The King's Mistress

Chapter 201: Who Will Lead?

"Has General Bancroft been secured?" Sierra asked eagerly.

"Yes. I’ve just received word moments ago that he’s alive and well in the estate," Finnian responded at once with a sigh of relief.

Sierra nodded, feeling as if a heavy rock had been lifted from her heart. Her primary concern was resolved, now she could move on to other things. She was still holding onto Alistair’s hand tightly, not letting go.

She gave the first of many orders, "Send three teams to pursue Cedric. Send out the hounds as well to cover more ground. I want him arrested and thrown into the dungeon."

"On it," Finnian immediately passed down her orders, and groups of soldiers quickly filed out of the throne room to execute them.

"Has Princess Felicity been secured?" She asked next.

The Princess was last reported to be in her quarters. Lady Linette saw to it personally to ensure her safety.

"With that taken care of," Sierra whispered beneath her breath as she looked to the vacant throne at the end of the red carpet.

"Will you declare yourself Queen, Sierra?" Finnian asked boldly.

"Queen? Why would she..." Alistair didn’t finish his question.

The gears in his mind began to churn and he soon put the pieces of the puzzle together. He glanced over to Sierra, who also looked back at him. He’d not had the chance to inform her what had happened in Drakin in her absence.

She didn’t have the opportunity to inform him of what she and the Bancroft Family members had discussed either.

"There’s no time to think about that now, Lord Finnian. There are more important matters to take care of," Sierra quickly replied, knowing how much work there was ahead of them.

But Lord Finnian persisted, "It is precisely why a decision must be made as soon as possible, Sierra. A nation cannot survive without a monarch."

Sierra clenched her jaw as she looked towards the side. She knew what Finnian said was right. Looking back at the throne at the end of the hall, she hesitated. She had never given it much thought and most certainly could not decide right now.

She needed more time.

She placed her hand over her heart and declared, "I will appoint myself as the temporary overseer of the transition of monarchs Cair is about to go through. Lord Finnian, is it safe for me to assume that I have the support of the Bancroft Family?"

She held her breath and waited for his response. After all, Lord Finnian could easily raise a coup right then and there to fight her for the right. Instead, the man got down on one knee.

"Yes you do, Sierra. You have the full support of the Bancroft Family."

Seeing Lord Finnian bend the knee stirred emotions and sentiments in the throne room. There had been some lords and dukes present and not all of them were firm supporters of Cedric’s cause.

Some had been lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to pledge loyalty or make new foes. Some of them came forward and bent their knee before Sierra.

"Sierra Bancroft, daughter of General Leon, you have the support of the Wildborne Family."

"You have the support of the Vanderwood Family."

One after another they came before her to bend the knee. Sierra was taken aback by the sight before her. She did not realize that Alistair now stood close next to her. He held onto her hand which quickly got her attention.

As they gazed into each other’s eyes, Sierra could feel her heart pounding in her chest. As Alistair raised her hand to his lips, she quickly realized what he was about to do. He kissed the back of her hand gently, and a tingling sensation spread through her.

"Alistair..."

"I, King Alistair of Drakin, pledge my support to Sierra Bancroft. I will assist however I can to aid in the restoration of the Kingdom of Cair."

Everyone in the throne room gasped in shock and surprise. No one knew of his true identity until he spoke the words he did. How could they have known? Alistair was dressed in disguise.

"You don’t have to, I-"

"I don’t have to, but I want to," Alistair replied to her with a grin, "Now don’t keep them waiting, go do what you need to do."

With his support, Sierra felt a new source of strength flowing through her veins. She steeled her resolve and began giving out tasks on what needed to be done. They would need to assess the situation in the castle before making any more decisions. freёwebnovel.com

To aid her, Sierra also formed a council of noble families who would serve as her support. It would take a team to run a kingdom well, that much she knew. Things were going to be different, and she was going to ensure everything was done for the better.

Later that night, Sierra reunited with her father once more.

"You’ve done well, my daughter. I’m so proud of you," Leon said as he embraced his daughter tightly in his arms.

Their last reunion had only been a short while ago, but the separation felt like an eternity.

"I’ve done nothing, father. I’m nothing without the support I’ve received."

Glancing over Sierra’s shoulder, Leon was surprised to see Alistair. He wanted to get out of bed to greet the King properly but Alistair insisted he remained in bed.

"Spare the formalities, general. Although, I should probably address you otherwise now that Sierra and I are..." Alistair glanced over to Sierra and both of them blushed at the same time.

Leon chuckled and cleared his throat, catching both of their attention.

"You can simply address me as Leon, Your Majesty. No need for any formal or informal titles if you’re not comfortable with them. But I’m glad my daughter is in good hands. She can be quite the handful."

"Father!" Sierra gasped as she blushed at the comment he made.

Alistair could not help but chuckle along, "Fear not, sir. I can manage."

Sierra pouted as both men spoke about her as if she was not there. But she could not help but smile at the sight of them conversing. Never in her wildest dreams did she think this day would come.