A Daughter's Love - Book 2 The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter Twenty-Six

Kings Castle Throne Room was crowded.

Surrounding the throne were five Frencolian Lords and twelve senior knights; flanking the walls were over four hundred Frencolian knights of all shapes, heights and sizes. As the kingly figure of King Leopold Friedrich entered the chamber, every man knelt to pay homage to the Absolute Monarch of Frencolia.

King Leopold strode along the marble floor, ascended the dais and sat, eclipsing his throne with his magnificent appearance. The king commanded, "Rise, all."

The herald announced, "Sir Louis Chatelain, Baron of Chanoine, Cousin of King Leopold Friedrich."

The knights bowed as Louis entered the chamber.

This ceremony had been planned to the last detail.

Presenting his sheathed sword, Louis placed it on the dais at the king's feet. Taking two other swords from Sir Roi, he set these down with the first. Very seriously, he rose and kissed the jeweled seal to the kingdom of Frencolia; the seal of great power, which hung on a short gold chain around the king's neck.

Speaking to the king, Louis said, "According to the king's wishes and my own conscience, I lay down my sword and resign my rights as second in line to the Frencolian throne. All secrets pertaining to the Kingdom will be forgotten by me from this moment."

Turning to the knights, he declared, "I call upon this company to witness that I, Louis Chatelain of Chanoine will never again remember the seal to the kingdom of Frencolia. I am no longer a Frencolian knight."

Two knights brought Louis' uniforms and armour, placing them on the dais in front of the king. Kneeling, Louis said, "I kneel because I am subject to King Leopold Friedrich as I believe he is appointed by God to direct the affairs of Frencolia. But it is God who sets up kings and my worship is to God alone."

Murmurs of admonition rippled across the throne-room.

King Leopold raised his sceptre and said, "I accept your homage, Cousin Louis Chatelain, and your resignation. I've never expected the worship of men and will continue to allow religious freedom in Frencolia as long as it does not lead to disloyalty or rebellion.

"You shall be known only as 'Chatelain,' and shall continue as Baron of Chanoine, remaining within your district unless directed by the throne to do otherwise. Your swords are accepted by us as symbols of your submission to the king's laws of this country."

To Louis' surprise, the king began to add conditions to his practiced speech. "If, however, you or your sons take up the sword, it will be counted as rebellion against my throne; to quote your Book, Chatelain, 'Those who live by the sword will die by the sword.'" He saw his cousin's face redden. The king had inserted these words to suit himself.

King Leopold added, "I'm sure my cousin, Chatelain, will continue to be a good example of the Christian Faith to all those who live within our borders. We will now listen to his words, before he returns to dwell permanently within his Chanoine District."

Chatelain strode to the center of the throne room. Taking the stance of an orator, he began the speech he had agonized over in prayer over as well as memorized.

"King Leopold Friedrich; Lords of Frencolia; Senior Knights; and Knights of Frencolia.

"All my life I've been searching for peace. By peace, I don't mean mere stillness; or, at the other end of the scale, absence of war. Peace is not freedom from trouble and it's not to be found in the possession of adequate resources or even in great riches. I've discovered that peace has nothing to do with the situation on the outside. But peace has everything to do with the condition on the inside of a man.