My hands were trembling as I held the papers.
This is it. I remind myself. Just sign it and everything you have ever worked for will become true.
Blanché came in just when I held my pen to sign the paper.
"Your Majesty, all the civilians have evacuated from Sydney. The squads that you prepared earlier have taken their positions at the harbour." She reported in quick succession, sounding almost like a robot.
"What about the DHO? Have they cleared out yet?" If the DHO hadn't cleared up the mess it had created, then the war might not be a success.
"Yes, Your Majesty. They've cleared up their files, the employees have resigned and went to their hometowns and the headquarters has been shutdown."
"Good." I left the papers on the desk, denying to accept the end to this and walked over to the window.
"Can you see it Blanché? When I sign those papers, the ones on my desk right now, it will end. The curse of blood and war that my great grandfather started, it will end." I asked her, stating the obvious as I looked down the window to see guards and soldiers running to their positions here and there.
"Are you sure about this? I mean, do you really think this is the only way to do this, Emerald?" She asked, a hint of sorrow in her voice.
Emerald. She used my name and when she did, it meant that she knew the obvious, but she wanted to hear it from me, not as a queen, but as a friend.
I walked over and placed an assuring hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure. This is the only way and our sacrifices will pay off."
I had a keen sense it will.
"Last night, I finally dreamt of the after scenes of what I had been dreaming for a week now." I started speaking after a moment of uncomfortable silence. "I told you that every time, when I fell to the floor, the nightmare ended, right?" She nodded, listening to me carefully, noting every detail and the pitch of my voice.
"When I fell to the floor and closed my eyes, instead of feeling cold and numb, I felt warm, When I opened my eyes, I found myself standing on flowers. Thousands of them. Ahead of me, was the ocean and I saw them. Singing, dancing, playing, having fun." My voice cracked then, at their mention. I imagined them, with my mind's eye, smiling and giggling cheerily. Collecting sea shells and making faces in the wet sand, leaving their foot prints as they walk away, further and further down the beach and into the endless ocean. "They turned around, towards me and when they extended their hands toward me, calling me, I felt like my heart was about to explode from the heat and happiness. They're calling me, Blanché. I need to go. And even if I end up in hell, I know I will meet them in heaven, some day, after paying for my sins. I know I will." Before I knew it, tears started falling down my cheeks.
I composed myself, quickly wiped my tears and turned towards the table to finally sign the papers. "With this single signature, the constitution established in 1998 will dissolve and a new, democratic government will be formed. The curse will end with this final sacrifice." I picked up my pen and with trembling hands, finally signed it off. This was it. This marked the end of everything.
One last thing left to put an end to this.
I turned around and gave my final orders to Blanché, before officially stepping off the throne. "Your work here is done now, Blanché. You know what to do next. Your last job. My last order."
"I will make sure to carry out your will successfully." Blanché nodded with determined look in her deep brown eyes.
"Call Ren Xander to meet me here."
---------------------------
🔸Tip: The Brecei kingdom is composed of the Islands bordering Canada from North to East (aka Queen Elizabeth Islands). Each island plays it's role as a city in the kingdom. Initiallly, the Capital was Baffin City (aka Baffin Island) which was later moved to Sydney.