The Proclamation

Posted on Fri Jul 3rd, 2026 @ 8:05am by Princess Royal Giana Orsini & Emperor Antonius VI & Princess Jessica Orsini & Crown Prince Paolo Orsini & Princess Elana Orsini

Mission: Historiae Terrae Et Imperii
Location: Emperor's Office
Timeline: Date 2372-06-13 at 1330
4662 words - 9.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Giana Grabs the Gold, While Elana Gets the Exit!
RZI Exclusive: Private Engagements, Public Sacrifices. The Shocking Truth Behind the Danvers Proclamation

The Imperial Press Office has delivered the official word: Princess Elana Orsini is engaged to the respected Lord Peter Danvers. While the decree spoke of "stability" and "noble traditions," our sources at court say the real story is much less traditional and much more about Giana's perfect future!

For months, the enigmatic Princess Elana has been content on Mars, managing her affairs in quiet seclusion. The official story was that she just preferred the simple life, far from the spotlight that shines so brightly on her sister, Princess Giana, the reigning Queen of the Imperial Social Scene. But was her Mars exile truly her own choice, or a strategic move by the Imperial Household to keep her available for a dynastic swap?

The Scramble for Lord Khalon

Elana might hide from the camera, but she hasn't hidden her feelings for the highly sought-after, and very sexy, Lord Khalon Price. We can confirm the secluded Princess was deeply pursuing the Lord, hoping to finally gain a solid footing in the Imperial power structure.

But you know Giana. The face of the family, the style icon, the victorious Dragon of Axanar—she expects nothing less than the best. And what better prize than the man her sister wanted? Our sources indicate that Giana didn't just win Lord Khalon; she swiftly secured him for herself, and that they’re already secretly married.

A Quiet Princess, A Loud Political Choice

This leaves Princess Elana in an awkward position, doesn't it? The quiet sister, suddenly thrust into a political marriage with Lord Danvers.

While Lord Danvers is an undeniable member of the nobility, his public reputation for advocating radical, unpopular reforms is well known. The timing suggests this is a highly curated arrangement. By quickly marrying Elana to Danvers, the Imperial Household neatly solves three problems:
Clears the romantic field for the much more high-profile union of Giana and Khalon.
Forces the reclusive Elana into a public-facing role she clearly avoids, possibly controlling her.
Ties the reformist Danvers to the Orsini name, placing him under the family's direct influence—a strategic maneuver to temper his controversial zeal.

In the glittering world of the Orsinis, sometimes the most exciting news is found not in who is being celebrated, but who is being sacrificed for the greater Imperial plan.

RZI: Revealing the secrets so you can be the smartest one at your next star-side cocktail party.


The screen went blank. The wedding room outside the emperor‘s office was suddenly very quiet after the filth had been turned off. Paolo sighed, glancing at his sisters and shaking his head.

“I know the political philosophy, but it still seems ridiculous to me that we allow that stuff on television.” he said.

They were gathered there after having been summoned by the emperor the day before coronation day. There is a probable sense of anxiety, and it wasn’t all about what RZI had said.

“And just think: that was the version that was allowed to air. I saw some of the previous versions, quite despicable. I didn’t even particularly enjoy this one, but it couldn’t be helped. You’ll have to deal with this more too once you and Amalie enter the public eye more.” Giana spoke up from where she sat.

“Yes, but for how long will it really be tolerated?” He asked rhetorically before looking at Elana. “What say you, Elana? Have you taken to your new fiancée”

“Why are you asking me that?” Elana practically spat at him. “You’re not stupid, Paolo, you know the answer.”

“I don’t know the answer, Elana. Perhaps you like him or find him charming.” Paolo said with a frown. “And don’t speak to me that way. I was only inquiring about your wellbeing. It’s not something you ever do for me anymore anyway.”

“It isn’t like it matters if he’s charming or I like him or he beats me for fun, this family has made its position clear.” Elana retorted and was about to say something else when Giana cut in.

“That’s right, now shut up about it.”

“I’m not the one who forced you to marry.” He said, lifting his brows. “Though I didn’t disagree with it, to be honest with you.”

“No, you’d never have a thought different from our father’s.” Elana rolled her eyes.

Giana sighed and rubbed her forehead, willing her father to hurry up so she could leave.

Paolo looked at Elana, seeming displeased at the rebuke from her. Then a small smile crossed his face.

