New Royalty on Tyras!

DATELINE TYRAS


 * Story by Wezza Norcali, Royal watcher

Last night, everyone who was anyone congregated at the Samayus Palace of Opera for a first-in-history live performance by a Centurion. Thirty-two-year-old Kasci Jira Zaffrod took the stage for a solo repertoire of songs ranging from the tried-and-true "Flame Eternal" to last summer's heartbreaker hit "Stars Will Burn Out (Before I Stop Loving You)". Zaffrod—a former Royal Guard to Lord Sakaros, erstwhile Consular Aide on Bolera, and widely credited as a hero of the Vagaari War—was stunning in a silver evening gown by Charlegine and matching heels from Tombeco, and all reports suggest her voice matched her famous beauty. A source inside Yezzi-Yuzz-Yum Recording has given this reporter the exclusive tip that Y3 offered Zaffrod a sixty million credit contract for a three-year, five hundred-location tour of the Empire; no word yet on whether the golden Kasci accepted, but music aficionados the Empire over have their fingers, tentacles, and other appendages crossed!

But while the golden Centurion and her golden voice commanded the stage from first note to swan song, attentive viewers in the crowd had their eyes on the Royal box. The entire Royal Family turned out in support of Jira's performance…and it was a larger Royal Family than we knew! In addition to Queen Rin, Lord Sakaros, Princesses Breek Zagrev and Jasmine Auroras, and Mirzaya Rayne Turgachia, audience members have confirmed that a sixth being was seated in the Royal box, a white-skinned young man wearing the silver-and-gold circlet of a Royal Prince!

In response to repeated inquiries from yours truly, the Royal government released a tantalizingly brief statement identifying the mysterious young man as "Prince Nagarian, the Queen's brother". No more information has been forthcoming at time of upload, but these five words have unleashed a storm of questions that have set Royal watchers buzzing from Abstalia to Cormit. Who is this "Prince Nagarian"? Is he brother to Queen Rin and Lord Sakaros? To Queen Rin and Princess Jasmine? To the Queen alone? Citizens will remember Princess Andromeda Keane, raised to royalty despite not being the Queen's sibling…but your columnist points out that Princess Andromeda lived and died before the 65 Reforms and their rules on royal titles.

We know less than we might and far less than we want, but one thing we do know is this: the Royal Family has changed in a major way, and when there are new circlets on unknown heads, you can trust your intrepid reporter will be there to find out the details about the royals who lead us.