บท 90: Merry Day of The Lord
"Quickly, get on your knees, Agnes." Raya urged me by pressing my shoulders down.
"You don't have to remind me, I am not an idiot."
Everyone swiftly moved back, creating a natural circle around the empty throne in the middle. They knelt down, the right knee affixed to the floor. They fastened their reverence-filled eyes on only a single figure, casually entering.
'Wʜᴇɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɪɴɢ ᴄᴏᴍᴇs, ʜᴇ ᴅᴏᴇs ɴᴏᴛ ᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴀʟᴏɴᴇ'. Tʀᴜᴛʜғᴜʟʟʏ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴇᴀɴɪɴɢ ʙᴇʜɪɴᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ǫᴜᴏᴛᴇ ᴡᴀs ʟɪᴋᴇʟʏ ᴍᴇᴀɴᴛ sʏɴᴇᴄᴅᴏᴄʜɪᴄ, ғᴏʀ ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴀ ᴋɪɴɢ ᴍᴏᴠᴇᴅ, ᴀ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛʀʏ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ғᴏʟʟᴏᴡ, ᴛʜᴜs ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɪɴɢ ᴇǫᴜᴀʟᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛʀʏ. Hᴏᴡᴇᴠᴇʀ, ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴏɴᴇ ʟᴏᴏᴋᴇᴅ ɴᴏᴡ, ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ sᴛᴏɪᴄ, ʀᴇᴅ-ʜᴀɪʀᴇᴅ ᴍᴀɴ ᴡᴀʟᴋɪɴɢ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴀᴛᴇs ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʀᴀɪʟɪɴɢ ʙᴇʜɪɴᴅ ʜɪᴍ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴍʙᴇʀʟᴀɪɴ ᴀɴᴅ sᴇʀᴠᴀɴᴛs Oɴᴇ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ɴᴏᴛ ʜᴇʟᴘ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ, 'ɪɴᴅᴇᴇᴅ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɪɴɢ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏs ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴀɴᴅs ᴀ ᴄʀᴏᴡᴅ.'
Just like when I met him last time, the first thing I saw was his mighty crown resting on his head. His eyes had a sharp, almost deadly, glimmer, making anyone around him shudder. Though I did not feel intimidated by that presence, I had to acknowledge its intensity—even in my old life, I had not met many with such an icy gaze. However, only those who similarly bathed in blood like me would recognize the deep darkness hidden within. For others, it would be no more noticeable than a cold gust in a warm summer-day; For others, the most striking feature would undoubtedly be that bright-red hair.
I've met three of his children so I safely assumed the red color was a feature of the royal family. It did make me wonder what the Queen looked like.
He arrived at the throne, but he did not take a seat yet. Instead, he faced the crowd and announced, "Long live the Age of Dawn!"
"Long live the Age of Dawn," everyone repeated with fervor.
"Agnes, Agnes, Come on," Raya reprimanded me, seeing I was not moving my mouth.
"I sternly refuse to cooperate."
"Sometimes I feel like you are creating mischief only to sow havoc."
"Of course not, you think too little of me," I answered.
"Well," she said, "I've come to like you a bit more over the past few days."
"Huh?" My eyes opened wide from her surprising remark. "What did you say?" I faced her, but she looked away, hiding her lower face behind a fan, and pretending not to see me.
The king continued, not distracted in the least. The man took a seat, and only when he said we could, did we rise. There was a tense silence among everyone, fearing that even their breath would disturb the majestic figure in front of them.
He looked over the crowd and smiled. "We go through this every few months. If I wanted to be revered, I would have held an audience. However, this is a celebration, thus I hope for a celebratory mood." he said casually. "I hope everyone can abide this small wish of mine."
Hearing his small jest, the crowd relaxed slightly.
Really, was that a sign of a good king? I didn't know, but anyone who could control the emotions of their listener so skillfully, could not be so simple. At least, the people of this country trusted him. Ah, that made me think, were there people from different countries attending too? I would think so, but it did not seem like it.
"Now that we got the formalities out the way, I bless all thee, in the name of the Lord, a mirthful Day of The Lord." The king lifted his wine glass and took a sip, prompting a round of applause.
"He speaks more like a politician than a king." A sardonic smile escaped me due to witnessing such a surreal sight.
"It's his majesty," Raya corrected while clapping, "at least when in the same room, refer to his majesty as his majesty."
