Chapter 58: Golden Ouroboros (VIII)
◎Invitation to debate and duel◎
Raphael sat in the reception room of the parliament hall, blowing on the steaming black tea. The steam formed a thin layer of mist in front of him. After the mist dissipated, he saw Ferrante walking through the decorative archway and leaning down gently: "Holy Father, the royal guards have all gone in."
Raphael turned his head: "With weapons?"
“With weapons,” Ferrante confirmed.
"It seems that Her Majesty is also anxious... But it shouldn't be so early - is there trouble in Assyria?" The Pope guessed, putting down the porcelain cup in his hand, "Well, it's time for us to take action."
As soon as he finished speaking, there were polite knocks on the door, exactly three times, neither light nor heavy.
Ferrante went over to open the door, and the Queen's butler, dressed in a neat suit, nodded at him and said, "By order of His Majesty, Your Majesty, please go to the Parliament Hall to attend the meeting."
"Got it." The black-haired monk's voice was low and hoarse with the voice change. He closed the door and returned to his holy father. The holy father was already standing in front of the mirror, looking at his appearance. A crown made of scarlet velvet was placed on a low stool half a person's height.
The tangled thorns are glowing with the cold light of time, a circle of tiny colorless gems is inlaid on the base, and the crown made of gold bears the ancient traces of being baptized by time, and there are scars on the edges from bumps, but this does not detract from it being the oldest crown in the world that appears before people again and again.
Ferrante carefully lifted the papal crown and gently placed it on the bright golden hair. Raphael stretched out his fingers to adjust the position of the crown and took the pastoral staff that Ferrante handed over: "Let's go."
The silent monks followed the Pope closely like gloomy and voiceless souls. All the gates along the way were closed. The guards at the gates lowered their heads when they saw them, opened the doors reluctantly, and then closed them immediately. This solemn atmosphere made Ferrante involuntarily touch the dagger tied in his sleeve.
Doors opened in front of them and closed behind them. The gradually rising temperature symbolized that they were approaching the center of the parliament. When the last door was pushed open, the magnificent hall came into their sight, as well as the nobles shivering beside the long marble table.
Raphael glanced around quickly and calmly. The guards with sharp blades in their hands stood still like sculptures. The queen sat at the top with an expressionless face. The surrounded nobles were either angry or panicked. When they saw someone coming in, they all turned over here.
"Thanks to the help of Florence, Roman's loyal ally. As a neutral third party, the Holy See, which possesses all the virtues in the world and is the incarnation of God, is qualified to be a witness and arbitrator of our meeting." Queen Amenra said.
"During the discussion just now, you have signed the document agreeing to amend the 'Sarik Succession Act'. According to the regulations, from now on, the 'Sarik Succession Act' will enter a stage of temporary invalidity. Our next step is to formulate a legal treaty to supplement the outdated content of the act and make it the cornerstone of the Roman throne again."
The Queen pointed to the parchment on the table in front of her, on which were signed the names of two-thirds of the nobles sitting at the long table, proving that the succession bill would enter the stage of supplementary revision.
"All the changes are made to better adapt to the times. My husband, King Laf XI, has been dead for nearly five years, and the Roman crown is still vacant. My child, Princess Sancha, is the only legitimate heir of King Laf XI and has the right to be the first in the succession to the throne. Therefore, I propose to abolish the clause in the Salic Succession Act that does not allow women to inherit the throne and treat legitimate children as equals."
The nobles shut their mouths like clams.
After a long time, someone finally echoed the voice: "According to the oldest inheritance system, it is presumed that in the Roman law period, there were also legitimate daughters who inherited the father's property when the legitimate son died or had no heirs. There is a precedent for this."
"Yes, Princess Sanxia, as the only legitimate child of His Majesty King Lav XI, has the right to inherit the throne."
"That's assuming that Love XI has no other children!" someone objected fiercely.
"The royal family has a more suitable male heir. Rather than a queen, we should consider a male king in his prime..."
The chaotic sound of controversy once again buzzed in the hall. Raphael sat next to Amenra. The two of them watched the farce below. They both knew the outcome of the show.
The exchange of interests had ended as early as last night. Those who needed to be bribed had been bribed. All the disputes were only temporary, in order to make their surrender appear less hasty.
