"The throne must always be filled with a crown. That's your duty, your majesty. It comes before any other duties of yours." The man closest to the throne spoke up.
With sharp eagle eyes, his chin held up in the air. His glare sent a chill down Agatha's spine. Even with the most polite threat, it sounded no better than a threat to her.
"Minister Adolphus. I don't need you to remind me of my duties, I am well aware of it. As of now, my priority is my newlywed wife." Xavier politely answered, his words were like a warning.
"If that's what you desire, your majesty." Adolphus didn't argue and bowed, taking his seat. Edgar gritted his teeth going back to his place.
"Agatha of Chrishenburgh, who married Xavier of Acarvia. As you know, your husband is the ruler of this fruitful kingdom of Acarvia. However, that doesn't make you Queen..." Adolphus declared.
"To become the Queen of Acarvia, one shall prove their love and loyalty to the throne. Can you prove to us that you will always put Acarvia above your interest? Can we trust you with the crown?" Another one of the men sitting beside Adolphus questioned.
Agatha already knew which direction they were going. "Acarvia is my motherland. I was born here. My love and loyalty for my own motherland exceed the one born in a foreign land. No one can love it more than me." Agatha announced, sparing a glance at Edgar as she quoted foreign land.
"That's a nice speech, my lady. But, it doesn't prove anything." Adolphus understood the underlying meaning of her words.
Agatha smirked, "In that sense, I can also question your integrity towards the throne."
Adolphus's eyes almost popped out of their socket in fury. As the assembly gasps at her statement.
"How can a lassie born just a decade ago dare to question my integrity?! I have served the crown twice the age you are!" Adolphus yelled, his eyes bloodshot.
"I dare not, I am just saying. However, the way you react says a lot, Minister Adolphus." Agatha reminded him subtly before changing the topic and announcing," Give me a year, I shall prove my love and loyalty to the crown and Acarvia."
The assembly went quiet looking at each other. Even Adolphus went quiet. The rumours about the lady seemed false. A gentle and quiet one like a fawn? Who even started such lies? The woman was dangerous, her face might look innocent but her eyes said the opposite. She was going to be a block on his goals.
"What if you can't prove it?" Adolphus questioned.
"Both my marriage and life are laid in front of you. Whichever seems appropriate punishment for you. I will accept without a question." Agatha daringly declared.
Adolphus grinned, "Fellow assemblymen, you are all witness to her daring proposal. If after a year, Agatha of Chrishenburgh proves her worth, she shall be announced as the new queen of Chrishenburgh. If not… she is obligated to annul this marriage and announce it never took place and get punished under the forgery and pretence as a royal." Adolphus' blatant remark caused the assemblymen to murmur among themselves.
Xavier's heart dropped hearing how she easily put her life over the most unimportant thing. Was being a queen more important than her life?
"I refuse!" Xavier announced, bringing the room to silence. "As the crown, I decline such an absurd gamble." He continued, glaring at both the assembly and her for taking her life and marriage so lightly.
"Your Majesty, I am not the one who suggested this," Adolphus responded, noticing how fear-stricken Xavier was.
"I suggested such a daring request because I am confident in my words. Have a bit of trust, Your Majesty." Agatha claimed.
"As you see, you can't deny when she suggested it. Whoever agrees, please raise their hands." Adolphus exclaimed.
Much to Xavier's disapproval, almost all of the assembly raised their hands. Like a reminder of how powerless he was. The Crown holds the most power, they say, he is the god, the ruler and the king yet he was not even strong enough to save her. Like a bitter poison, he has to swallow the fact she might die after a year.
Xavier knows these people, they will do anything to fail her in this mission. Under the false pretence, they will try to kill her and he could only see.
Agatha nodded, and bowed, taking her leave. Letting the court discuss political affairs. It was not her place and neither did she want to waste time there. She had far more important things to do.
Stanley waited for her outside the court, "Stanley, was there anything important on our wedding day?" Agatha questioned; remembering how Edgar urged them to reach the palace as soon as possible.
"Wasn't that your wedding, Your Majesty? Other than that, The princess of Embermoon is residing at her uncle's place for a few days." Stanley answered, pondering a bit.
Agatha looked at Stanley in amusement. No wonder Edgar was so determined to have them arrive as early as possible. It was to matchmake Xavier and her niece. If Agatha didn't come into the picture, Xavier and the princess were supposed to marry each other. However, during his journey, Xavier suddenly asked to be married and in two days she became the queen.
"Let's invite her for tea, shall we?" Agatha hummed.
"But… your Highness you are going on honeymoon by the next sunrise," Stanley argued.
Agatha groaned just hearing the word honeymoon. If life wasn't troubled enough now she has to spend the next two weeks with that black-bellied person in the same room with no outside contact. Was that supposed to make her jump in ecstasy? Because it doesn't seem to. The only thing she felt was an annoyance and the misery of wasting two weeks doing nothing but getting annoyed.
"Stanley, if I wish to cancel such arrangements… Can I?" Agatha questioned hoping for a yes.
" No, your majesty. It's one of your duties. The crown needs an heir." Stanley crushed all her hopes of getting out of the situation.