Who's ready for Winterlight?! I already pre-ordered my copy and I await anxiously for its imminent arrival.
So, the general politics of how Zachary and Estora made the resignation work will be pretty much glossed over. I don't have a clue how the politics would work for this to happen. But, as you will see, I do try to give you lovely readers a general idea that it was achieved. I hope you all understand
*8/29, I have made a minor change to the time period to better fit what I want to have in future chapters. Instead of 8 months after the end of the war, it's now 4-5.
It was a flurry of activity as Zachary stood in the center of his bed chamber. He was selling most of his royal wardrobe and belongings. By the end of the day, he will be on the road and living out of the saddle and inns for the foreseeable future. He and Estora worked it out that his terriers will stay at the castle until he had found a place to settle. The only things that will remain in his possession will be a few pairs of plain clothes, his sword, his bag of coins to start with, and his horse.
Zachary sucked in a deep breath as he stood in front of the standing mirror. His full royal robes weighed down on his body. His valet silently fell to his knee beside Zachary and presented his crown. For the first time in his life, Zachary was excited to don the crown. This time, it will be his last time that he would have to wear the bejeweled piece. After this point, the weight of the kingdom will no longer fall upon him. Taking the crown from his valet, Zachary watched himself in the mirror as he slipped it over his head.
In this moment, Zachary looked in the mirror and recounted the last 2 weeks since that fateful discussion with Estora.
-GR-
The week after Zachary and Estora spoke privately on the matter, the time had finally come for the Lord-Governors to assemble. They did not know of the reason of the meeting. But from the whispers and gossip that wafted Zachary's way, the Lords and Ladies were suspicious. They knew that a meeting of the governors outside of their quarterly schedule was very out of the ordinary outside of war-time.
Zachary and Estora sat at the head of the table and looked on silently as the governors took their seats. Secretly, Zachary's heart pounded in his chest as the royal couple allowed a brief silence to fall over the room. It wasn't until after they shared a brief glance at the other that Zachary finally spoke.
"I appreciate every one of you for coming. I acknowledge that this is a meeting that is outside of our normal schedule, but it is an important matter for myself and the queen. As well as the kingdom," he started.
Lady Penburn asked, a curious eyebrow raised, "Is there another heir on the way?"
The young Lord Mirwell rolled his eyes, "If that's the case, then what was the point of asking us to come all this way? Such joyous news could have been conveyed through message."
Shifting in his chair, Zachary spoke up, "The queen is not expecting."
"Then why call this meeting then?" Lord L'Petrie questioned.
Zachary and Estora looked at each other one last time. A silent question flowed from Estora's eyes and Zachary nodded in answer. When he finally looked back at the governors again, a peace fell over him. "I plan on resigning as king. Our marriage will be dissolved, and Queen Estora will remain in leadership as High Queen. As such, Prince Zachary will remain as the kingdom's heir with Princess Esmere remaining as second in line for the throne."
A hush fell over the entire room. Zachary looked on as the governors stared at him before looking at one another. Lord D'Yer wiped at his worn face and asked, "What brought this on, Your Majesty? Is there a scandal that we are not aware of that forces you to make this decision?"
"Does there need to be a reason?" Lord Coutre asked, a conning twinkle in his eye.
The hair stood on end on Zachary's neck. But Lord L'Petrie snapped back, "Oh, you WOULD be thrilled at this news. Hold your tongue Lord Coutre, greed is not a good look for you."
The eastern governor's eyes flashed, "What did you just say?"
"Enough," Zachary commanded.
"Though King Zachary is resigning, father, I intend on following in his example. He is one of this kingdom's greatest kings that I know of. I would be a fool to tear everything he has done for my own temporary gain. And I will not tolerate being manipulated, even by you," Estora spoke up, her eyes on her father.
There was a murmur of, "Hear hear," amongst the governors. Lord Coutre frowned at his daughter though, his eyes still flashing in anger.
"What do you say then, my Queen?" Lord Oldbury asked.
