Chapter 2

Lillian walks out of the council room alongside the Queen Mother. She looks over and notices the unreadable expression on the Queen Mother’s face. “Are you alright, Grace?” she asks.

“The first of our visitors arrive today, and after over almost twenty years the court is being held once again and a family meeting is being held,” she answers without turning her head.

Lillian looks at her out of the corner of her eye. She is aware of the tension and apprehension felt by Winston, Alexander, and Queen Grace in regards to the arrival of the top nobles of the kingdom. Although mostly due to those very nobles being members of the former ruling family, the Magide, whom Alexander and Queen Grace themselves are a part of and thus Winston through his mother.

“Forgive me, Gace, but I don’t understand. What issue could it be that you would not want to see your family?” Lillian asks, unable to understand. The queen mother stops abruptly and turns to Lillian, who follows suit, surprised.

“You don’t know? Really?” she responds in disbelief. Lillian shakes her head awkwardly.

“Winston hasn’t told me anything,” she goes on.

“Most likely because he assumed you knew as well. Did you not learn about your family lineage when you were younger?”, Grace responds.

“I didn’t get the chance. It wasn’t an important matter for me to learn early.”, Lillian tells her before dropping her eyes to the floor. “My brother most likely was though,” she says quietly. A look of pity flashes on Grace’s face and she lets out a sigh.

“Very well, I’ll tell you the story of the divide of our family.”, the queen mother says. However, at the moment a servant approaches them quickly.

“Your majesties.”, he greets them with a bow. “The families of Sir Augstine, Sir Tomas, Sir Carlos, and Sir Manual have arrived.”

“Thank you.”, Queen Grace answers.

“Head to the throne room to greet them.”, the sudden order causes Lillian and the Queen Mother to turn their heads to see Winston behind them.

“Yes, right away.”, Lillian answers before starting off with Queen Grace.

“It seems that time is not on our side. It is imperative that you know what’s going on though since it involves you just as much as us. For now make sure that you present yourself as the perfect reigning queen.”, the queen mother tells Lillian who nods in reply.

The two ladies arrive in the throne room followed by Alexander and his family. Lillian and Grace ascend the steps to stand in front of the thrones facing the grand, double doors while Alexander and his family stand to their right side.

“Wait, Sir Manual? Sir Tomas? Those names are a little unusual. Carlos too.”, Lillian says to the Queen Mother.

“Manual and Carlos are not blood relatives themselves, but they are married to Alexander’s sisters and they are all from Mermont. Which is the northeastern region of the kingdom. It shares a lot of cultural similarities with Ganca’s southern regions on the other side of the border,” she explains.

“Oh, but Tomas is?’

“That’s right. In fact these are my brothers and sisters’ families arriving today.”, Alexander adds.

“I see.”, Lillian replies, understanding. Queen Grace glances over to Lillian with a concerned expression before facing forward again.

“Remember the protocols and procedures,” she goes on before nodding her head giving the signal for their visitors to be let in.

“Right.” , Lillian says quietly. Two servants open the doors as the announcer calls Sir Augustine and his wife, Malinda’s, names. Lillian’s eyes slightly widen at how similar Alexander and his brother look. The only difference between them could be how they wear their brown hair. Augustine allows his bangs to come down his face while Alexander has his hair brushed to the back. She also notices their three children, two girls and a boy.

As Augustine and his family stop near the bottom of the steps Lillian and Queen Grace descend the steps to greet them. Sir Augustine and his son take a knee with bowed heads while Lady Malinda and her daughters courtesy in a similar manner.

“Queen Lillian. Queen Mother, it is an honor to be here in your home.”, Sir Augustine speaks.

“We are most delighted to have you and your family, Sir Augustine. I trust all of you shall enjoy your time here at court.”, Lillian speaks as she offers her hand. Looking up, Sir Augustine takes her hand and gets back to his feet with a smile. Giggles escape the girls as they and the rest of their family do the same. Resulting in a stern look from their mother.

“My queen.” greets Sir Augustine’s wife simply as bows her head.

“Lady Malinda.”, Lillian returns with a nod. “Oh! Your hair is beautiful!” Lillian tells her in awe.

“Oh, thank you!”, Lady Malinda replies surprised, but happily. The sound of the Queen Mother clearing her throat causes Lillian to turn to her. It is then Lillian remembers that it is time for Sir Augustine and his family to stand aside so that they may greet the other guests. Who were now waiting their turn. Lillian nods again allowing them to move on. A chuckle comes from the two girls again.

“Try to save the small talk for later. We just need to welcome them so that Winston may arrive and commence court. After that we won’t have to worry about this again.”, Queen Grace reminds Lillian.

“R-right” Lillian responds with understanding.

“Good job nonetheless though.”, Queen Grace goes on. A smile finds its way to Lillian’s face. At that moment the sound of an opening door comes from behind the two ladies. They turn to the door to the left of the thrones to see Winston entering. The announcement of his arrival causes every eye to fall on him.

“Winston, what are you doing?”, asks the Queen Mother shocked.

“I thought there was no need to go by special event protocol. Not to say that this isn’t special of course, but I should greet my family as well.”, Winston answers as he approaches Sir Augustine and his family. “Cousin Augustine. Lady Malinda,” he greets them. Sir Augustine hesitates before replying.

“King Winston.”, Sir Augustine replies finally. With a nod Winston walks over to Lillian and his mother. Who looked anything but pleased. Ignoring her, Winston goes on to greet Sir Manual and his family. Taken off guard by Winston’s actions Lillian pushes past her shock and continues performing her duties, yet she doesn’t miss Queen Grace’s unhappiness.

