The Royal Decree is here
Several days later the royal envoy arrived. Grace had already spoken with the people of Pillar about being none violent and none confrontational. The tension within the people of Pillar was visible and many in the envoy understood.
And many sneered at them because this was a decree of the king. These were the ones sent to ensure that none of the royal assets were removed. These people were either Ester's people or those that actually sympathized with her as the new chosen queen, not some woman forced upon his majesty.
As they entered the northern castle all looked normal. They were both impressed and fascinated by the stained glass and the beautiful architecture. Grace awaited them with a smile and she made note of all the smirks sent her way.
"We have a royal decree."
Grace feigned surprise and waited. A very formally dressed young man read the decree. Once it was read there was silence.
Grace smiled and nodded.
"Very well. If this is what the king wishes this is what he will have. It says I have two weeks. Is that from today, when I was informed or from where the decree was first issued?"
The members of the envoy were perplexed. Grace was not devastated and she asked a question they really didn't know the answer to. They conferred and decided the time started from when she was notified.
Grace nodded to them and set about giving orders to pack and prepare. She was cut off.
"Apologies Lady Grace these are employees of the crown and can no longer be in your service. As the decree states they will report to the central castle for debriefing and reassignment today."
Once again there was silence. After a long moment Grace smiled brightly and then spoke.
"If I am not mistaken the decree does not specify exactly when they are to leave my service. Do you feel the king wanted me to place all of our belongings on my back and the backs of my children or is all that I have now the crown's."
There was an awkward silence. It was true. The king had not specified when the crown servants would need to return. After a moment her Head man stepped forward with a deep and respectful bow to Grace and then he began to speak.
"Forgive me My Lady. But I placed my resignation before I actually came here to Pillar Castle. I am no longer an employee of the crown. Pillar Castle has been paying me all this time."
Most of the others stepped forward to say the same, including her head maid, her house mistress, all of her guards, and of course her beloved Head chamber maid, Teresa. There were also more and many in the envoy became visibly distressed.
After this Grace's people looked smugly at the envoy as if to say, "Is there anything else" and then the head man and the head maids began barking out orders.
That was when it happened. The doors swung open and King Samuel was announced. He walked directly to Grace. He bowed to the queen mother and to Grace's parents.
"Are you okay my friend? I have been hearing some dreadful things and I have dismissed them as rubbish but I want to make sure that you are truly well and good."
"What you have heard is true. These are the king's envoy and they have come to deliver the King's decree."
King Samuel never glanced in the envoy's direction.
"And where will you go? You are always welcomed in Golden Sea?"
She smiled and she saw his eyes glisten in response. "thank you my friend. I am truly blessed to have allies like you. The king of Lystra has allotted land for my children and I. We leave for the closer one as soon as possible."
She had already planned to leave in three days. She was going to leave the castle To the queen mother and her parents and siblings would travel with her to the western keep. Both her parents were worried and wanted to see if all was well before they allowed their daughter to remain there.
Hence her father stepped forward with a deep bow.
"Forgive the interruption your Highness. My daughter does not know what awaits her and I fear she may take on too much..."
"Say no more Sir Temperance. I will travel there myself and make sure all is well for Queen Grace."
A throat cleared behind them and everyone turned toward the sound, with the exception of Grace and Samuel.
A pretty young brunette with light grey eyes smiled then bowed to Samuel's back. "My Lord Truebreed I have been sent to be the liaison between yourself and the king of Lystra."
Samuel spoke without turning to her.
"I will only work with her Lady Temperance. If I do not work with her I will find my resources elsewhere."
The beauty smiled sweetly and everyone watched as she moved to place her hand on the small of Samuel's back. Faster than anyone could see, his body guard and older brother, had her hand in his. The girls grey eyes were wide with alarm and the huge man smiled sweetly.
"Please do not touch His Majesty without permission ma'am." He gently released her hand and moved back to his original unassuming position.
Samuel smiled at Grace. "My elder brother, Lance, takes his chosen profession quite seriously."
Grace nodded. "Shall we go to your ship to talk? I have a feeling there will not be much here that we can use."
King Samuel frowned then looked to the man who seemed to head the envoy. The man physically jumped. "I apologize sir but all of this is the property of the crown of Lystra."
"Is that so?! The queen had to restore all of this and her people mined for the materials. I saw with my own two eyes the state of this place where your King sent his wife and children to live and now he wants to claim it all as his endeavor or that of his family?"
Grace's father was nodding and ready to hit the man, Samuel had moved in closer to the man and the man was visibly trembling.
Grace gently placed her hand on Samuel's forearm and he instantly calmed. "Come My Lord. You have often lamented the fact that I have never been aboard your ship to see its wonder. Perhaps you will not mind if my children and their grandparents go as well."
He smiled "Of course my lady. Of course. Bring everyone. We will have a feast and you all can spend the day there and leave this stress behind for a day."
Grace's parents shared knowing looks with one another and then smiled. He would be a perfect match for their daughter and a protector of their grandchildren.
The grey eyed girl frowned and bit her lip. She was not worried about Lady Ester's response. Yelling meant nothing to her but Lady Vanessa's tactics could be borderline terrifying.
End of the first book: Enter the Black Haired Witch