The next day came to pass, Kunigunde had taken the master bedroom in the castle, and Bregorn and Mâr had moved their bed to one of the larger bedrooms. They wanted to wait until the kingdom stabilized a bit more before they had tried to conceive a child. The eventual trial for the conception of children was implied by married couples. Bregorn took the responsibility for arbitration and urban development. Kunigunde was starting to become comfortable taking charge of the whole role as queen.

That morning, Bregorn and Mâr held each other in their bed. The stained glass in their new room colored the rugs and the floors with vibrant rays. There was a pounding knock on the door.

“Bregorn! Wake up! Something very incredible has happened! Come outside quickly!.” Kunigunde shouted from the other side of the drawer.

Bregorn and Mâr were startled. Bregorn leaped out of bed and put on his coat. Answering the door, Kunigunde was on the other side. She was awake much earlier than usual, already wearing her daily clothes, and not sleepwear. She wore her mother’s circlet and ring.

“Follow me!” Kunigunde said. She then poked her head in through the door. “Mâr, come to the great hall when you are ready," Kunigunde said as she took down the hall towards the main hall at a fast pace.

“What has happened, sister?” Bregorn said, pursing her down the hall.

“I jest not, the Creatrix has sent us an Edict! It is addressed to our family!” Kunigunde exclaimed with a smile.

“Have mercy!” Bregorn exclaimed in reply.

There were a few guards and an off-duty Burning One. there to meet them in the great hall. For an edict to be opened, at least one Burning, one must be there to verify that it was received by the proper people. In this case, with Conrad thought to be dead, they were no currently employed Burning One available. They summoned Levi, a retired Burning One. He was an older gentleman, who settled in the monastery after his retirement. He was well-liked and his presence brought an aura of warmth and love. During his old age, however, his mind started to fade. He could not keep a coherent conversation for more than a few minutes. Although, he always managed to get up at the perfect hour for the morning prayers and breakfast.

They waited for Mâr to come down before opening the Edict. As they waited, Levi examined the seals on the leather envelope. He could not remember what they were supposed to look like for the present Burning Ones, so he checked them with a reference book. It took him several minutes to do this, but nobody dared to interrupt him. They sat by somewhat impatiently.

“This appears to be valid! The eldest is to open it, as no parents are here.” Levi said in his weak voice with a smile as he handed it to the new queen.

Kunigunde took the Edict and read it out loud. “I am the Creatrix, hearken to me. Behold that there are great times ahead. The events of which I speak shall be known in legends, for they are going to shape the future of all of that I have created more than any other time that has come to pass and will ever pass again, from the smallest of plants and animals to the largest of beasts in the water. These times will test all of you. There shall be no person whom the coming times will remain unaffected. Though take courage, for the People of Craetakur have earned my favor, and those who have not still have my love. For nothing can separate my children from me.” As the company heard, they were increasingly more concerned. Kunigunde took a short pause.

Therefore, for the sake of all that I love, which is all that I have created, hear me. Conrad Viapacis is not dead as you have thought!” They all were stunned in awe. Bregorn and Kunigunde began to cry. Mâr was hurt to see Bregorn hurt so much. She was nearly brought to tears as well with her new empathy for Bregorn. She took Bregorn in her arms to comfort him.

Kunigunde sat down holding her head with her face in her hands. “I thought I had killed him! I cannot do that again!” Kunigunde exclaimed, having her mind jump to the worst outcome of the message.

“Read the rest of it! Perhaps the Creatrix has changed his heart and will bring him home!” Bregorn responded.

Kunigunde continued to read from her sitting position. “By the goodwill of the beloved creatures from across the sea that your people have never seen, he has been rescued. The goodwill of these creatures he desires to twist, and he is fully capable of doing so. Even now, he divides them, poisoning their lives and peace with lies and paranoia.”

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Kunigunde’s tears became confusion. Still filled with disappointment and grief, “Creatures? From across the sea? I have never heard of such creatures.”

Bregorn continued to cry unable to pay attention to what Kunigunde was saying. “Keep reading Kunigunde,” Mâr said with her arms golding Bregorn tight.

Kunigunde continued, “Kunigunde must surrender her crown to Bregorn. Do not think that you have failed me, Kunigunde. Your part shall be no less glorious and important. Bregorn, you must build me an army and fleet worthy of the Creatrix.”

Kunigunde sat silently. “Give my crown to Bregorn? Why? And an army?” She thought.

