monarch

Edward felt that everything in front of his eyes had become some kind of illusion.He saw the queen kneeling in front of the fireplace and weeping, but the crying did not reach his ears at all.Several important ministers said something to him with flattering smiles, but all he saw were lips that moved, like some kind of funny pantomime.He felt hands on his shoulders, turned his head, and saw the familiar face of Robert Dudley.

So Edward was like sleepwalking, and was pulled by the black-haired boy by the arm to leave the room that the god of death had just left.They bypassed the throng that crowded around the king's chambers by secret corridors that few knew.

When Edward realized it, he was already sitting on the sofa in the living room of his bedroom.The room was dark, like being in a tomb, and the faint moonlight came in through the windows.

He shook his head slightly to bring himself back to his senses.

In one corner of the room there was a glimmer of light, and then in another, candles were lit by Robert.

The black-haired boy put down the last candle and walked back to Edward.

"Your Highness..." He paused, as if he suddenly remembered something, "Your Majesty... I'm sorry."

"It's really scary, isn't it?" The prince's voice sounded a little hoarse, and he sat there quietly, looking at a landscape painting on the opposite wall, which showed daffodils blooming by the pool.

"Are you okay?" Robert asked with some concern.

"Me? I'm fine." The prince smiled slightly, but the smile looked a little sad. "I'm just a little shocked." He took off his hat and stroked the feathers on it, "I thought he would never die... After all, he is so powerful." His eyes were slightly red again.

"Mortals are mortal, and kings are only mortals," replied Robert, who sat down beside Edward and took his hand.

The prince's hand trembled slightly, but he didn't push away the opponent's hand.

"When I was alone with him, he said that this is the loneliest place in the world." The prince bit his lip, "It's only been less than an hour now, and I have a deep understanding of this." He said He clenched his hand slightly, and Robert felt that hand was as cold as ice. "I'm afraid." He heard the noble boy beside him whisper.

Robert stretched out his hand and held the young king in his arms, "Don't be afraid, I'm here and I'm not going anywhere." He leaned into Edward's ear and whispered.

There was a knock on the door outside, and Robert let go of his arm around the prince, and stretched out his hand to straighten his clothes.

"Come in." The prince adjusted his expression and said as calmly as possible.

A squire entered the room with low eyebrows, looking like a rabbit facing the lion's mouth.He had a flattering smile on his face, reminding Edward how cautious they were when they faced King Henry.

"Your Majesty, the members of the Privy Council are ready to kiss you."

"Tell them I'll be there soon."

The attendant saluted again, bowed his head and left the room.

"Come with me," Edward said softly.

Robert stretched out his hand and straightened the wrinkled collar for the new king, "Even if you don't tell me, I will follow you secretly." He took Edward's hand again, and was relieved to find that the hand had become stronger than before. Much warmer.

……

The cast iron gate of the Whitehall Palace opened slowly, and a group of men in black with solemn expressions came out of the dark gate. They held torches, and the flickering firelight cast dancing shadows on their expressionless faces.The leading man had a document in his hand, and he went to the bulletin board in front of the palace and pinned the obituary of King Henry VIII on it.

The crowd of onlookers watched silently as the group of people disappeared into the dark doorway like cave animals. They didn't seem to be sad, nor did they seem to be happy. They just took off their hats indifferently and greeted this A final tribute to an invaluable king.

In the throne room, the lords of the Privy Council huddled together in twos and threes, talking in low voices.It is obviously disrespectful to talk and laugh loudly when the old king has just died, but they can't restrain the urge to communicate with their own party, so these powerful adults can only gather together like a group of dance parties to talk Like a gossiping little girl, she covered her mouth with her hands and whispered to each other.

Bishop Gardiner looked rosy, as if he had just returned from a holiday at the hot springs in Bath.The bishop, who was thought to have ended his political life, performed the miracle of the resurrection of Jesus, entered the Regency Council with his head held high, and stood up to the Lord Protector. The bishop, who was still disheartened before, seemed to have drunk the golden cup of the goddess of youth. Like the fine wine in the hotel, the vitality of youth is regained.He tried his best to put on a look of mourning, like a businessman who thought he was about to go bankrupt after losing his investment, but suddenly learned that it was his friend who was actually going bankrupt, so he could only suppress his ecstasy and put on a sad look.

And the gloomy expression on the face of the newly released Duke Protector on the other side is much more real.It took Lord Edward Seymour more than ten years to finally reach the peak of power.However, King Henry gave him the title of duke and the post of regent, but deprived him of the opportunity to take power alone. Not only that, but even this nominal regent had only more than three years of validity left.The Lord Protector looked like a child who had been looking forward to a Christmas present for a whole year, only to find that there were only a few cheap pieces of candy in his stocking.He stood in the middle of the room with a gloomy face, keeping those party members who were planning to go up and greet him at a respectful distance.

The door of the Throne Hall burst open, and the loud voice of "the king's arrival" familiar to the ceremonial officer sounded again, but what emerged from the door was no longer the paralyzed, obese body of King Henry VIII that smelled of corruption, but a handsome and beautiful man The young king, and behind him is Viscount Robert Dudley, who is inseparable from the new king.The sight made even the most obtuse realize that a new age had come.

Edward walked to the throne and stood still. He quietly looked at the gorgeous gold ornaments on the throne and the cracks on the ancient wood.He bit his lips slightly, took a breath, turned around, and sat firmly on the throne.

The crowd bowed to the new king.His Excellency the Duke Protector walked out of the crowd, as if he had put on a mask, and the Duke put on the hypocritical smile that is common in the court. Even his political opponents couldn't help but admire his energy-raising skills.

