Chapter 402: : The Meeting (2)
Chapter 402: : The Meeting (2)
On the way to the Palace, Father reminds me countless times not to do something that I will regret. He was probably worried that I would force my way to talk to his Majesty.
But even if someone paid me a million centimetes, I wouldn't have the guts to do that. That is basically a suicidal thing to do, and I am not dumb to do that.
Father turns his head at me. We just entered the Palace gate, and soon the carriage will stop in front of the Palace.
I heave a sigh and look at him. "Father, you already remind me a couple of times what I should do and what I shouldn't do. In fact, I already memorized it. So, there is nothing you should be worried about. I know what I should do."
Father nods his head, but I can still see the anxiety in his eyes. I heave a sigh and just let him be. No matter how much I convince him, I know it will be difficult for him to fully trust my words.
A moment after, the carriage stops in front of the Palace, and the guards immediately rush toward us to open our gate.
"Greetings, Count Waltier..." the guard paused when he saw me sitting beside Father. It looks like he didn't expect I would be with Father today. "Dame Csille?"
Father turns his head at me and nods his head at the guards. "My daughter has something to talk about to his majesty. That's why she is here. I hope you can allow her on my behalf. Don't worry if his majesty doesn't see her. I will send her off personally."
The guards stare at each other before one of them nods his head. It looks like the royal guards are already aware of the current situation in the Palace.
"Please, follow us. His majesty and the other nobles are already waiting in the meeting hall."
Father turns his head and stares at me to warn me not to do anything that would disappoint him or his majesty.
I almost rolled my eyes when I saw that. How many times will I explain to Father that I wouldn't do anything that would harm us? I am not dumb enough to mess around today.
Father then follows the guards while I stay behind him. I tried to walk beside him, but Father glared at me, so I had no choice but to walk behind him. He was probably worried about my safety. So, he is using his body to cover me.
A moment after, we stopped in front of the meeting hall, and the two guards who guided us there immediately left to entertain other nobles.
There are two guards who are guarding the door of the meeting hall, making sure that there is no uninvited person will enter the hall. They stare at Father and me with a frown.
"Count Waltier, does his majesty knows that you will bring Dame Csille with you today?"
Father stares at me and heaves a sigh. "My daughter has something to talk to his majesty. That's why she came here with me."
The guard frowned. "But does his majesty knows about this?"
Father was about to say something, but I interrupted him. "He doesn't know about it. It's the reason why I am here. Can you please ask him if I can join the meeting today?"
The two guards look at each other hesitantly. "But Dame, his majesty strictly told us not to let anyone enter the meeting hall beside the nobles who have a position in the monarchy. And Dame Csille doesn't have any position in the monarchy, right?" He then looks at me. "Apologies, Dame Csille, but I don't think we can let you inside the meeting hall. Why don't you wait for the meeting to end before you talk to his majesty?"
No! I cannot do that! What if his majesty made his decision in the meeting? How can he take back his decision if he already decided before? I cannot let that happen! What if he chooses to comply with the Aeslaerean's demand?
That cannot happen! I need to ensure that his majesty will not agree to the request.
I take a step and smile at the two guards. "I know I don't have a position in the monarchy, but can you please try to ask his majesty if he can allow me inside? You do know I am the Founder of the Hope Foundation, right? I help the poorest of the Vrawyth people. Isn't that enough for me to represent the Vrawyth people? Isn't that important? To have someone who can represent the voice of the normal people?"
The two guards look at each other. It looks like I somehow managed to convince them to ask his majesty if I could come inside.
A moment after, I heard one of the guards sigh. He then looks at Father and me. "Count, I will announce your presence to his majesty now and about Dame Csille's request." He stares at me. "I will ask his majesty about it, and it's on his majesty to allow you or not."
I flash a sweet smile to the guard and wait for him to announce Father's presence. I know I can manage to convince his majesty too.
"Your Majesty, Count Waltier Lauretré is here to join the meeting." One of the guards announced. He then stares at me. "He is with his daughter, Dame Csille Lauretré. She wants to join this meeting too as the representative of the Hope Foundation."
We just stand in front of the closed door of the meeting room and wait for his majesty's permission.
However, a few seconds have passed already, and we still don't hear anything from the King. The guard stares at me and bows his head. "Apologies, Dame Csille, but I don't think his majesty wants to see you in the meeting-"
I didn't wait for the guard to continue his words. I just get on my knees and bow my head. "Your majesty, forgive me for coming here uninvited. I know what I did is a disrespect to you, but I hope you can give me some time to listen to me first."
