8 The Royal Assembly (2)

The king was dressed in a bright red tunic with a silver colored belt at his middle. Down at the foot of the steps leading up to the throne, on the left, the Queen stood; and on the right, a handsome young man of about sixteen years, wearing similar robes to that of the king- this was Prince Theon, heir to the throne.

"Prime minister?" The king called, signalling the commencement of the court proceedings.

The prime minister stepped forward from the Right Assembly, the league of officials and ministers who stood on the right hand side of the king.

"Respect to the Crown of Valencia," the prime minister bowed, "I ask leave to present the purpose of the summoning of the Assembly," he bowed again.

"Granted,"

The prime minister turned to face the court, his back to the throne, facing both the Left and Right Assemblies.

"Hereby as the Crown has granted me to lay before all present the purpose of the summoning, I stand as the prime minister, proposing that the proceedings commence!"

"Seconded!" said a gruff voice from the Left Assembly. This was General Harfad, grey haired and spent, who had at his command, a fifth of the Valencian Army. He was in full armour, and held his helmet at his side, under his arm, his sword gripped in the other hand.

"Proceed," king Andros gave his word.

"I put to the court, in that case, the event of the coronation of Prince Theon!"

The king's face reddened with fury. What a way for the prime minister to show his loyalties! And right in the presence of the Assembly too!

The queen on her part, felt betrayed, sure that the king had arranged this with the prime minister, without her knowing. She had wanted to be the one to announce the coronation, so that her position as Queen Dowager would be assured whenever Andros got himself killed. She started scheming at once. She would bring the crown prince under her wing, make him swear to install her as queen Dowager....

Left Assembly's minister for Foreign Affairs was the first to comment.

"Congratulations to Prince Theon, then. I am afraid none of us left Assembly would dare to contradict a matter that has clearly been decided." He winked at General Harfad, "the only thing, Prince Theon would have to select a noble lady to be his crown princess and future Queen," he smirked and half-glanced at a cold looking young woman with dead eyes behind him. Prince Theon's eyes followed the trail and he shuddered inwardly.

"Thanks for your concern, left minister Sarzaard," Theon replied in a confident tone, inclining his head to the old man, "I guess," he glanced at the Queen, "it will be up to Royal Mother to handle this, as I have spent my whole life with scholars around me, and have little to no knowledge of women,"

"Heir is wise to admit to his weakness," called out a high pitched voice from the Right Assembly, stepping forward and bowing to the king, "respect to the crown of Valencia," it was a woman in black and yellow uniform, with tassels at the shoulders.

"Go on, Chief Investigator Sharhan," the king smiled. The queen did not like his relationship with this dazzling beauty, and she gritted her teeth.

"Given the permission to advise Heir, I suggest you should be very much present during the Crown Princess Selection Rites, to avoid-" she glanced at the queen, "biased results,"

"What is Chief Investigator Sharhan implying?" The queen was so mad at her.

The pretty woman simply flicked her blonde hair over her shoulder and stepped back into line.

"Any more comments on this matter?" The prime minister asked loudly.

"Nay," echoed the Assembly.

"Your majesty," the prime minister bowed, "please issue the command to the minister for Rites,"

The king grinded his teeth. The minister for Rites was the prime minister's henchman, ready to do his every whim. But he had no choice...

"Minister for Rites?"

"Minister for Rites!" The eunuch serving the king repeated in a shrill voice.

There was no answer. The Right Assembly mummured among one another. The minister for Rites was absent. This was all going according to the prime minister's plan....

.....

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