Morning came, basing on the sun's rays, it will not be long before the sun rises. I touched Fergus' side only to find out that it was already cold.
I spared a few minutes to slack off before getting out of bed. I went behind the folding screen standing at the corner and changed into a full length cape dress that hits the floor whenever I walk. I checked myself one last time before deciding to go out.
As I walked through the hallways, several servants and maidservants greeted me. I nodded in courtesy and smiled a little.
"Have you seen Fergus?" I asked the first servant whom I saw cleaning the kitchen. I entered the dining room and did not see any signs of Fergus there so I decided to go to the kitchen and ask whether they had seen him or not.
"Ah yes, your highness. Some of the guests arrived earlier than expected so the duke welcomed them. They are currently in the garden as of now, I was tasked to make some morning tea and have it delivered to them."
I hummed and signalled them to continue their work as I made my way towards the garden at the back of the manor. There I saw Fergus busy talking with three men. Two of which are probably around our age and one is a few years older.
Fergus noticed my presence. He gave me a small nod and told the men something which made them look at me. I smiled at them and greeted them, "Good day, gentlemen!"
I approached them and stood by Fergus' side. He snaked his arms around my waist. I froze for a moment since he never really did that, but I regained my composure afterwards and continued to greet the guests. "It is such an honour to have you here this early."
I offered my hand for a shake which the three of them gladly took.
"Yes," the older man said. "As soon as our king received a letter signed by Duncan he immediately sent me here. Although he was hesitant because it was only a general Duncan sign and not the personal seal of your father, he still asked me to go immediately."
"That is what I have been telling you earlier gentlemen. All the matters concerning the seal, the letter itself and the content of the letter will be discussed later when we hold our private congress," Fergus answered on my behalf.
I nodded and the two other men seconded his statement. "Then can I at least offer you breakfast? We were expecting all of you to arrive a little later but since you're already here, it would be wonderful if you could join us." I told them.
They all said yes in response. I asked permission if I could walk a little ahead of them so I could notify the servants in which they agreed. Fergus was left there, guiding them and trying his best to answer some of the general questions asked about Duncan and other stuff.
"Thank you so much for having breakfast with us. Shall I call a servant to guide you to your temporary rooms? It's a good thing to have a rest first before the others arrive." I offered it to them after having our breakfast in silence.
"Ah! Yes please. You know, starting a journey in the middle of the night can be really troublesome," one of the men our age said, in which I found out that his name was Sire Carlos. A regent of a small kingdom along the west coast.
A servant went near me to receive my orders. He bowed respectfully and went to the side first, waiting for us to finish the meal before he could take the guests to the designated cabins.
It did not take us long before the three gentlemen decided to retreat to the cabins and take a rest. A moment later, some more guests arrived and by the thirteenth hour, all the expected guests had arrived.
All of the servants fell into a line and guided each guest to the meeting room. Some went to the cabins to inform the guests who recently took a rest. The dull home of Duncan immediately went lively by the noise of people walking, coming in and out, and the never-ending chattering.
"Please take your seats, gentlemen." I smiled at them and reminded them when we reached the eastern wing of our manor. This part right here is made for conferences and meetings. This is also where my father, the king, and other officials often meet to ensure the confidentiality of their topic. Given that the palace walls have ears.
I walked in front and waited for them to settle themselves. Once done, I motioned Fergus to stand by my side in which he gladly obliged. He gave me a reassuring smile when he took his seat near me. I looked at him intently, then wandered my sight across the room, looking at the guests.
I inhaled deeply and mustered up all my courage. "Greetings, gentlemen. I can see that none of you have brought someone, perhaps your wives. Therefore I do hope you would not mind if I facilitate this extremely important meeting."
I raised my right hand holding a piece of paper and waved it at them. "This is a copy of the letter that was sent to all of your kingdoms. Attached herewith is another letter explaining the agenda and its utmost importance. In which I assume have been read by your highest officials."
"I beg your pardon for I would not be making any necessary and formal introduction as we do not have time for that. Time is at stake here and I would dare not prolong this."
I read the agendas to them again one by one and gave a brief description. They all seemed to listen intently to what I was saying.
"Now for the longer discussion, Scotland and England have long been in a feud since the prime years of our forefathers. Most of you have been our greatest allies since time immemorial. And I am afraid that we need your help again, now more than ever. Scotland has suffered several invasions within the past couple of weeks. Starting at the invasion that happened in the highlands. And I know all of us here know how much the kingdom values the highlands and the clans residing there."
I saw some discomfort in the faces of some older representatives.
"What I am pointing out here is that England has started a movement against us."
"I beg your pardon, your highness, but can you please elaborate more?" A young gentleman raised his hand and spoke. Guessing from the uniform he wore, he is a prince of a distant kingdom, thanks to the brooches and medals.
"Thank you for that, his highness. Let me narrate everything to all of you." I surveyed the entire room. I felt Fergus wanting to stand but I looked at him and signalled him with my eyes to keep calm.
"Months ago, my father had offered my hand in marriage to a sassenach. He was the son of England's Baroness. As history proves, aforementioned, England and Scotland have been in feud for the longest time. Thus made me decline the offered marriage. Due to unknown reasons and circumstances, my father had been pressing me about it. Which then led.me to temporarily depart from this home. And that is when I got the chance to live amongst the remaining clan in the highlands. That is also when I witnessed firsthand the attack. Given the situation, I know no kingdom would react the way I have reacted about it. Nevertheless, it is something that all of us should be alarmed off. They used the path that has long been closed to the public. In addition to that, as we have surveyed every camp across the city, and sent a message to check every camp across the country, the soldiers that were ordered to guard the southern part have been stationed in another place. Which is something that I should be aware of. Given that the south border is extremely important especially in the city where the Duncan Manor is residing."
I motioned Fergus to stand and take the spotlight. As both of us planned, he would provide necessary actions to be taken with countermeasures after I tell everyone about the situation that Scotland is currently facing.
"Good afternoon, a lady and gentlemen. I am Fergus Kail Maclean, the current laird of the Maclean Clan. As a person coming from a clan of warriors, I have discussed several measures to be taken and I want to share it with all of you. As of now, we still do not know the next move of the enemy nor what their plans are. Since Victoria's father has disappeared together with his messenger, the best thing right now is to gather all our forces. Have them deployed here and I will personally help and train them a little for another invasion in days' time. They do not attack at once but they choose to attach each defence, one by one. I am afraid that we cannot defeat them once they attack altogether so we need everything to suppress them."
He nodded at me. I gave him a small smile showing affirmation that he did well. He returned to his seat as I walked towards the centre again.
"But how can we do that? We cannot deploy forces without the seals of all higher officials of your country. How can we do that, when the Duke—just like what you said—disappeared? We need the authority in order to facilitate it!" Another respectable man claimed.
"Sire, we would not be needing my father in regards with the seal. A new seal is coming along the way." I saw confusion in his face.
I smiled and showed them my left hand with the wedding ring. "I am married to Fergus, and by the proclamation of the king abiding by the law, I am now rightfully the Duchess of Duncan. With or without my father's blessing, I can instantly assume the position given that I am a royal by birth. Therefore, it is safe to say that I am the authority."