IGIWS: FIRST DRAFT: Chapter 243

When Lord Brice was allowed into the chamber the first person to greet him was Lord Gawain. He had a mixture of emotions going through his head as Gawain approached Brice, rangering from relief and worry.


"Thank the goddess you've returned. You have no idea the amount of crap that has happened since you've left..." Gawain whispered to his colleague.


"Yeah, I think I got an idea when I heard the Prime Minister screaming for about fifteen minutes when I was waiting in the lobby... I never knew Duval could loose his cool like that... It must have been something to set him off like that," Brice said with a raised eyebrow and a smile.


"Well, I've never seen anything like it... Lord Thaddeus and Lord Eamon voted present on the Prime Minister's measure to expel Lady Rya," Gawain informed.


"Really?" Brice asked with fake shock in his voice. "That doesn't sound like either of them... The Prime Minister must be having a bad day to have two trusted allies to turn on him like that."


"Yeah, and that's not the half of it... Turns out that the Prince's fiancee is quite the firecracker... It seems his taste in women runs in the family... She Single-Handedly took over the session and even put Alaric in his place," Gawain muttered under his breath, not knowing that Lord Brice was told by the King that he had given his blessing to the relationship between the Prince and Lady Rya, but there was a caveat that he hoped would turn most of the Major Lords to agree to the marriage of the two lovers.


"Did she now?... Huh?... I think I'm going to like her already... And what's the other half?" Brice asked.


"The emergency measure is on hold until Duval can get the vote... He's hellbent on expelling her from the Kingdom no matter what."


"But I thought this measure was for preventing her from entering the Capital?... Did you get the chance to look at the document?" Brice asked Gawain as he smelled something fishy in the air.


"W-Well?... I don't believe he showed the full document to anyone... But I was told she would be expelled from the Kingdom by the speaker's order," Gawain whispered, trying to hide the fact he didn't know the details of the bill.


"Gawain... This is why you need to ask more questions... Come on... I think Duval was trying to pull a fast one on everyone..." Brice said as he started to make his way to the Prime Minister. Lord Gawain was confused but followed Lord Brice anyways.


When the two made their way up to the podium the Prime Minister was clumsily packing all the papers into a large leather bag with the "help" of his aids.


"Come on. Come on!" Duval ordered under his breath and noticed Brice coming towards him. 


'Dammit!... I need to get out of here before —'


An Aid accidentally hacked over a pile of papers that fell onto the wood floor.


"Goddess be damned!... You idiots can't do anything right can you?!" Duval yelled and smacked the Aid on the head.


"I'm sorry sir. Please forgive me," the Aid said and picked up the scattered papers and placed them into the bag.


"I don't care if they are crinkled or ripped... Just get the bloody paperwork into the-"


"Prime Minister!... I'm glad to see you doing so well," Lord Brice said a he saw Duval's shoulders slumped when his back was facing him.


'Shit. Shit. Shit.'


"Ah... Lord Brice... So good to see you... I thought you were advising the King in Lomar. You didn't need to hurry back so quickly," Duval said as he turned around and tried to give a fake smile.


"Oh... Marquess... You of all people should know that I love to be in Emergency Sessions when the King is away... How else would he get the true reports," Brice said with a smile and Gawain chuckled.


"I guess we should call you the King's shadow, huh?... But as you can see, I need to have a word with two of the Lords... Now if you would excuse me," Duval said and went to pick up his bag when Brice stepped forward and placed his foot on the strap.


"Oh?... Well that would be unfortunate if you were delayed, but I bring a Royal Amendment for Emergency Measure 1054-6. But I'm a bit confused and I was hoping that you can shed some light on it for me," Brice said.


"I-I don't know what is so confusing about the measure... If you would excuse me..." Duval said as he bent down and went to pick up the bag and Brice lifted his foot and then put his hand on Duval's shoulder.


"The Emergency Measure was notarized and scribed to prevent the unlawful entry of a Dark Elf to the Capital and palace grounds, under section 34D, paragraph 3. Section 18D, paragraph 4 is written that the border security is given full authority to detain, capture, or deny Dark Elves within the 100-mile radius of the Capital city... So how is it the the Dark Elf is in the in the House of Major Lords? How could one be denied entry when they're already in the palace?" Brice asked and Duval started to sweat a bit.