"However, women can never possess the same wisdom as men!" a noble said loudly, "Ever since God distinguished between men and women, men have been leaders and rulers. They are the embodiment of wisdom, courage, bravery and calmness, while women are sensitive, stubborn and stupid. As monarchs of a country, how can we put the crown in the hands of a girl who is not yet an adult? This will be the biggest mistake you will make!" The old noble with white hair and beard shouted with full force, and his saliva even splashed on the head of the unlucky guy next to him.
When Yamenla heard this, she raised her eyelids indifferently. She had long been accustomed to this kind of ridicule against women, and Sangxia...she would get used to it sooner or later.
Raphael raised his hand, picked up the small copper bell on the table and shook it twice. The clear and pleasant sound stopped the debate at the table. The overly young and handsome Pope put down the bell and said, "I shouldn't have interrupted in this matter, but I heard a misunderstanding of God's decree."
He apologized
He nodded to the queen beside him, and she smiled at him.
At the moment when Amenla smiled, it seemed as if she had a divine overlap with Sangxia. Raphael suddenly felt a chaotic fragment flash through his mind, but this fragment quickly shattered and disappeared.
"When God created the world, he separated men and women so that each would be responsible for the affairs of the world," the Pope said slowly. "Men are born strong, so they are responsible for obtaining food, hunting, and defending against foreign enemies. Women are sensitive and careful, so they are responsible for medical treatment and raising children. Listening to what you said, it seems that the women created by God are useless - is this your accusation and contempt for God?"
"Are you saying this in front of me to provoke the Vatican?"
"Are you declaring the flaws of women to prove that God can also make mistakes? Is this your personal new interpretation of the doctrine, or have you been influenced by someone?"
His tone was gentle and peaceful, but the meaning of his words became more and more serious. Seeing that the Pope was about to declare that he was colluding with pagans, the old nobleman's legs softened and he began to explain: "No! I didn't mean that! Your Majesty, please forgive my unintentional words!"
Raphael smiled implicitly and did not comment on his admission of mistake.
This episode calmed everyone down. They cast concealed glances at Amenra and Raphael, secretly shocked by the Pope's undisguised partiality. Duke Horton, who was sitting in the front seat, stared at Raphael in disbelief. He had not spoken a word during the long debate. He knew very well that it was not appropriate for him to take the lead at this time. He should just let his wolfhounds charge for him. However, he could not believe what he saw at this moment - he had clearly informed Pope Vitalian III of the cause of death! But the Pope still cooperated with Amenla without any qualms?
What's going on?
Could it be that the man lied to him and that Vitalian III and Sistine I were not actually related by blood? If this is the case, it is no wonder that Sixtus I was indifferent to his enemy who came to power, but this is his last chance!
We have to think of a way, a way...
Got it!
Duke Horton's eyes lit up, and he couldn't wait to whisper a few words to the person next to him. The other person showed obvious hesitation on his face, but was quickly forced back by the Duke's fierce eyes.
"But... even if Roman can accept a woman wearing a crown, can our people accept a monarch who never rules on his own land?" His voice was a little weak and trembling, but it instantly attracted everyone's attention.
Yamenla's expression changed slightly.
"...According to reliable information, Calais has already proposed to Princess Sancha. If the marriage is successful, the princess will move to Calais. The reputation of the two kings is naturally beautiful, but can the abandoned Roman subjects accept a monarch who no longer lives in Belic? This is not without purpose."
The noble paused at the end of his sentence, but even though he said nothing, the others knew what he was referring to.
The chaos of Assyria is still fresh in our memory. Isn't its division largely due to the fact that the queen never ruled in Gonda?
Who can say that today's Assyria is not the Roman Empire of the future?
Everyone looked at the noble with a hint of admiration for daring to bring up this matter in front of Amenla - although he was very careful to be subtle and obscure, who didn't know his true intention?
How audacious!
"Or do you want to deny the engagement negotiations with Calais?" This time it was the Duke of Houghton who spoke. He finally couldn't help but take action himself.
This fact could not be denied, for the embassy from Calais had already departed.
Yamenla's expression was calm: "Yes, Galai did submit a marriage proposal to us, and the delegation is already on the way to Belic."
Those who had just learned the news took a deep breath and exchanged glances with each other.
