longer.blue

Dressed in military uniform, gold tassels cover his shoulders, a high collar rubs against his fur. The red and white belt with the split pin buckle is tight and presses on his midriff. From the right shoulder tassel, gold braided ropes hang down the left side of his chest and run in a broad gilded bronze brooch terminating at the front row of buttons. The heavy Schiavona tugs with all her weight at the tightly banded belt worn by the prince. The golden and particularly artistically crafted basket of the weapon stands out clearly from the deep black wool that forms the basic fabric of the uniform. Red accents on the collar, sleeves and edges of the uniform break the illusion that Rafael has merged into the garment. Black on black, separated only by the red trimmings of the uniform. The square cut of the shoulders restricts his movement, making him feel stuffed as he can barely breathe or move. So, tied up, this uniform seems to him like a cage made of fine fabric under which he threatens to collapse at any moment. The uncomfortable fit and especially the meaning that comes with wearing this uniform takes his breath away. "Proud people of Hellionos We stay here today to commemorate my older brother. Michaejel IV fell at the Battle of Illuanea while fighting for our kingdom. But now I've understood something. There are things over which we have no control. Control is an illusion. How long shall we bow to fate's shameful head? Nevertheless, we have to accept that my brother is no longer at our side. I have to accept that he is no longer by my side. But I will not accept that my brother died in vain. I will learn a lesson from his failure. The lesson not to waste my energy on the irrevocable. Especially on days like today we have to stand proudly towards the horizon. We commemorate Michaejel IV, my brother, with all honors. But let us not let fate's bottomless impertinence slow us down in our striving for a future that belongs only to us, the living. We are still in this world and will not let the dead put us in chains. That's what my brother would have wanted! No! His death is not to be tacitly kept in a casket, only to be consumed as a symbol on this day. No! He, Michaejel IV, would have wanted us to go further! Don't burn our past, because without a past there is no future! But getting caught up in the past only leads to wrong turns that make you go in circles. Circle by circle by circle! We have to accept what happened! That Michaejel IV is no longer with us. But that should encourage us, we have to learn from it! We must not repeat the mistakes that HE also made. This is the only way we can pay tribute to Michaejel IV and assure his untimely demise of meaning. So, let's remember my brother without stopping there. With our eyes fixed forward and not back on the path we have already overcome. We must finally decide to do what should have been done a long time ago! One step at a time, into a world that we create by ourselves. Created for us, our offspring and the generations that will follow. One step at a time into our new future. Then! Stagnation is death! But we're still alive, so let's fight stagnation!"