Page 65 of Coronation (Royally Forbidden #1)
Forty
Benedict
“ I have married Zelda Flowers.”
For a long moment, the wood-paneled boardroom in Parliament is totally silent but for the steady ticking of a handsome grandfather clock in the corner.
Across from me sits the newly appointed prime minister, the minority party leader, and a collection of high-ranking cabinet members, all of whom look similarly shocked by my pronouncement.
Typically, meetings of this sort are scheduled weeks in advance and come with an agenda, so I can hardly blame them for being caught off guard.
Even so, after what feels like a full minute has passed and still not a single one of them has spoken, I decide I have better things to do than wait for them to recover.
“Well, then. Thank you all for your time.” I shove my chair back and am halfway to standing when the PM finally drags himself from whatever state of disbelief he was suspended in.
“ Married ? Zelda Flowers ?” he demands with such an outraged expression, anyone would think I’d struck him.
“Last night. At a small church in Fernhill.” Reluctantly, I sink back down and fold my hands before me on the table, begrudgingly accepting this will not be a brief discussion.
Outraged reaction or not, I’m determined to offer not a hint of regret for my actions as I stare back at the man, unsmiling and unapologetic.
When I woke this morning with Zelda’s bare body pressed against mine, filled with a sense of completeness I’ve never known before, I knew I would have my work cut out for me in this meeting.
These people would expect me to apologize for breaking the law and royal protocol, to express my contrition, and beg for Parliament’s cooperation so I might keep my crown. As my beautiful young wife crawled down my body to wrap her lips around my cock, I was quite certain I would do no such thing.
“Sir,” pleads the PM, his eyes all but bulging out of his head. “Can this be undone? An annulment, perhaps?”
I snort, resisting the urge to inform the man of our thorough consummation efforts. “Even if it could, I wouldn’t allow it.”
“But-but- surely , sir, you are aware of the long-standing traditions surrounding royal marriages? State weddings? A monarch must seek permission from Parliament to marry a foreign national! This is a flagrant disregard for Stelland’s law!
” He’s ramping up his indignation now, face reddening and hands curling into fists atop the glossy wood table.
At his sides, cabinet members exchange low murmurs and cast each other stunned, disbelieving looks.
Sighing, I look back at him, determined to remain calm and reasonable. “That law was passed in 1834 and is totally irrelevant in the modern context. Or are you saying you believe my wife is a spy? ”
“Whether I believe she is a spy or not is inconsequential! These legal formalities you so callously disregarded were put in place for a reason. They aren’t for you to pick and choose which to follow and when. Surely you see the position you’re putting us in. This woman?—”
“ This woman? ” I interject, each word dripping with outraged disbelief. “Do you make a habit of referring to members of the royal family in such a way?”
Around us, the room has fallen totally silent once again.
Obviously keen on getting things back on more peaceful soil, the PM plasters a fake look of contrition on his sour face.
“ Of course not , sir. I certainly didn’t mean any offense or disrespect.
This isn’t a matter of my opinion of her.
Stelland’s constitution was written to prevent rulers or external entities from gaining an inordinate amount of power or holding themselves above the law.
I see no other choice but to convene a special council to determine what actions should be taken. ”
Yes, I thought he would threaten that.
The right for Stelland’s Parliament to unseat a monarch with a two-thirds majority vote isn’t a power they’ve ever exercised, though if the family stories are to be believed, several of my ancestors more than deserved it.
For such a vote to occur, the special council would have to investigate the offense in question, bring in witnesses and legal experts, deliberate, then, if need be, call for a parliamentary vote.
They would need to present their findings to the entire governing body, then I would be allowed time to speak in my own defense, and even after all that, whether such an action would actually lead to my removal seems unlikely.
Especially given my wife’s popularity amongst their constituents.
The whole affair would take months, however, and I’m determined to avoid putting Zelda under any more stress than she has already been. As such, I have no reservations in playing every card I have at my disposal .
“I believe it is relevant to this matter at hand to also disclose that Her Majesty is pregnant with our first child, and due in March.” I stare around, waiting for a single comment, but—most wisely—none come.
Encouraged, I continue, “If you would like to drag my family through the hellish ordeal of a special council and vote to determine my worthiness to serve this country, I cannot stop you. However, it may be argued that such an action would be hypocritical, given your party’s long-standing commitment to family values. ”
Apparently I’ve touched a nerve, because the PM splutters, “Family values? You have married a woman sixteen years your junior, presumably as a response to this pregnancy. It would be one thing if she were a citizen of Stelland, but to do so with an American actress —” His tone reflects exactly what he thinks of Zelda’s career, and in an instant, I feel something inside me shift from irritation to something far more hostile.
“ Enough ,” I snarl, getting to my feet and pointing directly at the man as hot fury spreads through my chest. “What’s done is done.
I married her, and if Parliament decides that the price is my crown, then I will hand it over.
Until that time, I am your king, and that American actress is my wife.
” Leaning forward, I brace my hands on the top of the table, glaring over it at the prime minister, whose lips have pressed more firmly together as my tirade progressed.
“You will pay your queen the respect she is owed.”
The PM’s face has gone chalk white during my tirade, and the bastard doesn’t seem to have a thing to say as I glare at him, fury still pumping through my veins.
He has exhausted any patience I had with the theatrical, political bullshit.
All I want now is to leave these goddamn people and go home to my wife—who is undoubtedly worried sick that she is somehow responsible for this mess—and tell her it’s all behind us.
Unfortunately, for that to happen, I need to show this man he has far more to gain by giving me what I want than by making an example of me with an antiquated law.
Straightening up at long last, I sink back into my chair and endeavor to return my voice to a reasonable volume as I begin to speak again.
“You have a choice. Either you can have a happily married king and queen, and their child in Ashwell Palace. Or, if I’m forced to, I will abdicate and the crown will go to my unmarried, childless brother. ”
His wince at the mention of Leo has me gritting my teeth, exercising every bit of self-control I possess to stop myself from losing my temper again. The man is a prick, but telling him that won’t help my case.
“Regardless of which course of action you decide, I want an answer today, and I’m certainly not going to beg for your forgiveness.
My wife is hugely popular and has improved my favorability by association.
Public interest in our relationship has thrust Stelland into an international spotlight.
Surely you’re aware that tourism trade spiked ten percent in just two months?
Imagine what she could do with two years. ”
Two years is, not coincidentally, the same length as the PM’s remaining term in office.
I know from experience that whether or not they can truthfully claim any credit for an accomplishment is irrelevant to politicians.
As such, having a booming economy to coincide with the PM’s term won’t do poor things for his reelection campaign.
My wife is an asset to this nation, and if this stodgy old fuck won’t do away with an outdated law to keep her, then on his own head be it.
Apparently well used to saving this man from the embarrassment of admitting he’s wrong, his second in command pipes up from the end of the table. “We’ll see what we can do.”