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.
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