Chapter 430
Athena stayed in the palace for most of the day before returning to the mansion.
When she dragged her tired body back to Xander Manor, Alexandra was already waiting anxiously. Seeing them return, she immediately asked the maid to bring a soft stool, “Sit down and rest. The kitchen has stewed oatmeal; I’ll have them serve it.” She touched Athena’s belly, then looked at her pale face, and said with distress, “Starting tomorrow, let Xander go to the palace for you. How can you withstand such torment?”
Athena was about to speak, but Xander interrupted, “You’re right, I will go tomorrow.” He looked at Athena, his eyes full of tenderness, “Be good.” His tone was firm, brooking no refusal from Athena.
Athena had to nod in agreement, but she felt a little uneasy in her heart. Arthur’s condition was not optimistic, and she estimated that it would only be a matter of these two days. She should have a good rest, in case Arthur died; she wouldn’t be able to rest even if she wanted to.
On the evening of the third day, after dinner, Athena leaned on the soft couch, and Xander was reading her a travelogue. Suddenly, a dull and long bell sound came from the direction of the palace. One sound after another, like a heavy hammer hitting everyone’s heart.
Athena’s heart sank abruptly, and the silk handkerchief in her hand fell to the ground with a snap. Xander stopped reading, and his face instantly became serious. The two looked at each other, their faces solemn.
The bell rang four times; it was a death knell. Arthur was dead.
Almost at the same time, a royal attendant came from the palace. Wearing mourning clothes, he knelt at the gate of the Xander Manor. “The King is dead. He ordered Xander and Athena to enter the palace to keep vigil.”
The setting sun had completely disappeared, and the night enveloped Pidence City.
The decorations in the Xander Manor were replaced with white ones. Athena and Xander changed into plain clothes, walked out of the manor side by side, and walked towards the palace. On the long street, the people also changed into plain clothes, with grief on their faces. The entire Pidence City was immersed in a solemn mourning.
The candles in the Grand Sanctum burned all night, and the bright yellow curtains were replaced with plain white ones. Arthur’s coffin was placed in the center of the hall, surrounded by hundreds of eternal lamps. The coffin was covered with a dragon flag, solemn and majestic. Athena and Xander knelt on the futon, the skirts of their plain clothes dragging on the cold gold bricks, their knees already numb from kneeling. The concubines‘ wails shook the halls, and every heart twisted with their grief.
Arthur had passed away, and the country couldn’t be without a ruler for a day. The new King ascended the throne. However, the ministers were in fierce debate over the succession of the new King.
The Minister of Personnel said with righteous indignation, “A country cannot be without a ruler for a day! With the late King’s death, the top priority is to establish a new King!” “Evander is kind, virtuous, and has made great contributions in quelling the rebellion. He should inherit the throne!” “But Evander was not born of the legitimate wife…” “What time is it now, that you are still discussing the legitimacy of birth?”
Athena steadied herself with the help of her maid, watching the officials gathered around Evander. Some were kneeling and kowtowing, while others were arguing based on reason. Evander was wearing mourning clothes, the hemp rope around his waist was pulled very tight, and his face was as white as a sheet of paper. With Arthur’s death, the burden on his shoulders was making it hard for him to breathe. He looked at Arthur’s coffin, raised his hand to stop the crowd’s argument, and said, “Gentlemen, the late King has only just passed. Let’s discuss it later.”
“Your Highness!” The Minister of Finance crawled forward a few steps, tears streaming down his face, “Ray is watching us like a tiger. If there is no one in charge of the court, there will be chaos!” “But Evander is not the eldest son, which violates the ancestral system.” Someone stepped forward to stop him.
Just then, the chief of the Directorate of Palace Attendants came out of the side hall holding a roll of bright yellow scroll, and his sharp voice rang out in the hall. “The late Arthur’s edict is here, ministers, receive the order!”
The officials immediately fell silent and knelt on the ground in unison. Athena and Xander also turned around and knelt down.
“I have sat upon the throne for thirty–seven years, yet I have failed my people. I now pass the crown to Evander, charging him to uphold the laws of our forebears, to govern with diligence, and to cherish the people…” The chief paused, his eyes swept over Xander, “By special decree, Xander is hereby appointed as Prince Regent, to assist the new emperor in the governance of the realm, and to relinquish his office once the emperor comes of age to rule.”
“We bow to your will! May our King live through the ages, eternal and unending!” The hall shuddered beneath the avalanche of voices, as if the mountains themselves had roared.
When Evander took the edict, his eyes were red, and he kowtowed three times heavily to Arthur’s coffin. Xander and Athena looked at each other, feeling a little emotional. They had originally planned to return to their fief and enjoy their lives after the new King ascended the throne. Unexpectedly, before Arthur passed away, he issued an imperial edict naming him Prince Regent.
The enthronement ceremony three days later was extremely simple. Evander wore the dragon robe left by Arthur and accepted the homage of the officials in the Grand Sanctum. After the ceremony, the new King took Xander’s hand with a humble expression, “Xander, from now on… I will rely on you.”
Xander frowned tightly and bowed to the new King, “I dare not accept it.”
Arthur’s funeral lasted for more than a month before he was buried in Cavendish Family Cemetery. The Minister of Finance came forward holding a roll of gilded memorials, “Every new King who ascends the throne has reforms. We have discussed and proposed to change the dynasty name to Luminary, hoping that our dynasty is like the rising sun, prosperous and eternal, to show His Majesty’s heart of inheriting the past and opening up a prosperous age.”
“That’s very good.” Through the great bronze bell of the Heaven Altar, the young sovereign’s clear voice carried far and wide. “From this day forth, the Realm of Petanion shall be renamed the Grand Luminary Empire.”
The edict of changing the era name quickly spread throughout Pidence City. The candlelight in the Royal Study shone late into the night. Evander spread out the newly made jade seal and pressed the inkpad on the first disaster relief imperial edict.
Xander sat on the opposite rosewood chair, flipping through the military report from the Northern Border in his hand. “Ray is consolidating his troops in Ramberg, seemingly with the intention of invading the South.”
The King’s brow furrowed. “Ray is truly unwilling to give up.” He slammed his palm heavily on the table, the young King’s face full of anger. “If it weren’t for him, our dynasty would not have been divided in two.” Ray’s Virelda occupied one–third of the Grand Luminary Empire’s territory. No wonder the King was furious. Speaking of this, he looked at Xander and asked, “I wonder what suggestions you have?”
“I have already ordered General Perkins to strengthen the Fouver Pass defense line.” Xander closed the military report, his fingertip lightly tapping on the word Virelda. “The Aegis Guards are training in Athkar. If he dares to come, we will definitely make sure he never returns.”
The King breathed a sigh of relief and then said, “I want to issue an imperial edict to reduce taxes for the whole country for three years. I wonder if it is feasible?”
Xander looked up, a flash of approval in his eyes. “You’re benevolent, and the people will surely be grateful.”
It was not until the palace gate was locked that Xander returned from the palace. Athena took the ginseng soup to the study and saw a newly drawn “The Grand Luminary Empire Territory Map‘ spread out on the desk. The location of Ramberg was circled in red, with a line of small characters written next to it: to be restored.
She sighed softly. Sooner or later, the Grand Luminary Empire and Ramberg would have a war.