The situation became complicated. If Sancha really wanted to become the Queen of Calais in the future, she would not be able to stay in Rico to rule for a long time. In this era of inconvenient transportation and slow communication, it was a very risky thing for the monarch to leave his country. If he was not careful, chaos and riots would occur.
The lesson of Assyria is right before our eyes.
If Princess Sancha is really going to marry Emperor Calais as Queen Amenra has decided, they will have a queen who does not rule in her own country - so far, there is no precedent of a couple living in different places. Even a noble duke or a female noble who has inherited a family property will never separate from her husband, but will live in her husband's territory. The most powerful evidence is Queen Amenra herself.
As the queen of Assyria, she still lived in Roman, the territory of her husband, Lav XI. There were certainly many force majeure factors, but it is undeniable that such social conventions cannot be ignored.
You can't ask the Emperor of Calais to come and live in Rome with his wife after he gets married, right? That would not be a marriage, but an enmity with the people of Calais.
"We will discuss this again during the marriage negotiation later," Yamenla said. Raphael noticed that she whispered to the butler behind her before she spoke. The butler left silently, and the queen turned around and said, "Sangxia will never leave Roman for a long time. As her homeland, Roman is her only foothold. Her roots grow here, and her future children will inherit this land like her and love it deeply."
Raphael paused in fiddling with his fingers in boredom hidden in his sleeves, and moved his slightly inquiring eyes gently to the queen's face, only to see her profile as cold as ice and snow.
Was it a slip of the tongue?
She just said that Roman was Sangxia's only foothold, so what about Assyria?
The nobles began to whisper to each other. They were skeptical about what Amenla said. Even the nobles who supported Sangxia had some doubts. It must be said that the method that Duke Horton came up with in a desperate situation was quite effective.
At this moment, a herald suddenly announced at the door: "Her Royal Highness Princess Sangxia has arrived—"
The door was opened by two guards, and the girl who was standing there against the light walked in step by step with a furry halo around her. The nobles beside the long table stood up one after another, saluted the princess, and exchanged meaningful glances with their peers.
Only members of the parliament are qualified to enter the parliament hall. Amenla can sit here because she has the status of a female regent and can participate in politics, but Princess Sanxia is different from her. Theoretically speaking, Sanxia currently only has the title of princess, and this title does not qualify her to enter the parliament hall.
It can be seen that Amenla is determined to achieve her goal today.
This time, no one said anything inappropriate. They just watched Princess Sanxia sit down on the newly added chair next to Amenla in silence. From the current layout, Duke Horton sat at the long table, and Amenla and Sanxia sat on the steps away from everyone else. This seating arrangement was certainly because Sanxia did not have a suitable identity, but it had to be said... it was very strange and meaningful.
At least Duke Horton's face looked extremely ugly, and he looked like he wanted to stand up from his seat and leave immediately, but the last bit of reason pulled his limbs back.
"Your Majesty, it seems that my niece should not be here at this moment." He said coldly through gritted teeth.
Yamenla replied calmly: "You seem to have forgotten that the Sarrik Succession Act is still under revision, and the terms regarding the gender of the heir to the throne are pending. Since it does not say that women cannot inherit the throne, it is reasonable for Sancha to be here. As a party to the succession bill, she has the right to participate in all procedures."
"Well," Duke Horton forced a twisted smile, trying to show that he didn't care, "You are the queen, you have the final say."
Amenla ignored his sour words. She always looked down on this cowardly, dark, petty and stupid man. God gave him a unique birth, but this good luck was like ice cream in his hand. He couldn't control it even without someone blowing it. Compared with his cunning and vicious cousin, this blood cousin was simply useless. Sometimes Amenla even suspected that one of King Laf XI and Duke Horton must be the product of an affair.
The difficulty she faced was never just the Duke of Horton, but the entire doubtful aristocracy and the Roman people.
"Back to the topic just now, Your Majesty, perhaps we can propose another scenario. Princess Sancha can inherit Roman's crown and refuse the marriage contract with Calais. In this way, we don't have to face this dilemma."
A noble reminded in a suggestive tone. ◆
If the queen chooses to enter into a marriage contract with a noble in Roman, then Amenla won't have to bother negotiating, as all the great nobles present will rush up and vote in favor of Sangxia's crown. Who doesn't want to incorporate their family's blood into the crown? Even if this hope is very slim... but as long as it exists, there is a chance!
