Empress Dowager Mirielle di Ricchezza's Address to the People [Transcript]

[Transcript from the public address made on the steps of the citadel, 19 December 1603 at 9 pm]

Dowager Empress Mirielle - Today, I stand before you amid great crisis and uncertainty. My husband, your King, is dead. May he rest in eternal peace. Now, I address you not only as your queen but as someone who shares in the joys and burdens of this kingdom. Together, we face challenges that test our resolve and unity, but I have faith that by standing united, we shall prevail.

Dowager Empress Mirielle - I am fully aware of the hardships and fears that grip our land. I have witnessed the struggles, felt the pain, and heard the cries of my people. This crisis has touched every corner of our kingdom, affecting the lives of each and every one of you. I want you to understand that you are not alone in this struggle. We are in this together, bound by our shared resilience and determination. And though our collective loss is great, please know that I will recognize all those individuals also lost in this tragedy:

Dowager Empress Mirielle - Duke Willieam Hughes and Patriarch Mattissimo Lopresti are as yet unaccounted for. Lord Normand Boucheron and Queen Adrianna d'Aviz have most unfortunately passed, and we pray for their souls among the four score and counting other victims currently tallied amongst those lost to us.

Dowager Empress Mirielle - In times like these, we must draw strength from one another. It is during the darkest hours that the light of unity shines brightest. Let us cast aside our differences and come together as one. We can face the challenges that lie before us, and together, we shall overcome them. For this reason, my son, the Holy Roman Emporer, and myself, alongside our cabinet will enact our first decrees as the leaders of our realm.

Dowager Empress Mirielle - We will uphold the decision of our most recent court of Peers and declare Grand Duke Alonzo Fortini absolved of all guilt and association with the crimes he was wrongfully accused of so that he might return to us and resume his position on our cabinet as Lord Chancellor to the realm. In keeping with this decision, Marcellio di Giordio, Duke of Urbino, is likewise declared not guilty and permitted, should he so desire it, to return to the city a free man absolved of all accusation and guilt.

Dowager Empress Mirielle - To further aid our cause in this time of great crisis, we have collectively decided to adjust the roles of the Chancery Court. Upon his return from quelling the riotous dissent abroad, Captain General Dario Altamura will assume the role of Councilor of War. And Lieutenant General Semele Malatesta, Marchioness and Wolf of Rimini, should she be amenable, will be given the role of High Field Marshal in his stead.

Dowager Empress Mirielle - Archbishop Roberto Alarenzo and Abbess Simonetta Lombardi will become my personal council and direct liaison with the Roman Catholic Church. Joining my Chief Steward Giovanni Esposito and the Mistress of my Household Kilana Corvasci will be Lady Donnamielle Boucheron.

Dowager Empress Mirielle - I stand with you, my people, in this time of crisis. Together, let us forge ahead, hand in hand, with hope in our hearts and determination in our souls. We shall overcome, and brighter days shall come. Trust in our collective strength, and together, we shall prevail. May the blessings of resilience and unity be with you all.

Emperor Jacoba - On the d-day my Papa was crowned, he said: We promise, for the Glory of God above, to rise up further still. T-today, I promise you, w-we will do the same thing. T-together. All people. Together. Thank you.

Marchioness Semele - What will Lord Farnese do instead?

Lord Eliseo - We are not at liberty to discuss the particulars on Duke Farnese's future work with the realm.

Lady Selene - Who is in charge of the investigation? How is it being handled? Do you need help with the debris and search for bodies?

Lord Giovanni - Once our Army Corps of Engineers has cleared the site and deemed it safe for civilian entrance, we will be asking for volunteers to aid with the search as well as the clean up process. The Chancery Court is determining the best way to proceed with the investigation in the interim. Due to the delicacy of the matter, the precise details will be offered on a need-to-know basis to the public.

Queen Liza - So no use asking about what you are going to do about Portugal, then. Myeh.

Lord Eliseo - Myeh would be right about that.

Lord Eliseo - Your most honourably Majesty of not this realm, ma'am.

Lord Ezechiel - I wish only to extend my condolences to the Imperial family and all those who lost. Know the Duchy of Tuscany is ready to lend mutual aid in any and all ways that might be of need.

Lord Ezechiel - The Duchy of Parma e Piacenza likewise lends their aid to the realm, now and always.

Lord Ezechiel - I am sure Marquis Farnese would second the sentiments of my sister and brother-in-law.

Lord Eliseo - Oh yes.

Marchioness Semele - As does the Marche of Rimini, in all respects.

Lord Giovanni - And the Grand Duchy of Savoy, of course. I think that's a given.

Lord Eliseo - We're IN the Grand Duchy of Savoy. Of course they'll help.

Pope Benedict - The Catholic Church will of course be accepting donations to aid the relief of this tragedy.

Archbishop Roberto - ...made payable to the relief fund established at the bank in Imperial Majesty Jacoba's name.

Archbishop Roberto - And the Catholic Church promises to match all donations from our coffers.

Pope Benedict - Naturally.