Chapter 354 The old king is dead, the new king lives on (4K)

Silver Birch Manor, London.

In midsummer, the sun covers the cherry trees with a golden veil, and the lavender gentian and bright red myrtle bloom in competition.

On the tree-lined path where flowers are in full bloom, Yeats, wearing a crimson cloak, rode his horse with his back straight, holding the reins.

With strands of silver hair scattered on his forehead and deep grey eyes showing deep thought, Ye Zhi was slightly distracted.

"Why, are you still thinking about His Majesty?"

The short-haired beauty was beautiful and heroic, wearing a snow-white riding suit and a waistcoat embroidered with the Lannister red rose family emblem.

June rode a chestnut horse, walking side by side with Yeats, and observed his expression with her head tilted.

Yeats came back to his senses and said calmly: "I was actually wondering why you, the apple of the eye of your political enemies and the heir of Lannister, would appear in my manor."

"Didn't I tell you? I'm here to visit an old friend, and by the way..."

"And get some information while you're at it."

"Wrong! I want to try your cooking skills!" June said confidently, "I helped you so much before, there's no reason for you not to treat me well now, right?"

“That’s exactly the truth.”

Yeats smiled.

In the sunshine, the young duke smiled brightly. June was suddenly a little dazed. She felt that the myrtle, which symbolized the god of love, was far less elegant and noble than the laurel, which symbolized light.

June felt a little uneasy. She fiddled with the short hair beside her ears and cleared her throat. "I'm still asking the same question as before. You went to the Lion Palace a few days ago and have been very secluded since you came back. Even I had to visit you many times before you showed up. There has been less and less news from the Lion Palace. I would like to ask you to tell me what is the current health condition of His Majesty?"

Yeats changed the subject lightly:

"I heard that you had a conflict with your father, the Lord of Lannister. How is your relationship going now?"

June felt depressed.

Don't answer a question with a question! But Yeats's meaning is very clear. He doesn't want to reveal any news about King Lionheart, which is probably because the situation is not optimistic.

Although June is the heir to the throne claimant, he is a royalist at heart. The reason is that the deeds of King Lionheart are too legendary. They have been passed down from generation to generation since childhood, and June has been deeply shocked by them.

The reason for the conflict with the Duke of Lannister was that June did not advise his father to join the fight for the crown prince, but the Duke of Lannister said that everyone has to place a bet, and the winner takes all, and this is reality.

June's position is actually conservative and hesitant. This private visit to Yeats is intended not only to understand the situation in London, but also to find out Yeats's opinion.

If I can get any information from Yeats about King Lionheart or his teacher Kendra, this trip will be worthwhile...

Worst case scenario, you can just get a free meal, it's not a loss at all! "This is a Lannister family affair, your Excellency the Duke doesn't need to worry about it." June responded sharply, sarcastically, "yet your Excellency the Duke hasn't shown up for several months, could it be that he's dealing with family matters like an engagement?"

In Ye Zhi's mind, Skahe's beautiful eyes as dark as the night suddenly flashed, and he coughed unnaturally.

Seeing this, June was greatly surprised and asked, "Could it be that I was right?"

A very bold guess suddenly emerged in June's mind. Her expression suddenly became quite interesting, and she opened her mouth wide:

"Ye Zhi, your engagement partner... could it be... is, is it His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"

This speculation may seem absurd, but it is actually very possible! After all, the Duke of Honeysuckle is the confidant of the Lionheart King and a pillar of the country. His appearance, status and strength are all worthy of the princess!

If the Duke of Honeysuckle marries Her Majesty Theresa, wouldn't he have all the glories gathered together? Their children might even have the hope of changing the dynasty?

For a moment, June's expression became extremely shocked.

"You think too much."

Yeats directly dispelled June's guess.

From Yeats' personal perspective, marrying Princess Theresa can maximize the interests of himself and the territory, which is obvious to anyone with a discerning eye. Yeats can even become a powerful minister recorded in history, and his descendants may become the next King of the Golden Lion.

But Yeats himself had no attraction to Theresa, he only had a knight's protective mentality towards his monarch, this was one reason.

Secondly, Theresa had an extremely keen political sense and could see that once she chose the Duke of Honeysuckle as her husband, she, as the queen, would not be able to check Yeats' power.

Yeats thought to himself that, according to Theresa's original words in the game, she married herself to the kingdom and the people, and in the end she indeed died alone, leaving behind the reputation of 'Queen of Glory'.

