Quinlan’s p.o.v
Dad is pissed off and that is putting it mildly. Mom is doing her best to calm him down, but Ershin is close to the surface, making it difficult for her.
“Ershin, calm down. We will restore everything the Elders managed to change and those responsible will be punished.” I hear Mom whisper.
Mom has her arms wrapped around his waist, her head placed against his chest. Dad buries his face in her neck and slowly but steadily, his aura diminishes. It takes a good ten minutes before Mom starts to pull back, an indication that Dad is capable of controlling his anger again.
“Captain Vern found two hiding places on the top floor; one in Elder Dawn’s room and one in Elder Zane’s room. They were located at the back of the walk–in closet, but there was a difference One was used regularly, the other hasn’t been used in ages.
The documents from Elder Zane’s room haven’t been updated for at least fifteen years. Everything found in Elder Dawn’s has been updated until yesterday.” Dallas says as she hands out documents.
Elder Irvine is responsible for our family’s lack of knowledge on our power and the power the Elders have. He took advantage of my Great Grandfather’s lack of training at the time and the grief he was going through.
“Irvine also reprinted this book to make sure that no one could point out that the Elders were lying about their power. However, someone wanted to ensure that the truth could be uncovered. They left a piece of the old book intact, which didn’t make sense to anyone who would read it.” Joshua says.
If the next heir to the Throne is underage when the King or Queen passes, three Elders will step out of their advisory role for the heir and have increased responsibilities to help the heir rule the Kingdom.
This also happens when the heir hasn’t yet completed their training and still requires guidance to rule. Once the heir has completed their training, the Elders will step back into their advisory role.
“This is what made us question the influence the Elders have in the Kingdom and how much power they were supposed have.” Dallas says after she has read the part from a book that has always been in Dad’s library.
Dad is pacing in front of the window, a regular sight for us to see when he is deep in thought. Something he does to keep him focused on his question, because Dad says he can’t do this sitting down.
It is probably a family trade, because I have found myself pacing a lot when I need to think about complicated matters.
“Everything that was found in those hiding places is disturbing to read. They went through great lengths to keep the truth from your Grandfather, Uncle Vaughn.” Dallas says, before she shows us her evidence.
Reports on secret meetings the Elders had, reports on which family member was placed in what position to spy on the Royals.
“Elder Zane took over the position from his Father, but he was never included in the secrets his family was protecting. He never knew about the hiding place and with his Father’s unexpected death, no one was able to take anything out of the hiding place.
We did discover another issue that the Elders were hiding and that is probably why Elder Zane still holds his family’s position.” Dallas says.
Each Royal is allowed to choose their own Protector or Bloodline Guardian. This position isn’t handed down within the family. If a family loses their position, it is up to the King or Queen to determine if they get a seat with the Elders.
Each Elder Council will consist of nine Elders, all of them appointed by the King or Queen. The Elders on the Council must be approved by the King or Queen, as well as by their Beta and Gamma
No one says a word after Dallas finishes reading and I feel relieved that I can choose my Protector and Guardian by myself. I still might accept Elder Zariah as my Guardian, but I will replace Dad’s Protector.
་་གངམད་གངས་ཚད་་་
“Do I understand this correctly? I was allowed to replace any Elder wanted?” Grandpa asks. Some family members are
Your Shadow
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laughing at the pout on his face, he would have chosen different Elders for those positions if he had known.
“Only if you could agree with your Beta and Gamma. It has to be there yeses or you couldn’t have replaced them.” Dallas answers. “How much time was there between the announcement that Uncle Vaughn would take over and you actually stepping down, Grandpa?”
“Less than a week. Why?” Dad asks. I am curious about that too, why waste time on something like that?
“Was that a week between Grandpa telling you or telling the Elders?” Dallas asks. I believe thy Niece has uncovered a multitude of discrepancies between our laws and reality.
“For both me and the Elders.” Dad answers. Dallas is flipping through the book to find the right page and read out loud what it
says.
The King or Queen informs their heir at least a year in advance of stepping down. It allows the heir to get used to the idea of ruling the Kingdom and to find their Protector and Bloodline Guardian.
The Elders are informed two months before the Ceremony. It keeps the Elders from trying to persuade the heir to choose them for a particular role.
“That makes sense to me. If the Elders knew they could get replaced, they would treat you differently or their behavior would be the opposite of normal. I would like to have more than a year’s notice, because I would like to discuss this with my Beta and Gamma a few times.” I respond.
Dallas hands me a file with my name on it and the expression on her face tells me that I am not going to like what is inside the file.
“It basically is a plan from Irvine and his family to get even more control over the Kingdom. Unfortunately for him, we all know the laws on true Mate–bonds. He wanted to force Tammy on you, using the Kingdom as an excuse to force your hand.” Dallas
says.
I read through the file and Brogan is getting pissed off the more we read. Their plans involve asking me to take Tammy as my chosen Mate, to having her trap me into taking her as a chosen Mate. Their traps include prohibited medicine and faking a
pregnancy.
“Pablo will be your shadow from here on out. We are not taking any chances with this knowledge and we don’t know if Tam is even aware of these plans.” Dallas states.
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