She continued, “You shall launch the fleet that you have constructed with the army that you have gathered on the 18th of July.”

“This cannot be true! This must be some cruel prank! Check the seals again Levi!” She demanded.

Levi had already forgotten what he was doing. He sat there dreaming in his own mind. “Yes, Princess?” He asked as he did not comprehend what she said.

“Burning Levi, please check this Edict for validity again,” Kunigunde said, holding back her anger and grief.

“Oh, of course, milady!” he said as he took the Edict from her hand. “I do not recognize these seals, milady. I will have to get my directory.” He said as he was arising from the table bench.

“It is right here,” Mâr said with the directory in her hands.

“Oh thank you, young one. What is your name?” He asked, slowly taking the book out of her hand.

“Burning Levi, please try to focus. This is important.” Kunigunde said with a slow and calm inflection.

“Oh yes, Milady!. He sat down and began to work.

A few minutes in he noticed Bregorn in tears. “What is wrong, Prince Bregorn?”

“Stay focused!” Kunigunde shouted.

“Yes, Milady!” Levi said, somewhat startled.

Kunigunde immediately felt guilty for shouting at him. She nearly interrupted him to apologize but decided to let him finish the second validation. It took him another ten minutes as he flipped through the directory.

“These seals appear valid, milady!” He said to Bregorn and Kunigunde’s disappointment. “I think it may be nearly time for morning prayer.” Levi then got up and walked out with his cane.

“Matthew, make sure he gets back to the monastery safely. When you are done, find Captain Asher and tell him to meet me in my study.”

He responded with a resounding, “Yes, milady!” Matthew left with Levi.

Kunigunde, Mâr, and Bregorn stayed for a while in the main hall to process this great revelation. After several minutes, Kunigunde arose and from the table bench and walked toward the stairs.

“Meet me in my study when you are ready, dear brother and sister.” She said.

Kunigunde sat at her desk, again with her hands holding her face. She prayed there, going from anger to asking that this be a dream, to wondering and worrying about what is going to happen. She was there for perhaps an hour and a half before there was a knock on her door.

“Come!” She responded to the knock.

“Good morning my queen!” It was Captain Asher. “What can I do for you?” He asked calmly.

Kunigunde told him clearly what the Edict had said. Like everyone else, he was very much shocked to hear what it had to say and what the Creatrix demanded. He was even asking if the Edict was valid as Kunigunde had questioned.

“Levi validated it twice. We have little choice but to do what the Creatrix says, no?” She asked.

“Then what must I do, my queen?” Captain Asher asked.

“We need to gather as large of an army as we can in four and a half months. How would you recommend we begin? It would be impractical to send a message to every town. Would it be also impractical to send a message to every kingdom and have them handle notifying their own towns?” Kunigunde suggested.

“That is what I would do. Draft the letters for me. I will review and sign and seal them. I must attend to my brother. You may use my study. Do whatever you need to do to get this done. Tell them also to send their most skilled shipbuilders and navigators who are willing to Miryam and arrive before the end of April if possible. They will be reimbursed for any housing spending and paid for their time. Tell Lord Miryam to expect them. Tell one of my servants to let me know when you are ready.” Kunigunde instructed as she left.

How is Bregorn going to react to being handed the crown? He has no choice if he is to remain pious. Kunigunde went to the vaults and retrieved her father’s ring to give to Bregorn. It was a tradition that the current king or queen personally give the power to their successor.

Bregorn and Mâr were no longer in the main hall. Kunigunde again went to their bedroom and again knocked. Mâr answered the door silently.

“May I come in, sister?” Kunigunde asked.

Mâr nodded in reply. Kunigunde walked in with her father’s ring in her closed hand. Bregorn was sitting on the edge of the bed. His face was red with stress.

“I assume you heard what the Creatrix asked of you?” Kunigunde asked, kneeling next to him.

“Yes,” Bregorn responded

“I understand if you refuse to take the crown. I cannot make you take it. It also seems like the responsibilities implied will be great. But I will help you as much as I can and because I love you and want to see the holiest you, I want you to take my crown. The Creatrix will not give you what you cannot do.” Kunigunde said calmly, holding back tears herself.

She then opened her hand to show him the ring. Bregorn looked at it, deep in thought for a moment before taking the ring with his thumb and index finger. He placed the ring on his index finger on his right hand.

The then turned to Mâr, “I cannot do this on my own Mâr. Will you do this with me?” Bregorn asked.

“Of course, my love.” She replied, placing her hand on his head.