by Frank David
“I left the next day for Carpathia, ready to serve the Benedictus. I would not see your grandmother again. We agreed it would be for the best as it seemed my future in the Church was set.”
“I was told of your grandmother’s pregnancy and her being asked to leave the Church and return to her parents. When I heard she had married Matthew Brooks, I was relieved to know she and our child would be taken care of. She would not be branded a whore; her child would be considered a legitimate heir of Lord Brooks. Lord Brooks was much older than Olivia and some questioned if he was truly the father of her child. While I had wished I could have been with her, marry her and raise our child together, the Benedictus would not allow this. I had to resolve myself to the fact another man would raise my child. I suffered greatly not being with them.” Antonio again felt the pain he had suffered.
“When I heard of your mother’s pregnancy, I asked my confessor, Sanctus Lucius, if I might go visit Olivia and Belinda. He declined my request and reminded me should the truth be revealed, my future in the Church would be ruined. A year after you were born, in the year 241, the Benedictus died. The other Sancti voted me to be his replacement. It was unexpected. Now being I was Benedictus, I could travel where I chose with no one to stop me. I told my confessor I would be traveling to Moorland to visit Olivia who was now living with your mother. He did not agree with my decision. He had heard the rumors you were the son of the Imperial Prince Royal George. He sent word to Emperor Frederick letting him know what I was planning and my connection to you. Frederick worried I would try to bring you to Carpathia and raise you here. He feared when you were older, I would encourage you to claim your birthright and try to take the throne when the time came.” Antonio was finding it harder to continue his story. He wondered if the lies Madeline shared caused her such discomfort.
“I had arranged my trip to reunite with the family I never knew. It was then I received word of the massacre at Newbury Palace. I was told you were all killed. It was not until I heard of the Imperial Prince Royal’s bastard child that I knew the reports were not completely true. I rushed to Jascaessau to confront Frederick. I knew he was behind the attack. He wanted to secure the throne for a child of George and Madeline. I arrived in the Imperial Capital and had an audience with your grandfather. I asked him what he planned to do with you. He assured me he would treat you as his grandson, but you would never rise to the throne. I asked if he would allow you to return with me to Carpathia, but he refused. Again, he feared I would allow you to use my armies to assume the throne. I threatened to expose the truth about the massacre and have my armies attack Hulsteria if he would not give you to me. He promised me if I made any move against him or spoke of his involvement in the deaths he would have you killed. I could not risk your life. I had failed your mother and grandmother. I could not allow you to face the same fate. All those who knew the truth were dead. Only your grandfather, myself, and my confessor knew the truth. My confessor refused to support my campaign so, I was left with no choice but to allow Frederick to keep you.” Antonio was becoming angry thinking over the events.
“George asked Frederick to make you his legitimate heir. That was when Frederick started the story I had raped your grandmother. He used it to keep you and me in line. He claimed I would come for you if you were to be placed on the throne, out of vengeance. His plan worked, but he did not come up with this plan on his own. George had discussed his plans with Madeline. Madeline wanted to make sure her daughter, your sister, remained the rightful heir to Hulsteria. She went to Frederick and explained George’s plan. She convinced Frederick to deny George’s request and devised the story of Olivia’s rape. She knew it would keep me from saying anything. You see, grandson, you were a pawn in Madeline’s attempt to ensure her daughter would be Empress,” Antonio sat waiting for Roderick to respond.
“You expect me to believe everyone has gone through these elaborate stories just to keep me off the throne? They made false claims of rape so Stela would ascend the throne? What makes you think I would believe one word of this story? I was told you were obsessed with my grandmother. You were unhinged when she refused your advances, so you took what you wanted.” Roderick doubted the words the old man spoke. Madeline had never given him a reason not to believe her story.
“If I was obsessed with Olivia as you claim, why was it I never made any attempt to see her? Why would I have her murdered? I was Benedictus when her death occurred. There was no higher power than mine. If rumors of me raping her had become known, the Church and I would have denied any wrongdoing. Why would Olivia not have gone to Frederick with complaints of rape? Why did she quickly marry Matthew Brooks to protect her and her child? Women who become pregnant from rape are not chastised. Do you not see the holes in their story?” Antonio wanted Roderick to see how implausible the story was.