"T-That why we were voting on a new Emergency Measure... It's 1054-7... The messenger must have passed by your carriage on the way here. It's understandable that you would be confused. That's why it is important that the messenger is always ahead of time to notify the people in charge," Duval said and Brice chuckled.


"Well if that's the case. Then you wouldn't mind showing me this new notarized Measure would you?" Brice asked.


"W-Why would I have to show you when it is your fault for missing the Measure and not doing your job as the Head of the Royal Council. If you'll excuse me I have business with the two Lords and-"


"You will not be going anywhere Duval..." Brice said as he stood in front of him and crossed his arms.


Duval had a bit of sweat forming on his forehead.


"This is a Emergency Session... That means it's between the members of the Major Households, the Major Ministers and the Royal Council. You may be the Prime Minister and Marquess of Celestria Hollows but you're not allowed to keep kingdom emergencies from the King... So?... I need to see this 1054-7... Or do I have to request that the documents be seized my the military and investigated?" Brice asked and Duval froze.


'Fuck... Fuck... FUCK! I can't have that happen...'


"O-Of course... Virgil?... Please give Lord Brice the new Measure, please," Duval ordered his aid who was right behind him.


"B-But..."


"Virgil!?... Don't keep us waiting now. It's the new measure. Give it to the Lord, now!" Duval ordered and Virgil looked at Brice and the Duval.


"But I don't have the Measure, sir," Virgil said.


"WHAT!? What do you mean you don't have the Measure?! You were the one that was supposed to keep it safe!... Now I need to file a claim for recovery and this will make things—"


While Duval was making excuses and Brice was staring him down. Lord Gawain who was standing behind Lord Brice looked down on the floor as he felt his boot step on loose papers. And he noticed that one of the pages had the numbers "1054-7" written on the header.


Gawain bent over and pieced it up and started reading it and Duval stopped his ranting when he noticed Gawain's face and his expression turned sour.


"W-What do you have there, Lord Gawain? Y-You're not authorized to read that!" Duval tried lunging for the page but Brice took it from Gawain's hand as Duval fell flat on his face.


"Oh... Very good, Gawain... Now it looks like the Prime Minister doesn't have to file a claim after all..." Brice said as he skimmed the document.


What Lord Brice found out about this Measure was it had grammatical mistakes everywhere the hand writing was sloppy and it wasn't notarized by the royals scribes. Duval had the four names that voted written on the bottom of the page. 


Duval hurried to his feet, "You're not allowed to loo-"


"Silence Duval!... I'm reading a Kingdom Emergency Measure! And as a Royal Council Member... I have every right to read a document such as this!... And... Hmm?... Your penmanship has gotten sloppy in your old age. If I didn't know any better... It seems like you skipped multiple steps to get this Measure approved to debate... Like a notarized document..."


"B-But..." Duval was frozen stiff as the other nobles saw the document.


"This doesn't seem like an official document to me... Did you really call for a Emergency Session without proper approval, Marquess?" Nathaniel asked as he was enjoying watching Duval get exposed.


"I-I can explain... W-We did have an emergency session and I was going to get this notarized after we got the votes. The scribes could take their time then to get it cleaned up and we can present it to the king and queen by Friday's deadline," Duval explained as he tried to cover his ass.


Lord Brice shook his head while looking at Duval, "Skipping protocol?... That doesn't sound like the Prime Minister I know. You've always been one to stick by the book. Why would you skip this vital step?"


Duval tried to answer but Brice continued, "You know what I think?... I believe you panicked and didn't want to risk missing the deadline so you took a shortcut. That is why you rushed to get this session approved. Is Lady Rya so much of a threat that you broke the rules that you hold us to, Prime Minister?..."


Duval's right eye was twitching, and his palms were sweating, and his mind was racing to come up with an excuse. He had no idea what the hell happened.


"N-No!... I was just worried that the longer we wait the worse things could get! And I needed all the council's votes!" Duval argued.


"And you would risk the safety and security of the Fiafyr Kingdom, just to get your vote passed, Prime Minister?... What are you... The King?..." Nathaniel asked with a smug smile.


