THE RETURN
It had been about a month away from the Imperial palace but news had spread up to the capital so fast.
Every one was starting to see the image of Charity in the Scoln crown, one that had been unheard of and eventually The Crown couple became popular among the people.
The King who started to look senile given the stress he had endured and the wars he had fought became sickly.
Conelm was never informed about his father's health and the King insisted that he gave his son no need to worry.
He slept less and spent most of his time supervising the royal projects that eventually he stopped all of a sudden.
Word of his health still remained concealed and by the time Soren and Conelm rode in their carriage back to the capital it was with pomp.
The streets were very loud and full of cheers and the jubilation was enormous.
It was a showdown as popularity started to appear in the Crown.
"This Crown has been far too exposed." King Valga said to his two companions, the first being his wife and the second his brother.
"This vulnerability is something that is a little bit too much." Prince Alfred said.
"I agree with him your Majesty." Marietta said.
"What do we do now?" The King asked.
"We used to be the most feared royals on the continent and here we are working in mills and dining with peasants." He added.
"It is Soren's definition of adding some flesh to the crown." Marietta replied.
"Where did you get that?" The King asked.
"A letter from my son, it is a pity he forgot to offer salutations to his father." Marietta said.
"Put that aside, this is no competition for your son's love because it is evident that he is tied to the apron strings of his consort." Prince Alfred.
"Can't there be a constitutional way of dismissing their marriage?" Queen Marietta asked.
"Even if there was, his word is would be law and he could change it." The King said.
"No way to make adjustments to the Crown?" Prince Alfred asked.
"It would all end up changed the moment he'd proceed to become King either." The King replied.
"Can't we alter the succession and put it on a condition?" Queen Marietta asked.
"It has been unchanged for centuries and even worse, Conelm is the strongest there is to succeed me." The King said.
"Besides he is popular with the people." Prince Alfred said.
"And there is his consort who is more popular, I fear if he'd stage a rebellion against his Majesty, he'd have the support of the people." The Queen said.
"I doubt that the people would willingly submit to a foreigner." The King said.
"I do not think that they see him that way." Prince Alfred said.
"What chance has that weak boy got in trying to overthrow our son?" The King finally asked.
"Aren't you concerned that Conelm has him for a vulnerability?" The Queen said.
"May be we are overthinking things, if that was Soren's intention then why would he wait until now?" Prince Alfred asked.
"It is no coincidence that their unborn child died, may be he is waiting until his husband becomes King." The Queen replied.
"How is the death of their child connected to this?" King Valga asked his wife.
"Think about it, if Conelm were to be overthrown without a living child, who would take the reins of Sovereign power?" The Queen replied.
"Someone the people trust." Prince Alfred replied.
"And where would his Majesty's dynasty rest afterwards?" Queen Marietta asked.
"Then what would you have me do to stop that?" King Valga asked.
The three looked at one another.
Before even the next session of court sat down, the Dukes and all the members of parliament were summoned to the Royal residence.
It was alarmingly immediate and the state government barely had an idea.
They operated more as title holders and witnesses as the King passed the Law.
King Valga who managed to walk made it into the throne room shortly after every one else was gathered inside.
The Lords on either side of the room bowed down as he passed followed by his wife and his future successor along with his consort.
"Attention." The men at Arms called and every one fell silent to pay respect to their King.
The King stood up and a scroll was handed over to him with the golden seal.
"I have called for an urgent meeting to pass out my own individual decree.
I wish to declare that upon death of any King, all matters must come into legal formality with the seal of the Queen Dowager herself.
Your King may reside but it is the Queen Mother's duty to ensure that the Monarchy still preserves it's tradition." The King read.
"This is my word and my word is law." The King added and at once every one began to murmur in the hall.
Soren accidentally looked in the direction of his Mother-in-law who looked blissful.
He was confused at the look in her eyes which was a reflection of resentment but he did not say a word.
Conelm remained soundly silent throughout the whole session ans he barely reacted to the News.
"What is the matter?" Soren asked after noticing that his husband was a little bit absent minded.
"Nothing." Conelm replied.
"How certain can you be, if there is something you can talk to me." Soren insisted.
"I am uncertain that my father is alright." Conelm replied.
"What makes you think that?" Soren asked.
"My father is not the type of person there is to grant power to his wife, he is a little bit too controlling." Conelm replied.
"I think he might have a very good reason for that." Soren said.
"I hope so too." Conelm said.
After the decree was read, the rest of the house was dismissed but as usual, the royals stood at the door way and saw the Dukes out.
All the Duchesses and ladies that were present spared time to see the royal couple which had grown popular.
Marietta was even more furious seeing the attention that his son and his consort attracted being a little bit too excess than the King himself.
The King to noticed the threat his wife had seen as the masses bowed and paid homeage before exiting the hall.
The furious King marched to his quarters trying to keep his composure.
Could there have been a possibility that he was jealous of his own son and his Consort, no one would tell.
Marietta however had it written on her face, the popularity of her son-in-law seemed not to be in her favour.
The couple did not react and simply their waves, smiles and handshakes paired with their good looks were enough to win the hearts of the majority.