This was the shortest way for them to achieve victory. Amenla and Sangxia were both convinced that as long as they nodded at this moment, they would win a great victory.
However, both the princess and the queen remained silent.
After a while, Amenla said in a firm tone: "No, Sanxia will inherit Roman's crown and will continue to negotiate the marriage contract with Galai."
"Roman, Assyria, and Calais will be completely connected through this marriage contract. In a few years, we can restore the glory of the former Roman Empire. The unified vast land spans both sides of the Black Sea, the flag of the empire flies on the sea and land, and we can have a monarch with the title of 'the Great'."
Her words made everyone hold their breath for a moment. The Roman Empire, that was the cultural gene engraved in their hearts.
"Your idea is very beautiful, and I am also very moved, Your Majesty," the noble said softly, "but I may not see the birth of the great emperor in my lifetime, so I can only be responsible for the Roman people who are still living on this land."
"If you insist on having Princess Sancha marry in Calais, I'm sorry I can't accept a monarch who has left his country."
He said forcefully, "I refuse to accept Princess Sancha as the Queen of Roman."
After his voice fell, more and more nobles began to echo him. As the number of people who echoed him increased, their attitudes became firmer, and they ignored the shining long swords and brass gun barrels.
“Shua——”
The sound of a blade being unsheathed drowned out their words. The nobles stopped talking at the same time and looked back vigilantly, trying to find the daring man.
It was Princess Sangxia who had been watching their argument silently.
While they were discussing her, the topic center remained silent throughout, quietly restraining her presence, which made her and the mother beside her completely opposite extremes. One was cold and hard, the other was calm and gentle. It seemed... she looked very easy to control.
Some people thought with a little contempt in their hearts, she is indeed a woman, even with a mother like Amenra, her daughter cannot escape the chastity and gentleness of a woman, and Amenra... she is a barbaric pagan who does not know etiquette, Roman women should be like princesses, listening carefully and keeping silent when men speak.
It was not until this moment that Sang Xia pulled out the dagger she always carried with her, held it in her hand with extremely skilled posture, and slowly gazed at the nobles sitting at the long table. Only then did these men vaguely realize that something was wrong.
"What you are all worried about is that I will leave Roman after my marriage to Galai. But you don't need to worry about this. When negotiating the marriage contract, I will propose that after the marriage, I will stay in Roman for five months every year--"
"How can you guarantee that Calais will accept such conditions?" someone immediately asked.
"As long as the little Emperor of Calais wants to live and keep his crown, he will definitely agree. You seem to have forgotten his ambitious uncle who covets the throne of Calais.
, I also have a good uncle. ”
Sang Xia's emotionless gaze fell on Duke Horton's face and she smiled.
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple flashed across Duke Horton's face like a revolving lantern.
The nobles fell into deep thought. Duke François... Indeed, they had forgotten about this man. As the little emperor grew older, the voices in Calais calling for the return of power to the emperor grew louder and louder. The little emperor was now like sitting on the edge of a volcano. He was in desperate need of help from allies and would never mind giving up his life and throne.
"My uncle, the only conflict between us is gender. Now that there are no restrictions on the inheritance law, let us return to the most original and fair contest."
The princess in the crimson dress smiled slightly, a dimple blooming on her cheek, so sweet that it was in stark contrast to her cold words.
"Draw your sword, here, and show me your determination to claim the Roman throne."
As the words fell, Sang Xia jumped down from the stairs, like a silent thunder, and stabbed the sharp dagger into the table in front of Duke Horton. Across the shattered wood chips and the exclamations, the smiling Sang Xia looked at Horton with wide eyes.
"Come on, I'm determined to die for this, are you ready?"
The young princess challenged her uncle to a duel.
The author has something to say:
Fat pigeon... climbed up... finished the update just before the deadline [let out a sigh of relief] Today is okay, I have no appetite after the test, I feel like I can go a day without eating, just gulp down water, had the experience of swallowing a knife blade in my throat and plugging my nose with cement, in the early stage I had back pain, high fever and dizziness, now I'm okay, everyone pay attention to protection, don't get infected, after all it is an illness, don't get sick if you can, protect yourself!
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