Third, and most importantly, Yeats thought, he had promised King Lionheart that he would be loyal to her daughter.

Rather than being a powerful official, Yeats would rather be a prime minister...If you ask which prime minister, it certainly wouldn't be Prime Minister Cao.

As they chatted, they had reached the end of the tree-lined avenue, where the shadows of the trees swayed and the fork in the road led to two intersections. Yeats said:

"I have to go to the Lion Palace later. Excuse me, Lord June."

Looking at Yeats who was in a hurry, June hesitated to speak, thinking, Yeats has always been calm and reserved, but even I can see the worry on his face now.

I'm afraid that the Lionheart's situation is not just pessimistic, that's not it...

In midsummer, thick, inky black clouds floated over the distant mountains. June smelled the coming wind and rain and sighed softly.

It was only last year that I joined hands with Ye Zhi to fight against the Blood Spider King. In just one year, the situation in the royal capital has changed so dramatically.

The vigorous lion has become a dying old man;

A nun with a controversial background returns to the capital and is made crown prince;

The baron who was exiled to the borderland has now become the duke who stirs up the capital! June raised his eyes and looked at the falling rain. He only heard the dull thunder and his eyes were a little confused.

But soon, the figures of the young knight who had calmly tracked down the murderer and the Duke of Honeysuckle who covered the sky with one hand overlapped with each other.

In the thunderstorm, June's eyes gradually became firm.

"Father... no matter what the outcome will be... I will carry the glory of Lannister!"

Boom boom

The rain was getting heavier and the thunder was rumbling. Yeats whipped his horse, trampled the water with his hooves, and hurried to the Lion Palace.

Just when talking with June, Yeats received a text message from Colin, which was about King Lionheart and the situation was not ideal.

Yeats frowned, thinking of the secret letter sent by Thomas.

The secret letter tells how the Duke of Lannister wanted to form an alliance with Thomas but was rejected, and also reveals some developments related to the Lannister camp.

There is a six-ring master from the Kingdom of Roland who will become an important aid to the Duke of Lannister, and his army has been stationed along the banks of the Thames, just waiting for the moment when the situation changes and then blows the horn.

Thomas was rewarded for informing on the case, and he did so not only to seek credit from Yeats, but also as a choice of side he had made.

soon.

Yeats came to the Lion Palace.

Yeats walked quickly into the bedroom along a corridor that seemed so long that it seemed to have no end. A group of people were gathered around the bed, and low sobs echoed in the air.

Lightning tore the sky outside the glass window, and raindrops from the heavy rain wet the window, and Yeats's heart sank.

"Duke Yeats...you are here..."

Beside the bed, Theresa's eyes were red and swollen, and her voice was as sad as the autumn wind blowing through the corridor. She said in a low voice: "He is very calm... like, asleep..."

Yeats' eyes moved slightly. Beside Theresa, he saw the phantom of the gray-haired goddess. In her eyes as deep as a pool of water, there was a rare tenderness.

Yeats heard Daisy recite in a gentle voice: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;"

Yeats echoed Daisy and recited softly, his voice echoing Daisy's chanting, and he said in harmony:

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;”

"For you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me..."

In the silent bedroom, there was solemnity and the sound of dripping rain was echoing.

In a silence that seemed as long as a century.

Theresa couldn't help but burst into tears.

She smiled softly, then the surging emotions surged up, she covered the corners of her mouth with trembling fingers, and a heart-wrenching sadness turned into silent sobs.

The sound of rain is getting heavier.

Tears dripped on the dry back of my hands.

Yeats was silent, thinking of the Lionheart and him standing side by side gazing at the lion at dusk, thinking of the old hero drawing his sword and singing at the banquet, thinking of him patting him on the shoulder and saying, "I will make you the Duke of Honeysuckle."

Exhaling the breath that was blocked in his chest, Yeats raised his head and looked at the sky that was torn by lightning. Amid the sound of heavy rain, Yeats heard the Ark of the New Era approaching in the rainstorm.

"When the end comes, the gates of heaven will not open for us, Yeats."

Please...collect 6...9...books...!

Thunder roared, and Yeats felt Daisy's gentle hands embrace him from behind, whispering in his ear: "Fight until you die."

Yeats shuddered suddenly, his heart pounded, fear and palpitations made him breathless, but the illusion of Daisy had disappeared, leaving only the shadow of death covering a heavy curtain.

The bell of a new era has sounded.

Yeats thought.

There is only one way to welcome the new era, and that is to keep fighting until the destined day arrives.