"NO!" Duval shouted.


"Then I see no reason to delay this any longer... The Emergency meeting is canceled until a proper notice is sent out to the council and the Royals. The Vote for the Measure 1054-7 will go ahead as normal in a week's time to make sure there isn't any shady language that benefits the Marquess," Brice announced.


Sebastian who showed little to no emotion the entire session had faced palmed for the first time. While everyone else mumbled to themselves. 


"Also! Before we all adjourn for the day!... I've been given an Royal Amendment by the King that concerns any future Measures that are aimed at the Dark Elf, Lady Rya," Lord Brice holds up the document that has the King's Royal Seal.


Brice smiled, "This Royal Decree is a protection for Lady Rya and it nullifies all of your proposed Measures to the King and Queen upon her successful meeting of the Goddess's Idol in the Holy Temple of Balance. The King wishes to see if the Goddess will favor her and show us a sigh that she's trustworthy of becoming the next Queen. Like Queen Rianna before her wedding. If favor is shown then all charges and proposed Measures will be dropped, and Lady Rya will have a position as a Lady of the Court."


Duval's jaw dropped and the rest of the Noble Council were stunned. The King rarely used This provision unless it was absolutely necessary. Rya looked at Quin trying to find out if this was a good thing or not. He shrugged his shoulders due to the idol never lighting up for anyone except his mother.


"I will contact the High Priestess of the Holy Order of Iyomelka to schedule the meeting. Now if we can have a moment of silence for Lady Rya's success in the coming days..." Brice said as he bowed his head.


Hilda couldn't let Rya get away with this. She could try and manipulate everyone into thinking she's gotten favor from the goddess. But the Princess had to do something... Anything to stop her.


While everyone was silent with the exception of Terenthiel, Zane, and Sir Darius who all scoffed at the Fiafyrians praying to a false goddess. Hilda, with a determined look on her face, stood up and yelled, "I wish to be tested by the Goddess's Idol in her temple!"


The Noble Council looked at her confused. While Terenthiel glared at her. Rya didn't know what to make of this and didn't care.


"I know that I'm a child of the Divine Three, but my devotion to becoming the Queen of Fiafyr has not waned in the least. I want to show my future husband that I am the worthy bride that can cury favor from the Goddess's Idol. I am willing to do anything to prove my devotion to the people of this Kingdom," Hilda proclaimed.


Rya looked at Hilda as if she was an idiot and Hilda narrowed her eyes at Rya.


Duval looked around before jumping in, "Y-Yes! This is a perfect idea! Let's the goddess decide who's worthy of the Prince's hand! I mean, it's a perfect way to solve all the animosity that's built up since the start of this meeting! I demand that the House of Major Lords vote on whether or not Lady Hilda should be allowed to take the test!"


Sebastian moved in and helped his Prime Minister, "I second the motion to allow Lady Hilda the chance to cury favor from the Goddess."


Lord Brice knew he didn't have a choice when the Prime Minister asked to add Hilda into the amendment. Brice looked at the Crown Prince who didn't look happy, but he needed to let the vote go through. Brice nodded his head and called the vote.


"The Prime Minister's motion to add Princess Hilda has been second by Count Sebastian. A 75% present majority is needed to pass the motion. I will call out the names of the noble Houses and the representatives will answer, aye or nay," Lord Brice stated.


Everyone sat back down in their seats as Lord Brice stood and started the vote. "House Wrightwood..."


"Aye!" Duval said.


"House Ingham..."


"Aye..." Sebastian said while looking at the Prime Minister who was worried on how Thaddeus, Eamon, Alaric, and William would vote. Normally, the two Barons would have voted for anything he's suggested. But after the recent events, the two were not happy with the Prime Minister. Then there was Alaric who hates him with every fiber and he knew he was waiting for the day of his downfall.


"House Stirling..."


"I don't see the harm in having the Goddess see the Princess as well... Aye!" Eamon answered.


Duval was a little relieved but he wasn't out of the woods yet.


"House Valerian..."


"Nay," Earl Nathaniel answered.


"House Dule..."


"Nay," Young Lord Johan said.


"House Windermere..."


