A Sacred House

Chapter XIX: The Duke of Dinefwr

Thirteen years into Morgan's reign

Malcolm won the crusader state, all is well. The alliance is strong, Anna is pregnant again and is expecting to give birth next year. All is peaceful, Matilda and Kane are well. All is great.

I flip through my bills, someone knocks on my door. " Enter", I say after standing up and fixing my crown to my head. Dylan walks in and bows.

" Your Royal Majesty, Duke Kane and Duchess Matilda are here to see you", Dylan informs me. " Okay, send them up", I say, Dylan's waves, Kane and Matilda walk in.

" Hello, please sit, wine?", I ask as Matilda and Kane sit. " Sure", they both answer. I pour wine into their glasses. " We need to discuss William", Matilda says after taking a sip.

" Why?", I ask. " He is a bright young boy, a genius. But he is without title. May I recommend you grant him the Duchy of Gwynedd, or the Duchy of Dinefwr", Kane says.

" The Duchy of Dinefwr", I say with my voice trembling. Matilda grabs my hand, " Calm Morgan, I know you miss Bertie", Matilda says in a calm voice.

" I wouldn't give William Bertie's title, the Duchy of Gwynedd it is", I say after wiping a tear. " Speak to Archbishop Owen, he'll help", Kane says after standing up with Matilda. They walk out as my hands shake.

I quickly pour wine into my glass and chug it down. I wipe the sweat from my forehead as Anna walks in. " Are you okay M", Anna asks as I pour another glass of wine.

" No, I-, I want to talk to you about Mary", I say, my voice trembling. Anna's eyes widen. " Who told you about my sister?", Anna asks. " Wilhelm, I just wanted to say sorry. For putting you through my sob story, when you have your own to deal with", I respond, grabbing Anna's hand.

" It's been a long time since I thought of Mary. I was eleven, she was twelve. She was kind and good, you shouldn't feel bad. I've dealt with it. It's been twenty-two years", Anna informs me, holding in tears.

" I lost Albert eighteen years ago. I still can't move on, I could have done something, saved him perhaps", I say crying. Anna hugs me, " You did your best. You couldn't have done anything else", Anna says gripping me tight.

" I still feel him, over this family, not harming us, but protecting us", I say after wiping my tears. " I know", Anna says. " I'm scared, of what's coming. Death", I say quietly.

" You'll get to meet Albert, and Rhodri, and Keegan. Don't be scared", Anna says after kissing my forehead. " I don't know if I can ever move on, I can't even give William the Duchy of Dinefwr", I say after quickly chugging my wine.

" It's okay, we'll give him the Duchy of Gwynedd", Anna says holding my hand. " No, the heir of Wales has always been given the Duchy of Man, but we no longer have it. I need to be strong", I say holding in tears.

" Are you okay Daddy?", William asks after knocking on the door. " Of course son. I have some news, sit", I say after Anna releases me, William sits down in front of me.

" Okay, you need a title", I say. " What type of title?", William asks. " An honorary title, like how I was the Duke of Man. I want you to be the Duke of Dinefwr", I say firmly.

" Wasn't Albert, the last Duke of Dinefwr?", William asks. " Yes, but it's been eighteen years. And I would give you the Duchy of Man, but that's Arthur's title", I say.

" Okay, I know the title is important to you. So thank you", William says. " How is Grandmother?", I ask. I haven't spoken to Mother in a month, she's tired.

" She's well, she said she wanted to see you", William informs me. " Okay, I love you Icarus", I say standing up. I walk down the hall and into Mother's room.

Mother lies in bed pale. " Hello Mummy", I say after sitting next to Mother. " Morgan, you look well", Mother says after rubbing my chin.

" How are you feeling Mummy?", I ask. " Okay, just tired. You haven't called me Mummy since you were a boy", Mother points out. " I should see you more, I miss our walks as a family", I say.

" It's okay son, I'm not going anywhere. I feel fine, just tired", Mother says out of breath. " I gave William the Duchy of Dinefwr", I inform Mother.

" Albert, I miss him, and your Father", Mother says, her voice weak. " I miss them both too. I keep thinking, I could have saved Bertie", I say, my heart aching.

" You couldn't have. Don't beat yourself up, God decided it was his time to go. We may not like it, but who are we to question the decisions of God", Mother says while rubbing my hand.

" I'm tired of life Mummy, I've been tired for thirteen years. I just want to quit, abdicate", I say sadly, my voice quivering.

" You can't son, you're no longer Morgan Dinefwr. You're Morgan Rex. King of Wales and Ireland, Prince of Rome, Prince of God, and Defender of the Faith", Mother says.

" Thank you Mummy. I appreciate all you've done for me. And this family", I say with a smile. " It's my job", Mother says smiling. I kiss her forehead.

I can't give up, I must push on. For William, for this dynasty.