The year is 1479, King Morgan the Great of Wales, Ireland and Scotland just died at 51 after serving 30 years on the throne. Now King, William is looking to cut out a new legacy.
Sweat drips down my face, I can taste the blood around my mouth, salty. I open my eye, Bjorn and Alix stand before me. The pain swells in my throat, I cough violently. " Alexandra", I wheeze out. Alix rubs my face, " Will?". Bjorn looks at me with sadness behind his eyes, he bows. " Your Royal Majesty, I regret to inform you that you have consumption", Bjorn informs me softly. I cough, I'll be dead soon. Bjorn wipes the sweat from my forehead, " It seems to have gone undiagnosed for some time, I hate to tell you, but you'll be dead within three days".
I breathe heavily, " Where is Edward, and Samuel?". Alix holds my hand, " We sent Daniel to get David, Samuel is sleeping", Alix informs me. " Icarus", Andreas says standing in the doorway, tears fill his eyes. I catch my breath, " Bjorn, leave us. Get my family here now", I command as I shiver. Bjorn scurries past Andreas. " Andre, please come sit", Andreas sits down next to me and Alix. I ring my bell, John rushes into the room. " Johnny, be prepared to start Operation Pembroke Dock. Send messengers to Duke James and Duchess Matilda, tell them to come now", I command.
John bows, " Yes of course". Alix wipes the blood around my mouth, I smile. " Andre, thank you brother. For everything, I love you", I say as Andreas holds my hand. I laugh, " This old mausoleum, remember the winters when we pelted Daddy with snowballs, and the summers so hot that our seats started to melt", I laugh out. Andreas smiles and wipes his tears, " I love you Icarus". I hug Andreas tightly, " Be good". Andreas bows and walks out. I cough yet again, " Dear, can you please find Mummy?", I ask gently. Alix nods and saunters out.
I cough violently and wipe my mouth of blood. Alix and Mummy saunter in, " Oh Icarus", Mummy says as she begins to cry. I hug Mummy, " It's okay Mummy, I get to see Daddy again", I whisper softly. The pain festers in my throat, I cry softly. Mummy kisses my forehead, " It's okay son, just rest. David should be here in the morning", Mummy tries to convince me. I grasp Alix's hand, " Please stay with me", I beg. Alix nods and sits down, she kisses my cheek. Mummy sits next to Alix, " I'm sorry", I whimper out. Alix holds me, " For what?", Alix questions.
Tears stream down my face, " I told you that I would never leave you", I answer. I can't leave Alix by herself, with two young boys to raise. It would be a disgrace, but I don't have a choice. I'll die. Alix kisses my cheek, " It's okay darling, rest". Alix wipes my blood, " I don't want to leave you". Alix wipes my sweat, " I don't want to leave you either, but I must. Get some sleep", Alix responds. I close my eye and drift off to sleep.
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I flip through my files, the door opens gently. Edward and Samuel walk in, " David, Sammy. Come sit with me", I say after sitting down my papers. Edward and Samuel climb onto my bed and sit next to me. I run my hand through Samuel's red hair. " Papa", Edward whimpers out, I hold him close. I frown, " I'm sorry boys, I'll be dead soon. Sammy, I love you, with all of my heart. I need you to be strong", I say softly. I cough, blood trickles out of my mouth. I quickly wipe the blood away, " Daddy, who will be the King?", Samuel asks.
I smile, " David". Samuel hugs me tightly. " I want to see Granny now", Samuel informs me. I nod, " Of course, be good Sammy. I love you so much", I say after kissing Samuel's cheek. Sammy climbs down, he kisses my cheek and walks out, he shuts the door behind him. I wipe my tears, " I'm sorry you have to see me like this. I'm sorry I'm leaving you with the largest Royal duty ever", I say softly. Edward cries, " I can't do this without you Papa. I can't".
I cough, " David, your regent will be Aunt Joann. She will guide you until the age of sixteen. Never forget diplomacy, it is more powerful than warfare. I never told you, when cousin Henry dies, you will be King of England. I want you to promise me, that you protect Mummy and Sammy. Please promise me", I explain. Edward nods, " I can't do it Papa". I cough violently, " You must", I cry. " You will be a great King, you will unite four realms under one crown. Be a good man, I fear this is the last time we'll meet", I say calmly. I wipe my mouth. Edward will be a great King and a great man, but he will need guidance. Hopefully Joann can give him some.
David hugs me tightly, " I love you Papa". I run my hand through his short blonde hair, " I love you too David, please get your Mother and Sir John", I say breathing heavily. Edward rings the bell, Alix and John rush into the room, they look surprised to see me alive. " Edward, go with Granny and Sammy", I command. Edward stands and bows, he walks out and shuts the door. " Johnny, write this down", I say softly, John grabs a quill and a paper.
" I, William Dinefwr, King of Wales, Ireland and Scotland, follow the law of male preference primogeniture. I therefore name Edward David Dinefwr, Duke of Dinefwr, as the next King. Her Royal Highness, Princess Royal Joann, will serve as Princess Regent until Edward is of age. Any who question the legitimacy of Edward Dinefwr's capabilities will be committing treason, they will all be beheaded", I say gasping for air. I catch my breath and cough up blood, John hands me the quill. I sign my name in big, bold letters, William Dinefwr. " Thank you for your service brother", John says after bowing, he scurries off.
I see Father standing in the doorway, Alix cries and holds me, " It's okay dear. I love you so much Alix", I say struggling to catch my breath. " I love you too Icarus, I love you", Alix cries out. I smile, " Can you see him Alix, Daddy's coming for me". The world begins to fade around me, " I love you William", Alix says softly. The world drifts away.
Thank you so very much for reading “A New Legacy”. I am incredibly proud of my work, and I just wanted to say thank you for reading and voting for my novel. Another announcement that I have is that I will be posting the first chapter of Part 3: The Fate of Four Kingdoms, on Tuesday, 28th of May 2024. Here is the cover❤️
