Mirei and Katsura were there as well, while Yelena had arrived late with Meridian after refusing to leave one of the engineering bays until the final possible moment.
Aurelian looked at her.
"You almost missed it."
"No, I didn't."
"You arrived thirty seconds ago."
"That is still arriving."
Meridian nodded.
"Technically correct."
Aurelian gave up.
Astra stood beside him.
Unlike the formal events Aurelian had attended with the Arcturus family, there were no expensive uniforms, ceremonial weapons, banners, or long speeches.
Helion had produced a simple Crownward seal for the occasion.
A black field crossed by a pale silver line representing the frontier routes, with a small star at the center.
Aurelian had approved it mostly because it was simple.
Rhoswen had wanted something with a sword.
Astercourt had refused.
Seris stepped forward first.
She spoke for less than five minutes.
That earned Aurelian's immediate approval.
