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[Rough Draft] Chapter 87: Pawns of the King
Crown Prince Nicholas rose from his seat at the head of the large dining table and opened his arms in welcome. “Lady Kirsi. Lord Percy. Welcome! Please, take a seat. If you have yet to eat breakfast, then do join me.” He gestured to his bowl of spiced porridge mixed with berries beside a plate of sausage, eggs, and biscuits. “This is meant to be a light breakfast to fuel me for another grueling day of kneeling,” he joked, a tinge of nerves mingled with the sense of anticipation visible on his face. “It wouldn’t do for the next King of Lafeara to faint or become ill during his coronation.”
“We thank your Majesty,” Percy replied politely as he led the pale knight lieutenant into the room. “Unfortunately, the matter we wished to discuss with you is rather urgent.”
“So I see,” Nicholas replied grimly as his smile faded. “Lieutenant Declan—I had been wondering what happened to you.”
“Your Majesty,” Declan murmured reverently as he took two steps forward and knelt beside the table facing the Crown Prince. “I was discovered while following Ripper and his other Witch Hunters to the border. I—witnessed something they did not wish your Majesty to know, and so was taken to Zarus where I was forced to join their order.”
“They made you join their order?” Nicholas arched a brow as he eyed his spoonful of porridge. “Why did they not just kill you.”
“The Pope appears to be preparing for something of great importance. Many other half-witches like myself were abducted and forced to join the order.”
The Crown Prince nodded as he chewed slowly and then swallowed. “What was it like?”
“Pardon, your Majesty?” Declan murmured uncertainly.
“The Witch Hunter Order. What was it—”
“Forgive me, your Majesty,” Percy interrupted firmly as he stepped forward to place a hand on Declan’s shoulder. “But as we are pressed for time, I believe it would be better if the Lieutenant told you of what he saw before he was taken to Zarus.”
Carina did not miss the frown that tugged at the corners of Nicholas’s mouth before he waved his hand permissively.
“Shortly after Ripper took me as his captive, he revealed to me the organs of a dead man which he claimed to be plague seeds,” Declan explained with the occasional grimace as he pressed a hand to his side. “Ripper made statements regarding the use of Witch Plagues in the past to draw the fearful to the Church’s fold. It then became clear that he planned to spread these contaminated organs and body parts around Lafeara to ensure the plague would spread before the Pope’s arrival.”
Nicholas set down his spoon and rubbed his jaw silently while his left hand tapped against the chair restlessly. “So, you’re saying this is a Witch Plague.”
“Yes,” Carina confirmed from behind the Earl and Lieutenant. “We do not yet know the exact identity of the witch who created the plague, but we are certain the church had the opportunity to destroy these plague seeds, but instead choose to use them to their advantage and spread this deadly disease among the populace of Lafeara.”
Nicholas laughed bitterly, then leaned forward as he rubbed the shadows visible under his eyes. “I always thought the timing of this plague to be suspicious.” He dragged his fingers down his cheek and cast a sharp gaze in Carina’s direction. “You knew this was coming. That’s why you and this Cerberus order pushed to raise public awareness of the importance of hygiene. And the hospitals you erected under Frost’s name to prepare for an outbreak.”
The Crown Prince’s words held a tinge of accusation and suspicion that the Duchess could not blame him for.
“My—foresight—comes from memories gifted to me by a ghost who has foreseen the future,” Carina explained slowly. Percy glanced back at her with a glimmer of realization but kept quiet. “Unfortunately, that means what little knowledge I gain is extremely limited. Not to mention, not all events I’ve foresee have unfolded in the same manner—or happened at all.”
“So—your visions come from—ghosts?” Nicholas laughed as he rubbed his eyes again, then sat up straight to face them. “Unfortunately, the only evidence we have to accuse the Pope of this abdominal crime are the words of a knight who has already been labeled a deserter by the Knights Order as well as a murderer by the Witch Hunter Order.”
“I did what I had to do in order to return to your Majesty’s service with this information,” Declan replied grimly, his voice cracking faintly beneath the pain he silently endured.
“I believe you, Lieutenant, and I am grateful for your loyalty and service,” Nicholas replied with a solemn nod.
