Taking control (Mariana)

[Gespard de Chalons]

After days of laying siege on the Heartlands, Grand Duke Gespard de Chalons and his allies had managed to defeat Maquis de Chevin and the northern host, the allies of Empress Celene. Now finally the Heartlands were taken and Val Royeaux belonged to Gespard, the youngest son of the previous male Emperor, and the cousin to Empress Celene I. The Imperial Chancellor had declared conscription, one which demanded the citizens to raise arms against the Grand Duke. Although after heavy scheming and plotting in advance, Gespard had managed to gain the support of the people and with them denying aiding their Empress out of fear or out of hate there had been riots, all which had aided the Grand Duke to conquer what was rightfully his.

Flames and smoke rose from the capitol of the Orlesian Empire and many houses were destroyed, lying in ruins with dead bodies within and around. People went crying in the streets, mourning their dead who had fallen victim of the brutal civil war. Walking through the streets of Val Royaeux, Grand Duke Gespard de Chalons was all dressed in his brown noble clothing, with his hat on and his brown cloak which was only attached to his left shoulder, hanging down gracefully with his royal emblem on the back. The Chevaliers who followed him wore Silverite plate armor, with red clothing under, holding halberds in their hand, ready to protect their future Emperor.

Seeing all those who grieved as Gespard where heading through the streets and toward the royal palace, he felt pity on those who had lost their loved once, but he did not blame himself because of it. It was the fault of the Empress, who had abandoned her people, no one else and now he hoped the people would support him as they would see him as their savior. One who would tell the truth about the death of his father, Emperor Florian and who would bring a new era to the Empire of Orlais, reclaiming what had been lost ages past.

Approaching the great palace of Val Royeaux where the Emperors and the Empresses had lived since the dawn of their civilization, he could see a magnificent structure in front of him, built by white and black marmor stones, decorated with silver and golden edges. The palace itself was surrounded by a great garden with many types of flowers, where a big fountain stood in the center in front of the stairs up to the palace. Imprisoned by a high fence made of steel poles where the only entrance was through the main gate. Stopping right before entering, the Grand Duke Gespard smiled to himself of satisfaction, knowing that he now would soon rule the Empire.