someone I am madly in love with and I will show you the respect you have earned... Respectfully," she added. "Your Majesty." She smiled. "We are going to be so good together!" Viktoria said, kissing her again.