The next few minutes, the ki—whoops, I meant his majesty talked about current affairs. Nothing too specific, and nothing to pessimistic so he would not damper the atmosphere. I didn't care, but I still listened attentively, as it may be important for me to know.
My eyes occasionally darted around in boredom; I was looking for fellow sympathizers. There weren't many, but it didn't mean there was no one. For example, we had a red-haired sibling couple giving me dirty glances every so often.
I squinted my eyes and tried to make out what they were talking about.
"Why is she here? Edward, what is the meaning of this?"
"I wish I knew. Last I saw her was with you. You know, when I broke the engagement just like you wanted."
"Hey, it's not 'just like you wanted'. Have you forgotten how she relentlessly bullied me? If not for you stepping in, I might have still been enduring silently."
"Of course, but think about it. Would she dare return at such unfavorable place, if she had no plan? Also, that cousin of hers, I remember that they weren't on good terms. She's always been crafty, you know the best. Let us not create a fuss without knowing anything."
"You've always been too soft. If it was up to me, I'd have killed her with no one noticing."
"Enough, let us not speak of death at such a time."
The princess hid her mouth with a fan. I couldn't see what she was saying anymore. However, judging from the previous exchange, it was nothing good. By the time she uncovered her mouth she had stopped talking, leaving only a cold smile.
His majesty's speech seemed to have reached a critical point, as he stood up from his seat. "Oh, before I greet everyone individually, I wish to announce something." He took another sip. "We have a new Archduke."
His voice was like a strong boulder dropping into a small lake. A shock ran through everybody, since no one expected such news. Though he announced it so perfunctory, no one dared to underestimate the news. Afterward, they were filled with glee. Everyone abstained from speaking while his majesty was still talking, but from their fidgeting alone, I could see their excitement.
Maybe his majesty could also sense their impatience, maybe he found it funny, but he only smiled silently, letting the waves reach the edges, edging them on.
He waited, until the last gasp had been taken, before he said, "Agnes, my child, would you step forward."
That sentence, in turn, made everyone confused. Those who knew 'Agnes', stared at me with questioning gazes, while those who didn't searched for the person. It was either a bastard child or someone completely unknown—both, rather far-fetched from an Archduke. It was as if the topic had completely shifted. However, no one dared to question his majesty's will, and only waited for the real Archduke to be announced.
The sibling couple looked at me with half incredulity and half hostility, as they too, did not understand what my relationship with the king was. In the room, only Raya with a slight smile, and Vera with glimmering eyes knew what was about to happen.
I stepped forward, and immediately knelt down. "This humble servant greets his majesty."
Was that the right thing to say?
I didn't know. Alas, I also didn't care, because I was too busy feeling giddy inside. All this time, Agnes and I waited for this moment. I survived, lived, fought for Agnes to see this moment.
I understood by now, she was the type that went silent in the most precious times. Not only in voice, but in thoughts too. I felt I had a rather good grasp on her now. Even if she wasn't thinking, I knew what she was thinking. She wished to savor this moment, and so did I.
That was why I could not waste my mind on needless things, such as what greetings to give.
His majesty leisurely massaged his neck and looked at me. He did not tell me to rise. Instead he started talking. "Hmm, it's been so long, I don't remember how to do this," he muttered only for me to hear. Then, with a much bigger voice, he announced, "Agnes Maria D'Anele, I hereby grant you the title of an Archduke—or is it Archduchess? Well, let us keep it Archduke for now, since you are the first female. Anyway, I congratulate thee."
"Your majesty is merciful."
He reached his hand out, and a servant brought him a scepter. He tapped the ground twice and swirled it around me, as if concocting a brew. "For thee art the sixth Archduke, I grant thee, the title 'Archduke of Humility'."
I buried my head deeper in the ground, and thanked him.
"That is all, you may return." He sat down again. "With that, the opening ceremony is over. I feel a little lethargic, thus I will step back into my chambers after the greetings." He then whispered into my direction, "come meet me after the festivities are over."
Ah, did his majesty not know saying such things might lead to misunderstandings? Ah, I see. He didn't care. I nodded and receded into the crowd.
I learned from Raya that facing the king or queen with my back would be a great offense. She had thought I knew nothing about etiquette, so she taught me before attending the party (rightly so, I would say). Thus it was not until I was back at Rayas place, did I get a good look at the people around us.
