Chương 75: The New Year’s Announcement

A few months later. The world was rapidly approaching the year 1300. King Oscar Hawk had promised the people a major announcement at the stroke of the New Year. Oscar was walking through the corridors of the royal palace when he spotted his aunt Matilda sitting at a table. Her feet were resting on top of it, her dress slightly undone, and a half-empty bottle of wine was clenched in her hand. He walked over to her.

"Aunt, you really shouldn't be drinking so much". Matilda looked up at him with an amused smile.

"And why is that, my dear nephew?"

"For your health. With the new year, I expect you to stop drinking". She narrowed her eyes.

"That's a difficult promise to make".

"But one you'll keep. Enjoy these last few drinks while you can". Oscar turned around and left the hall. Matilda remained staring after him, puzzled. Teresa was sipping a cup of tea with Declan.

"Queen Mother, may I ask you something?" the man said. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Teresa calmly raised the cup to her lips.

"Of course".

"Do you happen to know what kind of announcement the King intends to make?" Teresa lowered her cup.

"He wouldn't tell even me. Perhaps it has something to do with the war". Declan shook his head.

"I doubt it, Your Majesty. The war has reached a stalemate. I don't see what he could possibly announce".

"He'll tell us before he tells the people. Of that I'm certain", Teresa concluded.

"Naturally", Declan replied. The following day, the royal council convened.

"Your Majesty, we have recruited thirty-seven new mages from across the Kingdom by offering them the same terms", Serjey reported.

"Within a few months, we hope to reclaim the central regions". Oscar nodded.

"And what about the search for their leader, Declan?"

"None of the spies we sent have returned, Your Majesty". Oscar interlocked his fingers.

"Whoever is leading them…is someone both extraordinarily powerful and exceedingly cautious". Karl cleared his throat.

"Your Majesty, if I may…could you tell us about this great announcement you intend to make to the people?" Oscar smiled.

"I was just getting to that, Karl". He stood up, slowly walked around the table, then rested both hands upon it.

"With the arrival of the new year, I have decided to strengthen my House. For that reason, I have decided to marry". A murmur spread through the chamber. Teresa, more than anyone else, remained perfectly still.

"Marry?" she finally said.

"To whom, my son?" Oscar looked at her for a moment before turning his gaze toward the others.

"To Matilda Green, Mother. She will become the future Queen of the Kingdom and the woman who will bear my heirs". Silence fell like a blade. The color drained from Teresa's face.

"This…is a joke, isn't it?" she asked in disbelief.

"A joke?" Oscar replied coldly.

"Why would it be? Matilda is a strong, healthy woman. Perfect both as a wife and as a mother".

"But she's your aunt. And she's older than you".

"As though I were the first king to marry one of his own relatives". Oscar's voice hardened.

"This is my decision. I will tolerate no objections. Begin preparing the wedding. I want a celebration unlike any other, grand, magnificent. Everyone must know". Teresa lowered her eyes to her hands. She began tearing at the skin around her fingernails until they bled, without even realizing what she was doing.