The Red Roses

Chapter 3: My Kingdom, My Rules

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It was a couple of days after I announced my re-betrothal to everyone at the camp, and now I was on my way to not only announce it to the court but to confront the other noblemen of their wrong doings to my land while I was in captivity. I had dressed in my royal attire that day. I was dressed in a brilliant white gown with long flowing sleeves that stopped at my elbows with golden designs sewn onto it and a golden broad with the band of the hawk insignia on it with seven petticoats and white high heels. My hair was done up beautifully, I had my hair done with two braids on the side of my head going into a bun atop my head, tightly fastened using my braided hair and on top of my head was a diamond encoded crown. Lastly I had on my royal cape that was a brilliant shade of red with white fur on the outline. With the human part of the army, Griffith and I headed to the home of Lord Vandemion to confront the other noblemen. When we got there Griffith told me to hold back for a moment while he spoke with them. He, as I predicted, told them about his army being Midland's regular army and how those of foreign descent can either live by Midland law or do not interfere themselves in our war. Suddenly they, as I also predicted, started to complain telling Griffith he had no right to tell them such things and such decision are to be left up to me, but since I am still missing (they have no idea I was already saved) they have final say in Midland affairs.

I decided that this farce has gone on long enough and make my appearance. I rode up next to Griffith, head held high and back straightened thoroughly, as a regal Queen should be. They were shocked at my sudden appearance, either because they didn't expect me back so soon or because they knew I heard everything they just said. Everyone on the sidelines immediately recognized me and bowed their heads to me, and the noblemen then followed suit.

Public speaking never bothered me and this was nothing new to me, but this was different since now I had Griffith beside me so my confidence was up higher than usual. I looked at these noblemen and said as I raised my hand to them "Rise good sires, and face your queen".

They all look nervously at me, as they should be, as I continued on "I, Apple Elizabeth Corina Maria Antoinette, Queen of Midland, sole sovereign ruler over its domain, now take back all power that was split between these noblemen and restore them onto myself as sole authoritarian of Midland and its residence, supply and land"

To that the people bowed down lower to me, some even shouted "Long live the Queen"

I looked onto the noblemen with my head held high and a slight disgust in my eye for me to look upon as I went on with my speech "furthermore, I would like to make an official decree that my betrothed, Griffith of the band of the hawk, will become the supreme commander of all Midland regular armies".

To that everyone was in shock, probably because I decreed my marriage to Griffith again after what he did to me two years ago and because this decision was made without council, but I stand firm in my decision and when I stand firm on something that is the end of the matter.

I then look with a fake kindness to the nobles and say "from the bottom of my beloved and I's hearts, we plead for your assistance, by our sides in the recovery of our motherland".

To that Griffith took my hand in his and smiled gently at me as I sat up proud and regal for all to admire. Their queen was back and she was coming to take back her home.

I heard them start trying to question my decision without council and my smile turned into a frown as I say to the bickering noblemen "You talk about how I have made a hasty decision with council and such, but you have absolutely no room to speak in this matter, as you have made moves without my council and those moves themselves have cost us our motherland, and then you have the perpetual gall to try and lose yourselves in the comfort and riches of the neighboring territories instead of trying to reclaim our home, our home to which, by the way, I understand you abandoned once the Kushan army invaded. You dare to call yourselves noble after abandoning the very territories that were bestowed to you from your heritage that you so easily abandon once your own life was at stake. I risked my own life being taken as hostage to keep everyone safe and you have done nothing but bring this once proud country on the brink of extinction, I should have you all stripped of your titles for such treachery, and I probably will, but not now, you have no room to judge my decision for I am queen and my word is law, so have faith in what I do and say".

At the end of my speech, there was a silence, then a huge roar of applause with shouts of "all hail the queen", "long live Queen Apple" or even "all bow to the Midland's queen dove".

The cheering soon stopped as a mustached man in regal clothing rode forward towards me on horseback and said "I would humbly like to speak with her highness Apple and his lordship the commander of the midland army" I could only assume that this man was Lord Vandemion.

He continued on to speech to me in a baritone "such a manner of speaking from a lord would indeed be just, if only he were addressing an army from another land who treads upon his native soil. However, this war is not solely midland's. This is a battle that has continued since ancient times. It is a holy crusade between our allied nations of the holy Vatican and the Kushan over the naming of our mutual god. And so, we have transcended the framework of nations. Is there truly no greater glory than stand shoulder to shoulder, side by side as true believers under his excellency the pop, and whish for battle?"

Over on the sidelines I heard the nobles speak confidently of the loophole that was given by Lord Vandemion. I had to admit, it was a good move. The war really isn't solely our war, this war has been waged for years, we just happened to get caught in the middle of it after Father's death. This could pose a problem since we don't want to seem like heretics for opposing the pope and such, but I refuse to have this kind of fighting happening on our land that might end up damaging it more than it needs to be.

I have to admit I am at a small lost, the only way we can have them all fight for us, is with the pope's approval but the pope himself is not anywhere near here, instead his holiness is somewhere else far away. While I thought I heard one of the nobleman say "look, even her majesty is at a lost, we have won this conversation" that put a fire under my seat I will not be talked about in such a manner. Though I know not what to do in this situation, these nobleman need to learn their place.