I thought the place was silent out of reverence, but in reality it was due to shock. Now, no matter who it was, their eyes were glued tightly on me. The shock they had gotten was incomparable to the one a few minutes ago.
The couple siblings stood with there mouths agape. I locked eyes with the prince and grinned. I wonder what he was thinking about?
That woman he so heartlessly rejected, turned into the one and only female Archduke of this country. I sincerely hoped he would drown in his tears of regret. I wondered, in a society bred and breathing from gossip, what would they say about him, who maliciously rejected that treasure in front of him.
Yes, treasure. It was a historic moment. Oh, was it all right to be this haughty when it came to myself? Of course, I earned it, after all. So everybody, show some respect.
His face turned completely dark when I smirked at him.
The princess reacted differently. With a wrathful face, she walked to his majesty, forcefully breaking through the crowd surrounding him. I didn't see or hear what they were talking about, but when she returned, her face was even redder, almost exploding from anger. She stomped the ground and threw her fan down.
I sent her a smirk too, enraging her even further. Were it not for all the people around, I was sure she would have jumped me. The princess took a deep breath, and her expression changed. She glanced at me with cold eyes, before walking away, her thoughts unclear.
"Congratulations," Vera shouted, and grabbed my hands. She had tears running down her eyes, which left imprints on my new dress when she hugged me.
"It's no big deal," I said, and pushed her away.
"You know it is!" She hugged me tighter, squeezing the air out of me.
"Well, good job." Raya patted my head.
Soon, one person after another came to greet me.
"Greetings, Archduke Agnes," an older woman said, "to witness such incredible splendor, I can say I lived a fortunate life."
"I am the son of Marquis Ernes. If it is not too much, would you accompany me for a dance?" A young guy said, and stretched out his arm.
"Buzz off, who do you think you are, requesting such noble lady with the status of yours?"
"Archduke of Humility. The title befits your beauty, my dame," another guy said, "I truly am smitten."
"Indeed so," said a young girl, "and I mean that. I never knew you were so beautiful."
"God does favor some children more than others. I dare anyone to find fault with you. A beautiful face, great intellect, and even greater status. Anyone holding your hand in marriage should live life in fear, for the jealousy of his fellow men might bring him misfortune."
Heh, it seemed like my makeup skills came to use.
One after another, people began to flatter me. Did they mean it? Probably not (except for my stunning beauty, of course). But I didn't care for that. Every person talks with a hidden intent. That they were willing to sing such praise, meant I was worthy of those.
I took Raya's wineglass and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you for your hospitality. Now, as the Archduke of Humility, I wish everyone a merry Day of the Lord."
Applause rang out, not weaker than it was for the king, with soothing string music playing behind us.
บท 91: The Judgement of Solomon
More and more people came, congratulating, commending and complimenting me; This continued for another hour, until Raya pulled me away.
"I can't stand this, let's leave to somewhere else," she said and pushed through the crowd. The people, though reluctant, made way for us to go through.
"Why are we leaving," I asked Raya, in my hand another glass of wine. I had been raising my glass in honor the whole evening, since after the king left, I naturally was thrown into the limelight. I felt a little tipsy, but nothing that I could not handle. Still, was it all right for a 15 year old to drink this much?
Raya looked at me and sulked. "But aren't you mad?"
"Mad about what?"
"The whole time, when you had nothing these people admonished you. Now that you gained status, everyone suddenly flocks to you pretending to like you."
"You always say it yourself, isn't it what it's all about? Status. That is all it takes to seperate a commoner from nobility."
"No! I told you, it's always been about blood for me. My relationships, my perception and my magic. Those people just want you for your name. It's different."
"Hoh," I marveled at her statement, "I didn't know that."
"You didn't know, or you didn't care to know?"
I grabbed Rayas collar and pulled her face to mine. Our foreheads pressed against each other, and I smiled for her. "What do you think?"
Her cheeks reddened (was it the alcohol, I wonder) as she meekly looked at the ground. "Okay." She then shyly coiled her arms around my neck.
I grabbed her head. "Aren't you weirdly submissive today?"
"A-ah, ha," she stuttered, "I just thought maybe you aren't half bad to be with." She placed her chin on my shoulder. Oh, how I wished to see the expression she was making right now.
Suddenly, I felt her embrace leaving me. From her surprised twitch and afterward the puzzlement on her face, I understood that her action was not a voluntary one.
"Off ya' go," I heard Vera say, and then I saw her yanking Raya further away.
