Empire of Dreams

*41*

I went into the official courtroom. All the courtiers bowed before the Duke of Northumberland walked up to me, having been Edward's closest advisor. 

"Queen Jane, what adjustments do you need to begin your reign?" He asked lazily as if all this was a bother to him. 

"My first two changes will be, I'll not be addressed as Queen Jane, I will take up a different name- a state name. And you will not assist me."

There was a dreadful silence in the court. This was already an unprecedented reign, but they had not expected such a significant change on the very first day. So I continued, 

"From now on begins the reign of Queen Narcissa"

***

Any person who was even distantly related to the royal family was here now. Anne, Catherine, Mary, Elizabeth, Kathyrn, Little Mary and my sister Mary. My parents were here too, along with the court members, knights and palace staff. The palace garden almost began to look small. Soon, everything would be changed and Jane had carefully planned it all. She just hoped it would work. 

"My dear subjects, my family and my life, I am here before you to inform you about some important decisions for my reign. I would like to begin with Princess Mary" I said walking over to her. 

"She is not a princess anymore! Edward declared her illegitimate!" The Duke of Northumberland shouted. 

"Thank you for the precious piece of information, Duke. Now if you would let me proceed" I said nonchalantly before proceeding. 

"So, Princess Mary, I would like to provide you with the opportunity to be Lady Chancellor and Privy Chamber. Would you accept it?"

Mary looked genuinely surprised but after some time, she recovered and replied, "I am grateful for the honour, my queen, but I cannot accept this position for reasons you already know about"

I nodded once, proceeding to my sister Kathyrn. "I would like to offer you the same position but instead of Privy Chamber, Privy Wardrobe"

Before Kathyrn could reply, her husband, Lord Herbert interrupted, "Have you lost your mind! A court full of ladies?" 

"I would like to remind every man present here, especially you Lord Herbert, that queens can also chop heads off and I will not hesitate"

"Does your position not seem a bit..... temporary? Will you even last, like, 9 days?" He asked with a smirk. 

"How long I will last shouldn't be your main concern right now because right at this moment I can take a sword and chop your head off without facing any consequence. It is not only the kings who can be merciless" I said, draining the colour from his face. 

"So sister, what will it be?" I asked her

"Yes, it is a yes." she smiled, certainly happy at her husband's insult. 

"Elizabeth, I would like to make you Lady President of Council and the head of England's new exploration council which will cross borders and seas to discover new lands "

Elizabeth hugged me immediately, "I, of course, agree"

"This reign is a joke. You should be in the Tower of London waiting for someone's mercy" Duke of Northumberland suggested. 

"Thank you for reminding me of my next big decision. The royal residence will be changed from Greenwich Palace to the Tower of London. Any further explanation about this will be given publicly later"

I then moved on to Lady Irem. "Will you do me the honour of becoming Lady Steward of the household and mistress of jewels?"

"Of course, my Queen" she curtsied elegantly. 

"Lady Libitina, Cofferer, Comptroller and Lady Treasurer" I offered and she dutifully nodded. 

"Mother, Privy Chamber and Stewardess England would suit you, don't you think?" I suggested and overjoyed, she engulfed me in a hug. 

"That is all? You will just go and give all the titles to mostly your family members and some favourites? What about us Lords? Our families have served the royal family for ages! does our contribution amount to nothing?" One of the lords questioned.

"Send your wives and daughters to me and I will see what I can do. But, I am making it clear right here and now, there is no place for scheming and controlling men in my court. As is common knowledge, each one of you men is exactly those two things, which means you can bid your positions farewell."

Many huffed and fumed in anger but they could not do anything. 

"Elizabeth, ready for the first order of the reign?" I grinned.

"Yes, my queen"

"Then prepare for my coronation the day after tomorrow. All here in attendance are invited. Each knight must attend with their family, for they will all be honoured for serving England after the Coronation. The Coronation, according to tradition, will be held at Westminster. Then, a procession will follow me from Westminster to the Tower of England, where the throne room and royal office will now be. My secondary residence, however, will be, Nonsuch Palace. Its construction shall be presided over by me. May god be with you all" I said, dismissing them. 

Once everyone else was gone, the family along with Lady Irem and Libitina returned inside the palace. 

"Some information for you all. Elizabeth, since you love Richmond so much, you and Mary shall stay there. Aunt Catherine, Westenhanger is still all yours. Oatlands Palace will be yours now, Mother. Anne, I hope you will return there too." They were all satisfied with the arrangement and I felt relieved that everything so far had gone according to plan. Now came the major news- succession. 

"I would also like to address the main concern now. I will be revising the succession act. While you, Mary and Elizabeth, will be legitimatized, I wished to obliterate this struggle for succession. Thus, you will both be given the title Princesses Regencia, a title made especially for you, but my successor will be Little Mary. That is if Aunt Catherine agrees."

"Of course, I agree, but you know about Mary's ..... inability," she said timidly.

"I assure you, Aunt, she'll be as magnificent a Queen as any when the time comes and she can choose someone as her regent when the time comes to do the speaking but this will secure the lineage without totally changing the dynasty. The Tudor rule shall continue. I hope you agree, Mary. Elizabeth?"

"I think this is for the best," both the sisters said at the same time. 

"Just so you know, Jane- I mean, Queen Narcissa, I will not attack your reign. You will be safe. I just do not want for it to seem I did not fight for my religion and my people" Mary added.

"Be assured, I will fix all of this at my coronation" I promised

Author's Note

The story is at its almost ending. Only 4 more chapters to go. Queen Narcissa's rule has finally begun. The reason for this name will be revealed in the coming chapters. Until then, here's a song for the chapter.