The Announcement~
The next day at the palace, the king called for a royal meeting. All seven kings from the seven provinces of the kingdom were expected to be present. Every member of the royal family, including close relatives, elders, and council members, was also required to attend the meeting.
The meeting was to be held in the palace's Great Hall. The king's magnificent throne had already been placed at the center, while seven beautifully decorated seats were arranged beside it for his queens.
This would be Elizabeth's first public appearance as the king's wife, not merely as his bride. For that reason, she was given special attention in preparation for the occasion.
By the king's order, the finest royal dressmaker was summoned to prepare Elizabeth's attire, while the palace's best makeup artist was assigned to enhance her beauty and ensure she looked nothing less than perfect for the royal gathering.
Elizabeth stood before the mirror, admiring her reflection. She couldn't help but smile, touched by the care and affection the king had shown her.
She wore a long baby-pink gown embroidered with delicate floral patterns. The gown covered most of her body, while the soft pink lace that stretched from her shoulders down to her wrists gave a graceful glimpse of her fair skin beneath.
Already blessed with natural beauty, Elizabeth needed only a touch of makeup. Her hair had been neatly braided into an elegant royal style, with a few loose strands framing her face beautifully.
Kira walked into the dressing room carrying Elizabeth's crown.
"My Queen, you look so beautiful," Kira said with a smile as she carefully placed the crown on Elizabeth's head.
"Indeed," Vivian, Elizabeth's makeup artist, added. "I feel so honored to be the one preparing Your Majesty today."
Everyone in the room nodded in agreement, including Kira.
Elizabeth smiled warmly, but her mind was elsewhere.
She couldn't stop thinking about everything that had happened the previous night. Natasha… her mysterious appearance… and the strange words she had spoken before disappearing.
Elizabeth wanted to tell someone about it, perhaps Kira or Queen Jasmine. But after thinking about it carefully, she decided against it.
No.
She would wait until she could see her parents.
Surely they would know something.
"Is something wrong, My Queen?" Vivian asked gently, noticing the change in Elizabeth's expression.
Kira also became worried.
"My Queen, are you feeling alright? Is the dress too heavy? Is the crown uncomfortable? Should I loosen your gown?" she asked, throwing one question after another.
Elizabeth laughed softly.
"No, I'm fine."
She turned to Kira with a gentle smile.
"And please… stop calling me 'My Queen.'"
Kira blinked in surprise.
"You too, Vivian. Both of you sound far too formal."
"But we can't," Kira replied immediately. "You are the king's wife… and our queen."
"I know," Elizabeth said with a smile. "But it gets a little lonely when everyone treats me like I'm some kind of goddess."
One of the younger maids immediately shook her head.
"But His Majesty would have us beheaded if he found out."
Fear spread across the room as the other maids silently agreed.
Elizabeth smiled mischievously.
"Then let's make a deal."
"When no one else is around, you may call me Elizabeth."
The maids looked at one another uncertainly.
None of them seemed willing to agree.
Just then, a knock came from the door.
A palace attendant entered and bowed respectfully.
"My Queen, it is time."
"His Majesty awaits you."
Elizabeth took one last look at herself in the mirror.
She took a deep breath.
"I'm ready."
With that, she followed the attendant out of the dressing room.
The Great Hall was already filled with guests.
Everyone sat according to their rank and status, patiently waiting for the arrival of the royal family.
Moments later, the royal butler struck his staff against the marble floor.
"Their Majesties… His Majesty, King Arthur… and Her Majesties!"
Everyone immediately rose to their feet.
The great doors slowly opened.
King Arthur entered first, walking proudly toward his throne with Elizabeth beside him. The remaining six queens followed behind them in perfect order.
As they made their way through the hall, every guest bowed respectfully.
"Long live His Majesty!"
"Long live Her Majesties!"
The voices echoed throughout the Great Hall before everyone resumed their seats.
King Arthur remained standing for a moment before speaking.
"I appreciate every one of you for honoring my invitation to the palace."
"I know this meeting was called unexpectedly, and yet you all came without hesitation."
"For that, I thank you."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"The reason for today's gathering concerns this realm… our people… and the future of our kingdom."
The hall fell silent.
"We all remember the tragic death of my mother, the Great Queen."
A wave of sadness spread throughout the hall.
Everyone knew how the Great Queen had sacrificed her own life to protect her son from his father.
Her death remained one of the greatest tragedies in the history of Austro.
"No matter how hard we have tried to protect ourselves from the Evil King…"
"…my father continues to search for ways to destroy us."
Whispers immediately spread across the hall.
Elizabeth quietly glanced toward her parents.
They smiled proudly at her from where they sat among the honored guests.
Elizabeth smiled back.
How badly she wanted to speak with them.
But she knew she had to wait.
"My King," one of the rulers from the Etric Tribe stood respectfully. "What news have you received? Please do not hesitate to tell us."
King Arthur's expression darkened.
Leaning back slightly on his throne, he spoke calmly.
"A few months ago…"
"I began having strange dreams."
"I believe many of you have already heard the rumors."
One of the elders from the Chanz Tribe slowly stood.
"My King, it is true that many rumors have reached us from the palace."
"But I fail to understand why dreams should trouble the great King Arthur of Austro."
"You are the God of Storms."
"Why should a mere dream concern someone as powerful as you?"
Several men nodded in agreement.
King Arthur let out a quiet chuckle.
"This is no ordinary dream."
"It was a warning."
"I sent trusted men to seek answers concerning those dreams."
"They have returned…"
"…with news."
Everyone exchanged confused glances.
What kind of news could frighten the king himself?
Was it another threat from a neighboring realm?
Or…
Did it have something to do with The King?
King Arthur slowly rose from his throne.
Immediately, everyone else stood.
The atmosphere inside the hall suddenly became cold.
A powerful chill swept across the room, causing the hairs on everyone's bodies to stand.
Even Elizabeth felt an uneasy shiver run down her spine.
Everyone knew what it meant whenever the king rose to his feet.
He was about to make a decree.
King Arthur looked at his seven queens.
Then at the seven provincial kings.
Finally, his gaze swept across the entire hall.
Taking a deep breath, he spoke with a voice that echoed throughout the palace.
"I, King Arthur, first and only son of the Great King Frederick, ruler of the Seven Kingdoms and Provinces of this realm, hereby make a royal decree."
"Let these words be heard by every soul present here today, and let them remain in your hearts forever."
"From this day onward…"
"I forbid the birth of any male child from my bloodline."
The hall fell into complete silence.
Not a single person dared to breathe.
The elders, the council members, the seven kings, the queens, and even Elizabeth were left speechless by the king's shocking declaration.