The ceremony itself was something of an inversion of the monarch's coronation. The King stood before the throne in full regalia. The Archbishop of Saintclair approached with three bishops following behind, each holding a pillow of purple velvet fringed with gold cord. First, the King surrendered the globus cruciger, which the Archbishop gave to the bishop on his left. Next was the scepter, which was given to the bishop on the right. For the crown, the King was supposed to kneel and the Archbishop would remove it from the King's head just as he had placed it there for the coronation. However, the King did not kneel and instead removed the crown with his own hands. The Archbishop was not expecting this and was clearly taken aback, but only for a moment.

The clerics then withdrew and the Grand Master of the Wardrobe removed the King's mantle. The King himself removed the Grand Collar of the Legion of Honor from around his neck and surrendered it to the Grand Chancellor of the Legion, who was carrying the velvet-lined case it was stored in. To remove the other medals awarded to the King as the head of state would make the ceremony appear more like a cashiering, which would heap an undue portion of dishonor on the proceedings.

In the past, the abdicating monarch would pay homage to his or her successor. This way, it would be much more difficult to make an attempt to renege on the abdication, something that was a particular concern during the contentious abdication of Queen Saintclair nine years ago. Something similar had been prepared for this occasion. The doors to the throne room opened and in walked General Adeen with his aide-de-camp following behind, holding a bundle wrapped in royal purple cloth in white-gloved hands, along with a complement of six bodyguards. The bodyguards posted themselves before the dais, deliberately blocking the King's Guard, as General Adeen and his aide ascended to the throne. The aide placed the bundle on the throne, unwrapping it to reveal a golden disc.

In an amplified voice, General Adeen declared, "All kneel before His Imperial Majesty, the Father of All Humanity and the Lord of a Thousand Worlds!"

The King set the example, kneeling first to bear the greater portion of the humiliation as General Adeen's aide pressed a button on the disc so that it lit up. Except for the few who had been in communication with the Empire's Lord Admiral, this technology would be a new sight, not that anyone was supposed to have their head raised as the image of the Emperor appeared seated on the throne.

The King did not raise his voice unduly but spoke in a clear and level tone that carried well in the silent throne room.

"Should I betray this oath, that which I have offered—all that I have, all that I am—shall be forfeit. May I be cursed, damned to oblivion, never to be remembered, even as a byword among the worlds. This oath I take of my own free will. Long live His Majesty Emperor. Long may he reign. May I serve with honor and truth to my dying day."

With these words said, General Adeen replied, "Rise, Charles of Byrandia, no more a lost son but a brother welcomed into the Father's embrace."

No one else had been bidden to rise, so only the cameras recorded the sight of General Adeen embracing the former King Charles on the Emperor's behalf. It was not an especially warm gesture, but no one who had any familiarity with the man would expect otherwise. Still, the symbol served its purpose. Byrandia was no longer her own nation, a major power in the world of Miravel but just another tiny fiefdom among countless others in the Empire. Although he had renounced his position as a ruler in his own right, there was still a role for the now-former King Charles to play. The past of Miravel had ended, but her future had only just begun.