53. CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
SEBASTIAN
The throne in the middle of the marbled dais taunts me.
Hundreds of guests are packed into the grand ballroom, most of them royal members of surrounding kingdoms. Shrouds of lilies of the valley and navy calla lilies sweeten the air, tied elegantly and placed on either end of each long wooden bench.
Royal blue curtains drape from the line of windows on either side of the room, tied back with golden tassels.
My mother and Mary stand at the very bottom lip of the dais with smiles not quite reaching their eyes. Neither of them have spoken a word to me since my father’s body was buried deep into the ground.
That was six days ago.
Do I regret aiding my father to his grave? No.
I feel as if I did him a service, allowing the miserable prick to pass quickly. The longer he stayed breathing, the harder everything would be for me.
Unfortunately for him, time was of the essence.
Our kingdom’s priest stands at the bottom of the dais, bible pressed to his chest and the royal sash around his neck. He eyes me as I begin my descent toward him.
Soft bells chime overhead, pianos and trumpets ring out in unison, creating a melody of the Hawthorn song.
The blue velvet coronation robe sways in time with every step I take, the high boots tight to my thighs.
My uniform beneath fits snug to my body, not having it altered after returning from Tria.
None of it matters, I want this event over as quickly as possible.
Becoming the king wasn’t something I wanted.
It was decided for me the day I was removed from my mother’s womb.
Nothing in my life has been of my own accord, even as king I will have as much say as the council members watching me from the front bench.
All five are here, standing in uniform with proud smiles.
The closer I get to the priest, the harder my heart beats in my chest. I’m not nervous, not for this, at least.
Silence spreads along the expanse of the ballroom as I take my final step, my gaze locked on the priest before me.
His wrinkled face is kind, welcoming. I don’t return the smile, instead I tip my chin in greeting.
The priest lifts his arms, signaling for the guests to take their seats, so we can begin.
Applause fills the space, chants of my name in a harmonic tune lull against the sounds of trumpets.
My eyes fall over the crowd, feeling the full weight of the golden crown resting on top of my head.
Nerves that hadn’t been there before now churn inside me, building a storm in my gut.
What I’m about to do, could possibly be the worst decision of my life.
Everything has a fair chance of going wrong, but if I don’t fulfill my promise now, I never will.
I slide my gaze across the sea of people, pressing my lips together impatiently before catching sight of her.
“Thank you all for your undying loyalty and support to the kingdom,” I begin, softening my gaze as I take in Veronica. She stands beside Georgina in the back corner of the ballroom. The dress fits perfectly, just as I knew it would.
“This past year has been rough for us. As you all know, war has been raging in Tria, and we have suffered quite a few casualties.” Veronica’s gaze doesn’t break mine. “I am grateful to return alive, and am deeply saddened for those who have not yet returned, if at all.”
I step forward, the silence in the room heavy as I slide the crown from my head and place it back onto the velvet pillow where it previously rested. Confusion lingers on many faces, and I break my connection with Veronica to turn my attention to my wife.
Mary’s blue eyes are hesitant, the thin lines of her eyebrows pulled slightly together. I lift my hand, pressing my thumb to her cheek.
“I spent many nights wondering what was truly important.” Her eyes narrow. “I would like to thank my wife, Mary, for holding things together in my absence.”
Soft applause rings into the air as I drop my hand from Mary’s cheek. I step off the dais, standing a few feet away from the first bench with the council members present. My lips lift to them in courtesy and they bow their heads.
“Mary has had to make some rather tough decisions while I was away.” I shift, bringing my arms to rest behind my back. The applause trickles in volume until the attention is back on me. “Some of those decisions were made without my behalf, ones I would have never agreed upon.”
“Sebastian.” Mary’s quiet hiss is the sweetest music to my ears.
I turn to the council members.
“Councilman Jude,” I muse, “Could you inform me of the punishment for forgery?”
The older man looks stunned for a moment, his slate grey eyes searching me warily before he finally speaks. “It depends, Your Majesty.”
“Let me be more clear,” I say, “What is the punishment for forgery of a royal signature?”
Jude turns his gaze to the other four men, their eyes clashing together. The guests remain seated in the benches, hushed murmurs falling over the room. I lift my gaze to Veronica, she stares at me with a stunned expression over her pretty face. Georgina is beside her with a similar look.
“Banishment.” Jude finally says.
I let out a soft hum, nodding as I turned back to the crowd. “During my time away, an heir was born to the throne. Two of them, to be exact.”
“Sebastian, enough of this.” My mother hisses behind me.
“My wife Mary was not the bearer of the children.” I declare, hearing the intake of breath sharply behind me. “A handmaid agreed to the consummation of an heir. Thoroughly consenting to what entailed during this time.”
The councilmen rise from their seats on the bench, five sets of eyes sliding between myself and Mary. My chest tightens as I try to read their expressions before deciding to continue.
“That handmaid had their right to bear future children removed without their consent nor knowledge. The procedure was signed off by a forged version of me.” I turn sharply, my gaze falling onto Mary who is still behind me.
Her lips are parted in shock, eyes wide with a fierce mixture of anger and terror.
“An affair.” Mary blurts, tears building in her eyes. “You had an affair.”
“Not the first of the royal family to do so,” I sneer. “Nor is it the first for you. For the majority of our marriage, did you or did you not spend many nights in the late King Deacon’s chambers unknowing to anyone?” My lips purse as I step closer.
Mary steps forward, her bottom lip trembling. My mother stands frozen in place, the shock evident across her face.
“Treacherous thing to do, Mary. You have betrayed my trust and will be sentenced at a later time. For now, you are to be brought to a guarded room until your trial. All evidence of forgery will be looked into before final judgement.” I turn back to the crowd, taking in the slacked jaws and wide eyes.
“Our ceremony has concluded, there will be no reception I’m afraid.” I don’t look back as I leave the ballroom, passing the rushing guards to the dias.