Royal Feud

Chapter 50

Chapter 50

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit, Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation.

for you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

"Lord, break my spirit. Break my willfulness. Conform my will to Yours. You alone

are worthy of my obedience. You alone are holy. I rededicate my life to You. I ask that Your will be done in my life as it is in heaven. All this I pray in Jesus' name, amen." Feeling as if he had just climbed an enormous mountain, he leaned his head back and rested in the chair. Peace pervaded his soul-a peace such as he had never known.

Delvin looked at his mother. "I thought about what you said yesterday, Mother. You were right. I have been like a willful, selfish child. I have asked for God's forgiveness, and I have asked Him to change me.

"Oh, Delvin." Lucy clasped his hand in both of hers. "I am so glad. "Tis been my prayer for a long time that you would seek the Lord's guidance and that you would trust in Him and not rely solely upon yourself."

"Tis hard. I did not want to admit how arrogant I am. I needed you to point out my failings to me."

"Pride and the desire to be God is the oldest sin. "Tis the sin Satan used to tempt Adam and Eve. We, all of us, are beset by the old Adam. We need to daily submit our will to God's. It does get easier the more we do so, the more God changes our hearts." Delvin nodded.

"Now that you have humbled yourself before God, the next step is to humble yourself before others. The Lord calls upon us to love others as we love ourselves. That means putting the needs of others before our own selfish wants and desires."

Raking his free hand across his mouth, Delvin reflected on her words. Humility would be even more difficult for him than submission. He was used to being in command, having others serve him. How would he be able to serve others? "You can do none of this on your own," Lucy said. "Pray and rely upon the

Holy Spirit to continue to change you."

"Mother..." It shamed him to admit this to her, but he knew that if he did not unburden himself of his guilt, it would continue to tear him apart and might eventually destroy him. "...I am still haunted by the deaths of my men. In my arrogance, thinking I could conquer anything, I deliberately put my men in danger. I caused their deaths." "Delvin, have you asked the Lord for forgiveness for your part in their deaths?"

"Aye."

"Do you not believe Him when He says that when you confess your sins. He removes them from you, as far as the east is from the west? That if you confess your sins. He is faithful and just and will forgive your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness? You must trust Him and rely on His promises."

"Mother, please continue to pray for me." "I always will, Delvin. I always will."

While Margarer stayed with Delvin, Hermione took a walk on the allure with Wyham. Every time she left the confines of the bedchamber the sadness that pervaded the whole of Ishton, from the great hall to the inner bailey and the lists, oppressed her and made her feel guilty. Everyone had been extremely solicitous of her supposed state of mourning, treating her with gentle sympathy as if she, in her fragile state, would shatter with the least provocation. she remarked to

"I am so sorry we are putting everyone through this suffering," Wyham when they were out of earshot of the guard.

"Tis an unfortunate result of your plan, my dear." Wyham commiserated with her. "The people's grief will soon turn to joy, when this is all over." Raising her face to the sky, Hermione breathed deeply of the fresh spring air. Life had

become even more precious to her since Delvin's near fatal injuries. She rejoiced in the light breeze caressing her cheeks, the warmth of the sun her skin, and even in the faint scent of manure from the livestock stabled below. Hermione returned her ge Wyham's face. "When do you think my father will come?" "Belwick sent out spies to Morefy's estate in the north. Morefy left Narhex two days

ago with a large force. We believe he will be here in a few days. I have proposed to Belwick, and he has agreed with me, that I should leave Ishton with the king's me while Lucy remains here with you. Twould be natural for her to remain behind to comfort you. After making a public departure, we will surreptitiously and remain hidden. The soldiers will camp out, concealed in the woods, while I sneak back into the castle. They will provide support and backup for Ishton's troops when Morefy strikes." return to Mercif

"How soon will you leave?"

"Tomorrow."

"We need to tell Delvin about our plan soon. It is getting harder and harder to keep him in our bedchamber. Thankfully, he has almost regained his full strength." "Aye," Wyham agreed. "Belwick and I will come to your chamber this afternoon to explain to him our course of action."

"Good. I think he will accept the idea better if it comes from both of you instead of

just myself." "My dear, your plan is brilliant. You have an excellent tactical mind."

Hermione smiled. "Thank you for your kind words, milord."

"Delvin, where are you going?"

He paused with his hand on the latch of the door and looked over his shoulder at

her. Hermione rushed over and inserted her body between Delvin and the door.

"I am heartily sick of these four walls. I am strong enough to go downstairs."

"Nay, you must not."

"Why not? You can walk by my side, if you think I am likely to keel over."

Hermione pressed her hands lightly to his chest. "Delvin, please. You this chamber. Lord Wyham and Sir Hugh will be here soon to explain everything."

must not leave

"What is going on?"

"Please, Delvin, will you just wait until they can explain?"

"All right."

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief that he had yielded to her wishes so easily. There has been a marked change in Delvin lately. Not so much his physical condition, but his mood had improved tremendously. It seemed to have stemmed from that time she had left him on his own three days ago. He was less demanding, less dictatorial, more appreciative of her efforts.

"Have I told you lately how grateful I am for your care of me?" With her back pressed against the door and her hands still on his chest, she gazed up into his brilliant blue eyes. The gentleness of his voice and the heat in his eyes caused her to catch her breath. He bent his head, and his lips settled over her parted mouth. His arms went around her, and she sank into him, into his tenderness, into his care.

"Hermione," the voice came through the closed door, "tis Wyham and Belwick." "Oh, my goodness," Hermione whispered. "Just a moment, milord."

"You look thoroughly kissed, but otherwise presentable," Delvin murmured, giving her one more lingering kiss before stepping away from her. "We will continue this later.

Go ahead and open the door." She watched him walk toward the chairs, envying him his composure, as she moved to open the door. If Wyham or Belwick noticed her flushed face, they politely ignored

it. The men had visited Delvin during his convalescence, but never before together. Delvin returned their greetings, gesturing for them to be seated. "So," he said when everyone was settled, "Hermione tells me you have something to explain to me. I must confess, I am very intrigued."

Wyham laid out the strategy the three of them had devised, making it clear the original idea had been Hermione's. Delvin listened intently, all trace of his earlier amusement gone. He closely questioned both Wyham and Belwick as to the details before falling into contemplation. The others remained quiet, letting Delvin think.

*Tis a good plan." Delvin looked at Hermione. "Wyham is right. You do have an exceptional tactical mind. However, your plan involves a very real threat to your safety. "Twould be unconscionable for me to put you in any danger."

She met his gaze. "Delvin, the danger to me is minimal. You will all be close by,

should my father turn violent. I will have a knife with me as well."

"Would you be able to use a knife against another human being?" "Against my father? Aye, I would. Delvin, I need to do this."