Carina watched as the Crown Prince pushed back his chair, stood, and approached the kneeling Lieutenant with an outstretched hand.
“But, since you have returned to my service. I ask that you keep this information between those present in this room.”
“And what of the information I bring,” Percy growled as Nicholas helped a startled Declan to his feet. “What if your Majesty was to learn that the Pope has used his influence to murder several members of prominent noble families that are part of and support the Noble Faction?”
Visible surprise blossomed on Nicholas’s face as he released Declan’s hand and turned to face the Earl. “Is this true? How many nobles?”
“Just under twenty, most of them nobles who were to take part in the upcoming election for your next Prime Minister.”
The Crown Prince’s hazel-blue eyes shifted away from the Earl’s face as he turned back towards his seat. “So, you are upset because your chance to win the seat of Prime Minister is now in jeopardy.”
“No, your Majesty! I am furious at such blatant interference from an outside political force that just so happens to be built upon a very long, dark, and gruesome history of persecuting and slaughtering witches!”
Carina blinked and turned towards the Earl, surprised by his sudden, passionate outburst. ‘I’ve never seen him this worked up before. It’s not as if Percy is very attached to the position of Prime Minister given his ambitions to overthrow Nicholas and become King.’ She folded her arms and turned silently back towards the frozen Crown Prince, who stood beside his chair examining Percy with a look of understanding.
“I know what that position means to you, Lord Percy. I apologize if I sounded flippant before, that was not my intent. I am truly shocked and appalled and heartbroken for the families that have suffered from this tragedy.”
“These are not the only crimes the Pope and his hounds have committed, your Majesty,” Carina said calmly as Percy turned away from the Crown Prince to compose himself. “Only recently, the Pope set his hounds upon my knights when they kidnapped Viscountess Hana, who was on her way to the capital at your Majesty’s request.”
A glimmer of something that suspiciously resembled guilt flittered across Nicholas’s face as he glanced her way but avoided meeting the Duchess’s gaze.
“Ten of my knights were killed during the attack. Lady Hana and Colonel Isaac were taken captive. And, later that afternoon, Isaac’s body was returned to Bastiallano’s border—hacked into pieces.”
What little color remained in Nicholas’s cheeks quickly drained away as he slumped down into his chair and then glanced silently over his shoulder to where Beaumont stood but a few feet behind him. “This is—most distressing new, Lady Kirsi. Particularly, the loss of your Colonel and the cruel, humiliating manner in which he was killed and returned to you.”
The Duchess watched as the Crown Prince laced his fingers together and leaned against the table while staring at his barely touched plate.
“What—would you have me do, Lady Kirsi?”
“What would I have you do?” Carina echoed in disbelief, infuriated by the passive manner in which Nicholas had responded. “To start, I wish for Lady Hana to be released at once. Then, I would ask that the church hand over the witches who attacked my knights, along with any who had any part in the death and dismemberment of my Colonel! And then I’m sure that Earl Hawthorne would like to see the same repercussions given to those who murdered the nobles under your Majesty’s care.”
The Crown Prince finally raised his gaze and studied her quietly as he pressed his lips against his folded hands.
“I would remind, your Majesty, that you promised protection for Lady Hana and myself. You also promised that she and I would be free to choose our own life and the future we wanted free from any outside influence, the day Hana became a citizen of Lafeara.”
“I remember,” Nicholas replied softly as he leaned back while still holding her gaze. “And I do understand. But Lady Hana was many things before she became a Viscountess of Lafeara. Among them, she happens to be sister to the Pope.”
“And Hana told you before that her family is dead to her!”
“How she feels on the matter does not change the fact that she is the Pope’s blood sister.”
“And why does that matter?” Carina demanded furiously. “Hana has been an adult for several years now!”
“It matters because Zarus and the church hold differing views and laws regarding a woman’s independence.”
For a moment, the Duchess could only stare at the Crown Prince silently as his words sank in. “What—do you mean?”
Nicholas drew in a slow breath as he unclasped his hands and pushed aside his breakfast. “Under the religious laws of Zarus, Jericho has full authority as Hana’s familiar guardian, meaning he has full control over every aspect of her life until she is married. Under that law, her rights as a citizen of Lafeara are considered null and void because Jericho never gave his consent. He has already put forward a request to abolish Nesta’s position as a Viscountess. She is to return with him to Zarus after the coronation and matters regarding the plague are dealt with.”
