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Chapter 24

Chapter 24

His words hung heavy in the air. No one dared to speak. Nearly all were dumbfounded at the words the prince had just uttered.

"You want to do what my prince?" the same nobleman from before asked.

"I want to disband the monarchy and in its place create a council of trusted men to run Laymeria's government." Tristan spoke with an intensity I had never seen before.

"Are you sure that is wise sire?" Jonah asked. I had not been expecting him to speak.

"I believe it is in the best interest for Laymeria and her people. This is not because I do not wish to be king. I am going down this road because I believe Laymeria has had enough kings. King Cerin proved that Laymeria was suffering under the hands of the monarchy. Besides, I have other reasons to abdicate the throne." Tristan met my eyes and gave me a soft smile. My entire body filled with delightful warmth. His devotion to me was clear, I had never been held in such high esteem outside my family. I returned his smile trying to exude encouragement. I knew this idea of forming a council and a republic would be trying and difficult but I agreed with Tristan fully believing that this was something the people of Laymeria desperately needed. Other countries flourished under new forms of government and only a few monarchies remained in comparison.

"I have considered all avenues onto which this may lead. I also have a few individuals in mind for the council. Including Monroe and Jonah." Everyone's gaze turned. "I want to create good ties between your people and ours. I wish to offer you both a position on this council."

"Us sire?" Monroe asked he was clearly quite surprised.

"Yes and please, by doing this I am no longer a prince, call me Tristan." One by one Tristan convinced then men in the meeting room of the validity of his idea. He knew it would take a long time before all of it was officially settled but this was a great starting point.

As they began to sort out more of the formalities of it all I quietly excused myself. I would be of no use at this point. The meeting had taken most all of the day the sun had began its descent into the horizon. I wandered the castle for a few moments before I stumbled upon a spiral staircase that I did not recognize. Feeling adventurous I began down it.

The staircase emptied down to the ground level. As I opened the door salty ocean air blew over me. I stepped out and down onto the beach. I had never had the opportunity to see the beach when I was a child. I slipped off my shoes and carried them instead. I sunk my toes into the damp sand. I closed my eyes and relished in the new sensations.

"Gwen?" A voice called from behind me. Myla stood at the staircase entrance her eyes gleaming with tears.

"Myla!" I raced towards her and swept her into my arms. It had been such a whirlwind since Cerin had been ousted from the throne that I had forgotten to seek her out. We held onto each other with such ferocity I wondered if we would ever let the other go. "I am so sorry. I should have come sooner!" I stepped back and glanced her over checking for injuries.

"I am okay Gwen. I am not hurt."

"Good."

"Are you alright?"

"No, but I will be. The past few days have taken a toll on me." I sighed.

"They would have taken a toll on anyone."

"Since when did you become so wise?" I joked but her face fell.

"I had to grow up fast here in the castle." My frivolity vanished.

"Did..." I was unsure how I wanted to phrase my next words. "did Cerin ever hurt you?"

"No. Tristan made sure we never crossed paths and if we did all he did was leer from across the room." Her words were a little shaky. I exhaled; I had not realized how worried I had been about that possibility.

"Good."

"On a happier note, I met someone." A smile lit up her entire face. My blood froze, Tristan, I had completely forgotten about what I had seen in her eyes after the events in the throne room.

"Myla," I had no clue of how to begin.

"His name is Callum, he works in the kitchens. Gwen he is the reason I had not lost my mind the past few years. The way he makes me laugh. It is like nothing I have ever felt before."

"Callum?" All of my earlier tension vanished, now everything made sense. She had not been watching Tristan with devotion but appreciation for what he had done for her while I was away. I must have been half delirious that night but given the events of that evening I was not surprised by my lack of clarity.

"Yes." A small blush crept onto her cheeks. I had not seen my sister this happy in too long. My heart warmed for her. We laid on the beach and spoke for hours; long after the sun gave way to the moon. We had two years of talking to one another to catch up on and I treasured every last moment of it.

"So what do we do now?" Myla asked after a prolonged silence.

"Get on with our lives I would guess." I said staring up at the moon.

"What are you going to do?"

"I think I might go across the Western Sea to Markrena. Search for other Ascensorem."

"You would leave?"

"I am not happy here anymore."

"Oh."

"It has nothing to do with you Myla, I just have too many bad memories in this place."

"Are you going to go by yourself?"

"No, Tristan is going to go with me."

"I still cannot wrap my head around how you two fell in love."

"Why?" I rolled over to her and pushed her playfully.

"I just never imagined you being the lovey dovey sort." She giggled.

"It is not like that between us, I cannot explain it. There is something about him that makes me irrevocably happy."

"Good. You deserve a little happy in your life right now. But if you do end up traversing the Western Sea promise me that you will come back and visit me?"

"I will never leave you again Myla, not like that, I swear it."

The next few days I saw little of Tristan as he started to disband the monarchy. Most were not thrilled at the idea when it was first presented to them but as they mulled it over many joined him in the undertaking. I spent most of my time with Myla but not in the castle. Neither of us wanted to spend too much time there.

We talked for hours on the beach and down at the Chinooks. For a few moments it felt as if nothing had changed, that our parents were still at home waiting for us to come home and have dinner. Then reality would set in. A wave of sadness would envelop me but not the intense grief that once did. It was slowly becoming a part of my life.

On one late afternoon I was wandering the castle's farthest levels, I always avoided the ones closer to the castle's center. These were unexplored and at times felt like a different world.

"Having a good time?" the voice called, I jumped. Turning I saw Tristan smirking from down the hall.

"Not anymore." This only made him laugh. "If you keep laughing at me I am going to walk away." He contained his laughter and joined me at the window.

"I just wanted to tell you something." He reached out and wrapped me in his arms. I laid my head comfortably on his chest.

"And what is that?"

"We can leave tomorrow. Anywhere you want to go."

"Really?" I stepped back for a moment. My brained whirled as I processed his words.

"Where would you like to go?" A massive smile consumed my entire face.