I look at Father, who is forcing me to stand up, but I just shake my head at him. I know I did promise him that I won't make a mess, but I need to do this. I need to make sure that I will be able to have a seat at this important meeting.
"I came here not to make a mess in this meeting. I know how important this meeting is for the Vrawyth Kingdom, and I will never do something that will harm the Kingdom. So, I hope you can give me a chance to explain the reason why I am here. I know I don't have a position in the monarchy and that I am only a simple Founder of the Hope Foundation. However, I have been working with the commoners and helping them for months now. I might not be a simple commoner, but in these few months, I have realized and learned so many things about them. So, I hope you can let me represent them in this meeting."
I paused and took a deep breath. "I also came here to be responsible for the deal I have made with his majesty. I was the one who made a deal with his majesty, and I think it is only right for me to be present in this meeting. I want to clear my name to everyone. So, I hope you can give me a chance, your majesty."
I look at the closed door nervously. I need to have a seat in this meeting, but I know that if I can't convince his majesty, I won't be able to do a thing about it.
I remain kneeling on the ground for a couple of seconds, waiting for his majesty's approval. However, all I can hear is silence.
Father, who was standing beside me, couldn't stand what I was doing and forced me to stand again. "Stand up, Csille. His majesty already made his decision, and you promised me that you won't force yourself once his majesty decides."
I look up at Father and shake my head. I won't stand up here until his majesty says so. This is a matter of life and death for everyone. If war doesn't come soon, I'm afraid something bad might happen in this world, and I cannot let that happen.
I was about to say something to Father when we suddenly heard someone speak inside the
meeting hall.
"Open the door."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
The two guards immediately open the door, and everyone inside the meeting hall looks at
me.
The Queen, who is sitting beside the King, abruptly stands up when she sees me kneeling on
the ground. I even heard her gasp. She then gestures her hand at some maids who are serving the nobles. "Come quickly and help Dame Csille to stand up." She looks at me. "My dear Csille, why are you kneeling there? Stand up."
The maids rush towards me and help me stand up. I didn't reject their help and let them do what the Queen said.
How can I object if it's already the Queen talking? I am not dumb to unfollow the Queen's
order.
I stand up straight and look at his majesty, who is now staring at me with his expressionless face. I don't know if he is mad about what I did or if he is disappointed. All I know is I need to
say something to him.
"Your majesty, I don't mean to make a scene, and I never intend to force you. If you don't want me here, I will respect your opinion. All I am asking is a chance. A chance to represent the people and a chance to take responsibility."
His majesty remains staring at me for a couple of seconds before I see him nod his head. "I admire the perseverance you have shown me today. So, I will let you be part of this meeting, and about the responsibilities you are talking about, you don't have to worry, Dame Csille, no one is blaming you for that. I know you cannot betray the Vrawyth Kingdom."
I felt my heart break when I heard what the King said at the end.
I won't betray the Vrawyth Kingdom? I already did, your majesty and I'm sorry. I am sorry for
breaking that trust you have in me.
"Bring the Count and Dame Csille to their seats." He then said to the maids.
The maids bow their heads at us before they start showing us where we are going to sit. I glance at the King and the Queen, who is also staring at me. The King remained staring at me coldly while the Queen smiled reassuringly at me. She even gently nods her head at me. After we settled down, everyone continued doing their thing. The nobles continue to talk to other nobles while some nobles keep glancing at our side. I can even see them looking at me
maliciously.
Father, who was sitting beside me, leaned on my ear and whispered, "Don't mind their stares. Just focus on the reason why you are here, and please don't do or say things
carelessly."
I look at Father and nod my head. "I know what to do, Father. So, you don't have to worry
about anything."
He just sideglances me and shakes his head before he starts to talk to the noble sitting beside
him.
I just let him be and started to observe everyone in the hall. Mister Sewell said he knows everything that is happening in the Palace. That means he has spies everywhere, and there is a huge possibility that someone from a noble family is working with him.
But who are they?
I scan the nobles around me and try to remember who they are and what position do they
have in the monarchy.
I need to know who they are. I need to know who I am working with.
I was busy scanning each and every noble when the guards announced that someone had
arrived again.
"Your majesty, his highness Prince Fraser and Prince Rufus have arrived."
I immediately sat up straight when I heard the announcement. Prince Fraser and Prince Rufus arrived together? But I thought they were not on good terms
based on what I had seen in the hospital? Did they manage to reconcile?
A moment after, the door opens, and the two Princes walk toward the King and Queen. They
say their greetings first before they walk to their own seats.
However, Prince Fraser suddenly stops walking when he sees me sitting beside Father. He frowned and said. "What are you doing here?"