“Well, one day I’ll make my own determination about you, hmm? I wonder if you’ll be quite as disrespectful then.”

“Will you both just stop?” Giana asked with a sigh. “Let’s just sit here quietly until father gets here.”

“There’s no ‘both’ here.” Paolo responded with a surprising fire in his typically calm voice. It was an undercurrent, but he looked at Giana with his correction. “I was simply asking Elana about herself, quite nicely, and I was paying the price for caring about her. There is no ‘both’.”

Just then, the large golden doors to the Emperor’s office were opened by Imperial Guards, and the Aide to the Emperor, a man with a handsome, youthful face, stepped out with a smile.

“His Imperial Majesty will see you now.” He said, then stepped aside to allow them to easily pass.

Paolo stood and moved toward the doors first, not bothering to wait for her sisters. As they entered the office. A cavernously huge space that matched the Terran Grand architecture the entire Palace was built on, light streamed in against the columns and high arched ceiling. They walked upon a white marble floor occasionally interrupted by lines of blood-red marble covertly imported from Qo’noS. Comfortable seating could be found arranged at various places in the room, but the main feature was the large wooden desk in the center, before a great golden emblem of an eagle, raised by three crimson steps.

The Emperor sat, strengthened by weeks of healing and physical therapy, with his black and gold cane leaning against the desk beside him. In his high-backed chair, he looked as grand as ever, but to his right an unexpected figure was seated beside the desk. Jessica, Giuseppe’s widow, was seated in a soft pink silk dress that complimented her eyes with a modest high neckline and finished with a matching bow around her waist. She was truly lovely, but her face communicated nothing but trepidation.

“Ah, welcome, welcome.” Antonius said, his voice strong as he gestured to the three chairs on the other side of the huge desk. “Come and sit. There is something I want to discuss with you.”

Giana hadn’t had a chance to clarify anything to Paolo, but it didn’t really matter. When he was like this, he was like their father in the way that nothing in the universe could change his view no matter what was said. She walked into the grand office after him while Elana moped in behind her, but when she saw who sat next to her father she stopped immediately and just stared at the woman. The mix of emotions she was feeling briefly played out on her face, and then she started… laughing. She resumed walking now behind Elana, stifling herself down into fitful giggles as she approached the desk.

Ridiculous. It was so ridiculous, but at the same time so effective. All Jessica needed was the pigtails to play up the “I’m just the sweetest little girl, daddy” outfit and demeanor she projected in front of Antonius. As she took a seat, Giana was smiling, but there was no joy in it. She was acutely aware she was not going to like whatever was about to happen. Antonius had always been blind and weak to this woman, and he loved her more than his own daughters. Jessica was stupid enough to think his love would protect her. It wouldn’t.

“Now that you’re all gathered, we can begin quite quickly.” Antonius said, leaning back in his high-backed chair and looking at all four of them. “The attack on my life was a terrible assault against our Empire. I’m so very pleased to have survived and returned finding that the State was in good hands. In particular, Giana.”

Antonius’ blue eyes settled on the mirror images of his daughters.

“You went to Axanar and ended Giuseppe’s rebellion, saving the Empire from schism, saving Jessica, and saving my grandchildren. For that, I have decided to name you sole regent in the case of my..untimely demise or incapacitation again.”

The smile on Giana’s face mellowed in favor of her brows lifting slightly. That certainly hadn’t been expected, but it also didn’t erase the fact that Jessica was present. There was certainly more to say. “Thank you, father, you honor me.”

“I mean to honor you further.” He said, leaning forward a bit and looking at his eldest. He was quite proud of her, and he wanted her to know that. He looked at his only son and smiled. “You too. You, Paolo, have attained sufficient maturity to have initiative in your own right when you ascend. Should you become Emperor before you turn eighteen, you will be able to issue decrees, make appointments, and ascend to laws from the Senate. With your regent’s approval, of course.”

Paolo looked at their father with an expression of surprise and uncertainty. He had craved independence and some say in things, and it seemed he would get it, with a babysitter.

“I have also desired to appoint the two of you Imperial Counsellors as your mother has stepped down. You will represent the Crown in meetings and official functions when needed.” Antonius added. He glanced at Elana, but offered no such position to her, of course. She had made herself clear.

To her credit, Elana didn’t seem bothered by not being offered any position of power. She could have been a regent with her mother and sister but she had bowed out of that, and it seemed she still had no designs on authority.