So I harden my face and spoke to lord Vandemion in a soft yet commanding voice "that may be so but your war has brought about the near destruction of my land and as such, since this war is still on Midland ground, it will be played by Midland rule using the best that Midland has to offer with the wings of god on our side. And as for you noblemen…."

I glared over at them and they froze on the spot as I continued "This does not excuse you for abandoning your domains and the people you governed, so do expect to be thoroughly punished once this is all over, I'm still mulling over whether I should strip your titles away as punishment for abandoning your domains as your families swore they would never do to my great ancestor, the first King of Midland".

They all gasped in disbelief over what I just announced and one nobleman even said "But your highness, is that not a bit hasty to…." "No it is not, you abandon your domains, fled your homeland and let it fall to the ground. Were any of you even planning on trying to rescue me from captivity? I thought not, you have tarnished the good name of the Noblemen of Midland. This is punishable by law so do expect it" I said without even looking at them.

Though the problem with the traitorous noblemen was dealt with, the matter of the war was still there. How was I going to convince a whole foreign army to pledge allegiance to Midland?

When suddenly I heard the loud commotion on the side, drawing attention away from us to the noise. There was a long and luxurious carriage with the symbols of Christ and symbols of the holy Vatican of god, this carriage could only belong to one person. The carriage stops in between Griffith and I as well as the other nobles, I look to Griffith who looks to the carriage in calmness, the same calmness I'm feeling. The carriage then suddenly opens and out of the carriage is his holiness himself, the pope, along with Sophia and the unnamed lad dressed in the armor of the royal guard for the Vatican. I immediately dismount my horse along with Griffith, he takes my hand and we bow to his holiness with our hands intertwined, as the others soon follow suit. I kept my head bowed and said not a word until I heard a thud, I look up and see the most extraordinary of sights; his holiness the pope has completely bowed down flat on his face in front of us. This shocked everyone, including myself, I stared wide eye with a hand covering my slightly alarmed mouth as Griffith's hand held on to mine's tighter. Griffith got us off our kneed and we walked towards the fallen pope.

Once in front of the pope, who laid perfectly motionless, Griffith offered him his hand and said "Please raise your head, your holiness".

I looked amazed at the sight in front of myself 'how could Griffith be so calm about this, his holiness never bows to, he shouldn't, but why bow down to us?' I thought.

His holiness, looked back up to Griffith and I and said as he took Griffith's hand in his own "Ooh, it is truly….with one look, with one look I knew thee…"

The others from the Vatican said behind in a flurry "your excellency…! Please rise? How do you think this looks to the people?"

The pope looked towards the others of the Vatican and said "it is my supplication, is it so rare a sight from a man of the cloth? I know him, I believe that this is the first time we met but…I know of him and her majesty"

People murmured throughout the crowd, of course the pope knew me, he blessed my birth, did my christening, crowned me Queen and he was to unite me and Griffith in holy matrimony, but how did he know Griffith?

The pope rose to his feet and took Griffith's hand, as well as my hand as he said "I have been given a divine revelation. This Lord hawk of light is own divine savior, everything will be measured by this man's goodness" then he turned to me and said "And this woman, this woman of great beauty and love, she will be the holy symbol of everlasting peace, love and happiness we will soon be endowed"

This caused a great mummer among the crowds about the proclamation made by his holiness and I was for one quite speechless. I was to be the symbol of such great things that have yet to have come? I wondered if it had to do with the dream I had nights ago when I was still held hostage at the Kushian palace?

My thoughts were broken when the pope spoke again "He will appear rending the black clouds apart, with shining wings…the hawk of light and with him the beautiful dove herself will rest easy bring about new life and happiness for all to thrive and breathe"

This caused an even greater disturbance throughout the crowd.

"Hawk of light…"

"Hawk of light. That…"

"Hey I know about it"

"I heard a rumor about it"

"Something about everyone having the same dream"

"Hey I had that dream"

"Me too!"

"Oh that dream? Yeah me too!"

"That oracle….?"

All of the sudden, the people broke out into thunderous cheers and applauds. I took Griffith by his forearm holding him gently looking out to all the people. Who would have known I would play such an important role in the balance between peace and total chaos, but if what the pope said was true, than there would be no mistaking it; I will become the ultimate monarch not only in my own country of Midland, but to the rest of the world as well. I stood with my fiancé smiling gently to the crowd while trailing into deep thought.

'These people came here today, beaten and bruised and nearly ready to give up on the battle, but today…..today they rejoice and new hope has now been sown onto their hearts, hope that I want to cultivate and make bloom. Yes….I feel as if this may be destiny, fate or god's hand at work, but needless to say, I will fulfill my destiny, I will become the ultimate queen, and rule these people whom have chosen to place their faith in me with all everything I have. With Griffith at my side, I feel as if there isn't anything I cannot complish, so I will place my faith in him as he has me. Throughout the mistakes made in the past, what matters now is the future, so for the sake of the future we cannot lose'.