Thaddeus took a moment which made Duval sweat for a second as the Baron looked at him.


"Aye!... This is your last chance to prove that you are the leader that we need, Marquess," Thaddeus said as he looked at Duval with a stoic face.


The Prime Minister was glad that Thaddeus let this slide and he will offer him a Minister position to get him back on his side, once things settle down.


"House Lysander..."


William looked to the Duke and Duval stared intently as he waited for his decision. He may not have been a praying man, but he was praying harder than he's ever done before.


'Please, goddess!... Help me save are kingdom with the help of this girl! Please!' Duval silently prayed.


Alaric looked at William and gave him a slight nodded.


"Aye it is," William said.


Alaric smirked as he knew how desperate Duval. He wished he could have destroyed this motion but he needed to do everything in his power to stop this Dark Elf from being with Quinus. So he will aid him until Rya was out of the picture. Then he will go back to plotting Duval's demise.


"House Revelia..."


Alaric gave a quick glance at the Prime Minister before answering.


"Aye," Alaric said.


Duval couldn't believe it. His greatest nuisance had actually helped him!


"All the present Major Houses have voted and this concludes the voting. We have 6 ayes and 2 nays which reached the 75% quota. The motion has passed, Princess Hilda is now included in the amendment... You will all be informed when the date is set for the Goddess's blessing," Lord Brice announced.


Rya looked at Quin and noticed his sour mood, "Hey?... So what if she doing this thing... I'll one up her in everyway," Rya reassured her fiance.


Quinus gave her a small smile as she rubbed his thigh, "I'm more worried about them trying to rig this whole thing. They may not care about us getting together... But I wouldn't put it past Duval and his cronies to try and have a priestess from the Holy Temple of Balance try to tamper with the Idol," Quinus whispered to her.


"That may be but I'll sniff out any magic that she tries to do," Rya replied.


Quinus sighed, "I hope you're right, babe. Because I can't live without you in my life."


Rya's face got really red, "Y-Yeah... I can't live without you e-either."


Rya felt a sudden sense of pride, but a little bit of fear as well. Normally when someone see how tough she is with fighting or how quick witted she is. People that confront her get nervous, like what happened with Alaric and Sir Darius. But this Hilda chick seemed to get more emboldened every time Rya won. Sure she could just kill her without a second thought but it didn't sit right with her to kill a girl that hadn't done anything wrong besides being a nuisance. It would make her a monster if she did and losing her humanity, even though she is an elf, was the last thing she wanted. This world was cruel and she needed to adapt but not to the point that she forgets where she came from.


'Haah... I really wish this chick would fuck off... Quin is mine and she thinks this is what it going to make him fall for her?... Get real honey! This guy is head over heels for me and no one is changing that! Not even the gods themselves! Or a goddess... Hehe!' Rya thought as a smirk grew on her face.


Rya gave a confident nod and looked at Quinus.


"You won't be getting rid of me anytime soon," Rya told him.


"I know," Quinus said before kissing her on the lips. 


Hilda saw this and wanted to go over to Rya and slap her on the face but she felt the Duchess grab her shoulder.


"She's trying to bait you into fighting her... Don't give her what she wants, dear," Leandra said.


"B-But showing affection in public is—"


"It's frowned upon but it's not a sin here, Princess... So what would the Major Houses think when a princess resorts to slapping her competition in public... I know it's unfair, but that is how the world is somethings. So we must be smarter than them, dear," Leandra explained.


"W-What if she does something with him in the bedroom?... I must protect his chastity—"


"That ship has sailed, dear... She's been with him for months in life and death situations... She's spread her legs out for him to control him... She's ensnared him with her body and he can't escape. You need to break her hold over him," Leandra whispered into Hilda's ear.


"H-How?"


"That is something that I will discuss with you later when the elves aren't around... But for now... You need to be strong... And you need to make the decisions that will save the kingdom from a war," Leandra explained.


"...Alright... For the people," Hilda replied.


"Good," Leandra replied.


Hilda was a little sad at hearing that Quinus has been defiled but she could not show weakness, she would save him from this evil creature.


She would do everything in her power to stop the marriage and then save her prince from Rya's dark clutches.