Chapter 229
Beth wasn’t on board with Fraser spreading rumors that Amelia had worked with the north to kill her father. There were hushed talks everywhere Beth turned about Amelia. Some believed no daughter of Anne could do such a thing while others argue that royals would do anything to become Queen or King.
"Fraser, you should have thought this through before spreading what you did. It is not your cousin I am worried about. It is the man who is smittened with her. Remember that the truce was broken because he did not like you disrespecting her. There is nothing to stop the northerners from coming down the mountain and attacking us. Our guards are not ready," Beth said, leaving Fraser to look out the window.
All of the men with important roles in the King’s army had returned and as she expected, they asked about Leonard. They had not accepted Fraser as the new King and stormed out, threatening to give up their posts.
Beth bit her nails as she tried to think of a solution. Fraser already suggested replacing those who did not want to bow to him, but he failed to realize how many guards will leave the castle and follow behind the men they were loyal to. They needed every guard they had in case Killian would ever come down from the north again.
They could not let him easily take over the castle or the Blackwells would be laughed at. She needed to get Leonard back to the castle, but he wasn’t easy to find. Beth wouldn’t be surprised if he was somehow in the north with Amelia. Leonard always cared for Amelia as if she was his child.
"Fraser, have you made up your mind on which young lady you would take as your Queen? You need to pick on quickly so you can have a strong family on your side. I have pointed out the two I think would suit you-"
"Why do I need to get married and share the throne so early?" Fraser asked, not interested in a wife yet. "I am the most powerful man in all the land. I am not in a rush for anyone’s support."
"You have the throne, but it does not make you the most powerful man in all that land. There are families with power to rival the crown. What you have over them is the people. You need to find a Queen who can give you the support of one of those families. Why do you think Richard took sons from wealthy families into the court when there were more qualified men? He wanted their support," said Beth.
Fraser didn’t share the same sentiments as his mother. If there was anyone who felt like they were more powerful than him, he would show why he should be feared as King. That is what Richard and the kings before him failed to do. "I don’t want to think about this now, mother. We have more important things to do today. I will think about a wife tomorrow. Has there been any word about Amelia’s coronation-Ow!" Fraser rubbed the back of his head.