Unwanted Kingdom

Chapter Four

Castiel spent the first day hearing the gospel. He was required to attend, even against his lack of faith. It was to show his people, at least those who attended their church, that he was faithful and worthy of his crown through their lord. That was part of why Castiel had been so reluctant to take the crown. He did not believe in the things his kingdom believed in, beyond believing in his Kingdom itself. Would he be able to accept the faith of his people so that they could have faith in him? He knew the words of their scripture, but could he live by them and preach them with complete faith and understanding?

He was in over his head. He was not ready for any of this. But in the end, this was not about Castiel; this was about saving his people. His father and his mother alike would be disappointed in him. They fought for this land. They gave everything they had for their people, including their lives. Castiel was no better than them to think that he deserved to be selfish. He did not have that luxury. As much as he wanted to run and hide, that time had come and gone and now he knew that he had to step up. He had to give himself completely to his Kingdom.

"Ah, Castiel," Balthazar looked up from his desk. "Please, do come in my boy."

Castiel entered the room that was once his father's office. He was given the option to use it for himself, but he was not ready for that either. So, since Balthazar was his protector, Castiel had allowed him to use the room. He needed it more at the time. Being tasked with watching over Castiel and making decisions for him, was a lot of work. He was the reason that Michael had not succeeded in killing Castiel. He was also the one who would make sure that when the time was right, Castiel would receive his crown.

"What can I do for you?" Balthazar asked Castiel, motioning for him to take a seat.

"I wish to stand," Castiel declined the offer.

"Very well," Balthazar brought himself to his feet. "Than I shall stand with you."

"Thank you," Castiel smiled at Balthazar's loyalty.

"Now," Balthazar asked once again. "What can I do for you?"

"I am ready," Castiel informed him.

"Ready for what?" Balthazar asked.

Before Castiel had a chance to answer him, he could see the realization spread across his face. His was a mixture of both joy and fear, two emotions Castiel learned tended to go hand in hand with one another.

"Are you sure you are ready for this?" Balthazar asked, pacing behind his desk. "There is a lot that would need to take place."

"I am ready," Castiel stood up tall. "I am done having Michael destroy my Kingdom. If I wish to have a Kingdom to rule, I need to do it before it is gone completely."

Balthazar paced back and forth across his office, lost in thought. Castiel knew that this was not an easy choice and that there were steps he would need to take, steps that would be harder than anything he had ever done. He was prepared for this. He had been working on this his entire life, harder since his parents had passed away.

"You will have to give me a week." Balthazar finally spoke. "There is a lot to be done if you wish to become King. You will have to answer questions during your coronation as well. If the other Rulers in our land do no deem you ready to be King, they can withhold your crown for longer. Until that time, I suggest you stay out of the way of Michael, he is not going to be pleased."

"Michael knows better than to mess with me," Castiel stood up straight. "There are many protecting me in my Palace."

"While that may be true," Balthazar sat on the edge of his desk. "We have no way of knowing how Michael will react to this news. He may not care what protection you have."

"I will mind my back Balthazar," Castiel promised.

"There is one more thing." Balthazar brought himself back to his feet and walked over to Castiel. "You will have to make a grand gesture."

"What sort of grand gesture?" Castiel questioned. No one had mentioned this to him before.

"Well," Balthazar contemplated. "Take for example your Father. When he took the crown at his coronation, he took down the wall surrounding the great stream. For years, it had belonged to the Palace alone, but he wanted to share in the richness of the water. Once he did that, and everyone had access to this water, the wealth of our Kingdom and our land vastly improved."

"I see," Castiel thought this over. But it did not take him long. He knew exactly what his first order of business was going to be. Hopefully, the rest of the Kingdom agreed with him. "I know exactly what I am going to do."

"I will make the arrangements," Balthazar promised. "Until then, please try to lay low Castiel. It will make it easier for all of us during this time."

"Thank you, Balthazar."

_____

Things transpired just as Balthazar had suspected with Michael. He worked to get everyone in the Palace on his side. He wanted everyone to agree with him that Castiel was not fit to be King. Luckily, for Castiel, more people in the Palace seemed to favor him over his Uncle. That is the outcome of Michael being the harsh and feared ruler that he had set out to be. But, not long after his initial outburst occurred, he calmed down, keeping to his chambers. Castiel wanted to be grateful, but he knew it was simply the calm before the storm. Michael was far from finished.

"I am not ready for this." Castiel paced back and forth along the length of his room, once again ranting to Dean. "I know I said that I was ready but what if I fail? What if Michael is right and they withhold my crown from me?"

Dean looked up from where he was sitting on Castiel's pillow. He put up his arm and motioned for Castiel to come over to him. Castiel did what was requested of him and crawled up onto his bed, lying down, his head right next to where Dean was sitting. Dean immediately reached out and ran his hand along the length of Castiel's cheek, instantly calming him. He was not sure if this was a normal fairy power or if Dean just made him feel that comfortable when he was around. Whatever it was, Castiel appreciated it.

Castiel knew what he needed to do next. He closed his eyes, slowed his breathing and allowed himself to fall asleep.