Giana remained quiet, listening to their father but sparing a quick glance to Paolo. He likely wouldn’t like what had been presented to him, but perhaps he would remember that they had been working well enough together thus far and not let his teenage pride muddle things.

This news, at least, got a grin from Paolo. If his father ever managed to be indisposed for something interesting, it was possible he would be there to serve in his place. Of course, Counselors rarely got anything good, but at least it was a slice of royal power.

“And, finally, I have given due consideration to the succession. My grandsons have an ambiguous place, and I wanted to settle it for the good of the Empire and for the unity of our family.” He said, glancing at Jessica. “I have informed Jessica that her sons will be restored to the succession behind Giana and her children.”

Giana’s expression tightened but she didn’t reply immediately. At first, she looked at Paolo, and then she slowly turned her head to look at Jessica. She had been very clear about the woman’s position and that of her sons. There had been no ambiguity to it. The little snake had struck again, and her father had given in without true thought.

Paolo adopted a reasoning frown, like a young man less frustrated than he had been fascinated by what he had just heard. He eyed Jessica, seeming to be trying to decide if she had brought this about.

Jessica looked between the two Orsini with a frown all her own. Her sun-kissed skin complimented a delicately beautiful face which frowned with substantial discomfort. She didn’t seem very happy about the arrangement, strangely enough. And it was obvious she didn’t want to look at Giana in particular.

“Is this what you want, Jessica? For your sons to be put back into succession? Speak truthfully, our beloved father is kind and full of understanding after all.” Giana addressed the other woman, noticing of course she was doing everything she could to avoid looking at her. It was one last extension of benevolence and mercy from her - there wouldn’t be another.

“I..I want my sons to be a part of the family.” Jessica responded. Her eyes flitted to Giana’s. She didn’t want to challenge the woman, though she knew she had always earned Giana’s hatred for being the closest thing in the family to challenging her public power. “I don’t want them growing up outcasts. Your father was kind enough to invite me here to talk about the future. His..generosity was much more than I ever expected or sought.”

Antonius seemed pleased by this, but as he looked at the lack of enthusiasm and even irritation from Giana and Paolo, his smile dimmed.

“And they are. And they always will be.” Antonius said. “This family has suffered from its distance from far too long. We should be together, finally.”

“Hm.” Giana looked at Antonius then, her brows raising. “And you have already submitted this proclamation?”

“I will sign it tomorrow morning and it will be part of a Coronation Day announcement ahead of the parade.” Antonius answered. “I want us all together on Imperator for the signing and to watch the parade.”

Giana licked her lips and glanced at Paolo, then looked back to Antonius. “Father… your heart is in the right place, but this is a mistake. By putting Giuseppe’s sons back in succession, you are endangering our lives. While many of Giuseppe’s supporters were dealt with, those who remain will flock to his sons and will seek to finish what he started with you.”

Antonius raised his brows. He was y going to pretend like the risk hadn’t crossed his mind, yet still he had confidence in their ability to prevent such a happening.

“If that were to happen, the consequences to my grandsons would be extreme.” His eyes went to Jessica who returned his gaze barely. “What do you have to say to that?”

“Only that the strongest and bravest of Giuseppe’s allies are already dead. Men of high office, men of rank. Who would dare defy you in the face of what has happened?” Jessica asked, her green eyes resting on him.

“The same people who defied the Emperor’s will in the first place.” Giana replied coolly. “Or that of his regents.”

“What man alive did that?” Jessica asked, finally looking at Giana. She knew there was no converting the woman. No amount of innocence would be believed. She could swear her loyalty, and still the Dragon of Axanar would remain remote and cold. That was her strength and, so often, her weakness.

“You.” Giana said simply, her brows lifting as she looked at Jessica. “Giuseppe wasn’t intelligent or patient enough to do what he did by himself. You were complicit in all of it. You could have come and thrown yourself on the mercy of my father and begged for his protection, but you chose to remain loyal to a traitorous husband and now, after the mercy I showed you at Axanar, you go against the deal I gave you as regent.”

“Ah, yes. Jessica told me you had ordered her to stay away.” Antonius said, looking at Giana with a measured tone. “I summoned her here, Giana. She made no attempt to contact me.”

“It’s true.” Jessica said, looking a bit more confident than before, but still far from boisterous. “It’s easy for you tell me what I should have done. But consider you never followed your own advice when Giuseppe put his hands on you.”

It had been a hard, honest thing to say, expressing what she truly meant. Indeed, it took a lot of bravery.