“Did your mother not come?”, Lillian hears Queen Grace asks Sir Tomas as they finish welcoming his family.

“I’m afraid not. She’s been rather aloof recently and she is just recovering from a fever.”, Sir Tomas informs her.

“Oh my, she never quite recovered from your father’s death did she?. I will be sure to send word to her.”, the queen mother replies. Sir Tomas nods in thanks. By now Lillian is ready to sit down and rest. So much so that she nearly misses Lady Maria talking to her.

“You must be close to giving birth, my queen,” she says.

“Yes. In a month or so.”, Lillian tells her. Lady Maria smiles with both her lips and her light brown eyes. Lillian feels a hand rest on her shoulder and turns to face Winston.

“If you wish, you could take a seat,” he tells her.

“Thank you. I may have to take up that offer.”, Lillian responds with a smile before turning to ascend the steps to her own throne next to Winston’s. Queen Grace also steps away to help her. Once she seats Winston addresses everyone.

“I am deeply happy that you all have come and more so that you all are the first to arrive,” he starts off addressing Alexander and his siblings. Winston’s expression grows serious. “In terms of our family we make up half of the James branch. Meaning we are all descendants of King James. The eldest of the three sons of King William the first.

Aside from our other cousins who are members of the same branch. We are each other’s closest relatives, but we are also the most divided because of our grandfathers and that has driven off the other branches and our closest relatives further dividing and weakening us. A situation that has been made worse due to even more recent events.”, Winston locks eyes with Sir Alexander, Sir Augustine, Sir Tomas, and even Sir Manual, and Sir Carlos in turn as he speaks.

“So I call on you now, my cousins, and your families to help me and join me in bringing our family back together, for if our family falls so will this kingdom and everything and everyone we hold dear,” he finishes. Sir Augustine and Sir Tomas look to Alexander who walks up to Winston to stand by his side as he faces his brothers and sisters.

“I have been here in Lumerra for the past three years and I have had the pleasure of working with King Winston, his wife Queen Lillian and Queen Grace. As you know since our father’s death and even before then I have never desired what Winston’s birthright is. I will not sacrifice my family or myself in pursuit of something that is justifiably not mine. However, to the rest of the world I am the serpent that is stalking the throne more than anyone else.

It’s time we change that and show that our family is just as strong and united as ever. This is something we must do. You know that, for even my position as the head of the family is under threat as the branches of Remus and Herbert are drawing closer and closer to each other through marriages. It won’t be long until they are able to undermine us in familial affairs and pose a threat to the throne.”, Alexander speaks.

“We know this, dear brother, and honestly I wish you two as the centers of power for our family would have done something about this sooner.”, Sir Tomas speaks first. Lady Cathrine nods her head agreeing.

“Yes, we all do. King Winston, you’ve been on the throne for three years and you are just reopening court and calling a family meeting,” she goes on. “Even with the disbandment of the Order of the Lords that has allowed others to move about their own dealings freely.”

“Alexander has tried, but with everyone on their own estates no one was able to really keep control.”, Sir Augustine adds. “Although, it is a relief that you’ve finally been able to get out from under your mother’s hold. Now we can see if you can stand on your own feet.”, Sir Augustine’s comment causes Lillian to flinch.

She looks at Queen Grace, but no expression is clear on her face or in her eyes. Only the slight tightening of her grip shows that she wanted to say something, yet is choosing not too. Lillian understands why as well, for if Winston had any chance in reuniting the Magide family he first had to reunite the James Branch. Even if he was only a Magide by blood.

Lillian’s eyes drift over to Alexander’s wife, Jessica. She had taken it upon herself to keep the children occupied while their parents talked. Her own daughters were playing with their cousins, but there was no doubt she was listening. Her eyes meet Lillian’s and they could see the same look of desperation in each other’s eyes.

“That’s enough Augustine! You go too far. Winston has always stood on his own feet. Ever since he took the throne. He is brilliant and quick, believe me. Winston is more capable than you think.”, Alexander defends.

“How could I know? Court is just being held. Playing games together as children barely gives any hints of how effective a ruler he is.”, Sir Augustine retorts.

“Don’t be foolish, August. You have eyes and ears. You’ve seen what Winston has done for the kingdom thus far. We all have benefited from it.”, Sir Manual defends this time. He turns back to Winston with a steady gaze.

“I have never known King Winston until now, but I’ve seen the results of his rule. Not only that, but considering the stories that Cathrine has told me about your family and upbringing. The fact that Alexander would defend him speaks volumes.”, Sir Manual pauses before going on. “This is more your family issue than it is mine, but my son and my other children will carry Magidge blood, a greater status than mine. Therefore, if Alexander is willing to bet on him then I will too.”

“Thank you Manual, Alexander, but I don’t expect to have your total trust and support. I apologize for my lack of action, and I can guarantee I will do my best to right my wrongs. All I ask for is a chance.”, Winston speaks calmly. A moment of silence passes that causes knots to form in Lillian’s stomach.

“You have our support,” Sir Tomas speaks.

“And ours.”, Sir Carlos finally speaks with an accompanying nod from his wife.

“You already have had mine for a while now,” Alexander says. Lillian heaves a sigh of relief as excitement rises in her chest. Now there is only Sir Augustine. He takes a breath and releases it.

“Very well. I’ll see what you can do,” he answers challengingly. Winston acknowledges with a smile and nod.

“Thank you all. Now then how about we have lunch in the inner gardens.”, Winston says.

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