Chapter 30 – Parliament
Another week later Drake stood in the middle of the grand hall, marvelling at the new space. He and every other staff member had spent a solid 2 weeks cleaning up and fixing the castle and the castle grounds.
The grand hall looked as beautiful as it looked hundreds of years ago. And it gave them all a chance to change the décor. A stunning light blue with silver and light gold. Drake watched as they re-hung the paintings of past rulers around the room. Drake had commissioned painters to paint duplicates to be hung in the major rooms, such as the grand hall, court, ballroom and throne room, so that they all never forget their ancestors.
A few days prior Drake held a ceremony for those on his side that lost their lives. That same day they threw the remainder of Renaldo's forces in the dungeons. Never to make trouble again. It pained him to do this, but it was out of his hands. They made their choice and nobody went against the crown while he was around.
"My Lord."
Drake turned around and faced Emily. She now wore a violet cape over white dress pants and blouse. Like Drake, she now wore a Diadem around her forehead. Drake's was gold, matching his maroon cape and gold dress pants and shirt. Emily's was silver.
"Lady Emily." Drake greeted with a smile.
Emily blushed. "That still sounds weird to me." She laughed
Drake placed his hand on her shoulder. "You earned it." He insisted before he pulled away. "Now, what is it you needed?"
"Parliament is ready for you." She said
Drake nodded and proceeded to walk with Emily towards the court.
Kim stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom back in New York, adjusting the tiara on her head. She wore a floor-length form fitting silver dress with short silver gloves and heels.
Riley knocked on the door before walking in and she smiled.
"You look great." She said
Kim nodded, not taking her eyes off the mirror. "Thanks." She whispered
Riley stood behind Kim and smiled supportively. "It'll all be okay, you know."
Kim nodded. "I know. It's just weird. This will be my wardrobe from now on."
"Well a fancier version will be." Riley snickered
Kim turned around and took a deep breath.
"And where will you be?"
Riley winked. "I'm going to be with the guys with Violet and Lilly." She quickly hugged Kim before pulling away. "You're doing the right thing."
"Thanks, Riles." Kim replied before she vanished in a wind of leaves.
Riley smirked. "Doesn't mean I can't meddle. Violet! Let's go!" She shouted before she stormed out of Kim's bedroom and into the living room.
Violet and Lilly stood up from the living room couch and smirked at Riley.
"Now let's go get her man!" Lilly cheered excitedly.
Riley, Lilly and Violet orbed in the middle of the lair, startling Mikey and Donnie on the couch.
"Sorry boys!" Riley laughed before she stormed into the dojo.
Donnie and Mikey watched her go before looking over at the two remaining sisters.
"Riley's saving a marriage." Lilly snickered, avoiding Mikey's stare.
Violet walked over and sat on Donnie's lap. The second she did he squeezed her tightly to his plastron.
"I'm so sorry." He whispered brokenly.
"Don't." She interrupted. "It's okay. I love you."
"I love you so much." Donnie replied
Lilly stood there awkwardly as Donnie and Violet shared a moment. Mikey stood up and walked over to Lilly nervously.
"Hey." He said
Lilly looked up and nodded. "Hi."
Mikey scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly. "Look, Lilly-"
"I thought it was Lila?" She bit back bitterly.
Mikey sighed. "I know." He said, "I know I was a jerk. I'm really sorry. And what you did…I just wanted to say, well thanks."
Lilly nodded her head. "You're welcome." She then turned around in the direction of the dojo. "Come find me when you're ready to apologise properly."
With that Lilly walked away and entered the dojo. Inside she found Riley and Leo yelling at each other.
"Why are you being such a baby?" Riley yelled
"Why can't you just stay out of this?" Leo shouted back.
Lilly rolled her eyes and stormed in between the two.
"Enough!" She cried, looking between the two.
Her appearance startled the pair into silence. Lilly gave them one more look before she lowered her arms and looked over at Leo.
"Why can't you just forgive her?" Lilly asked softly.
Leo sighed. "I have." He said
Lilly raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Then why haven't you gone to her?"
"This is where he lost me!" Riley cried
"Shut up." Lilly hissed before looking back to Leo. "Leo?"
Leo hung his head. "When she died…it broke my heart. I could literally feel every part of my body being ripped apart. And I did that to her. This hurt so much more than any pain I've ever been inflicted."
Lilly lifted Leo's head. "So you're staying away from her to protect her?"
Leo nodded. "She's better without me in her life. I hurt her a lot last year and now this? It's too much for her."
"Why not let Kim decide that?"
Leo laughed bitterly. "Yeah like she'll forgive me after what I did."
"She already does!" Riley piped up from behind Lilly.
Leo's eyes widened. He looked at Lilly and she nodded.
"It's true." She agreed, "She told us at the hospital." Lilly sighed, "Look Leo, Kim apologised and talked to you. You didn't forgive her. She dies, you have an epiphany and forgive her but you still won't go after her?" She nodded. "Yeah, makes sense."
"Not!" Riley cried
Lilly rolled her eyes.
"Look Leo, all we know is that she still loves you, but after what you told her she doesn't think you forgive her and thus won't get back together. She's decided to stay in Rayon and take the throne solo. No husband." Riley explained, "Shouldn't that mean something to you?"