"Hey, you bitch, what are you doing? Let me go," Raya shouted loudly, but turned quieter when she realized how much attention she gathered.
Vera took the chance to stand between us, harrumphed and stared at Raya coldly. She hugged me and asked in a sweet voice, "Agnes, has the witch hurt you anywhere?"
"The hell's your problem, lady," Raya hissed.
"Hmph, the world may forgive you, but I won't. Don't think I haven't forgotten how you treated her in the mansion." Vera glared at her.
"This—" Raya shrank back. "Leave that for me and her to solve!"
"And watch you treat her like trash? No thanks," Vera rebutted and gently placed her hands on my cheeks. "The past few days must have been tough, traveling with that oppressive woman, but am here for you now."
"Thanks," I said and patted her head.
"Ah~ so cute!" She rubbed her face on mine. "Since you left your family, why don't you join mine? I will make sure to pamper you everyday."
"I'd love to, but I have to feeling I don't have enough energy to keep up with you."
Raya was quick to jump between us. "Who'd want to join your household? Obviously, as an Archduke, Agnes has higher goals. We will climb that ladder together and make our own family, something you can't do."
I had a feeling that she had just said something outrageous, but who was I to rebut her.
"Ugh." Vera bit her nail. "Who cares about that? Agnes, let's go meet my family." She pulled my left arm.
Raya reciprocated by pulling my right arm. "No, Agnes will stay by my side—." She pulled harder. "—forever," she whispered silently.
"You're mumbling some scary stuff over here," I interjected.
The two soon started a tug of war, with me as the rope. I felt like a small little radish, being pulled out the comfortable dirt. "You guys, according to the 'Judgement of Ooka', the first one to let go wins," I couldn't help comment, though they didn't listen. They held me tightly, squeezing my thin arms until red, neither of them relenting. Affection really was painful.
"Let go!"
"Get lost, I came here first!"
Maybe God decided to spare me of this medieval torture rack, as someone interrupted Vera by calling her name out.
She turned her head and searched for the voice. By doing so, she let my arm go, causing inertia to fling me on Raya, and Raya on the ground.
We all looked at the person, a youthful man, with long brown hair, tied together and fastened with a pin. "Vera, what are you doing here, mother is has been searching for you all this time."
"Oh, big brother." She waved her hands then pointed at me. "You come at just the right time. Here, this is the girl I have told you all about, Agnes Maria."
The man squinted his eyes, to ascertain who I am, and right after, they shot open. "Wait, isn't that the new Archduke of Humility?" He hurriedly bowed down, while giving me the occasional glance. He had puzzlement written all over his face.
"There's no need for excessive courtesy," I told him and smiled gently.
"You heard her," Vera added, "she doesn't care about these fickle things like etiquette, so quickly get up. You're embarrassing me."
The man, urged by me and Vera, stood up again, but he did not lose his nervousness. "I'm honored to have met you, my name is Oliver Clerebald, the second son of Duke Clerebald. I am also Veras' big brother," he paused, "pardon me, I am unsure of how I should refer to you."
"Agnes is fine."
"Lady Agnes it is then." He nodded slightly.
Seeing his stiff movements, I inadvertently laughed out. "Am I so scary?"
"No, no, not at all," Oliver said, and frantically shook his head, "it is only I have never talked to an Archduke before. Now, to have a to talk with one, I am filled with nervousness."
Vera rolled her eyes, hearing what he said.
"Hmm, I still struggle to see the importance of this title, so I don't mind if you talk casually with me. All these people before did so too."
"No, I would not dare! That previous flock are just the group of ignorant fools. They hope for quick success, all shameless people. Trust me, after they are gone, you won't find many like them, since most people possess a bit of self-respect. Just look around, all these nervous and expectant gazes, that is the power of an Archduke, my lady." He waved his hands around, encouraging me to look around, and certainly, countless eyes were glued tightly on me, analyzing my every move. Every time my gaze connected with another one, they shied away, talking ardently with their peers.
"She looked at me!"
"Our eyes met, is she not beautiful?"
"Oh what I would do to invite her for a cup of tea."
The relentless chatter resounded through the halls.
"Your reputation seems to precede you," Raya added.
"That's pretty weird." I felt like I had suddenly turned into a celebrity, a rather novel feeling. Even in my previous life, the only fame I had was infamy. However, not a bad feeling, I had to admit.
