The late King's edict

The late King's edict

~

Davina arrives at the palace in the early hour of the evening time, as her carriage approach the palace gates she is stopped by the Guards in charge.

"How dare a criminal come to the palace with such boldness?" One of the guards who seem to be the leader said rudely and without regard.

Already prepared for that kind of disapproval, Davina comes out of her carriage with the edict in her hand and gave it to him.

Although reluctant, the man took the edict and checked it then he countenance changed and he immediately hand it back to her.

"You...you can go in" he said and the others look at him surprised at the change in his attitude.

Davina goes in through the door after ordering June and Arya to wait for her at the gate and proceed further into the palace.

As she walks feeling a little nervous, she stopped for a second and Dave suddenly tap her on the back.

"The King study is this way" he simply said and Davina quietly follows him.

The both of them walk for a while and soon arrive at the place.

"The King is waiting for you inside" he told her and left.

Davina walks nervously to the door, she pause to catch her breath andgather some confidence before going into the room.

King Edgar sits on a chair a few steps away from where Davina is standing with a bind separating the two of them.

Davina glance around and sees Steve standing by her left side, he bows his head lowly to greet her and she nods her head also.

"I have soldiers waiting to bring your families to the prison ground, you will have to choose your words carefully" the King said and Davina went on her knees.

"Your Majesty, I came to discuss this...with you" She said and stretches forward the edict in her hand. Steve quickly steps forward to take it from her.

"The late King gave me an edict years back after my mum resigned from her royal title to use as a member of the royal family" she explained and pause for the King to read through.

"The late king also promise to grant me a request" she added

Edgar drop the scroll curious to know why his father will make such promise to her, Gregorio already told him about the edict but seeing the content make him wonder what his father's intentions are.

"What are you trying to say? How do you plan to use this to save yourself and your family" The King questioned.

"I will get married to the King in three days and become a member of the Royal harem to show my loyalty to you as the heir of the Gregorio family" she demands.

…

"Are you sure you want to renounce your identity as a member of the Gregorio family?"

"Yes, but in return the remaining family members will be spared and...My father...will take responsibility for his actions...alone"

"Miss Davina!" Steve calls her name finding it hard to believe that she will betray her father.

He has known her from childhood and knows how she loves her father and a promise like this means she is bounding her life into the hands of the King

"Why don't you ask me to save your father? After all, you can make any request of me" Edgar pushed

"I have decided to pledge my loyalty to the King, I must put the King's interest first. I won't want to sin against you to save a criminal" she answered and held the hem of her dress tightly in anger as she refer to her father as a criminal

If she asks to save her father also then the officials will raise issues out of it and try to frame her for an unknown crime again.

"Are you sure you want to be wedded a day after your father is executed?" Edgar asked.

"Yes your Majesty, I, Davina will always be loyal to the King" she said as tears welled up in her eyes and bow her face to the ground to hide her tears

Having Davina in the palace as queen will not only help to protect her but also ruin the plans of his mother

"Dave, escort the future queen back to her mansion and order the soldiers to protect everyone there till the day of the ceremony" King Edgar ordered and Dave appeared almost immediately to carry out the order and lead her away.

Call Saint in to write down my decree and sent it out to everyone in the council" Edgar instruct Steve and he leaves also.

~

"Davina Gregorio, the first daughter of the Gregorio family is renounced as a member of the Gregorio this minute and will be crowned as the next Queen in three days" that is the first decree

"Due to the graciousness of the late King, the other members of the Gregorio family will be spared and Jessica Gregorio becomes the King's concubine with the lowest rank in the palace effective from this moment" Saint read out now standing in front of his officials who are surprised at the sudden change of event in just one night

"She is to be moved to one of the bronze quarters in the palace and there won't be any ceremony to wed her as her punishment" he added.

"Your Majesty, even if the Gregorio family will be spared because of the late King's edict there is no reason why she should be crowned Queen" the prime minister quickly object and they all follow suit.

Dalton remembered his discussion with the late king before his death and he remembered him being so sure that he wouldn't be able to get rid of the Gregorios, turns out this is his plan

"Why can't she be made Queen?"

"Because she is still the daughter of a criminal, even if their lives will be spared they shouldn't be allowed to hold any position in the kingdom"

"She is no longer a member of the Gregorio from today"

"But your majesty…"

"Dalton, are you questioning my authority?" The King questioned with a stern face and he went on his knees.

"I dare not your Majesty but we must not overlook this because of her pledge of loyalty to you and I believe the issue of appointing a new Queen should be put on hold for now" he tried to convince Edgar or all this efforts to end the family for years will be in vain

Davina is just as capable as her father so it will only be a matter of time before they raise back to the original glory and even better.

Every of the officials also agree with him

Edgar also wonders why Davina will choose to become his Queen and insist on getting married to him a day after the execution of her father but doesn't want to dwell on it

"I am not asking for your opinion on this, the ceremony will proceed in three days except you want to go against the will of the late King" he silent them and they sigh resignedly, murmuring in dissatisfaction.

Because the king isn't directly involved in making this decision and going against the will of the late king is liken to committing a treason, all they could do is hang their head lowly and accept their defeat

"Tell everyone in the palace to make preparations to receive a new Queen in three days" he ordered Saint who comply immediately

The officials bow their body to the ground and exit the room also leaving the King with Dave in the hall, Edgar is relieved that his father's decision could save the Gregorio but still ponder on the reason why Davina choose to be his Queen.

"Let's go to my mother's palace" Edgar said to Dave and stood up from his throne…

…King Edgar arrive at his mother's chambers and enters without allowing her maids inform her of his arrival, the Queen mother is surprised to see him and bow immediately to greet him.

"My King, to what do I own this sudden visit?" She queried and stood in front of him while he sits.

Edgar can see that the news about the new queen hasn't reached her yet

"Gregorio's first daughter will be crowned Queen in three days, I want you to take care of the whole ceremony and make sure nothing goes wrong" he told her and she looked at him bewildered.

"Davina? How could you think about making the daughter of a criminal the Queen of this nation" she said raising her voice but immediately apologize.

"Apologizes Your Majesty but I must say you have to reconsider your decision, she is not fit to be your wife and remember you promised me years ago not to have anything to do with her" she argued.

"Why should I keep any promise to you when you keep breaking yours?"King Edgar asked angrily.

"What do you mean your Majesty? I have no idea..."

"I am sure you know exactly what I am talking about!" He snapped impatiently and his mother fell down on her knees.

King Edgar stood up from his seat and walks slowly to his mother then stoop down to her, he place his mouth beside her ears and whispers.

"Don't even think about harming her or I will make you pay double for your crimes" he warned and stood up.

"Have others help my mother in making preparations for the arrival new Queen and I want it to be grand" he said to Dave

"After the ceremony, she will be exiled to the temple (snow prison) for a month" he added and leaves from there

Contessa fall to the ground on her bottoms as the King leaves and her maids hurried to get her up and help her to her seat.

"How did he find out so soon?" She asked her maids and they look at her clueless as to what she means.

"Prepare a cloak and horse by the north gates tonight at eight" she said and her maid went out instantly to carry out the order