"His Majesty and I spoke at length about the conditions of his resignation. Castellan Hughes?" Estora glanced to her right where the castellan stepped forward with his scroll and quill in hand, "First, for his selfless service as this kingdom's monarch, I declare that he will receive a monthly pension from the treasury from the time of his official resignation until death. While His Majesty has asked that he not be a part of the nobility at all. I declare that he still maintains a lordship title officially, but no noble responsibilities be expected of him. Third, is that he shall receive a deed of land for him to settle upon and do with as he wishes. And my last declaration is that Zachary Hillander will serve as a counselor if there is a need for his advice."
Zachary listened to her aptly, "You're too generous," he said upon her finish.
She looked at him, "No. I believe that you are the greatest king in Sacoridia's history. Therefore, you deserve a resignation fit for the greatest king in our history."
-GR-
Now, as the hour had come upon them, Zachary searched within himself. Did he have any regrets for carrying this out to it's finish? Was it truly the right thing to do? Or were all of his current doubts simply a result of overthinking?
"What are you thinking about?" he heard a voice ask from behind him.
Zachary turned to face Estora, dressed much like him. For a brief moment, he considered admitting his doubts to his, now ex-wife. But quickly he conceded. While he did not love her like he loved Karigan, Estora was one of his true confidants. "I'm overthinking, I believe. Trying to find if I have any regrets."
She smiled, a quick exhale through her nose acting as a chuckle. "I think you might have one," she said.
His brows rose, "Really? And what would that be?"
"For not doing this sooner," she finished. She stepped closer to him to stand right beside him, "I was telling the truth in that counsel room, you're so selfless. You think of the kingdom and everyone in it before looking to your own needs. I believe that it's time to take care of yourself now. And that means going off and living the life of a common man. Besides," she paused, reaching up to gently squeeze his arm, "Your kindness gets eaten alive here. You deserve to be in a place where you will be properly rewarded."
Zachary smiled down at her. Then he bent slightly to kiss her gently on the cheek. "Thank you," he said, straightening.
She smiled wide for him, "Where will you go? Have you thought that far?"
He laughed, "My only friends outside of the castle live in Corsa."
Her eyes looked up at him knowingly. She nodded, "This is new territory for you, you will need the support of true friends."
"Yes," he agreed.
There was a knock on the door. Zachary looked up and answered, "Enter."
The door opened to reveal Fastion, he said to them, "Your Majesties, it's time."
Zachary nodded and looked down at Estora beside him. He offered his hand for her, "Are you ready?" With a nod, Estora gently placed hers atop his. Zachary quietly led them out of the chamber and headed to the throne room.
Because of the suddenness of the event, the throne room was not as packed full of the nobility as normal. But the room was fully decorated for the event with all of the provincial crests on tapestry hanging down from the ceiling. At the back of the throne room the orchestra played the kingdom's anthem and Zachary and Estora slowly made their way to the dais.
As Zachary took his place on the throne for the last time, he found it harder and harder not to break out into a smile. To everyone else, it was a royal formality. But to Zachary, it was a happy occasion that meant the end of a chapter to his life. Only his years of training kept his façade in place.
It all felt like a blur to Zachary. But suddenly, he was acutely aware of the moment that the moon priest gently lifted the crown from his head. Zachary stood from the throne. The priest's attendants lifted the royal robes from his shoulders and held them aloft to avoid wrinkling the fine fabrics and furs. And then, the moment came for Zachary to step down from the dais. He took his place at the second step and turned back to Estora at the top.
She replaced him in front of the throne. The attendants carefully draped the robes over her shoulders and adjusted them in place. And then he looked on as she solemnly sat upon the throne. She stared straight ahead as the moon priest chanted and gently placed the crown atop her head.
This time, Zachary allowed his smile to break through as the priest finished his chanting and he called out, "To Aeryc be glorified, all hail High Queen Estora!"
Zachary joined in with the rest of the room as they echoed, "To Aeryc be glorified, all hail High Queen Estora!"
The orchestra began playing again as Estora stood again and carefully made her way back out of the throne room. After her, Zachary followed at a distance, walking behind the Weapons and priests. And then the governors followed behind him, and from there, the rest of the guests present followed the governors out of the throne room.
