55. You have to marry Elena.

The palace chiefs and other important personalities in the kingdom called a meeting with their new king, king Arthur. The meeting was mainly to speak to him about the need to make haste and get married so his kingdom could have a Luna. Arthur however, had no idea that was what the meeting was about. He attended the meeting anyway, thinking it was about one of the things that concerned the land that they were there to speak to him about.

"My king," one of the chiefs started. "We're honoured to have you here today. We're glad you honoured our invitation to the meeting."

"Who am I not to honour it?" Arthur replied him.

"Thank you, your highness." Another one started. "The main reason we're here today is not about us, but about you."

"Me?" Arthur asked, placing his hand on his chest. "Is everything okay?"

"Yes. Everything is totally fine, my lord. But for things to continue to remain fine, that was why we called this meeting."

"Okay, then. I am listening."

"It is concerning your wedding, my lord. You have been made our king now and you need a Luna to help and support you. As you know quite well, a king should not take long on the throne before he gets married and give his people a queen." One of the eldest chief priest spoke in the humblest way possible. "We would like to know how much and how well you are preparing for your wedding, your highness."

"Hmm." Arthur said and nodded his head. He knew what they meant by that was that he should decide a date soon that he and Elena would get married. Elena was picked for him by his late father, because she is from a rich family who is also a bit related to a royal family in the land. However, Arthur never for once had an iota of feeling of love for her. He only accepted to marry her then because he wanted to please his father. But now that his father was dead and he could make decisions for himself, he was not in anyway ready to marry her. Besides, his mind went to what his father told him before his death about the story of his mother and her lover. Thinking of all these, he sighed.

"Your highness, are you okay?"

"Is everything fine, my king?"

"Everything is totally fine," Arthur replied them. "I was only thinking of some things."

"So, my king, what do you have to say about the matter we have just tabled down to you?"

"I really have nothing to say about it. When I am ready to get married to the woman of my choice, I'll let you all know." He stated calmly. Immediately he said that, there were murmurs in the hall as the chiefs began to talk amongst themselves. One of Arthur's close friend among the royal personalities walked to meet him and sat on the seat beside him, he also happened to be Alice's husband.

"My king." He greeted him as he spoke to him calmly.

"Clover, my man." Arthur said to the man that just sat beside him as he brought his right hand forward for him to shake. The other man whose name was Clover shook his hands. "It's been a while, old friend."

"Tell me about it." Clover said to him. "I'm sorry about your father's death. I was going to visit but I was very preoccupied with a lot of things that I lost track of time till it turned to days."

"No, it's fine. I totally understand. I'm glad you're here for the meeting though."

"Speaking of the meeting," Clover started and faced Arthur with a serious expression on his face. "What's happening with your wedding ceremony? You said something about when you're ready to get married to the woman of your choice. Does that by any chance point to the fact that you won't be getting married to Elena?"

Arthur smiled a bit as he looked at his friend. "You've always been so smart and you still are."

"Of course. I love women a lot, but I haven't sold out my brain because of them." He joked and Arthur laughed lightly.

The other chiefs were still busy with their discussions too that they didn't notice that Clover and Arthur were discussing.

"So, as I was saying. Does that mean you have someone else in mind?"

"Yes, Clover. I won't be getting married to Elena. It was my father's choice, and now that he isn't here anymore, I can't go on with it. I do not want to live the same life he lived." He said to Clover as his mind went to his mother and her lover's story once again.

"But…" Clover stared at him with a look of concern as his voice trailed off slowly. When he finally found his voice again, he spoke. "But you know the chiefs won't take this lightly. They already know and believe that Elena is the next Luna. Even Elena herself has it in mind that she's the next Luna."

"It's not too late to let them know. I'm glad they called this meeting, because I've been willing to tell them on my own before. The court should know, and I think today is the day to tell them. No going back." He said to Clover and he nodded.

"Maybe you should tell them now?"

"Sure." Arthur replied. Then, Clover stood up from the chair he sat beside Arthur and returned to his former seat. "Court!" He spoke loudly and everyone went silent immediately. That was the effect of being the king.

"Yes, your highness." They chorused and went silent right after.

"Thank you for gathering here to discuss my wellbeing and the well-being of the kingdom as well. But I'd like to announce to you all, that I won't be getting married to the proposed lady you all have in mind initially. I have someone else in mind, therefore, I would not be getting married to Elena anymore." He dropped the bombshell.

"What?!" One of the chiefs exclaimed as he stood up from his chair him surprise. "You cannot say that!"

"You cannot do this, my lord."

"But Elena was brought up for you."

"Your highness, this is very wrong. I don't think your father would be happy about this if he were to be here today."

"My lord, you have to marry Elena. You can marry other women right after her, but you have to marry Elena first."

Those were some of the many replies that came from the chiefs when Arthur said his mind to them. Arthur and Clover just sat on their seats staring at them all. After some minutes and they were done ranting and giving their own thoughts about the matter, they sat down and remained calm again.

"Does anyone have something to say?" Arthur asked when they have all remained calm and silent.

"My lord, I do." One of the oldest chiefs said.

"Go ahead, sire." He said to the chief.

"Thank you, my lord. My lord, about this issue you have just told us about, I don't think this is the right decision to make. Yes, we aren't the king and we are not the ones that want to get married but we still want the best for you and we all think Elena is the best woman for you." The chief said with a sincere look of concern on his face.

"Thank you, chief. I understand your concern and I appreciate it, but I am the one who is to marry the said lady and I am aware of all her behaviours by now. I cannot get married to her. Besides, I have someone else in mind, like I stated earlier." Arthur explained to them.

"Who do you have in mind? Could you let us know, my lord?"

"Winifred, my personal slave." He blurted out. This brought an uproar in the court as many of the chiefs began to speak at the same time. None of them wanted to agree to this notion of his.

"We cannot allow a human being to be our Luna! Never!"

"A mere slave? To rule over us? Never!"

"Isn't she that same slave that was bought for a very ridiculous price?"

"Yes, it's her! A mere slave!"

The chiefs continued to speak their mind about the matter, while Arthur just stared at them without a word. He had made up his mind already, and nobody could change that for him. Not even his palace chiefs.

Meanwhile, Elena had heard that a meeting was to be held that day in which her marriage with the king would be discussed. When they had all entered the hall and closed to door to start their meeting, she stood behind the palace hall doors to eavesdrop whatever they were to say.

She was so shocked and angry when she heard what Arthur said about not getting married to her, but Winifred. "That wench!" She growled. "I knew it was going to come to this. But I won't let this happen, never! Not in my care! I have to do something." She muttered to herself before rushing away from the back of the door and heading to a room that was now practically hers to think of what to do.