"Nope, that's normal, you are the weird one," said Vera, "Anyways, brother, what do you want? As you can see, we are pretty busy here."
"Ah that's right, I almost forgot." He then grabbed Veras' ear and with a stern tone, said, "You've spend all this time at another household, and now that we finally meet again, you keep running away. You should have seen the look on mothers face. It was like she had lost all hope in you."
"Ouch, ouch, don't pull so hard idiot," she grabbed his hands and scowled, "damn it, you are embarrassing me in front of my friends! If you don't let go I will never forgive you!"
"Enough, why are you so childish. Spend time with your family once in a while, or I fear that you might forget the name of your household."
"I hate you! I hate you!" She fought her brother. "Nobody there looks good, I don't want to hang out with these people."
Her brother, Oliver, only sighed.
"Ah, I know, Agnes come with me," Vera said and stretched her hand out.
However, as she was about to touch me, Raya came and swatted her hand away. "Come on, it's family time, no outsiders allowed," she gloated and stuck her tongue out. "Bleh."
Veras face turned black and pale alike, she glared at Raya in pure, unadulterated hatred. "Agnes, Agnes!"
I waved my hand. "If one of your hatreds consist of only having to meet your family, you live a relatively good life. You should enjoy it."
Due to my words, she lost all her strength and turned limp.
"See, I always told you, and even Lady Agnes agrees, but you still keep complaining, you problemless girl."
Her eyebrow suddenly shot up. "Do not dare call me that!"
I tilted my head. "Problemless girl?"
Vera quickly interjected, "Nothing, nothing at a—"
"Oh, that's just a nickname. Problemless girl, lady with no problems, that is what we call her, because for some reason, even though she has the least problems in life, she complains the most."
"Pfft, that's funny," I chuckled, "Problemless girl."
"Ah, you said said it, you really said it," Vera screamed, "even if it's you Agnes, I will get mad if you call me that."
"Was that your final line? Let's go then." Her brother dragged her away, vanishing in the crowds. I could only hear her faintly crying my name until her voice faded away too.
"She's finally gone." Raya wiped the sweat of her forehead and smiled, satisfied. Why was she pretending to have worked hard?
"I do wish the two of you could get along."
She immediately shook her head. "Impossible. Not even if hell froze over."
"Why?"
"There are several reasons, but most of all, I just don't like her attitude. There's no one I currently detest more than her," she abruptly stopped, "oh wait, there's someone."
"Who?"
"That one maid, what was her name again? Celestia? Yes, I like her even less."
I felt my eye twitching when she said that. "You seem to hate all my friends."
"Pure coincidence," she assured me.
I stared at her in suspicion. I thought about making her elaborate, but since she didn't explain, I didn't insist.
"Uhm, excuse me," another voice soon appeared.
Raya and I simultaneously turned our head to see who was speaking, and in my eyes, several men appeared. They were all tall and well built, further emphasized by their form-fitting clothes. they smiled softly.
"Oh, some more people that want to talk with you," Raya said and brushed them off.
I naturally stepped forward and gave my greetings.
The group bowed down in reverence and sang the usual praise, but soon they stopped talking and only stood in place, turning the conversation to a standstill. They looked at each other and whispered: "Say it,"; "No, you say it,"; "You promised to do it,"; "coward, can't even keep promises, how will you keep the dame?"
"Uhm, can I help you?"
The men stiffened. "I apologize for our rude behavior. Actually, we hoped to talk with the lady at your side."
"Huh, me," Raya blurted out, stunned, "why?"
"It was love at first sight. Ever since I saw you, I knew you would be the lady I wish to die with," one male said.
Another soon followed, "Your beautiful eyes enchanted me, and I couldn't help imagine my reflection in them."
"I brought you a bitter wine, to accompany the sweetness of yours," said a younger one and handed out a glass.
No one wished to be outdone, and gushed out their compliments.
"Your hair, your luscious hair, it was your hair."
"I fell for your beautiful lips, and could not bear imagine them with someone else."
Raya, overwhelmed by the many professions, looked at me for help.
I pushed her forward and gave her a thumbs up. "Go for it. Spread your pheromones."
"You—" She glared at me, but before she could complain, she was led away, and just like Vera, she disappeared, only her voice as she called my name rang out silently.
"Great, finally alone. Let's get something to eat, shall we?"
"Yᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴏᴜᴛʀᴀɢᴇᴏᴜs."
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