Chapter IV - Granting Independence 

Three years passed and the king gained the trust of most of his subjects. In between his meeting sessions with the council and senate, he has been reading the people’s letters and knowing more about the lives of the public from the inside, and most of the public’s requests for help are mostly answered and resolved, the king as well never discriminate if the one requesting is from the far side of the kingdom or nearby, however, he prioritizes those who needs immediate help such as places that affect larger bodies or those who are poor who cannot afford hospitalization or funeral of a loved one. Speaking of hospitalization, a month ago the king signed a law of free hospitalization and checkup for those who cannot pay due to debt or poverty.  

 At the moment he and ministers: Minister of Social Welfare, Minister Ptah, and Minister of Employment and Commerce, Minister Kyre have been working on projects to reduce the poverty rate of the kingdom from fewer subsidies yet more jobs and the lower requirement to get such jobs so people in poverty can have a professional job and help themselves out to live in a comfortable life with their families.  

 After the meeting with the ministers, the king returned to his office that is covered with stacks of paperwork on each side, paperwork on the floor, and tables, even covering his desk and office chair, the king sighed in exhaustion as he moved aside the huge stack of papers from his chair and proceeded to sit and slowly slouched, pressing the back of his head on the headrest, clasping his hands on his stomach and closed his eyes attempting to take a short nap and relax for a bit before the next meeting. Yet that isn’t for long; suddenly his eyes opened wide, exposing his sunset-like orange irises, and jolted up realizing he has an important meeting not to miss this day. He swiftly ran to a nearby file cabinet at the other end of his office and opened one of its drawers, there was a white bond paper-sized envelope labeled “Independence” on the back of it. He grabbed it and placed it in another thicker and more secure document bag that is made out of leather and zipped it shut.  

 One of his squires knocked on his door and opened it to notify the king that the throne hall was now ready for his use. “Are the council and the senate there?” The king asked as he wash his face in the nearby sink. “Yes, your highness, they’re about to arrive.” “Good, wait for a moment as I change my clothes.” The king added as he takes his spare undershirt and newly ironed coat from a hanger.  

 Everyone is chatting and discussing their personal topics with each other the moment the king entered the throne hall, as the king walks to his throne, he is followed by one of his assistants carrying a smaller and lighter replica of the crown. The squire spoke; “Everyone! Please give respect to his majesty; King Ehiptia!” Everyone stood up in attention as the king wears his crown and sat on the throne, the moment he sat he waved his hand and said; “Please be seated, everyone…”  

 “I have called for a meeting with the council and senate because of a promise I made three years ago… I believe you all still remember what are my decrees the moment I sat as king…” He spoke with a loud yet calm voice that echoed around the huge hall; “…Even some of you got angry at me for the tax transparency I have enforced upon all government workers…” he added  

 “We remember all your decrees clear as the day your highness…” Minister Ptah confidently spoke for the rest of the council and senate. “That’s great!” the king excitedly replies. “Today, I have summoned all the representatives and rulers to be of the Frozen Sand’s colonies.” The king confidently spoke. “Sir Miniel, invite all of them here.” He added. Sir Miniel, one of the king’s hospitality attendants bowed to the king and left to fetch the guests the king has invited to his castle, it dawns on the council and senate that this is the day the king will grant those who seek independence from the Frozen Sand. Some are worried, and some are confident, the king might lose or win the favor of the colonies and even the citizens of the kingdom. It is a tight and risky situation the king put himself in and worse, it can be his own downfall.  

 Ten representatives of each colony lined up in front of the king and gave their respect by bowing down to him. “Thank you all for accepting my invitation. I know many of you wanted to be independent of Frozen Sand for a very long time, and I understand.” The king welcomes. “Council and Senate of the Frozen Sand, our important meeting right now is broadcasted live all around Cyra so everyone can see what is the decision of each representative if they will stay, or be independent.” The king added with more confidence in his voice.  

 His attending staff prepared a table in front of the king, on top of it are certificates of independence, fountain pens, the king’s pair of reading glasses, and most importantly the hot wax seal ready to be poured and stamped. “Let us begin.” The king started.

 

 “First one in the line, Please, step forward and Speak your name and colony” His squire spoke. A tall slim woman with white hair and a red hat approached, and pays her respect to the king; “I am Lady Ebba Auroin, the current Prime Minister and Representative of the Auroin Colony. We have seen the greatness of your work as our king, and for the past 3 years, we felt positive changes, especially the surplus of basic commodities for our people and faster trading to the Monster Empire! It definitely improved our economy. Yet, unfortunately, our cultures clash, we already established a separate currency, and our economy is mostly the gambling industry, very different from how you approach gambling here on the mainland. Our people gave their trust in me to be their Queen if you, your majesty grant us this independence. We believe our country is strong enough to stand on our
own.” “I fully understand your concerns, Lady Ebba, and I agree with your statement, Auroin can stand on its own.” The king agrees.  

 A murmur from the senate and council is heard all over the throne hall, some agree and some didn’t yet the king is unbothered by the background noise. 

 He wears his reading glasses, takes his fountain pen, and proceeds to sign the parchment paper, pours a bead of hot wax on it, and stamps it with the royal logo as a sign of authenticity. The moment the king is finished, he lifts and shows everyone the signed and sealed paper that certifies the new kingdom’s independence. Everyone is shocked and in awe at how fast the king just signs one’s independence. The king walked down and approached Lady Ebba with the certificate: “Lady Ebba?” he sweetly asked, “Yes? Your Highness?” She replied. “You are now… Queen Ebba… Queen Ebba of the Auroin Kingdom!” the newly announced Queen blushed and dropped her jaw as the fairly handsome King spoke to her. Slowly, a huge smile appeared on her face as she accepts the certificate and gave the King a handshake, she skipped her way back to the line in a cheery mood.  

 The nine remaining have the same sentiment, and all of them seek and are granted independence by the kind king, however, the king thought the entire event is over when suddenly, now Queen Ebba spoke, “King Ehiptia, your majesty… Even if you have us the whole autonomy, we still wanted to be allied with your great kingdom!” The king was caught off guard by her words and asked; “Are you certain…?” and all of them nodded in agreement. The king sweetly smiled and spoke in his deep soft voice; “It would be an honor to be allied with great Kingdoms like yours…” The council, Senate, the new monarchs were caught by the King’s charisma, they felt like they are under a love spell that makes them feel warm and comfortable with the most
powerful ruler of the Human race, everyone left the throne hall left with a light and warm feeling, even the people watching at home felt the same way, all happy that the king just tackles another large issue with great diplomacy and patience.