Banished Prince Charming

Chapter 72 - Visions Of Tomorrow.

After dinner, I made a short announcement that there is a new Minister that had been appointed and he is Secretary Levingstone. He would be in charge of Defence, Security and Military all rolled into one. No other person would be the best besides him and he would lead the prosperity and peace of this village at all times.

I stated his duties properly to everyone so that they might be able to differentiate with the Justice Minister Gwen that she would deal with the internal laws and met all the necessary punishments.

The Secretary Minister would ensure that the defence of the village would be maintained in terms of manpower and its surrounding perimeter. He would ensure that incoming wagons or people entering the village would be properly screened from afar before being given entry. As for the military, he would train citizens to be able to take up arms and defend their homelands.

What was explained to citizens was only a small part of the responsibilities held by the Secretary. In other words, the roles were boundless.

Everyone lauded the newly appointed Minister since most citizens knew that gaining one's task being a Minister was almost an impossible feat.

There would be 8 more free hands to be designated and Industry Minister Ben assigned those to their stations immediately as work would commence by the start of breakfast the next day.

There would be no milling for the next few days as it would be set to mourning and the flag was currently fluttering at half-mast. A lot of citizens were whispering the reason why and asked the Chadwell and they replied that their son had not yet recovered from his unconscious state yet.

A lot of their questions were left unanswered and the answer to their questions would be answered 3 days for sure. An exact procession of coffin bearers would be set to march out and soon, by then everyone would know the identity of their young master.

"Sooner or later citizens would know my identity, but I would not ascend or be crowned as a King. I would prefer to remain as it is until I had achieved what I wished to achieve. A full 60 houses filled with families." I thought to myself as the honorific can't be avoided from being called young master to your lordship, and soon be your majesty when the time comes.

"Herefords, I need three 1 foot sized square pillows. Flat ones filled with fluff. Innes, I need 3 red cases made just for those pillows. The ends would have 3 inches of tassels." I could never think of anything else but used these pillows to accompany my parents' symbols of their royalty to their final resting place, even though it was their clothing that would be buried.

"Citizens of GraceHaven, its time to take an early rest. Resume tomorrow's tasks at hand and priority are given to set up the rest of the houses. Secretary, you may bring your men to see to the dwellings tomorrow morning. That is all. Everyone dismissed."

As I was in the state of mourning, Heather moved to stay with Kayla and Jack as the trio tended to the Chadwells' boy while I lay sprawled in between my parents' last worn clothes. And that night I had yet another vision and I remember that vision vividly.

=*=

Queen: My son. You have done well in the first part of your survival.

King: My son, the only heir. Begin your next step as you would, if you were me.

Princess: Don't give up, brother. We will always be watching over you.

Me: Mother, I had done what you had told me to. Run, hide and survive.

Queen: Yes my son. Now you do not have to hide anymore.

King: Always remember, a Macleod never fears its enemies but fears us anyway. Lead your people wisely.

Me: Yes father, I will lead them as wisely as you when you were the King.

Princess: Even without us by your side, you will always be blessed. As long as you are truthful, honest, compassionate and loyal to the people, those people will be loyal, compassionate, honest and truthful to you.

Me: Thank you, Tanya, I will remember it by heart and exercise to treat the people with fairness.

King: To marshal't, to excel and to wounded.

Queen: To Lead, To Excel and To Overcome

Me: Yes my dear family. I swear by the oath. To lead by example, to excel by virtue, and to overcome all difficulties.

King: Make our flag of the fallen Kingdom of Darlington and let it flutter high in the air.

Queen: Decorate the colours of Darlington around your town. Every corner, every home.

Princess: Let these colours be the guiding passion for your people.

Me: Yes my beloved family. I will attend to it after the mourning.

King: Remember, we are always within your hearts. You will not be shrouded with greed. You had been taught how to rule and how to treat people with respect and begets respect.

Queen: Never demands respects from your people, for respect would be earned.

Princess: Fight side by side with your people and they will fight alongside you. Never have people behind you. They will push you forward against the enemies.

Me: Yes my dear family. I will treasure what I had been taught. It is now I came out of my shadows and step into the light.

