LightReader

Chapter 10 - Chapter 11

Early in the morning, Saint stood before the royal council and officials, and read out loud the new decree to their ears. 

"By the authority of the King, Emilia Markham is pronounced a lady royal of the Benetton family and, being a virtuous woman, is to be crowned the Queen of Eldrid." Saint announced loud and clear.

Gasps rippled across the hall and looked of confusion streams from all the officials.

"Markham and the rebels caught in his manor will be put to death in two days," he continued, ignoring their disturbing murmurs.

"The rest of the Markham family will be stripped of their noble status and become commoners, unable to take up any official positions in the country for the next twenty years." He read and paused for a second.

" Catherine Markham will be granted the title of the lowest rank concubine, effective immediately." Saint said, and finished reading the content of the decree.

Murmurs erupted more as the Saint finished.

One of the Ministers, Edward, stepped forward abruptly. 

"Your Majesty, a decree has already been sent out concerning Markham. If you spare them now, then I fear it will only make others bolder to challenge you," he said, and another stepped forward behind him.

"Your Majesty, there is no way this country will accept the daughter of a traitor as our Queen. No matter what, she has the blood of Markham running through her veins." 

Others joined in, voicing their opinion except Dalton, another of the ministers, who said nothing as they continued to voice their displeasure.

Among the officers, he is the only one related to Emilia's late mother, but didn't dare to speak up for Markham for fear of his own family.

Their family had lost power for a while and most only held lower positions in the country.

"Your Majesty, please take back your order to make Emilia the Queen," the officials chorused.

Lucas watched them quietly, tapping his finger noisily. He waited till they quieted down before speaking.

"Prime minister, do you recognize this?" Lucas said afterwards.

Windsor raised his brow as he stared at the scroll in Lucas's hand. 

Lucas signaled to Nathan, who took the scroll from him and went over to Windsor to give it to him.

Windsor glared at the emblem on the seal and his eyes burned quietly for a few seconds.

"Prime minister, what do you think?" He asked.

" After seeing this, what do you think should be done?" Lucas asked him again.

 Collins immediately went on his knees, bowing his head slightly.

The rest of the ministers looked on in surprise and wondered what the scroll entailed.

"Your Majesty, since the late King has decreed so, then I have no further objections." Windsor responded to everyone's surprise.

 "We dare not stand against the decree and orders of the late King," Windsor said, and others' eyes widened at the realization.

They all slowly fall on their knees and bow their heads as well.

"Your Majesty," one of them began.

"The late King's edict is clear, but we still mustn't be too lenient."

 "How about the rest of the Markham being exiled out of the city?" he suggested.

Most of the officials nod in agreement, their eyes filled with unease.

"Since the priority is the safety of the royal family, isn't it reasonable to let the two daughters of Markham stay in the royal harem? That way, the King can easily keep a close watch on them and, with the two daughters held in the palace, the rest won't dare to take rash actions."

 "Even if they plot against the royal family, it will be easy to punish them," Dalton voiced for the first time.

"Dalton, how dare you…" one of the ministers, Cole, snapped, but Dalton cut him off.

"Cole, the next Queen, has already renounced her father's name and is now a lady royal," he reminded him.

" Do you think someone pronounced lady royal isn't worthy of becoming our Queen?" 

Every one of them immediately went silent, afraid of bearing the sin of defiling the King.

"We humbly accept your decree, your Majesty," Windsor said, and others followed reluctantly.

Lucas exhaled, resting his arm on the armrest. 

"The ceremony would proceed in three days."

A heavy silence fell.

To oppose the late King's edict would be treason. One by one, they lower their heads in submission.

"Yes, your Majesty."

"Prepare the palace," Lucas told Saint. 

"It would welcome its new Queen in three days."

The officials bowed and exited quietly, leaving Lucas alone with Thomas. Relief flooded Lucas, but unease still lingered in his mind, and he rubbed his temple gently.

"Your Majesty, are you sure…" Thomas's voice trailed off.

"Let's be patient and see what happens from now on," Lucas replied and stood from his seat.

"Let's pay a visit to the Queen Mother's quarter," Lucas muttered, making his way towards her chamber.

~

Lucas arrived at Georgina's chamber, stopping the servants from informing her of his presence and headed straight into her chamber. After he began investigating the death of Queen Henrietta, Georgina had closed herself up in her room, claiming to be sick and need absolute rest.

She was startled when she saw Lucas come in and sit up, surprised.

"Your Majesty," Georgina bowed slightly, totally taken aback. It was the first time he would come to her in many years.

"To what do I owe this sudden visit?"

Lucas sat down, reading her expression. 

She doesn't know yet.

"In three days, Emilia Benetton will be crowned Queen. I want you to oversee the entire ceremony and ensure her safe arrival at the palace. Nothing must go wrong."

Georgina reeled in shock at his words and she stuttered. 

"Emilia?"

 "You can't be serious."

"The daughter of a criminal..." She stopped abruptly and bowed.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty. But you must reconsider. She cannot become the Queen. You promised me you would never have anything to do with anyone named Markham. How can you know…"

"Why should I keep promises to you," Lucas interrupts sharply, 

"When do you keep breaking yours?"

Georgina flinched, averting her gaze elsewhere.

"What do you mean? I don't understand."

"You know exactly what I mean," Lucas growled at her.

"Did you think I wouldn't find out Queen Henrietta was poisoned with dragon venom before she was brutally killed?" Lucas asked and Georgina's heart thudded to a stop, and she sank to her knees. 

"What?" she mumbled

"The poison is only owned by your family, there is no way you didn't know of its existence in the palace," Lucas continued, and her head spins a little.

"The Queen died from the stab wound to her body, even if the poison that belonged to my family was found on her."

"It doesn't necessarily mean I did it." Georgina tried to defend herself and Lucas scoffed. 

"Are you saying someone else in the palace stole from you to harm the Queen?"

"That's not what I meant," Georgina responded, trying to remain calm.

"Your Majesty, I might not be your birth mother, but I am still your nominal mother who saved your life. You can't accuse me of such crimes without evidence." she argued firmly, without remorse. 

More Chapters