Dune_ House Atreides - Brian Herbert [281]
Indeed, there is a place for ceremony in the daily workings of the Imperium, Leto thought. It has a unifying influence, making people feel they belong to something significant.
Such ceremonies cemented the impression that Humanity, not Chaos, reigned over the universe. Even a self-serving Emperor like Shaddam could do some good, Leto felt . . . and fervently hoped.
Solemnly, the Crown Prince climbed the steps of the royal dais and seated himself on the throne, staring fixedly ahead. Following time-honored procedure, the High Priest moved behind him and raised the jeweled crown high in the air.
“Do you, Crown Prince Shaddam Raphael Corrino IV, swear fidelity to the Holy Empire?”
The priest’s voice carried throughout the theatre, over speakers of such high quality that everyone in the audience heard completely natural, undistorted sounds. The same words were transmitted around the planet of Kaitain, and would be spread throughout the Imperium.
“I do,” Shaddam said, his voice booming.
The High Priest lowered the symbol of office onto the seated man’s brow, and to the gathered dignitaries he said, “I give you the new Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV, may his reign shine as long as the stars!”
“May his reign shine as long as the stars!” the audience intoned in a thunderous response.
When Shaddam rose from the throne with the glittering crown on his head, he did so as Emperor of the Known Universe. Thousands inside the chamber applauded and cheered him. He looked across the audience that was a microcosm of everything he ruled, and his gaze came to rest on doe-eyed Anirul, who had moved to stand just below the dais with her honor guard and ladies-in-waiting. The Emperor extended a hand, beckoning her.
Harishka, Mother Superior of the Bene Gesserit, guided Anirul to Shaddam’s side. The magnificent women moved with the faultless glide-walk of the Sisterhood, as if Shaddam were a magnet drawing them into his presence. Then ancient Harishka returned to her seat with the other Bene Gesserit.
The priest said words over the couple, while the new Emperor slipped two diamond rings onto the marriage finger of Anirul’s hand, followed by a breathtaking red soostone band that had belonged to his paternal grandmother.
When they were pronounced Emperor and Lady, the High Priest of Dur presented them to the assemblage. In the audience, Hasimir Fenring leaned over and whispered to Margot, “Shall we step forward and see if the High Priest can squeeze in another quick ceremony?”
She giggled, nudged him playfully.
That evening, hedonism in the capital city reached a fever pitch of adrenaline, pheromones, and music. The royal couple attended a sumptuous dinner banquet followed by a grand ball and then by a magnificent culinary orgy that made the earlier meal appear to have been no more than an appetizer. As the newlyweds departed for the Imperial Palace, they were showered with merh-silk roses and chased by the nobles.
Finally Emperor Shaddam IV and Lady Anirul retired to their marriage bed. Outside their room drunken noblemen and ladies rang crystal bells and floated bright glowglobes at the windows—the traditional shivaree that would bring blessings of fertility upon the union.
These festivities continued much as they had for millennia, going back to pre-Butlerian days, to the very roots of the Imperium. More than a thousand expensive gifts were arrayed on the lawn of the Palace. These offerings would be gathered by Imperial servants and distributed later to the populace, in conjunction with an additional week of festivities on Kaitain.
After all the celebrations were complete, Shaddam would finally be able to get down to the business of ruling his Empire of a Million Worlds.
In the final analysis, the legendary event called Leto’s Gambit became the basis of the young Duke Atreides’s immense popularity. He successfully projected himself as a shining beacon of honor in a galactic sea of darkness. To many members of the Landsraad, Leto’s honesty and naÏveté became a symbol