The Royal Contract

Usually, if the King came to visit him, he informed him or his staff beforehand. But today, there was no notice that he was coming. He wondered what was so urgent.

“I came to check on my brother.” The King uttered as he scanned the room.

It had been a while since he had last visited his brother in his home. Mostly, he summoned his brother to the palace for whatever he needed from him.

“You should be resting and not roaming the street of the Kingdom. You should have called for me. I would have come immediately.” The Duke informed the King, concerned about his welfare.

Although the doctor said he was out of danger, he still believed he should be resting back in his castle. However, he was glad to see his brother well and back in shape.

“Well, it is getting boring, being stuck inside that place with nothing else to do but follow everyone’s orders.” Edward sat on the soft cushion of the Duke’s favorite armchair.

.....

He always wondered if his brother ever regretted giving up the crown. Although he had loved being a King, a part of him still felt his brother had the better deal in this.

But his brother did not force this on him. Nobody had forced the crown on his head since he freely accepted the responsibility. But seeing how he had raised his son, sometimes he could not help but blame his position for taking his time away from him.

“Just wait till you get back completely on your feet, and you will be swamped with work once again.” He told his brother as he sat opposite him and observed his peculiar behavior.

He still had to find out what his brother came here to do. He could tell that this was not a social call. His brother needed something from him.

“Maybe.” He shrugged his shoulder as if he was not entirely sure of what he said. “Or I might be out of my chair sooner than I think.” The King added.

He had heard from his loyal people that a secret meeting took place while he rested in his chambers. It had been privy to only the Council members and no one else. Nobody knew what the meeting had been all about except for some speculations.

“What are you saying, Edward?” He wondered if his brother was onto what was happening around him.

Ever since his brother had his attack, the Court had made sure to lessen his responsibility, not wanting him to take on more stress than necessary.

But he wondered if he had heard of the meeting and had an idea of what they had discussed. But his statement, the King might have a slight idea of what the Council had suggested.

“Are they already talking about replacing me? Does the Council think that I could not handle my responsibilities anymore?” He questioned his brother, hoping he would not keep secrets from him.

As the Council leader, he would be frank about the standing of the Council regarding his ruling. Although he felt as strong as a horse regardless of what happened to him, he could not blame the Council for panicking and finding alternatives solutions to the problem.

Now that his son was not allowed to sit on the throne, he was still without an heir unless Alex accepted the responsibility. The question remained. Would he?

“Yes, the topic had been placed on the table during the meeting.” The Duke could never lie to his brother or even to his King.

It might not be a national emergency, but he was still his brother. He wanted him to prepare himself for the inevitable. There was a point in their lives they had to accept change.

“I see.” The King sighed, feeling a little disappointed, but he had expected as much. However, he was thankful that his brother told him the truth and did not keep this from him.

He leaned closer, resting his elbows on his knees, contemplating what he had just heard. Now that there was a chance that he would step down from his position, he wondered what the Council had decided on his place.

“It is still only speculation if you will not return to your previous health. It is not final and binding.” The Duke told his brother, not wanting him to feel that he and the Council had betrayed him and his title.

There was a rule and a process that they had to follow. It was not as simple as dethroning a King from his position. There would be deliberations and evidence that needed to be submitted before they could proceed to change leadership.

“When there is fire, someone is feeding it with fuel.” The King resignedly uttered, staring at his brother as if he knew that there was more to the story.

He was not naive. He could tell that this idea did not come to life without someone opening up the topic. Someone wanted his position, and he doubted it was his brother.

As far as he knew, his brother would not force his son to this responsibility unless Alex would want it himself. In the past, Alex had already declined the throne more than once. Who else wanted to be King?

“Do you trust me?” The Duke asked his brother. “For now, all I want from you is rest. Let me handle this.”

He did not wait for the King’s answer. He knew that he did. However, he needed his brother to concentrate on getting himself better while he handled the situation. He would ask for his help if he needed it.

“I do, but I am not an imbecile. I can still think and act just like you.” The King said, not agreeing that his brother took the entire burden onto himself.

Whatever was happening in his Kingdom, he wanted to be part of resolving it. After all, he was still the King that ruled over all of them.

“I am sorry, but you are right. You deserve to know everything that is happening around you. I should have treated you like you are already on your deathbed.” He smiled at his younger brother, standing up from his seat and tapping him on the shoulder.

He knew if someone could help him with this problem, it would be his brother. Nobody would have a better opinion on this matter than the King himself.

“It is about time somebody recognized that I am still alive and kicking.” The King jokingly told his brother as he tapped his brother’s hand. “Tell me. What is going on?”

He was not concerned that the Council was already thinking of replacing him in his position. He would gladly accept his fate if they found him not fit to be King of their Kingdom anymore.

Maybe it would be a blessing in disguise in his case. He could finally have the peace that his brother felt when he had declined the crown.

But he still wished to know what fate lay ahead of their Kingdom. Who would be the next leader to take his place? Who would reign supreme?