Romancing My Royalty

Chapter 24.1

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Years earlier before the present

ALARIC

"I WILL not marry Lady Alexandra of Cambridgeshire," I firmly said with finality, facing the members of the Upper Parliament. I didn't want to be discussed again about our signed engagement agreement. Dahil hindi ko naman pirmado ang papel kung nakasaad ang nasabing agreement.

Ako ang magpapakasal kaya marapat lamang iyong desisyon ko ang masusunod. I would fight for my right here. Dahil parating sinasabi ng parlyamento na responsibilidad ko na gawin ang mga bagay na nakakabuti sa Cambrevia. More so, the tradition said that whoever royalty in question within that sealed agreement, would obey the decree.

The decree that was decided by my parents and other people. And I would be trapped forever because of them. No...I didn't that kind of life. I would love who I wanted to love. I would marry who I wanted to marry.

My father just stared at me, who was sitting beside the Prime Minister who presided the meeting about the discussion of my assumption of the throne. The crowning, as they said, was now long overdue since my father had early retired from his duties. He had a remaining two years to pass his crown to his heir.

Pero inagahan niya ang pagbaba sa trono sa kadahilanang may tinatago itong sakit. Hindi ko alam 'yon kung hindi lamang sinabi ni Shelbourg sa akin. It was a secret between the Prime Minister and my father. He had reasoned out that he wanted me to rule. There was no reasons to delaying it since I would be engaged to marry. And I was capable of managing this country since I had been trained to this duty since birth.

"I don't have any reasons to marry because of duty. I have been trained by my father who gloriously runs Cambrevia for almost of his life. I am prepared. I am capable. My love, loyalty, passion to rule our little country will be my power to serve all of you. I don't need to marry for me to rule. We don't need England eventhough we can be a great country with them. However, I strongly believe we can be a great Cambrevia without them. Cambrevia has been leading the small monarchies of Europe with my father's ruling. Trust me that I can do the same without my life trapped in marriage with the lady I don't love and who don't love me. My marriage will not rule all of you, but I. It is not needed, my lords."

There was a long silence within the Parliament Hall. My heart was beating wild because eventhough I was an heir to this throne, the voices of these lords would decide the fate of Cambrevia. Kapag hindi madadala sa wastong usapan ang parliamento, may posibilidad na mapupunta sa pinsan ng aking ama ang trono na ito.

Because there were rules to follow. Rules to obey. Laws to be observed.

Ganoon pa man, ipaglalaban ko pa rin ang aking karapatan. If I would not marry, my father will be forced to sit down again. Which I knew would not be advisable since my father was fighting cancer. Kung aayaw naman ang ama ko at hindi ako maikakasal sa lalong madaling panahon, mapupunta ang lahat ng ito sa pinsan ni Papa.

At hindi 'yon pwede. Babagsak ang Cambrevia sa kamay ng lalaking 'yon. He didn't love this country. He only loved the power and money it brought.

"With its beauty and advanced economy, Cambrevia has achieved this greatness as your father has been honoring its laws and tradition, Your Highness," Lord Hugh, the Earl of Ytherburg, said despite the heavy silence. "Disobedience of the Marriage Law is one step forward to its downfall. Your disagreement with the tradition will let us lose England's trust. He's one of our powerful allies."

"England will not let go of us," Maximus faced the earl, firmly with its commanding voice. "It has been reported by a monarch insider that the Earl of Cambridgeshire is not in good terms with the Queen. Lord Alexander has been known for its reputation because of morally wrong actions. His crimes has been surfacing from the caves now. It would be right that we let go Cambridgeshire. If we continue associating with Alexander, we will be affected if he will be arrested because of his illegal drug trading, and unjustifiable killings. His house's reputation is a three step forward to our downfall."