“I would think you would understand what it was like. And, when you’re a mother, you just might. But the cost of being found out by him was death…he did try to kill me, Giana, you remember that? Then he kidnapped and isolated me from my child. Once I gave birth, he was going to dispose of me.” She leaned forward, meaning in her voice. “I was useful to him…but that doesn’t make me a traitor. It makes me a victim.”

Giana let Jessica say her piece, then leaned toward her as well. “I was a child, Jessica, and I did tell the people who I was supposed to. I did everything correctly as I was supposed to, and the people who were watching over me failed me. It damaged my relationship with my father, because I thought he valued Giuseppe more than myself. My sympathy for your situation is what made me grant you mercy in the first place.”

She looked at her father. “I told her to keep away from the palace and stay out of our matters, but I also told her that she and her sons would be provided with a very good life and never be found wanting. If she wanted to marry, she could, and the support would not stop. Perhaps in time that arrangement might have changed with continued obedience and loyalty.” She looked at Jessica again.

“But you spit in my face not even a year later.”

She frowned, and looked at Paolo. He was no help, Elana was right about one thing. He knew this was a problem as much as she did. Her head turned toward her father again.

“If this is your will, so be it, but you should be aware that I did not banish her with nothing to her name or I was not providing for her. This desire to place her sons back into succession is just evidence that she was not truly innocent in the matter - if it was about not wanting to be excluded and simply wanting love, she could have that without inserting the sons of a traitor back into line. They could have lesser titles, she could be invited back to court, but placing them back in line is a grave risk to myself and - more importantly - to your son.”

Antonius listened, seeming dismayed she had such a strong negative reaction, as the connection to grave risk seemed to him to be much more remote than she was suggesting.

“You’re talking about this as if treason is some certainty. Do you imagine anyone who wishes to make use of the boys will care that they are excluded from the succession? Do you imagine that they couldn’t simply coalesce you, or Elana, or gods, forbid, my brother? I appreciate your reservations on this, Giana, but what your suggesting is intensely paranoid, in my view.”

“I don’t think it’s intensely paranoid, Father. Perhaps not a certain bet…I doubt there will be serious consequences immediately, but my nephews will know that I have taken their place.” Paolo said, speaking up. “They will want their birthright back in this decade or in the next fifty. And there will be an opportunity one day for it. They will be a lightning rod for rumor at the least. Possibly more.”

“I have taught you the essentials of government, Paolo." Antonius said to his youngest. “Recite it.”

Paolo let out a small leak of air. It wasn’t quite a sigh, but it was related to it.

“Control the money, control the military, control the security apparatus, control the bureaucracy, control the lords.” He said.

“Good.” Antonius said. “And if your nephews challenge your rule one day, what will you do?”

Paolo looked surprised at the question, a flash in his eyes. He looked at Jessica for several seconds and her eyes met his own.

“I will have their heads placed on spikes above the gates for the Imperial Courtyard.” He said, just the slightest hint of zealousness in his voice.

Antonius looked at Jessica and raised his eyebrows.

“As would I.”

“That’s all well and good… but what if you’re both dead.” Giana posed flatly. “Treason may not be a certainty, but why add additional legitimacy to any claims those boys might have? Not only are those boys going to learn Paolo took their place, they will learn that we killed their father.” She looked at Antonius again.

“Why is it so important to you to restore them?”

“Because the line is weak, Giana. Giuseppe is the only one who has any children in my direct line. You were unwilling to commit yourself to marriage for the past decade. Elana, you…you’ve been completely difficult frankly. And Paolo is too young.” He answered. “We look weak. That is dangerous as well. And I would sooner have my grandsons on the throne than my brother or some other family. It’s really that simple.”

“Does it not also look weak to place the sons of the traitor who tried to murder you, his father the Emperor back into line for the very throne their father looked to usurp?” Giana asked, not accusing but seemingly genuinely asking. “Give us time, instead of doing this now.”

“They are not only the sons of a traitor. They are also the grandsons of generations of Emperors. I see your meaning, but I don’t think we need to be so simplistic.” Antonius said. “I understand why the two of you object, and if I were you, I would feel the same way. But I am not…We are Emperor. And Our responsibility is to the interests of Our entire house.”

He looked at Giana, raising a brow.

“What would time do in these circumstances?”

