BXBX NOVEL Chapter 7: The King’s Request
At one time, he considered raising the child separately until the situation calmed down. Still, when his grandson was born, he had no heart to make such a decision. But it was too difficult to hide the child’s presence from the royal family.
“The Duke of Akshire meets King Felice.”
King Arthur raised his eyes and stared at the Duke, who had just ascended the throne.
Duke Akshire was a meritorious retainer of the Felice Kingdom for generations. But not long ago, the Duke handed over the title to his son for reasons of old age. The new Duke was a young man with brown hair, with a bright looking face resembled his father.
“Get up, your father was an old friend of mine.”
Duke Akshire’s greatest mission was to maintain a close relationship between the kingdom and the Vatican. In the Empire, the Vatican might have opposed the Emperor. However, it was not enough to ignore the power of religion, which deeply rooted in the continent.
“As my father’s will, I will stay loyal to the kingdom.”
“Yes, I’ve already had your support, and your loyalty has been proved”
The first assignment was given to Liam, the new Duke of Akshire, was the empress’ divorce. He went to the Vatican as King Felice’s special envoy and arranged a meeting between The Vatican and The King himself.
Because the Vatican had stepped in, he wanted to avoid a conflict in the Empire, so he was supposed to let go.
“I did it because I wanted to.”
Liam was smiling. He recalled the beautiful figure of the princess he had met when he accompanied his father to the kingdom in his childhood.
It was for the princess whom he admired while hanging out and playing together a couple of times as a child, so he didn’t care about such a request.
It was a rumor that the Emperor had no room for the princess, and Liam felt sorry for her.
“So, will you accept my request again?”
“If I can help you, ……Yes, I’m willing to.”
The King looked carefully at the young man’s green eyes and soon opened his heavy mouth.
“It’s a shameful story, but I have a child in my old age.”
“Yes?”
Unlike the words, Arthur’s expression was calm. But Liam was greatly shaken to hear it. Despite his lack of a son, King Felice was famous for his good relationship with the Queen and his daughter.
“His Majesty, I don’t understand.”
Of course, it wasn’t possible for the Queen to have a child, and it’s also strange that he had a child outside in his old age.
“That’s what happened. A few days ago, a child was born and unfortunately, his birth mother had passed away.”
Even if it was decided later, the truth of the matter seemed that the King’s attitude was severe, and he seemed to have already decided.
“I am ashamed of the world, but how can I refuse to be a parent?”
Arthur’s main point came out.
“I’ve already asked the Queen for an apology. So, our royal family has decided to accept the child as mine, if only with the Vatican’s permission.”
It wasn’t uncommon for a noble to enroll illegitimate children as children of their wives. However, the King’s illegitimate child was unusual.
“It’s a shame anyway, but if it’s possible, I want to keep quiet without telling the public.”
Arthur was willing to be a stigma for his daughter. Queen Miriam also agreed to her husband’s opinion as soon as she heard it. For them, the honor was no longer important. That’s because there was already something more critical that happened.
“If the Duke has not forgotten his bond to our royal family, I would like you to ask the Holy Father of the Vatican for a request.”
The Kingdom of Felice had a strong relationship with the Vatican. In addition to following the state religion, the fact that the present Holy Father came from the Felice Kingdom played a significant role.
The small kingdom had its own means of survival. The kingdom of Felice, which enjoyed a wealthy era as a trade industry, made a big donation to the Vatican.
“How can I help you and this royal family?”
Duke Akshire and the Felice Kingdom had long been allies. His father urged him to continue the relationship between the two families by handing down his title. Intuitively, Liam realized that there was something behind the King’s request, but he was not willing to reveal it immediately.
“Of course.” Liam nodded reliably.
“Thank you. Our royal family won’t forget the help of the Duke of Akshire.”
“It is a work that should be done. The Holy Father will understand your love for your son.”
The illegitimate child deserved to be criticized unless the child had the blessing of the Vatican. The King would show the Vatican his faith in gold coins, and it wouldn’t be hard for the Duke of Akshire to step forward as a mediator.
“Then, please leave tomorrow with my letter.”
“Yes. ······But, is the princess doing well?”
Arthur nodded.
“With the help of Duke Akshire, the princess was able to return safely to the royal family. Give my thanks to your father.”
“My father just carried out his duties. If the princess is doing well, that’s enough.”
“Perhaps I shouldn’t have sent your father at all. At that moment, the Emperor asked so strongly that his judgement was blurred without realizing it.”
Liam spared the lament of the King’s words. The Vatican accepted the request for divorce and saw it as an opportunity to weaken the Emperor’s dignity in the middle of a war with the Empire. Thanks to them, Liam was able to do his job without any trouble.
“It’s late, but congratulations for the baby’s birth.”
Liam smiled again.
“It’s not something to be proud of, but…”
Unlike his words, a happy smile spread to the King’s face.
“Give me your baby’s name and gender, and it will be easier to receive the blessing of Holy Father.”
“Yes, this is it.”
Arthur himself took up the pen and wrote every letter carefully on the luxurious parchment. It was the name that Evelyn chose from the names she repeated over and over.
“Adrian….. that’s a good name.”
“Really? You have eyes.”
The King gasped and coughed.
“I congratulate the birth of the prince.”
“What?!!”
The only shortage of the royal family of Felice was the successor. And in a way, Adrian’s birth solved the problem. Actually, it was a little suspicious because of seeing the King’s sincerity or reputation, he obviously never intended to have a son. But it seemed that the Vatican and the public would understand.
“As quietly as possible, please do not let words come out.”
As soon as the child was born, The King didn’t want the news to spread because he was an illegitimate child. Liam nodded as if he understood the meaning.
“For that reason, I believe the Holy Father will also consider it.”
Only
“Yes, I have to tell you that my faith is still strong.”
King Arthur gently finished the conversation.
“I have to go now. I hope Her Majesty Queen and Princess will be healthy.”
“I’ll tell them.”
Arthur saw the sturdy figure of a young man once been called as his son-in-law, and he felt a little regret. Evelyn’s life might have been different without the pressure of Imperial authority to become empress at that time.
If only then….
But Arthur was wise. Instead of regretting, he hurried to see the child who had become the loveliest thing in the royal family.