Chapter 17: Chapter 17 - Markless ( Part 2 )
Silence.
The echoes lingered throughout the Grand Cathedral for much longer than the speech of the High Priest himself.
"Jennie Queens possesses no Divine Mark."
Nobody moved.
Nobody breathed.
Even the flames in the candles froze.
Slowly rising from the throne, King Aldric’s gaze was severe.
Celestine’s face was filled with shock when she looked at Jennie.
Arthur paled.
Elena pressed her hand on her mouth.
"...Impossible."
The word slipped out without him realizing it.
Throughout thousands of years of human existence on the continent, every living person had a Divine Mark.
Strong.
Weak.
Common.
Legendary.
Everybody had a Divine Mark.
Until today.
---
On the other side...
This day was perfect for Jennie.
"Excellent."
"This can’t get any better."
While the cathedral was filled with despair, Jennie already was thinking about the future.
A small cabin in a remote mountain.
Sword.
A peaceful life.
Probably a journey throughout the continent.
No politics.
No paperwork.
No royal duties.
No Princess Lilia.
Actually...
This part sounded quite peaceful.
Almost smiling, Jennie thought.
---
Unfortunately...
Fate decided to make another step against her.
In the form of Princess Lilia.
---
It didn’t take more than a day for the rumors to spread throughout the entire kingdom.
The Markless girl.
The child without destiny.
The noblewoman rejected by the Divine system.
The rumors were everywhere.
Some called it a curse.
Others believed this to be divine punishment.
Some even thought that Jennie was possessed by a demon.
Those rumors were extinguished rather quickly after Arthur personally visited some of them.
Very politely.
With a sword.
---
Three days later...
A special royal session took place.
The hall of the palace was full of nobles, churchmen, royal advisors and military officers.
All the key figures of Seraiya Kingdom.
Beside her parents, Jennie sat calmly.
Next to her sat Princess Lilia, who looked like she was ready to go to war.
---
High Priest approached.
"The laws of Seraiya Kingdom are clear."
His voice echoed in the hall.
"A markless citizen cannot inherit noble rights."
The murmuring broke out.
Several nobles nodded.
Then an old duke rose.
"And there is more."
The hall got silent.
"The ancient laws state that a markless noble cannot be under the protection of divine succession."
Arthur’s eyes tightened.
"Speak clearly."
The duke gave a slight smile.
"A markless noble cannot stay within noble society."
Another noble rose.
"And if you let him to stay..."
"It will challenge the authority of the Church and Crown."
Jennie’s eyes widened a little.
"Wait."
This sounded worse than she could imagine.
Much worse.
---
The face of King Aldric darkened.
"What exactly do you propose?"
The duke bowed low.
"Your Majesty."
"The ancient punishment is execution."
The hall exploded.
Elena gasped.
Arthur immediately reached for his sword.
The Royal Knights tensed.
Even the King himself looked livid.
Only Jennie remained calm.
For exactly three seconds.
Then...
"Execution?"
"EXECUTION?"
"SINCE WHEN EXECUTION IS PART OF THE PLAN?!"
Everything inside of Jennie crashed down.
Exile.
Banishment.
Maybe loss of the noble title.
But definitely not death.
Death was really inconvenient.
Especially after being reincarnated.
---
Suddenly, Princess Lilia stood up.
"No."
All the court turned their gaze on her.
Princess’s blue eyes shone with rage.
"No."
The word rang louder.
King Aldric sighed.
"Lilia."
"No."
"Lilia."
"NO."
She pointed her finger straight at the nobles.
"You’re all stupid."
The gasping came immediately.
Queen Celestine hid her face.
"Not again..."
---
Some nobleman sputtered.
"Y-Your Highness!"
Princess ignored him.
Walking into the center of the hall, she spoke.
"You guys always talk about ancient laws."
"Well."
"Let’s talk about ancient laws then."
Looking at the High Priest, Lilia demanded.
"Bring me the law book."
The old man blinked.
"What?"
"The law book."
"...Why?"
"Because I want to prove you wrong."
---
Several minutes later...
The huge ancient book was placed on the table.
The book was older than most of the kingdoms.
Opening it, Lilia immediately understood that she had absolutely no clue what she was doing.
"..."
"..."
She slowly passed it to Jennie.
"Help."
Jennie sighed.
Of course.
---
The two of them started reading together.
The whole court watched the spectacle.
Princess.
Markless child.
Going through the ancient laws.
Absurd.
---
Then, suddenly...
Jennie’s eyes stopped.
"Hm."
Princess immediately leaned forward.
"You found something?"
"Maybe."
Lilia grinned.
"Read it."
Jennie showed her a certain page.
Clearing her throat, Lilia started reading.
"A markless individual may not inherit noble authority."
Nodding, the nobles spoke.
"See?"
Continuing reading, Lilia said.
"May not hold military office."
Nodding.
"May not possess succession rights."
Nodding.
Then...
Her eyes widened.
The smile slowly appeared.
The dangerous smile.
One very similar to Jennie’s.
The whole court became nervous.
---
Looking up, the princess smiled.
"Oh."
"Ohhhhh."
King Aldric frowned.
"What is it?"
Lilia slammed her hands on the table.
"The law doesn’t say that markless individuals cannot be servants."
Silence.
Complete silence.
The nobles froze.
Priests froze.
The king froze.
Even Jennie froze.
---
"...What?"
Princess pointed triumphantly.
"The law bans nobles."
"It bans knights."
"It bans officials."
"It bans heirs."
"But servants?"
She grinned.
"Nothing."
The hall went silent.
Because she was right.
---
Flipping fast through the pages, the High Priest tried to find any evidence to prove her wrong.
The other priest checked.
Another priest checked.
Finally...
The old man slowly lowered the book.
Defeated look on his face.
"...Princess is right."
The court exploded.
---
Eye of Jennie twitched.
"No."
"No no no no no."
"That wasn’t the point."
"I was supposed to leave."
"I was supposed to travel the world."
"I was supposed to train."
"WHY ARE YOU HELPING?!?"
---
Walking toward the throne, Lilia pointed at Jennie.
"Problem solved."
King Aldric rubbed his temple.
"Lilia..."
"I claim Jennie Queens as my personal maid."
The court went silent again.
Arthur choked.
Elena looked surprised.
Queen Celestine burst into laughter.
For the first time during the meeting.
---
Jennie slowly raised her hand.
"I’d like to object."
"Denied."
"Lilia."
"Denied."
"I haven’t said anything yet."
"Still denied."
---
Grabbing Jennie’s hand, Lilia smiled brightly.
"Congratulations."
Jennie looked at her blankly.
"For what?"
Smile on the princess became wider.
"You’re mine now."
Her words choked half the court.
Queen Celestine laughed even harder.
King Aldric looked tired.
Suddenly, Arthur wanted a drink.
---
Rising from the chair, king looked at Jennie.
Then at the princess.
Then at the ancient book of laws.
Long sigh.
"The loophole is valid."
Pumping her fist into the air, Lilia shouted.
"Victory!"
Staring at the ceiling, Jennie thought.
"Lady Miasa..."
"Why?"
She could almost hear divine laughter.
---
In the evening, the official royal decree was published.
Jennie Queens will not be executed.
Jennie Queens will not be exiled.
Instead, Jennie Queens will serve as the personal maid of Princess Lilia KingHeart.
The kingdom was shocked.
The church was confused.
The nobles were infuriated.
The princess was happy.
And Jennie...
Jennie knew that her carefully crafted plan of freedom was ruined.
By a ten-year-old princess.
