Unloving His Majesty

Coronation

Two days later, the Jolly island citizens lined up the streets again, others glued to their television screens to welcome their new King and Queen in a spectacular event. The ordinary citizens were really happy about the prospect of peace in their island and could not help getting excited about the anticipated changes. They knew that their new King and Queen were very pro youth and gender equality and expected to see a lot of younger ministers and councillors being appointed.

“Long Live The King!”

“Long Live The Queen!”

People chanted, bowing to their new rulers as they made their way into the cathedral.

In their full royal regalia which represented both tribes, the two were to take their oath to serve the people to the best of their ability, judge fairly and nurture its future generation.

“Dear Beloved,” the priest addressed the guests. “Before we begin, I would like to inform everyone gathered here that Prince Maxwell has decided to give up his position as the prince. He will therefore be sworn today as a consort king.”

Princess Zania, all the delegates and elders were shocked while the prince nodded his head in agreement with what was said.

The princess looked at the prince questioningly. Him giving up his rightful place meant he would have no power whatsoever unless she gave it to him. He would not rule in her absence either.

“We will now proceed…”the priest continued.

“No, we will not,” the princess objected, cutting the priest off before turning to her husband who seemed content with what was going on.

“You can’t do this. I won’t let you,” she said firmly with a hushed tone.

She rolled her eyes when he got closer and wrapped his arms around her waist. She knew exactly what he was doing. He was manipulating her into agreeing with him, but she would not allow it.

“I love you,” he declared charmingly.

“That has nothing to do with that,” she responded in disbelief. They have been together all this time and never once did he mention that he was giving up his birthright for her.

“But it does, My love. I persecuted and executed you in our past life. You will never give yourself fully to me because you are terrified of me, and I don’t blame you. This ensures that even if I ever lose my mind, I never have that power over you again.”

“Max,” she called to him softly, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Zania, I need this for my happiness and sanity.”

She shook her head, the realisation hitting her that she was responsible for his drastic decision. He asked her to love him a few days back. She was certain that her response was the reason why he was giving up his birthright.

“Our responsibility is to unify this island. You doing this is not going to accomplish that,” she pointed out while he flashed her his infatuating smile.

“Our people love you.”

“I love you too,” she blurted out while he chuckled and shook his head.

“No, you don’t. You are kind and…”

“Yes, I do. I didn’t want to, but you have been everything I ever dreamed of since the day our fathers fell. You…”

She did not complete her sentence, he interjected.

“You don’t have to say this, Zania. I know that I don’t deserve…”

“She obviously loves you, it’s written all over her smitten puppy face. Can we continue with the coronation now?” it was Prince Leonard who interjected this time while Sir Luke nodded in agreement. His words made the princess’s cheeks to burn. She opened and closed her mouth, speechless.

The prince could not hold back his laughter. He did pick up the signs but could not be one hundred percent confident.

“You don’t have to look so pleased,” the princess objected right before he covered her lips with his.

“Ahem!” it was Prince Leonard again who cleared his throat, bringing the two back to reality.

“I take it the Prince keeps his birthright?” the priest asks, amused. The two were obviously head over heels in love and it warmed the hearts of all those who wished for peace in their island.

“Long Live The King!”

“Long Live The Queen!”

People chanted excitedly. The loudest cheers came from two siblings who got to dress the King and Queen. They used their last money to buy material to make the regalia their rulers were wearing and could not believe that they actually accepted it. The Royals had always been dressed by well known designers, they had taken a leap of faith on their future King and Queen and did not get turned down. It was an opportunity of a lifetime for them, now the whole world would get to see their designs.

The following day, the princess quietly walked in the garden beside her cousin.

“Say it,” Prince Leonard finally broke the silence.

“You already know what I am going to say, Leonard, and you won’t listen to me. I won’t bother trying to convince you, because that never works,”the princess responded while her cousin flashed her a sheepish grin.

“I know that you love me too much. I won’t die,” he said mischievously while she rolled her eyes at him.

“Have you spoken to your betrothed?” she asked wholeheartedly and his whole demeanour changed.

“Leonard,” she called to him. She knew what that meant.

“She is safer not known,” he said decisively.

“You could bring her here. It is safer,” she suggested, but he was not ready for that for more reasons than what he was willing to share with her.

“I will think about it and yes, I will keep in touch,” he concluded their conversation and embraced her before leaving. With him were Lord Blake and twenty of Jolly island soldiers.

Queen Zania was still staring at the figures ridding away when the King joined her.

“He is going to be okay,” King Maxwell tried reassuring his wife, whose eyes were still glued at the riders disappearing a distance away.

She rested her head on his chest and let out a sign.

“I don’t know, Max. He is troubled and being hunted like a criminal in his own country. His Stuart says he hardly smiles and laughs when he is there. He is a completely different person there.”

“He will be fine, we will make certain of it,” the King said with certainty. He had only known Prince Leonard for a few days but had gotten fond of him. He also had a lot of confidence in Lord Blake, who volunteered to go with the prince.

A few days later, the people of Jolly island were thrilled when their King and Queen announced the new ministers who were all young and known for their community service, but most importantly, came from both tribes. They were even more delighted to discover that each district could now choose an elder they viewed to be ethical. It was the first in the history of Jolly island. The elders had always been men from wealthy families who were out of touch with the needs of ordinary citizens and there were no women elders at all before. While the ordinary citizens were happy with all these changes, the high class families and extended royals were not. They previously had priority in everything, but they now found themselves sidelined by people they viewed to be inferior to them. Many kept their disgruntlement inside, while others met in private.

Lady Mary’s beheading by the prince and the whole Lokey family still being imprisoned was proof to everyone that their royals would not tolerate any form of rebellion.