A Brother's Love - Book 3 - The Frencolian Chronicles (complete)

Chapter Twenty

Ivan had just completed giving Jobyna the 'Black Pox' when the king's preliminary party arrived. Both Chatelain and Elissa felt guilty for resorting to trickery regarding Jobyna's sickness. However, they did not speak of it to each other, fearing discussion may cause a change of action, and they had no idea what else to do to prevent an undesired meeting between their daughter and the king.

Sabin sent Luke to fetch his father but by the time the baron descended the stairs, the manor house —my manor house, Chatelain thought— was a hive of activity. The place was being possessed. He knew the facts would have been reported by way of the reeve that the baron only had three servants and that he and his family served themselves.

The kitchen, great hall, guest chambers and military quarters were all being cleaned and occupied by servants, soldiers, attendants and slaves, wearing matching costumes, according to their rank.

Chatelain recognized several sentries posted along the corridors and at the entrance. He nodded to them, noting their pleasure at his recognition. He read other narrowed-eyed stares, and they seemed to say, We're watching you, Chatelain, so mind how you walk! Shaking this unwelcome reaction away, he ordered the waiting Sabin to go and reassemble Ellie's bed in Jobyna's room, saying, "Elissa will sleep with Jobyna tonight. My daughter won't be sleeping alone in her room." As he pondered the matter, and the way his wife attracted men's eyes, Chatelain decided he would also sleep in the room, in an armchair.

The knights in charge of the preparations ignored Chatelain's announcement that Jobyna was sick. When the baron and Luke were ready to leave for the village square, the question was asked, "Where is Baroness Chatelain and Miss Jobyna?" Countless times, they answered the same question. "Miss Jobyna's in bed, resting. The doctor is attending her. The baroness will be joining us in a moment."

The welcome in the square was an occasion of great accolade. This was the first district, apart from the capital, that had welcomed, recognized, and heralded Frencolia's new king.

Both Chatelain and Elissa had an overwhelming sense of loss and unreality. Tears springing to Elissa's eyes were not missed by her husband, the acknowledgement of great disaster. A dynasty had been terminated. Chatelain felt his eyes filling; he missed his cousin, Leopold, so much that he felt heavy pain in his chest around his heart. They had been like brothers in every way.

The baroness' eyes turned helplessly upon her husband. Only her Chatelain or one of their two children could carry on the line. How tragic for this so-called king to be acclaimed as though he had rights to the throne. The injustice of it all shouted inside Elissa, so that she wept without restraint. The villagers thought she shed tears of joy.

As King Elliad rode his black horse around the square, the noise was deafening. How the sound could intensify, Chatelain did not know, until he saw the new king throwing coins to the screaming, clambering crowds.

Luke joined the scramble as air-born coins landed nearby. He held his one prize up to his father. Frowning Luke exclaimed, "It's a frenc! —But look, there is an 'E' on it! See, it has the year! Huh!"

Luke would have tossed it away, but his father hissed in his son's ear, "We're being watched! Here, let me have it." Chatelain took the coin, examining it thoughtfully before giving it to Elissa. "Take it home for Jobyna," he commanded. Being pushed and shoved with the throng, he knew that there were many ears close enough to repeat all they said and did.

The reeve delivered the welcoming speech, and Chatelain, for the first time, felt grateful toward Selig Paul. He could never have said even one tenth of the words that issued from the confident reeve's flattering lips. King Elliad's closest knight passed the king's standard to the reeve, to be raised. After the kudos had died a little, the king generated loud cheers again as he ascended the dais.