King/Queen/Princess: You have our blessings to be the next ruler of your town. Make your people remember those who perished, protecting their lands, their families and their loved ones. Take baby steps in building what you are doing now. An empire could not be built in a day's time. Your empire may be small but the strength surpasses thousands. Remember that. Little by numbers, lethal by heart.

Me: I thank you, my dear family. I will adhere to your guidance and teachings. I will miss you dearly since the day. A tomb would be erected for at your burial grounds. You may be buried like a commoner but the thought is what really counts. Farewell, my dear parents and sister. May you have eternal peace.

=*=

"My dear parents, only you would be able to make me do such actions for the sake of the people. I didn't know that it would come pretty soon."

"Your crown, coronet and tiara would be placed at the headstones of your individual tombs. Rest assured, your son knows how to lead the procession." I muttered as I rolled to my father's clothes and hugged as if I was hugging a real person and rolled to my right to hug my mother and sister together.

In the end, I ended having their clothes shrouded me as I continue to sleep once again but unfortunately, to my dismay, I do not receive any more visions thereafter. The rooster's crow awoke me as I sat up, arranged their clothes as if they were sleeping peacefully and then went about for my daily undertakings.

After breakfast, the citizens were huddling together to get the latest updates as I announced to Innes to prepare a black cloak for me within one day. "Engineers and guardsmen, if you lack a black cloak, please inform Secretary to get it ready."

"All citizens, there would be a burial in 2 days time. Please have 3 graves 2' by 6' by 6' on the right-hand side of the grounds before commencing your tasks and bring sufficient clay bricks to lay a 2 layered tomb around it. During the burial, please wear dark coloured clothing. All tasks are to be resumed without further ado."

"Industry Minister Ben, prepare 3 clay headstones and 3 engineers would be helping to etch those who had passed."

"Yes, young master. I will attend to it immediately."

"Thank you, dear citizens, of GraceHaven, that is all." and I began dismissing the crowd while Eagle approached me. "Would Your Lordship be performing your coronation anytime soon?"

"Not at the moment. I decide to lay their crowns, coronet and tiara by their tombstones. Furthermore, a ruler does not necessarily sit on a throne and not necessarily be wearing a crown, does he? Technically, I am already a ruler but I choose not to use the honorific."

"But the time has come and it will be revealed to the citizens. I had gotten the blessings from my parents and sister. They will be guiding me and what I had learnt from them, I will put to practise as I deem fit. The other ministers will be there to correct me if I become wayward in my rulings."

"Understood, your lordship."

"By the way, have you ever lead a royal funeral procession?"

"Not really, your lordship."

"In this case, summon your engineers and guardsmen before they proceed for their tasks. I just will show it to you how the slow march would be, and how the coffin bearers would be positioned."

And so, Eagle summoned his men and I explained to them the way to carry the coffin, the procession, as well as the crown, coronet and tiara. Also, it would come last by the slow march and the commands to execute the slow march.

After getting the information and the examples of a slow march, they finally understood and excused themselves as the 3 guardsmen did not have black cloaks and had to be made by Innes to accommodate the burial.

When some of the citizens approached the three guardsmen and asked about the mourning, all they answered was 'wait till the day when the young master informed everyone about it on the day after the funeral'.

That was all they could think off to ward further questions and furthermore only Levingstone would know that I would not be ascending to any throne nor I would put something on my head for the coronation.

It's just a title anyone could possess so at that time I wasn't thinking of anything else but to continue building this village after I had passed the mourning and the funeral procession.

Everything seemed to work clockwork and before I entered my house, I peeked into Kayla's and found that the boy was tended by his parents and sister. For several times in a day, they would be tending to him to ensure he got the best comfort even though in his unconscious state.

Seeing Kayla inside the house I gestured her to move closer and I whispered, "Would the boy be alright?"

Kayla sadly shook her head and replied, "That poor boy might never wake up at all. I am truly sorry young master, I tried to give the best positive encouragement to his parents but it seems that Fate is against them once more."

"Sigh...then we should move the boy back to his own home right after the mourning so that the presence of his parents would not hinder any of your work. Would that be alright with you or you have any other suggestions?"

"Fine by me, young master. I will see what is best for that little boy..." Kayla sighed to herself as she moved inside the house to prepare her own personal stuff.