By Order of the King

Chapter 9

The following day, the king saw Lennox and his men out early in the morning. Lennox thanked him profusely for his hospitality, and the King wished them a pleasant journey.

The King entered the castle as soon as the company had moved away, and all that was left was a cloud of dust.

He headed towards the library where he had his office, but a step before entering, he saw his clerk almost running towards him.

"Your Highness, please wait," he shouted to be heard over the distance that separated him from the King, "it's important."

The king stood, and when the clerk approached him, he asked what had happened.

"I have drawn up the decree and I would like you to review it. We don't have many days left. Also, I would like you to check the names of the young ladies I have chosen so far and tell me if they are approved or not. But…" the clerk bit his lower lip.

The King took a deep sigh. "Tell me, Glenn. I have work, and you're delaying me."

"I'm sorry, Your Highness," he apologized and bowed his head. "I didn’t complete the list of young ladies' names you asked for."

"That's all?" the King answered him and laughed softly. "Come in with me, and I'll help you." The King walked into the library with a smiling Glenn following him.

The king sat down at his desk, and Glenn placed the papers he was holding in front of him.

Glenn was quiet for the next few minutes as the king studied the papers, trying to breathe as quietly as possible.

"Well," the king said at some point and lifted his head from the papers. "The decree is perfect. You give as much information as is needed as I have asked. Now, as far as the young ladies, you have written six out of ten, and I agree with those names. I will write the rest of the names for you on a piece of pap, and then you will transfer them to the officials' documents in calligraphic letters."

"Of course, Your Highness, and thank you very much for your help. I gave the matter a great deal of thought before I finally asked for your help, and that only because the days were running short and I feared we would not catch up in time, which would be worse, and for that reason…."

"You talk too much, Glenn," the King said sternly, and immediately Glenn shut his mouth and looked straight ahead, waiting for the King to finish.

"It is ready," the King announced a little later, handing the paper to Glenn.

"Read them out loud so I can hear them again," the King ordered.

Glenn took the paper and began to read. "Dedra, daughter of Lord Rodan Tailor, Keeler, daughter of Lord Baran Mason, Meegan, daughter of Lord Conroy Stewart, and the last one Skye, niece of Lord Malcolm Maclntyre."

"Okay, now I am sure that I have chosen correctly, and now you can go, Glenn," he said, handing him the rest of his papers.

Glenn bowed. "As you wish, Your Highness," he said and left.

Before the king could catch one more breath, the official courtier entered.

"Your Highness, Lord Malcolm arrived a little while ago and requested an audience," he announced formally. "What to do?"

The king half-smiled. "Lead him to the throne room and I'll be right there."

"Yes, Your Highness," he replied, and after offering a light and elegant bow, he left to carry out the King's wish.

King Cinaed was in no rush to meet Lord Malcolm. He finished some urgent office work and then made his way to the throne room.

Entering the throne room, the door had been left open – only when the King was inside the room did the door close – he saw Lord Malcolm pacing up and down with his hands tied behind his back.

As soon as he realized the King was standing in the doorway looking at him, he immediately stopped. "Your Highness," he said and bowed.

"What's going on, Malcolm? It must be vital to make such a long journey," said the King, looking at him with an ironic glint.

Malcolm shook his head. "Yes indeed, it is something important," he replied.

"I hear you then," the King urged as he walked to the throne and sat down.

Malcolm took a deep breath, giving himself some time to think about how to begin telling the King what he had come to say to him. For him, it was an important matter, and he had to definitely succeed in convincing the King of the purpose he had come to accomplish.

"Well, as always, I've come to update you regarding the dinner with Lord Lennox. It didn't go well. He refused to marry Skye," he said and paused to take a deep breath.

The king looked at him with an impassive expression. "Okay, I'll tell my clerk to note it," he replied and got up from his throne.

Malcolm raised his hand. "Forgive me, my King, but that's not all I want to say. I have more," he told him hastily.

The King sat back on his throne, puffing. "Okay, tell me, but quickly."

"Yes, I will not take advantage of your time, my King."

The king made him nod with his hand to continue.

"Well, when I applied for Lennox, I was told that it was Skye's last chance to find a husband because there were no other young men. That with Lennox, we would have covered all our chances and…."

"You're taking too long, Malcolm, and I told you I was in a hurry," the King glared at him.

Malcolm swallowed hard. "Oh, please forgive me. I will be briefer. I wish to apply for Skye's prospective groom, an older man," he expressed quickly.

This caught the king's attention, and he pursed his lips. He felt his blood boil with anger.

Malcolm always irritated him with his selfishness. He understood that he would do anything to get rid of Skye.

The King looked at him calmly. "Such kinds of men are either widowers or rascals, and no parents ever consented to give them their daughters as wives."

"So, that means maybe I could apply for a widower," Malcolm suggested.

"And you will not feel sad that Skye will be forced to live with an old man? Lying on his side, and this man demanding that Skye fulfill her marital duties?" The King asked, looking at him sharply. He wanted to know how far that man in front of him could reach.

"But I'm doing it for her sake. To not be the spinster that everyone will comment on and make fun of." He insisted confidently, using valid arguments that Malcolm believed the King would take them seriously.

The King grabbed the arm of the throne and squeezed it. His eyes sparkled.

"No! I don't allow it! And that is an order," The King replied in a cold voice.