Speech: No Wedding Today

From FiranMUX

Summary

This speech was given by Lady Melani Oshta on August 5, 37 AU.

It is famous because Lady Melani Oshta's marriage to Prince Torianos Elianik was prevented by an intensely destructive riot just outside the Great Temple, where they were to be wed. The Firan masses were enraged that an Elianik prince would marry a savage, Oshta or not--a savage with tattooed lips, no less! In an attempt to appease the mob, Melani called off the wedding. Chaos would erupt anyway, a strange rage that afflicted both the guards attempting to quell the mob and the mob itself and left the Sacred Path bathed in blood.

That Lady Melani Oshta could not wed Prince Torianos due to being Ticanee and "savage" highlighted the strong prejudice that Firans still held and hold against the Ticanee.

Clan Leader Diamia IstaNydiam would later bequeath her marriage prize to Torianos and Melani, which would finally allow them to wed. (There were no riots the second time.)

Speech Text

"The people of the Republic have spoken, they do not wish my marriage to Prince Torianos to go forward, and they have been heard. I admit, I love the Prince, and have since I was a child. It breaks my heart to have to decide between the love I hold for the Prince, and the love I have for the Republic."

The young Lady's eyes glisten, but she holds her dignity like a lifeline, and looks for her betrothed from across the distance, "Prince Torianos, I am very sorry. In my girlish haste to marry the man, I forgot that I also marry the Republic. Even if will go to my pyre dreaming of what could have been, I cannot marry you today. I pray Unot gives me the strength to show everyone that though I am Lady Melani, daughter of the Oshta of the Ticanee Clan, I am Bear, and daughter of the house of Teranzik. Perhaps in time, I can prove myself to them, and there can be a happy ending for everyone, but until that day comes, I will always side with the will of the people."

Somewhere through the course of the speech, her tears have dried. Her fists have balled in the sides of her stola, and a distinct air of menace has formed around the usually sickeningly sweet young Lady. A guard gets too close, crowding her, and an elbow shoots out to crack him in the side as she eyes the crowd.

Other Resources

This speech has been archived with other Famous Speeches of Firan history.