Zachary was present for the following celebration ball. After a time, Zachary retreated to one of the balconies outside of the ball room. His heart was light at the freedom that he already felt after the events of the day. It was at that moment, as he looked out over the castle grounds and Sacor City beyond it, that he felt sure of the decision to resign. The kingdom had a ruler and heirs. There was no war. And the governors were not at each other's throats. Now Zachary was free to pave his own way.
"Zachary?"
Zachary turned back and found Estora at the balcony's threshold. He bowed low at the waist upon her approach, "Your Majesty?" he asked, his eyes sparkling.
She smiled back at him and asked, "Are you getting ready to leave?"
He glanced back behind him and noted the sun's position high in the sky. He gathered it was just after noon, "Yes," he finally responded, "I'd like to get a head start before night falls."
"That's wise of you," she answered. "May I give you a piece of advice?"
Zachary turned back to face her, "Of course."
She smiled gently and reached out to take a hand in hers. She gave it a small squeeze, "Don't let Karigan go again." She paused and Zachary watched as tears glistened in her eyes, "I was in the same position, if you remember. I loved F'ryan; I still do. And I miss him terribly still. Karigan is out there, Zachary. You still have a chance." She paused and took a deep breath, "She loves you, as much as she fights it. And you love her with all your heart, I know that for sure. Now is your chance, Zachary. Grab it and hang on to it. DO NOT let her go again."
The strength in her words moved Zachary as well as the words spoken. And in a moment not of monarch and subject, but an action between two close friends, Zachary wrapped his arms around her and hugged her. He said, "Our union was not what any of us wanted, but I value our friendship and partnership through these years. Thank you Estora."
He felt her rather than see her nod into his shoulder. They separated and with a smile, Estora pushed him away, "Go, get out of here."
He laughed and, bowing quickly in farewell, he turned and went back into the ballroom. He kept to the edge of the room, as he wanted a quick exit. Quickly, he went back to his old bed chamber and changed his clothes from the formal to more casual and proper for riding. Then he belted on his sword, gathered up his saddle-bags, shouldered them and strode of the room.
But before he went anywhere else, Zachary went to the nursery, where he knew his children would be. He knocked quietly, as he wasn't sure if the nursemaids had put them down for their naps yet. He opened the door and peeked in. Ez let out a squeal upon seeing her father.
Smiling, Zachary threw open the door, dropped his bags and caught Esmere as she jumped into her father's embrace. "Da!" Zachary II shouted and did the same. Laughing, Zachary gathered up both his children in each arm and held them tight to him. In his joy, Zachary spun them around and his heart lifted even more at their peels of laughter in his ears.
Gently, he put them both down again and knelt in front of them. Smoothing back the blonde hair from Zachary II's face, he said to them both, "I'm going away for a little while. But I will see you both soon, okay?"
Esmere's brows furrowed, "Where are you going da?"
He kissed both of their foreheads, "I'm going down south, to L'Petrie province."
"Why?" Zachary II asked.
He thought quickly. He and Estora had told them before that he would be going away. But they didn't tell them why he was leaving. They could never find a way to explain it to children so young. So he told them, "I'm going to find a new house."
"Why?" Esmere asked.
Zachary blinked, then he smiled and tapped both of their noses, "Because I need a change. Change is good."
"Okay!" they said. Zachary laughed again and kissed them both.
"See you both very soon!" he said, giving them one more hug. "Goodbye Zachary. Goodbye Esmere ."
"Goodbye da!"
Smiling, Zachary gathered up his bags again. He briefly watched his children in the doorway as they bounded off to play. And when they were so enthralled with their play, Zachary left the room, quietly closing the door behind him.
Upon making it to the stable, he saddled his horse, Storm, quickly. And with a smile stretching across his face, he mounted. Taking a deep breath, he tapped Storm's sides for a trot as he crossed the castle gate and entered the city. He maneuvered carefully through the throngs of people on the Winding Way.
When the time finally came for Zachary to pass under the outer wall of the city, he urged him to a gallop with a loud cry. Storm bolted beneath him and Zachary hung on, his laughs and whoops of joy getting carried away in the wind.