Kalistan

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Crown Prince reaches Majority; named Count of Dah
Inducted into Order of Gray Smoke but will wait to muster into NSP
Eveari, Grand Duchy of Ananto
December 21, 5660


Crown Prince Fredrick Ananto-Collins joins Empress in the Order of Gray Smoke

On December 10th, His Highness Crown Prince Fredrick-Martin David Ananto-Collins, first born of Her Imperial Majesty Empress Mary I Ananto came into his Majority. In doing so, he now becomes eligible to take the throne upon retirement of the Empress, and is officially set to become the next Emperor of Ananto and Kalistan. However, some other official matters lay before him before he is ready to take the throne.

The first thing was to induct the Crown Prince into the Ancient Order of the Gray Smoke at the rank of Royal Knight Companion to Her Imperial Majesty. This matter is not technically covered under the law, but is an important step internally in the secret society to which all Kalistani Royals, several international royals, and many public figures belong. Few know much about the ceremony or the rites that take place at the Order Hall in Ananto, but following the initiation ceremony, Her Imperial Majesty also conferred upon the Crown Prince the title "Count of Dah", giving him a demesne in South Eastern Ananto. Her Imperial Majesty has held the County of Dah since her father, the Emperor Fredrick III Ananto died in a plane crash. The Crown Prince affirmed fealty to the Empress in all matters and took up his new mantle.

The Ceremony was attended by Knights and Ladies Companion from across the Empire, including Lady Monica Ananto-DeLaurentis, Princess Michelle Ananto-Sandoval, Princess Margaret Ananto-DeLaurentis, and Prince Martin Collins, who retains his rank of Stranger Knight Companion, though he and Her Imperial Majesty have divorced. Lady Victoria Jensen, the Lady Companion of the Empress and herself a Stranger Lady Companion was also in attendance, and she reportedly had a cordial interaction with Prince Collins. Dozens of invited Guests, including singers Dea and Carrie Hill, and television personality Cathy Ruiz were in attendance for reception following the closed ceremony.

"I am quite a proud father today," said Prince Collins. "The Empress and I put a lot of work into raising this boy with good morals and self-discipline, and I think he has an excellent foundation going into adulthood." He then added "Well, we need to get him through NSP first." The Crown Prince is expected to muster, along with the rest of his class, when he graduates in 5 months. "Fred still has a few months left to be free," said Collins.

The Crown Prince was on hand and was asked to give a speech. Tall and a bit gangly, the normally gregarious and outgoing semi-pro surfer was uncharacteristically a young man of very few words. "I think they say the word is taciturn," said the Crown Prince. "I don't doubt that there are people who will appreciate that in me today, but I want to simply say thank you for attending and coming to see me here and welcoming me to being an adult. I have a lot of work ahead of me, but whatever I do, where ever I end up, I hope do work somewhere near the water, so I can surf in my time off." The comment drew a laugh, and the Crown Prince, who didn't initially find the humor in the statement, smiled at the people laughing at his bit of unintentional humor. "That's all, I think I have met my joke quota for the day. Please help yourself to appetizers while dinner is served."

All in attendance welcomed the Crown Prince, and the dinner that followed his "speech" such as it was, was enjoyed by everyone. The main course was lemon baked white fish and pasta with a pesto sauce served on the side, fresh vegetable medley, fresh citrus, and cheese cake for desert. Her Imperial Majesty of course had a garden salad with tofu as her dinner. Following the dinner, there was dancing music, as those in attendance either hit the dance floor, or hung out and reconnected with old friends in the hall. The event concluded after 10pm.

@LaModa