Havoc of Betrayal

CHAPTER 38 - Peace

Chapter 38

The crowd was gathered, chatter going around as they stood in the throne room, awaiting their king. When the king walked in, silence took over, everyone facing the throne as he entered with his queen, his brother following them out onto the dais.

Mathias stood tall, sure as he addressed the crowd, some frowning at his brother still with mistrust even when he'd cleared his name. He made sure he was firm when he spoke, announcing loud enough for all to hear, "I, Mathias Corbett Gallorich, King to Thutruix, relinquish my throne to the rightful heir, Andries Samuel Gallorich, first born son of King Malakai Hayden Gallorich." An uproar of arguments followed, but he gave it no mind as he went on, "Silence!" Mathias said when it became too loud, and the crowd slowly simmered down, "His innocence has been proven, and the rightful traitors have been dealt with. It is time for him to reclaim what is his, and I will gladly give him back his throne. This is not a negotiation, this is my last command as your king. Any objections or attempts to threaten your king will be dealt with as treason, and you shall be punished accordingly." He then turned to his brother, nodding to him to advance before he was beside him, "Do you accept the throne, King Andries, to join both Jomion and Thutruix and become the most powerful nation, a force to be reckoned with."

"I do. And I shall give my life to protect my kingdom." He said.

Mathias smiled, his hands lifting to his crown, as Andries removed his own, Detrick stepping up with a pillow to take Andries's crown away before Mathias placed his on his brother's head. Mathias then unbuckled his sword, handing it to his brother who frowned at him before Mathias said, "It is to be at the side of Thutruix's king. And that is now you, brother." Andries took it from him, nodding as he looked down at it with nostalgia. It was to be his once his father passed, and now it was. Andries looked back at his brother who pointed at the throne, stepping aside as Andries walked to the throne, taking a seat before Mathias dropped to a knee, making many in the crowd, ones still in disbelief gasp and start muttering as he said loudly, "I swear my fealty to you, King Andries. I shall be in service to the throne until you say otherwise, and I shall protect my king and his heirs until I draw my last breath."

Axel stepped up to the throne, kneeling behind Mathias, and a moment later Eloise was beside him, on her knees swearing the same. Slowly, the entire throne room was bowing to their new king.

***

Andries sighed as he placed his crown on the table in the study, looking at Mathias when he heard him chuckle. "It is heavy."

Andries smiled, asking, "Does it make you feel lighter?"

Mathias took in a deep breath, eyes softening as he looked away. He looked back at Andries when he held out a glass of wine to him, taking it from him and taking a sip before he asked, "Does it make your burdens heavier?"

"I had been preparing for this day my entire life growing up. It isn't something I wasn't expecting. Ask me again in a few months." Andries laughed. Mathias had an almost permanent smile on his lips, making Andries ask, "Brother, are you alright?"

Mathias's brows furrowed ever so slightly, his smile ever present as he breathed, "Better than I have been in a long time."

"That is good."

"It is." Mathias said, feeling Andries's hand on his shoulder, "This is how it was always supposed to be. You, the king, and I, your trusted right hand."

"And so it is, even if it took a little longer than we expected." Andries breathed, "Taye..." Andries said when he saw his brother's mind drift off again, "What is on your mind?"

"Leaving here." Mathias said simply.

"When are you?" Andries found himself asking.

"Tomorrow, I hope. The past few weeks have been stressful, dealing with everything, sentencing all the traitors, and finalizing how we were going to unite the kingdoms. I just need... a break."