A cold mist spread out from the Duchess’s trembling hands before she tightened them into fists. A cynical smile quickly spread its way across her face as the Pope’s seemingly reckless maneuvers fell into place. ‘No wonder Jericho was so confident about getting Hana back. Thanks to some medieval form of conservatorship, he has full legal rights to Hana as if she were his property.’
Carina’s deep-seated hatred for this Divine Heir sharpened like a blade inside her chest. Jericho had killed Maura’s father, Prince Emmett, just to claim the ice witch’s heart. He had taken advantage of the very plague Carina had tried to prevent and spread it, killing hundreds of innocents and dooming thousands, all for the sake of his power. And then, he had taken Hana, killing the Duchess’s knights, butchering Isaac, and taunting her dukedom with the Colonel’s remains.
‘And now Jericho will use whatever means necessary to take control of Hana’s power. Bastard!’
“Lady Kirsi,” Percy whispered after he assisted a swaying, pale Declan into a seat.
The Duchess’s ice-blue eyes returned to the Crown Prince, who anxiously watched her. “Your Majesty, are you telling me that you will do nothing to liberate Hana?”
Nicholas closed his eyes, sighed, and leaned back into his chair with a helpless shrug. “Legally, my hands are tied. If I interfere with the Pope’s family matters—he will likely threaten me with ex-communication.”
“So—you will do nothing.”
The Crown Prince exhaled forcefully as he leaned forward with clenched fists. “Lady Kirsi, I must do nothing. At least for the time being.”
The Earl narrowed his eyes. “Meaning what, your Majesty?”
Nicholas glanced between them and then rose slowly to his feet. “With the evidence you two have provided me. I now have a justified reason to break faith with the Church. The Pope’s blatant disregard for the lives of my citizens, nobles and commoners alike, and the laws of this kingdom can not be overlooked. Jericho has overplayed his hand. Perhaps because he believes me to be a weak prince that will bend to his will.”
The Duchess and Earl remained silent as they exchanged surprised glances.
The Crown Prince smiled as he watched them and folded his arms behind his back in a relaxed manner. “I will make a public statement to that effect during the Holy Celebration following my coronation. I hope I can count on you both to provide suitable statements as evidence to back me up when the time comes.”
‘Is he serious?’ Carina wondered as she drew in a quiet breath. “But—what about the plague?”
“As the Pope has already explained, there are two manners by which to defeat a Witch Plague,” Nicholas explained with a brief shrug. “By finding and killing the plague witch, who the Pope claims can be found wherever her curse is doing the most harm. Or—by finding and burning the plague sacrifice. A person who bears the mark of the plague, which will grow larger in size as the death toll rises.”
The Duchess swallowed as the image of the mark on Ivy’s back took form. ‘So that is why Hana couldn’t remove the curse. But—does that means I can remove the curse and mark if I kill the plague witch and stop the plague?’
“Breaking with the Church is certain to cause an uproar among the Royal Faction, your Majesty,” Percy observed quietly.
“I am aware, Earl Hawthorne,” Nicholas replied with a cynical smirk. “But for Lafeara’s future, I must choose a side that will allow this kingdom to grow in power and peace.” He laughed and scratched his jaw with a somewhat worried expression. “That is why I have chosen nobles like you, Lord Percy. Members of the Covens who have supported Lafeara from the shadows for all these years.”
Percy’s brows rose silently, although he did not look that surprised by the Crown Prince’s subtle insinuation.
“And to prove my loyalty to the Covens,” Nicholas continued as he walked toward the Earl and placed his hands on Percy’s shoulders. “I will forgo the election that the Pope and his allies have already tainted and name you as my next Prime Minister.”
The Earl looked neither pleased nor surprised as he met the Crown Prince’s gaze. “And what of Earl Coldwell and his party?”
“I am certain that you will be able to provide me with evidence of his collusion with the Church. Bring this evidence with you on the election day, and I will uphold my promise.”
“And if this evidence also incriminates Lady Priscilla Borghese?”
Something dark and almost sinister stirred behind Nicholas’s hazel-blue eyes before he smiled back at the Earl. “If such evidence exists, bring it to me privately, and I will deal with it.”