"Your Majesty, on behalf of the Regent Council and the Privy Council, I offer my condolences on the passing of your father."

"Thank you, Your Excellency." The new king nodded slightly.

"We swear our allegiance to you, and we will be your most faithful servants, just as we once served your father. May your reign be long, and may you be in good health."

The prince nodded again, "Thank you for your kindness." He extended his hand forward.

The Duke Protector took a few steps forward, knelt down in front of the new king, held the king's hand, and kissed it lightly.

He stood up, took a few steps back, and bowed again.

Bishop Gardiner stepped forward next, and he kissed the king's hand as affectionately as he kissed his own lover. It took Edward a lot of effort to resist the urge to pull his hand back.

Robert's father, John Dudley, Earl of Essex, is now the third person in the Regency Council. As the new king's close ministers, the Dudley family is now very popular.Just now, Robert Dudley came in with the new king, which made many people have a deeper understanding of the superiority of the Dudley family.

John Dudley solemnly kissed the hand of the new king, as a king's valet should do to his benefactor, looking grateful and respectful.Edward also nodded to him graciously.The count stood up and glanced at his son. The look in his eyes could not only be interpreted as a compliment to his son, but also as a reminder for him to always be cautious in front of His Majesty.His performance surprised many onlookers who thought he would be beaming.The powerful ministers of the new era are about to be born. Although the Protector of the Country is in full swing, there will only be a downhill road in the future. Twenty years ago Cromwell replaced the Bishop of Wolsey, five years ago the Lord Protector replaced the Duke of Norfolk, and when the Lord Protector stepped down from power, John Dudley Would undoubtedly be a strong candidate for the lead role in this drama.

Edward sat there quietly, looking at the faces of those who kissed his hands, some of them had expressions of flattery, some of curiosity, and some of fear——the prestige of the former king made these people look at anyone who sat Everyone in this chair will have some kind of physical fear, and Edward's genial smile has no effect on it.

The ceremony finally came to an end when the last member of the supreme authority also kissed the hand of the new king.

The Lord Protector came out from the crowd again, "Your Majesty, according to the discussion of the Regency Council, the funeral of the late king will be held in half a month. According to the request of the late king, he will be buried in St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, with your mother Queen Anne Boleyn, is buried with my sister, Queen Jane Seymour."

"Will half a month have time to prepare for the funeral?" Edward asked.

"Everything has been prepared before, and we think it is completely in time."

"Very well," said Edward, "and the coronation?"

"The coronation ceremony may take more time to prepare, and we need to allow time for the nobles from all over the country to come." The smile on the Duke Protector's face froze a little, "I think it is more appropriate to hold the coronation ceremony this autumn."

"It's still winter." Edward said coldly.

"Yes, Your Majesty," replied the Protector dryly.

"Do you think I should wait nine months before I'm officially crowned?" Edward realized that this was a throwing stone from the Lord Protector to test his bottom line.He's quick enough, Edward thought with a slight sneer.

"This can give us more time to prepare, and the nobles will not be in such a hurry."

"If the Regency Council needs nine months to prepare for a coronation ceremony, then I will doubt whether the members of this institution are competent." Edward's voice became much colder, "So, Lord Protector, this is your opinion, or the opinion of the Regent Council?"

The Duke Protector was silent, he lowered his head so that people could not see the dark color on his face clearly.Bishop Gardner seemed to be about to speak at a certain moment, but he finally held back, and at this moment his face was flushed red.

Edward turned to the others again, "My lords, you owe my father's trust. He entrusted me to you and made you my most important advisors. Now, do you also think that my father has misjudged his eyes? You are all like guardians." It’s the same as what your lord said, can’t you do your own job?” The new king’s voice was like a dark cloud before a storm, and many people looked at him in surprise, as if they saw the shadow of King Henry VIII in him.

"The Lord Protector only represents his own opinion." Bishop Gardner finally couldn't restrain himself, ignoring the poisoned eyes of His Excellency the Protector, he stood up, "Your Majesty can hold the coronation ceremony at any time, The Regency Council will definitely prepare for everything. In fact, I think the sooner His Majesty is crowned, the better, and let the whole country and Europe know that we have a great king!" The bishop's voice was already high when he said the last few words The sound broke.

"I also agree with the bishop's opinion." John Dudley stood up and said calmly.

So the members of the two parties agreed one after another, leaving only the Duke Protector's faction to remain silent.

"In that case, let's vote." Edward glanced at the Lord Protector, whose face was getting uglier, and he looked like he was about to have a fit.Although the Huguogong faction has the largest number of people, it is still far from the majority.

"I apologize to Your Majesty." The Lord Protector finally gave in. "My previous conclusion was a little too hasty. The Regency Council can hold a coronation ceremony for Your Majesty at any time Your Majesty wishes."

As if the sun had dispelled the dark clouds, a smile appeared on Edward's face, as if the tension just now had never happened, "Very good, I am very glad that the Regency Council can reach a consensus." He pondered for a few seconds, "Then the coronation ceremony It will be held in three months, and it will be spring by then, and nobles can come to London to watch the ceremony very conveniently."

"Your Majesty is wise." Bishop Gardner said obsequiously.

The Lord Protector bowed stiffly, "Follow Your Majesty's instructions."

"Okay, then you can go back and rest." Edward said.He stood up and walked out of the room amidst the bows of the crowd, Robert Dudley closely following him.

When the king disappeared outside the door, the Lord Protector took a deep breath, ignored Bishop Gardiner's mocking gaze, and left the room with a sullen face. There was a burst of whispering and low-pitched mocking behind him.His hands clenched tightly into fists, as if he wanted to crush the whole kingdom to pieces with these two iron hands holding swords.