“Might I interrupt, gentlemen?” The voice came from behind them.
Roderick turned to see a man standing behind him. “Who are you?”
“Grandson, this is Braynard Duine, Master Scientia.” Antonio was glad to see Braynard.
“No disrespect, Scientia, but we are having a private discussion. How long have you been standing here listening?” Roderick found it rude the man would interrupt them.
“I only just arrived. I believe you need proof your grandfather speaks the truth. Morgan, do you mind if we approach?” He looked to the Benedictus.
“Morgan. It has been so many years since I have been addressed as such and now twice in one day. Please come forward,” Antonio motioned them to him.
Braynard stood between Roderick and Antonio. He placed a hand on Roderick and his other on Antonio. “I know you have experienced the powers of the Magisters. Young Daniella told you of her visions and you witnessed her healing. If you allow me, I will show you another power some possess.
The images flashed through Roderick’s mind. His grandmother and the Benedictus. He could feel the love between the two. He felt the admiration they shared. He saw the two together during her education. He could feel her emotions for the young Dilexit growing as they spent time together, the pain they both experienced when they were forced to separate. The visions stopped, the emotions he was experiencing ended.
“This is some trick. You put those visions in my head.” Roderick noticed the tears. The experience had brought a reaction he had not expected.
“I assure you, what you experienced was the love and pain your grandparents shared. Perhaps when you return to Jascaessau, I will visit you and Madeline, so you might experience her emotion associated with her story,” Braynard stepped back.
“What about Mrs. Ports? She said she heard the men who killed Olivia and my mother talking about you?” Roderick had found the hole in Antonio’s story.
“Roderick, you are not stupid. Those men were sent to kill everyone who lived in the palace. Why would they discuss their plans knowing you were undiscovered? They needed an eye witness which is why they allowed you and Mrs. Ports to survive. Frederick did not want you dead, he only wanted you orphaned. He wanted to be able to claim you and ensure you brought no trouble for your sister. Madeline, on the other hand, she wanted you dead. Had you been permitted to stay with Belinda, you would have been a threat to Stelaphina’s claim.” Antonio’s anger was getting the better of him. He began to shake.
“They let the poor woman live in fear all these years believing you and your men might show up and kill her?” Roderick found it hard to believe Frederick would allow Mrs. Ports to suffer all those years fearing her life was in danger.
“Yes, I am afraid they did. Frederick and Madeline needed to keep Mrs. Ports close. Which is why she works in Jascaessau. They assigned her to an estate that has been without a lord since she arrived. They kept her from the stories and rumors.” Antonio knew all the details. Nothing Roderick said surprised him.
Roderick stood there, he had no words. Those he believed to be family, those he believed loved him, had betrayed him. They took his mother from him out of fear
of what might be. His anger grew. “Madeline claims Stela is unaware of all of this. Is this true?”
“As far as I am aware, Stelaphina has no knowledge of any of this. She has no idea of how your mother met her death. She never cared enough to inquire.” Antonio did not want him to be upset with the Empress, she was as much a victim as Roderick.
“I came to you for help. I still seek your help. I also came to you to avenge the death of my family, but it seems my vengeance should be directed elsewhere. Will you help Hulsteria, grandfather?” Roderick was shaken by the revelations but needed to do what he had come for.
“I will, Roderick, for you not for your sister. I still think she is not fit to sit upon the throne, but I know how you care for her. Also, I have a gift I wish to present you. I think you will be quite pleased.” Antonio motioned to his adviser who was waiting to reenter the room. The man approached. Antonio whispered in the man’s ear and he left.
“I had a visitor. He was requesting asylum. Consider this a gesture to show I do care for you and those you hold dear.”
Roderick watched as the man reappeared. He was accompanied by a young man. Roderick thought he recognized him, but could not be sure.
As soon as the man saw Roderick, he turned to run. The adviser grabbed him and forced him to the center of the room. He stood before Roderick, keeping his head down. He hoped Roderick would not recognize him.
