Bradshaw smirked at his master’s joking threats and witty banter. Not that his Master couldn’t be humorous, he certainly could, but the frequency with which he poked fun, hinted to him that Veiere must be nervous. Whether he was nervous to get married, or because of the wedding’s scale and the fact that it would run on loop on all Commenori, as well as an untold number of galactic, news stations for who knows how long, every part being evaluated, judged, and talked about, he couldn’t tell. Though, that last thought made him a little more nervous. He was glad he wasn’t the only one.
Having taken his seat at the front, he listened intently to his mother’s vows and then to his Master’s. It was true what his mother said, in more than one way. Commenor would surely be a darker place, his mother would be as well, and to top it off, he would too. That simple fact, knowing that Veiere had already been a powerful beacon of light in the darkness for so many, was enough for even him to accept the union he made with his mother. How could he possibly ask for a better person to entwine his life with her's, to help her and guide her, to protect her? He couldn’t, and in that moment, he was certain that Shaw-Ku couldn’t either.
It was also true what Veiere said. His mother had been through an unimaginable amount of pain and loss for one lifetime. Not just with Veiere there, but all the way back to Shaw-Ku’s murder, her being beaten nearly to death, and her children being ripped away and hidden from her. That would have destroyed even the strongest of people. Not her, and it also wasn’t the end of her tortures, both literal and figurative. Through it all, she survived. More than that, she somehow found a way to thrive and to help others along the way. Though he didn’t know even the half of the pain she’d faced and the obstacles she went through, to him, she was the strongest person in the galaxy.
His eyes began to tear up as they kissed. He almost couldn’t believe himself, he wasn’t much for crying. When [member="Rex Cruger"] brought out the two crowns, each resting on a luxurious pillow, and bowed while still managing to keep them perfectly level, he knew it was almost time for the coronation. Not wanting to look weak for his own coronation, he blinked quickly and wiped the wetness from his cheeks before doing his best to suppress any others from rising to the surface. The galaxy could be a dark, brutal, and dangerous place. His first public appearance as Crown Prince, images that would be shared faster than the speed of light all across the galaxy, couldn’t be of a watery eyed lad. Even if the Commenori people didn’t mind, there were many out there who would see such a thing as feeble and pathetic. No. He had to project strength, confidence, and intelligence – even if he didn’t yet have those things. He had to channel [member="Lady Kay"] and [member="Veiere Arenais"].
He wasn’t even crowned yet, and here he was, beginning to feel the near crushing weight of public service. He just hoped he was strong enough to bear it.