Imperator: Resurrection of an Empire

With the stage set and the people waiting Julius joined with his Fiance Queen Serena started the long walk.

The thousands of steps down to the stage awaiting them at the bottom of the palatial steps.

From atop the hill it was plain to see that the square was already filling up with people.

Julius and his personal guard of a few thousand would be the only seperator between himself his future wife, and the tens of thousands of Carthaginians.

If the about to be reveal situation was polar to the peoples desires it was possible that a riot would break out and as a result his own life, the life of his fiance, and his men would all be at risk.

With nothing much more left to do the young couple continued the trek hand in hand, as if they were simply going on a walk alone in the park, though at times Serena still managed to pull a face that would make one wonder if she was actually being led to the gallows instead.

As the two followed by a complement of Praetorians climbed up ontop of the palanquin stage setup on the Palatial stairs.

A wall of armored men could be seen acting as a living wall separating the people from the foot of the palatial steps and the stage set upon them.

The city square itself was flooded with sunlight and the hum of anticipation growing as the people caught sight of their Queen along with foreigners though not looking distressed like a captive or hostage might.

From every alley, and avenue.

Every corner of the city had spread the word and the people poured into the heart of the capital.

Carthaginian citizens, and battle-worn veterans, even wealthy merchants dressed far better than their fellow man.

All standing under the wavering banners of the Carthaginian Kingdom, and the flag of their ally the Romanus Kingdom.

Each flag had a romanus soldier standing next to it, with a roll of cloth tightly held within their hands waiting for the precise moment.

As the descending figures finally climbed atop the stage before them the crowd quickly became silent.

The two royals standing before them were dressed up in their ceremonial outfits.

Queen Serena was wearing a luxurious purple cloth single shoulder toga mirroring Julius's own Toga Picta, she was adorned with her regular royal jewellery, and to the common man and even Julius himself was a radient vision of beauty under the natural first light of the day.

Julius meanwhile was wearing a formal Toga resembling the one he'd worn the night before but this one was even flashier and his very movements caught the suns light and made his figure appear to be glowing like he were the sun god itself.

The sight of the two standing on stage before them was a shocking sight for the carthaginian people, not because royals never answered to their people but because when they did, not only would they be protected by their royal guards just like Julius and Serena but they would always appear before their people in armor be it real or ceremonial but the king would always have mild distrust of appearing before them.

But here stood Julius and Serena wearing nothing except cloth without a hint of fear on their faces as they faces the sea of faces.

The army began to announce the start of the event through the call of trumpets and the rolling thunder of drums.

At the cresendo their sounds ceased and Serena stepped forwards.

Her resplendant flowing robes, and a circlet of amythest resting against her brow like a crown, with her hair braided up like the historical queen of Carthaginians royalty.

When she reached the stagefront a criers from Julius's men began to shout out at once all across the square.

"People of the Carthaginian Kingdom! Citizens of the South, your Queen Serena Tanith Elisar Dolfe Lady of the Golden Coast, Warden of the Desert Marches, and Shield of the Free Peoples."

Her introduction was an agreed upon list of titles created by the pair on their return to the city, hearing herself being puffed up so much caused her face to blush ever so slightly.

But even still she bravely faced her people, raising her hands ever so slowly as silence fell like a drawn breath.

"My people of Carthage-loyal sons and daughters of the golden coast-today, we gather not to mourn what has been lost in these last few years, but to celebrate what we have reclaimed!"

She let her words settle in with a pause before continuing to speak.

"The wars are over! The Ramie Kingdom has fallen! Their banners no longer fly across not only our own lands but theirs as well, their country lies in ruin and it's royal family captured by our capable allies in Romanus!"

The crowd gathered began to get energized hearing their long time rival had been eliminated and with it a threat to their newfound and hard fought peace was gone.

"But this is more than a victory over a foreign aggressor. Today also marks the end to our own nations civil war as well. No more shall brother kill brother, father beget father. No more shall our own peoples raise swords against one another for thrones, for prides, or for titles. That blood price has already been paid in full. I now call upon the Carthaginian Liberation Army to lay down it's banner-not in defeat, but in triumph, so that we can return to ruling being one. One people, one nation."

Cheers began to sound out all across the square, here and there some citizens were even weeping openly.

But then their queens voice lifted up louder and sharper than before.

"Our people have endured exile, betrayal, siege, and occupation. We've had to watch as our cities burned, and buried far to many of our own people. But we are still here. And now we are stronger than we have ever been!"

Chants of 'Carthage' began to sound from within the square as the queen called on their nationalist spirit.

"But let me say this here and now-and say it plain: We did not achieve this alone. When the world turned its back on us and let the ancient kingdom fade from history, one nation alone stood by our side throughout..."

Once more pausing but this time to look back at the unannounced man who was dressed similarly but remaining quiet in full view of the people.