Imperator: Resurrection of an Empire

Attending the Carthaginian royal banquet to welcome Julius who is the visiting monarch of their allied force, the ally the Carthaginian Queen Serena had secured and brought back to reclaim her nation from the invading Ramie kingdom.

Now Julius stood at the head table next to Queen Serena.

His wine goblet raised in front of himself as his toga flowed and shifted with his stance.

"Nobles, and warriors of the Carthaginian Kingdom, Allies of Romanus, friends and honored guests... Tonight, we do not dine as conquerors, and conquered, nor as separate nations bound by convenience, but as a single people, a single liberating force, united by fate, and the unyielding will of your Queen who refused to let this great nation fade away into history because of the actions of a few black hearted people."

A murmur of approval began to spread through the audience.

The surviving older nobles, wary of what this young lord who was a well accomplished warlord, while the younger generation looked on to Julius with flames flickering in their eyes, nodding along with pride.

"Carthaginia was stolen away from its people for far to long-not due to weakness, nor by folly, but simply treachery. And yet in this darkest hour your people did not bow, refusing to surrender. They fought, bled, and eventually reclaimed what is rightfully your with your own hands. And for that you have mine, and my men's deepest respect."

Queen Serena seated next to him, took this opportunity to stand from her seat raising her own goblet to mirror Julius.

Her people had suffered greatly from the civil war, and the invasion that followed but now they once more feasted in their own halls and had reason to feast.

"**But! Let it be known-Carthage did not stand alone in our struggle. As many of you know Romanus assisted us in our struggle and even marched besides our warriors, helping us to not only reclaim our stolen lands, but also bringing about the end of the opportunistic kingdom that acted upon our own nobles treachery to bring our great nation almost to its knees. This great victory is not Carthage's alone, Nor Romanus'-it is the victory of all free peoples who refuse to kneel and stand against tyranny"

The banquet hall began to echo with light cheers and the clashing of goblets and the Queens words rang out.

But she was not yet finished.

She turned herself away from those in attendance and instead to look right at Julius himself.

Before once more surveying the eyes of her own people.

"Yes, my people, we must ask ourselves a question-a question that defines not just this moment but all that will follow after into our children's and grandchildrens generation."

The murmurs started up again.

They could tell the queen was about to state something fairly earth shattering to those assembled but as to what it was they could only guess.

Taking a simple breath to steady herself before continuing with clear conviction.

"What future does Carthage deserve? Will we be satisfied with only the reclaiming of our lands, of our kingdom? Do we thing ourselves so far removed from the world to not need worry about the other nations of the continent who see this as a time of weakness for our people waiting for the chance to see us broken yet again? No. Carthage will never again be alone. Never again will our strength be tested without true allies standing at our sides stand beside us and lending us strength when needed. Never should our children have to watch war tear apart their homes. That, my people, is why I have made a decision."

The tension grew to a head, as the hall became deathly silent not even the wait staff continued to move.

Her face once more turning slightly to gaze upon Julius.

"To ensure the strength and security of Carthage we need a Strong and Just ruler and we have one present here, one who has in such a short amount of time captured my heart. I-Serena, Queen Dowager of the Carthaginian Kingdom-do hereby announce my engagement to King Julius Aquitania Ceasar of the Romanus Kingdom. Through our union, Carthage and Romanus shall become stronger than ever before, rising up together not as kingdoms, not as vassal to each other but as equal pillars of the foundation of a new Empire."

A stunned silence gripped the room at what they had just heard.

Many of the old nobility believe the queen had no right to be their ruler seeing that she was not of royal blood and simply the wife of the previous king, one that had failed to produce an heir.

But they were overtaken by the younger generation, those who truly held power in this new nation.

The young nobles, generals, and commanders all looked to the still standing royal pair like they were a pair of deities.

Knowing full well that their nation was spent, they had encountered three wars in less than two years, and all of them had been costly affairs now was the time for their nation to rest and recover but if they had Romanus backing Carthage could recover far faster.

"Let it be known that I will stand alongside of King Julius, not merely as a queen handing over control of her lands to a more powerful ruler, but as a new Empress forging something greater with the Emperor. I have chosen to place my faith in him, as he has previously placed his faith in us. Together we shall shape an era worthy of the blood we have shed in our struggles."

The hall still was silent but that was shattered like a storm waiting to break.

Then a thunderous roar erupted from everyone, noble, military and palace staff.

"FOR THE QUEEN! FOR THE EMPRESS! FOR THE EMPEROR! LONG LIVE THE EMPIRE!!!"

Everyone stood up shoving their goblets to the sky, warriors pounding fists to the tabletops.

The movement causing the dropped banners to ripple with the energy of the hall.

Julius watched as Serena's incited people celebrated.

"As King of Romanus, I accept Queen Serena's proposal. For too long , this world of ours has divided itself-petty rulers clinging to their thrones, fearing the strength of those around them. That age is over. Together, we all shall forge something to stand the test of time-An empire to bring back the greatness of our ancestors. One where we can all stand as brothers and sisters, not an conquered and conquerors!"

The cheers in the hall redoubled.

The sounds of goblets clashing together continued to fill the air, as the future of the world has just changed, in this moment a new empire was being founded.