Leo raised an eyebrow. "Should it?"
Riley shrugged. "I don't know." She smirked, "But to me, it looks like your one problem in recent events has been marriage. If she doesn't have to get married there goes your problem."
Leo laughed and rolled his eyes at Riley.
"Wow Riley. You really don't get it."
"In all seriousness, Leo, what's stopping you?" Riley asked, stepping beside Lilly. "Kim has finally decided what she wants. She's not confused, there's no pressure. She wants you. And I think you still want her. She apologised. Don't you want to see how things turn out with you two?"
Leo's eyes and his stance softened.
"Don't you want to know how your destiny turns out Leo?" Riley asked
Lilly looked at Riley, confused, before she shook her head and looked back at Leo.
"You lost her once." She said, "Don't lose her again because you were too afraid."
Kim took a deep breath before she walked through the double doors of the court. She looked around and saw all of the familiar faces from a month ago.
'Cowards'. She thought bitterly, but hiding it behind a cool composure.
Kim walked up to the podium in the centre of the room and stood tall. Emily stood at the back of the room and Drake stood by her side.
"Good morning," Kim greeted the room. She looked down and took a deep breath. "A few weeks ago I realized the only reason I was getting married was because of a law. That, to me, didn't seem like a good enough reason. It wasn't fair to my partner, my family or this kingdom. A kingdom would prosper more under the love and compassion they see in their rulers."
Kim looked around at all the members and took another deep breath.
"I saw our realm crumble over the issue of my heritage. But is that all that should matter? My birth? Who my parents are?" She laughed, "Shouldn't my compassion overrule all of that? I care about this realm, its inhabitants. I wouldn't have fought alongside them and died for them if I didn't. Renaldo didn't care! He only cared about the power. He wanted to be a dictator. I want to be a ruler, the person you come to, the person you can turn to, who will take care of you."
"I ask you, members of parliament, to think about your daughters, your nieces, and sisters, and granddaughters, and ask yourselves: would you force them to do what you're forcing me do? I believe I will be a great queen. So I stand here today, imploring you to trust in me. To change the traditions and prejudices of our past and move into the 21st century. I will not let another war break out over these issues, and I'm ready to start now. I'm ready to take my place as your queen, as I am."
Drake stepped forward and placed a hand on Kim's shoulder.
"If you do not accept Princess Kimberley then I decline too." He said
Kim gasped along with the other members of court.
"I refuse to be king." Drake continued, "It is Princess Kimberley who should have the crown. I believe that with my whole being. She's bright, and she is caring. She relates to everyone in this fine realm and keeps to her word. Her childhood on Earth has turned her into the queen I want for Rayon. Earth has given her leadership qualities. Qualities that will take Rayon forward, and if the parliament were astute, they would name her queen. Listen to her. She'll lead us into the 21st century."
The court broke out. Several members were standing and pointing, all of which were arguing with each other.
'What is happening here?' Kim thought, looking down at her hands.
'Kim!'
Kim looked up at hearing Riley's voice. Over in the corner, standing next to Emily were her sisters. And they were waving frantically at her.
'Behind you!' Riley said again
Kim spun around and standing in the doorway of the court, unbeknownst to everyone else, was Leo. They locked eyes and Kim's breathing stopped.
Leo smiled at her and nodded. Kim took a deep breath and looked over at Drake. The two locked eyes and Kim nodded.
"I wish to vote on our next ruler of Rayon!" He shouted, gaining the attention of the entire room. "I vote on Princess Kimberley. Who will second my motion?"
Kim held her breath as she waited. The room was silent and the seconds ticked by slowly in Kim's opinion.
Finally, someone stood up.
"I second the motion. The princess has more than demonstrated her loyalty to Rayon. She should be queen."
Soon more and more people were standing and vouching their agreement to Drake's motion. The entire room didn't vouch for her, but a majority did.
Kim smiled at Drake and he returned it.
"The ayes have it! Princess Kimberley is next in line for the throne! And as of this moment I will step down as ruler and hand over to the princess, my future queen."
Cheers and applause erupted in the room, the loudest being Kim's sisters. Kim looked over at Drake and smiled.
"Lord Drake?" She announced, gaining the attention of everyone in the room again.
"Yes, Princess?" He smirked
"I move to abolish the marriage law." Kim said, shocking the room. "As it applies to present and future royalties of Rayon. Will anyone second my motion?"
Once again the room went silent. Finally, a member stood up and nodded at the princess.
"I second the motion." He said, "It's time we had a new tradition. I like change. I may grow a moustache." He joked, causing several people to laugh.
"All those in favour of abolishing the marriage rule, say, 'Aye.'" Drake continued
Within seconds the same majority of people stood and voiced their agreement.
"The ayes have it!" Drake cried happily.
The room erupted into more cheers again and Kim smiled wide. Her eyes fell to the doorway. She stopped when she noticed nobody was there anymore. Kim's eyes fell a little, but she was bombarded in hugs from her sisters.
Emily watched the cheers with a proud smile. Her eyes glowed orange before going back to their normal colour.
'Right on track.' She thought, 'Destiny is right on track.' She looked over at the front door where Leo used to stand. 'Well, almost. But there's still time. He'll come around.'
With that she turned around and walked out the back door, her cape billowing behind her as she left.