“Roderick, I give you the Imperial Royal Prince, Samuel Roberts of Woodbridge. He came here with the Empress’ Sanctus after he murdered your cousin, Rupert Turlington. I give him to you to do with as you please.” A smile spread across Antonio’s face.
Roderick just stared at the man. He wanted to reach out and beat the man within an inch of his life. He believed such a punishment would be too good for him. “Thank you, Benedictus. I am forever in your debt. I never imagined I would be leaving Carpathia with your armies and a fugitive. Stela will be quite pleased.”
“I did not do this for your Empress, I did this for you.” Antonio smiled at Roderick. He felt light; the secrets were out. He had committed the greatest confession of his life. He had a family, something he had always missed. “Now allow me to prepare my men. When they are ready, I will send them to Jascaessau. You are free to return when you are ready. I am sure you miss your family. Speaking of, when this is all finished, might I meet your wife and children less formally?”
“Of course! Once this is all behind us, I will bring them here to meet you.” Roderick grabbed Samuel and left the throne room, as the man struggled.
“My sister will be quite happy to see you, Samuel,” he smiled at the struggling man. “You will not be slipping away again. I will make sure you are brought to justice for what you did.” He pulled Samuel by the shirt as they headed toward the docks.
“You did not tell him about the girl. Why?” Braynard asked Antonio.
“You know as well as I do, he has learned enough for one day. If I gave him another story, he might not have believed me. The girl will show herself for who she is. I have seen it, my lord. Besides, she means Roderick no harm.” Antonio stood and approached Braynard. He knelt and kissed the man’s hand. “Thank you for coming and helping Roderick see the truth.”
“The decision is yours, Morgan. I just hope you understand, keeping him in the dark will delay your meeting with his family. I fear there are darker evils in store for the Empress.” Braynard stepped back.
“I do not care about her. I only care about Roderick.” Antonio returned to his seat. “Are you sure what you are about to bring on Hulsteria is wise? Are you worried about the innocent who will die just to satisfy your own desires?”
Braynard stared at the man. He knew his concern was true though he was surprised he would question him. “I have to test her. I have to know she is suitable. I do not want lives to be lost, but it is inevitable. I lost my chance with Declan. I will not lose my chance with Stelaphina.” He paused thinking of what was coming. It was necessary. This is how he justified his actions. “I have already set the events in motion. I have provided her with several powerful allies; the youngest of the Imperials have already started to realize their powers. It will not be long until the older Imperials realize their birthright as well.”
“Will you be able to control them, or will their powers be too great for you?” Antonio worried Braynard’s desire might destroy Saaveth. “I fear the danger of these powers untrained. It took years for me to learn to control mine. You are releasing these powers without proper training. I mean no disrespect; I just worry your desire has clouded your vision, my lord.”
“I can control them all if needed. I trust the Imperials will use the powers wisely. The Gallaghers are the ones I need to watch. I fear Daniella’s rage and hate for the Imperials will make her careless, but she is instrumental in what is to come. I have seen the outcome. Do not worry Benedictus, Saaveth will survive and be all the better for what is coming.” He bowed before the Benedictus then vanished.
Three
Stela sat waiting to see if her advisers would attend. It had been several months since they last gathered. After the events at her sister’s birthday celebration, most declined invitations to the palace, court, and council meetings. She had hoped the time which had passed allowed some of the wounds to heal. She missed not only her advisers but her family as well. All she believed she had was family and she wanted to hold tight to those with whom she had some connection.
Rupert’s funeral was particularly difficult for Stela. Family in attendance would not even acknowledge she was there. Even Charity, with whom she was closest, would not address the Empress. This action caused Stela more pain than her husband’s betrayal. She loved Charity as if she were a sister, not merely a distant cousin. The thought of the bond being severed pierced her heart deeply.
