Tyrant

by Richard F. Weyand

  Dunham and Peters faced each other holding hands, and read their vows, which they had in VR in the bottom of their vision. Their voices were picked up by the VR equipment for the private VR channel, but also amplified out over the mall.

  “I, Robert Allen Dunham IV, take you, Amanda Joy Peters, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.”

  “I, Amanda Joy Peters, take you, Robert Allen Dunham IV, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.”

  Perrin came through the doors of the Throne Room then, carrying a square purple pillow with gold fringe and tassels, on which the jeweled plastron necklace of the Empress lay. He walked up to Dunham. Dunham took the necklace and fastened it around Amanda’s neck, then kissed her. They turned, holding hands, to the crowd.

  “The Emperor Trajan and Empress Amanda,” Perrin called out.

  Everyone on the mall cheered the happy couple. When the cheering had died down, Dunham spoke to the crowd.

  “On a day like today, it is appropriate that we remember our loved ones who could not see this day. Behold.”

  Still holding Amanda’s hand, with his other arm he gestured to the shrouded statue on the pedestal. The whole crowd knew what was coming, and turned to face the statue, behind them down the mall. It was five before noon, and the shroud was lighted in the sunlight from the reflectors.

  Dunham pushed the button in VR, and the shroud fell away.

  People in the crowd gasped or cried out as they saw the statue for the first time. The impact of it nearly staggered Dunham, and he was expecting it. There Dee stood, as if alive. The Star of Sintar on her forehead shone brilliantly, her blue eyes sparkled, and the sunlight glimmered off the gold of the crown, the jewels, the sword, and the title on the cover of the book she held. She looked out over the crowd benignly, many of whom were moved to tears for the Empress they had lost only a year ago.

  The Imperial fanfare sounded again. Dunham saluted the statue as a member of the Imperial Guard, and Amanda took a knee and bowed to it. It spread through the crowd.

  At the end of the fanfare, people stood again and simply gaped at the incredible representation of Empress Ilithyia II. Then the sun moved on, the statue receded somewhat into its own shade, and the spell was broken.

  Dunham addressed the crowd.

  “Amanda and I will be walking the mall. We are dispensing with protocol this afternoon, so please remain seated as we visit among you. Let’s eat, everybody.”

  They cut the sound system then.

  “That is an incredible statue, Bobby. It’s amazing.”

  “Mr. Accorso exceeded every expectation I could have had. It’s astonishingly lifelike.”

  Peters turned to Perrin.

  “Mr. Perrin, could you take my bouquet and save it for me?”

  “Of course, Milady.”

  The Saarets and the Peters then came up and congratulated the couple.

  “We’re going to walk through the crowd. Do you want to join us?” Peters asked.

  “Oh, yes. It sounds like fun. Come along, Margaret.” Suzanne said.

  The six of them trooped down the stairs of the Throne Room. Dunham had seen Accorso there in the front, and sought him out. He reached out and shook Accorso’s hand.

  “Mr. Accorso, you have just become the most famous sculptor in the Empire, and not without reason. It is a stunning achievement.”

  “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

  “I am redoubling your sculptor’s commission, Mr. Accorso, as a gesture of my regard and appreciation.”

  “Most generous, Sire. Thank you.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Accorso. You have created a monument for the ages.”

  They moved on through the crowd, just walking, nodding to people, waving.

  Dunham eyed the first serving table with longing.

  “I should have eaten before the ceremony. I’m going to starve.”

  “A trick. Take a sandwich. Hold it in your left hand, so your right hand is free for waving and shaking hands. Take small bites so you’re not chewing like a cow.”

  “What about a drink?”

  “When the sandwich is gone, the next serving table you take a drink. Same thing. Small sips. Alternate. Sandwich, drink, sandwich, drink.”

  “Good idea.”

  At one point a little girl, maybe three years old, came up to Peters and tugged at her dress. Peters stopped and squatted down in front of her.

  “Hi,” Peters said.

  “I like your flowers.”

  “You do?”

  The little girl nodded vigorously.

  Peters reached up into her hair and pulled one of the roses free, then threaded it into the girl’s hair.

  “There. Now you have flowers, too.”

  The little girl held out her arms and Peters hugged her. She gave Peters a big kiss on the cheek, then turned and ran off yelling, “Mommy! Mommy! I have flowers!”

  Peters laughed and stood up and they moved on.

  All afternoon and well into the evening, the Emperor and his barefoot Empress walked among the crowd.

  Please review this book on Amazon.

  When the sequel is released, a link to it will appear here

  in a Kindle update to this book.