Theresa gradually straightened her back and took a deep breath. The pearl crown inlaid with rubies on her head shone with a beautiful luster.

There is a proverb in the empire that the old king is dead and the new king lives on.

The Crown Prince becomes King the moment the previous King dies.

Yeats suddenly felt a little dazed. Theresa's temperament had undergone a drastic change, as if thorns were buried deep in the heart, and the overflowing blood nourished a rose.

Right now, standing before him was the new queen of the Golden Lion Kingdom, Theresa.

"The Duke of Honeysuckle..."

Theresa took a deep breath and said slowly:

"According to my father's last wish, I will escort his remains to Avalon with you..."

"During this period of time, the news will be blocked and no announcement of the death will be made."

Theresa turned around and ordered Colin:

"Wait until the Duke and I return before we proceed with the coronation ceremony!"

"As you wish!"

Suddenly, a fierce wind broke open the palace gate and rushed in with a roar.

Everyone surrounded Theresa, except Yeats, who had his back to the door that was blown open by the strong wind.

Yeats felt something and turned around.

Faintly, I saw a figure wearing a royal robe, with his hands on the hilt of a sword.

In a trance, I heard the low voice of King Lionheart ringing in my ears again.

"This is the era I rule."

Ye Zhi tightened his grip on the hilt of the sword.

I swear to you...I will crown Theresa as queen...in the name of Yeats Bronte.

*Avalon.

The water plants are lush and the mist is thick.

The Sun Lion carries a marble coffin on its back, with Yeats and Theresa walking side by side.

"My father didn't like funerals presided over by priests. The warlike blood of the northerners runs in his bones, so he specifically instructed me to burn his body together on a boat..." Theresa said in a soft voice.

"Ship burial," Yeats concluded.

Theresa nodded slightly, her voice revealing an undisguised sadness. She forced a smile and said, "After the ship burial, the ashes will be buried in the royal tomb. The epitaph was chosen by him during his lifetime... It is taken from the last two lines of the poem you gave to my father, Your Excellency the Duke."

Yeats nodded slightly, agreeing with Theresa's approach, and said, "It won't be too late to announce the funeral after the dust has settled."

"Yes." Theresa lowered her eyes. "Before the coronation ceremony, there are still many things that require Your Excellency the Duke's attention. Please feel free to help..."

"certainly."

When Theresa is officially crowned, Yeats will become an important official in both dynasties, and his prestige in the Kingdom of Golden Lion will reach its peak.

By then, Yeats was prepared to promote the development of Protestantism and commerce in the Kingdom of the Golden Lion to promote the opening of new sea routes, and continue to promote his long-planned "Renaissance" movement.

On the other hand, whether supporting Protestantism, mercantilism or the Renaissance, it can greatly weaken the influence of the Holy See and thus weaken the belief in heaven.

However, developing the navy would inevitably lead to competing with other kingdoms for maritime hegemony.

The development of Protestantism will also face pressure from the Papal States and the Vatican.

These are the difficulties that need to be faced after Theresa ascends the throne. Yeats is also prepared for a protracted war. After all, the Golden Lion Kingdom and Queen Theresa will be his strongest backing.

The funeral was performed by Vivian, the nymph of the lake.

Along the coast, in a stately warship, lay the king with a dignified face and covered with a flag.

The flames burned fiercely, devouring the warship and its remains. Heat waves rolled, black smoke billowed, and Theresa's eyes were filled with tears, but then turned into determination.

According to the will of King Lionheart and Theresa's personal wishes, Yeats will become a member of Theresa's cabinet and serve as the "King of the Royal Seal".

This position mainly focuses on the safekeeping and use of seals, ensuring the legitimacy and authority of important state documents, and to a certain extent can also check the royal power by refuting certain documents.

The national seal is one of the three treasures that open the secret realm of Avalon. Yeats looked at the seal in his hand and felt a great mission.

Two days later.

Royal Tombs.

The woods are quiet. Cabinet members such as Colin, Yeats, Theresa, and Harper stand silently. Two lines of small words are engraved on the tombstones.

“Do not go gentle into that good night.

“Rage! Rage against the dying of the light.”

Daisy appeared beside Yeats, looked at the tombstone, and commented:

"If I die, I'll write on my tombstone that I'll be back soon."

The sadness in Ye Zhi's heart dissipated, and he thought: "In order to help Theresa secure the throne, it is also necessary to demonstrate the strength of the Six Rings!"

(End of this chapter)