“Elana and I are both about to marry. While I cannot speak for my dearest sister, of course, Lord Price and I plan on trying to build our family immediately.” She looked at Paolo then. “You could also grant dispensation for Paolo and Amalie to marry when they are both sixteen; while they would still not be the age of majority, it would not be unheard of. Give three years for two grandchildren to fill in for the two sons of Giuseppe.”

“Hmm..” Antonius said, considering what Giana had said. He glanced at Jessica. “What would you say about that?”

“As long as my sons and I are well taken care of, I’m not concerned with where they are in the succession.” Jessica said. “But, perhaps Giana’s on to something. You could strengthen the succession tomorrow with your decree, and then in three years, when they have children, simply change it.”

Antonius turned to Paolo and Giana, raising his brows.

“The succession is easy to change. In fact, if I should die before then, the Emperor of tomorrow would be able to immediately sweep my orders aside.” He said. “I think that sounds like a reasonable plan.”

“That is not at all what I was implying.” Giana said and looked at Jessica, knowing the woman was fully aware of that fact. She looked to her father again, her voice tightening with frustration but still level. “Putting them into the succession and then taking them out will just lead people to ostracize them in the end. The ask for time was to keep the succession the same for the next three years and let us see if we can provide you the grandchildren you desire. If you don’t, then add in those boys as you intend to now.”

“I am not quite so old as to not have understood what you said.” Antonius said, looking at his eldest daughter with an almost amused expression. It faded quickly. “The truth is, I am aging…the stabbing, the months in a coma lying in a bed. They have taken their toll. Sure, I’m sharp of mind…but my body is declining. I cannot take a gamble on three years, Giana. That’s the entire point of this decree. I am…preparing to die. These decisions, your marriage, and everything else..they are the things I have to do, you see?”

Giana pursed her lips, looked at Jessica, then back to her father one final time. “Is there anything else then, father?”

Antonius knew they didn’t understand, and he could tell Giana wasn’t particularly concerned with the idea of his potential death in light of his choices.

“No, only that you must be aboard Imperatrix by 6AM Rome time. The Parade is over Vulcan.” He answered. “If there is nothing else..you may go..”

“Of course.” She nodded and stood. “Thank you for this lesson in what mercy brings, father. I will remember it well.”

With that, she turned and walked out of the office, leaving Paolo and Elana with their father and Jessica.

Antonius watched Giana leave, his frown leaving lines of age and ware on his weary face. There was something to say for governing with sons, but he hadn’t quite been dealt an even hand in that department. He glanced at Paolo.

“One day you will sit here. And they will hate what you do instead.” He said, the sentiment jagged and strangely wistful considering the source.

“To rule is to be alone.” Paolo said, standing up. “It sounds like a curse. Perhaps my nephews will see it that way.”

“They won’t. No one ever does.” Antonius said, waving toward the door. “Go, all of you. I will see you tomorrow.”

“Your Majesty.” Jessica said, standing and turning to leave. She stepped down the stairs, trying her best to avoid eye contact with Paolo as much as possible. He traveled with her, however, and once they were in the lobby again, his hand grabbed her tightly.

“Jessica, it’s good to see you.” He said. His tone was friendly, but the grip was something stronger that she’d expected. He looked at her in the way that every man did. She was radiant. The fact that she had suffered Giuseppe’s crimes and abuses made her a sympathetic figure, but it had also seemed to mark her in some way…like she was fair game to hurt.

“I…I would like to say the same, Paolo…” she looked down at her hand in his and tried subtly to remove it with no luck. “But it’s very uncomfortable. And…that hurts.”

“Well, imagine the pain you’ll experience if this goes badly.” He said, his eyes darker than she had ever seen them.

“You’re hurting me.” She said, and tried to remove her hand again. This time she pulled through the pain until her hand popped free. She cradled it and looked at him with real feeling. “I’ve had my share of abuse from Orsini men, but I didn’t expect it from you, Paolo.”

“Yes, well being nice didnt exactly stop your husband from trying to murder me or my father, did it?” He asked, his voice raising slightly.

Jessica flinched and stepped away, seeming genuinely frightened.

“I can see that you’re becoming a monster too.” She said, her eyes welling with tears. “You all are…they’re boys, Paolo. They’re just baby boys!”

With that, she turned and stormed out of the room, leaving Paolo wide-eyed and shocked. The idea he could be anything like his brother was offensive enough to him, it made him want to truly teach her a lesson or at least shout at her or curse her. Why did she have to say that?

END