Thanks to her cousin Courtney, the Imperial Grand Duchess of Colonstay, she was able to pull herself out of the state of self-pity she had allowed herself to fall into. She was now prepared to fight for Hulsteria and its people. She would face whatever forces would threaten the peace whether it be her brother or one of the other empires. She would see Hulsteria remained under her watch. She still worried about Edmund. She had not received any confirmation of his death. She doubted he was able to survive the unforgiving sea, but she was starting to believe anything was possible. If he were still alive, he was as much a threat as her brother. This was not a time to be passive. She needed to remain alert and attentive to all that was occurring around the empire and Saaveth.
The door opened. Stela had hoped it was Charity, but Courtney entered instead. At least hers was a friendly face. The two had issues but were able to overcome them for the good of the people.
“Stela! I am glad to see you have returned to the land of the living. I am sorry if I was stern, but I could not sit back and watch you let everything slip away. I do not claim to understand the pain you have endured, but I also know if you continued to ignore your duties, the resulting pain would have been greater, not only for yourself but for all the people of Hulsteria.” Courtney walked over and embraced her cousin.
“Thank you again, Courtney. I do not know why I allowed myself to be so affected. I had always suspected Edmund’s infidelity. Perhaps it was that it also involved Sofia. Of course, there was Rupert’s death which compounded the pain even further.” Stela returned the embrace and smiled at her cousin.
The door opened as the two ended their embrace. The other council members were arriving. The kings and queens entered, followed by the appointed advisers. Rupert’s position remained unfilled as did Edmund’s and the Sanctus. Stela could not bring herself to replace Rupert just yet. It was difficult enough to turn his title over to Calvin. She could not imagine filling his seat. All entered without a word but went straight to their seats.
Thomasine was last to enter, which had become her custom. “Majesty. It is good to see you out and about, even if it is only to attend a meeting. I worried after your sister returned, you might retre
at to your room. I am glad to see I was wrong.”
Stela stood before those gathered. “I know most of you have lost your confidence in my ability to rule. This is not about you or me, it is about Hulsteria. My brother, the Imperial Prince Royal, is still missing and his agenda remains unknown. Until he returns, I am forced to believe he is attempting to gather support for his claim to the throne.” She paused, still trying to come to terms with her brother’s disappearance.
“Also, we have yet to receive verification about the Emperor Consort. It is still unknown if he lives or if he died at sea. If he lives, Hulsteria is at risk. The Imperial Princess Royal Sofia has been questioned at length. She does not know what became of Edmund when his ship sank. These two facts put us all on high alert. If you support Roderick’s claim, then I would not expect your support if he does return to seek the throne. If, however, we find Edmund lives and decides to attack, I do ask for your assistance in that matter. While Roderick would only be coming for me and would not intend the people, nor any of you, harm, Edmund, I believe will do what he must to secure the throne.”
“If Roderick returns to claim the throne, I will not fight his claim. This I promise you. I will not put the realm through a war between siblings. If Edmund attacks, that I will fight, to my death if need be. He has played many of us for fools, and I will not give up my people easily,” Stela looked about as she surveyed those around her. They remained emotionless. Had she lost their support completely?
“Majesty. May I speak?” Charity stood.
“Please, Imperial Highness.” Stela was not sure what Charity was about to say but would not refuse her the chance to say it.
“Rupert was like a brother to me. I do not mean to bring this up, but I need to clear my conscience. I can no longer carry the hate for you that has consumed me for far too long. His smile always brought a smile to my face. We shared so much. If I did not have my own family, I fear I would not have survived the loss. I have been selfish, and for this, I apologize. I overlooked the pain you have been dealt. I know you loved Rupert as I did. You did not only lose Rupert. For a time, you lost your sister and believed her dead. You lost your husband, still unsure of his fate. You have a brother that deserted you when you needed him most. I must admit, I do not believe he is doing anything to bring you or Hulsteria harm. I am sorry that I have been so cruel. I will support you regardless of who leads any army that approaches any of the seven kingdoms. We are on the cusp of a period of healing. A time to forgive and move forward. If anyone desires to claim the throne from Your Imperial Majesty, the armies of Welshpool stand ready to defend you and Hulsteria.” Tears filled Charity’s eyes as she spoke, missing her cousins.