Percy nodded, then bowed his head with a faint smile. “Very well, your Majesty.”
“And what of Hana?” Carina interjected stiffly.
Nicholas removed his hands from the Earl’s shoulders, turned towards the Duchess with a playful smile, and shrugged. “The journey to Zarus is long and fraught with danger. Should the Pope encounter an ambush set by a well-prepared army before he reaches the border—it is possible that Lady Nesta will become lost once more while Lady Hana is liberated.”
‘In other words, Nicholas won’t act directly against the church himself, but he will permit me to do whatever is necessary to bring Hana back,’ Carina mused as she watched the Crown Prince return to his seat. ‘Still, I can’t help but wonder if this sudden change of heart is due to the influence he suspects Hana holds over the Church and Pope?’
Judging by the Earl’s next statement, Carina wasn’t the only one with such thoughts.
“Your Majesty will be taking an enormous risk so soon after your coronation,” Percy commented naturally. “May I ask what inspired you to place all your faith in the Covens? And what is to stop you from extending a branch of diplomacy to the Church in the future?”
Carina felt a faint twinge of unease at the smile Nicholas offered the Earl as he sat down.
“You are correct, Lord Percy. I am taking a considerable risk here, offending a foreign power while defying the beloved religion upheld by the majority of my people. Not to mention the enemies I will gain from most of the Royal Faction that view themselves as defenders of the Crown. Which is why I must ask something of both of you in return.”
Percy’s smile tightened as he waited in silence for the Crown Prince to continue.
“First,” Nicholas said with notable apprehension. “Lord Percy, I would ask for your permission to marry Lady Serilda. I feel the Coven’s would be better reassured and their needs met should a suitable queen be chosen from one of Lafeara’s longest established families.”
Carina could barely tear her gaze away from the Crown Prince to register the look of surprise written all over Percy’s face. “But—what about Eleanora?”
A soft chuckle escaped Nicholas’s lips as he smiled and shrugged. “The Pope has already gifted me special dispensation from the Church to select two queens. He can hardly retract it after the fact, even if my choice is not to his liking.”
“Your Majesty means to defy years of royal tradition by marrying a witch?” Percy whispered hoarsely.
“My father, the late King Henri, already broke that tradition when he married Queen Catalina,” Nicholas replied with another shrug.
“While that is true,” Carina interrupted with an uneasy glance at Percy’s barely suppressed scowl. “I’m not sure that Eleanora or Serilda would be happy with these arrangements. They may be cousins, but they do not get along as it is.”
“Not to mention, your Majesty has yet to decide what will become of Lady Rosamund and her child,” Percy pointed out with a faint growl of disapproval.
The Duchess winced. ‘I had almost forgotten about that piece of news.’
“I understand your concern, Lord Percy. Both of your cousins are very dear to you,” Nicholas responded with an apologetic smile. “I will see that Rosamund and her child live a comfortable life as nobles. I owe Rosamund and the baby at least that much.” The Crown Prince’s expression hardened with a cold expression Carina had never seen before as he continued. “But I assure you, the bastard will never inherit my throne or crown.”
The Duchess pressed her lips together and quickly composed her expression. ‘It’s hardly the child’s fault it was born a bastard.’
“Very well,” Percy replied tensely before letting out a pent of sigh. “I will broach the matter with the Marchioness. I ask only that your Majesty respect her wishes and allow her to make this decision.”
Nicholas’s poor attempt to mask his impatience at Percy’s request did not go unnoticed. But he smiled and nodded his head permissively before shifting his attention to the Duchess.
‘I don’t like where this is going,’ Carina realized as the Crown Prince rose and approached with a careful smile.
“I realize that what I have to say will sound hypocritical, Lady Kirsi,” Nicholas began with another apologetic smile.
‘Then don’t say it.’
“But I ask you to hear me out all the same.”
The Duchess’s smile tightened as she stood her ground and stared back at him impassively.
“I would like to make you Duchess of Bastiallano—and Hargreve, Lady Kirsi.”
Percy inhaled sharply as Nicholas gently placed his right hand on Carina’s shoulder.
“Through marriage to Stryker’s heir and future Duke, Beaumont Hargreve.”