Chapter 23 – State funeral
As Jason had predicted, the Cardinal made an involuntary return visit to the Castle about an hour after he had left it. He was placed in solitary confinement in a cell in the palace basement. He was joined by Jason a few minutes after he arrived.
‘I trust that you will find your accommodation satisfactory your eminence. It is the best we can do for you whilst we arrange for your burial at sea.’
‘You will never get away with this,’ the Cardinal countered. ‘I have informed Monteverdi and the other bishops that if I should unexpectedly vanish, the Palace is to be held responsible.’
‘Unfortunately I have acquired possession of the letter you wrote to the Cardinal in Paris. I also have your four co-conspirators locked up here. You will all be buried at sea in the next few days. The palace will not be suspected. You returned to the High Cathedral at one o’clock or so this morning. Monteverdi saw that. The Cathedral guards also witnessed that. We will of course confirm that you left the palace accompanied by Monteverdi. It is common knowledge that only Bishop Du Bois and your good self are possessed of keys to the High Cathedral. Later this morning, the royal guard will attend at the High Cathedral with a royal warrant for your arrest and for the arrest of the four bishops on the grounds of treason. When the cathedral guards ring the bell and there is no response, my guards will ask them to help them break down the door. They will find all of you to be missing. The palace will claim that you and your four accomplices got wind of the fact that the palace came into possession of the incriminating letter. Naturally you all fled from your quarters to escape prosecution for treason. The palace will order a manhunt of course, but it will be a less than successful one I rather expect.’
The Cardinal glared at Jason.
‘I warned you not to underestimate the lengths I would go to protect the monarchy. You chose to ignore that,’ Jason declared.
‘I realise that you are a godless man. But at least you were once an honest man or so it was said. That has all changed since you cast your lot in with that of the Garibaldis. You may tell yourself that you do what you do for love, or maybe you will convince yourself it is about loyalty to the family and the crown. Ultimately, however, it is about power. Have you considered whether you will be able to afford the price of pursuing it or clinging to it? Do you imagine that a king can cling to absolute power without the price involving the spilling of the blood of many who might not deserve to die?’
Jason did not respond. He left, locking the cell behind him. Although he tried to ignore the Cardinal’s words, he could not help thinking of Oliver. Could he have prevented his friend’s execution, he once more wondered. He decided that he could not have. Oliver had deserved to die, he again concluded. And the Captain only had himself to blame.
Fifteen royal guards arrived at the High Cathedral at dawn with the warrants of arrest. As expected, the Cathedral doors remained closed to them. The Cathedral Guards initially refused requests to assist in breaking down the doors to the High Cathedral. However, after an hour or so had passed without any response from within the Cathedral, they were easily persuaded that something was amiss. The outer doors leading to the vestibule and those leading on to accommodation quarters of the High Cathedral were broken down. The two groups of guards arrived at the accommodation quarters. The Cardinal and all six bishops were found to be absent. Only the two bishops who were at the palace could be accounted for. The royal guards mounted a diligent but ultimately fruitless search for the delinquent clerics. An announcement from the palace that the Cardinal and the four bishops had committed treason against the king and the people of Montuga by conspiring to overthrow the monarchy at the behest of a foreign power would be made later. But first, Jason summoned Monteverdi to the palace later that morning. Jason ordered that the carriage he sent for Monteverdi should be accompanied by four of his royal guards in case an additional incentive to accept his invitation was required.
‘How good of you to come Luciano,’ Jason after his friend was shown into the royal lounge. ‘I wanted a chance to speak to you alone.’ He noticed that Monteverdi’s expression was apprehensive.
‘I was not sure if I should come, your highness. This business…with the Cardinal … it is most suspicious.’ Monteverdi studied Jason carefully.
‘You have heard about his disappearance then?’
‘Yes,’ Monteverdi replied slowly. ‘The thing is…’ He paused momentarily. ‘The thing is that he predicted it last night. After we left the palace together.’
‘What did he say?’
‘He said that the wounded animal will strike out if placed in the corner. He warned that if anything were to happen to him, it would be the royal family behind it. He seemed convinced that he was in the great danger.’
‘And you believed him?’
‘If what he said about the king’s death and the crown prince is true, your highness, then it would give the royal family reason enough to take, how you say, the necessary steps to protect the family.’
‘The Cardinal left the palace with you, last night? Not so?’ Jason inquired.
‘Yes, your highness.’
‘You saw him enter the High cathedral?’
‘Yes, your highness.’
‘What happened?’
‘The Cathedral guards, they went along with him to the main door. After the door closed, I was taken to my home in the carriage of the Cardinal.’
‘I assume you are aware that the entrance to the High Cathedral is guarded by Cathedral Guards and that the only key to the Cathedral is kept by the Cardinal and the Bishops.’
‘Yes, your highness.’
‘Then you of all people should realise that the palace could not possibly have been involved in the Cardinal’s disappearance. You need only make enquiries of the Cathedral Guards to confirm this.’
‘I have, Highness. They say all night, no-one entered or left the palace.’
‘That simply cannot be true. I think the Cardinal arranged for trusted guards to be on duty in the early hours of the morning, so as to permit him, and four of his bishops to escape during the night. The Cardinal was informed that warrants of arrest for treason were due to be served on them the following day.’
‘I was told about what happened at the Cathedral this morning, highness.’ Monteverdi hesitated again. ‘Forgive me for any impertinence, on my part, you highness, but you must understand that I find the allegations of the treason of the Cardinal to be, how shall I say, too convenient.’
‘I have a letter I must show you. I cannot show you all of it as it contains information which is sensitive to the security of the palace. I will show you a portion of the first page and the page containing the signatures.’ Jason showed Monteverdi the letter. He covered the section of the letter dealing with Oliver and the threats against the Church.
‘You seem shocked,’ Jason remarked after Monteverdi looked up from the letter shaking his head. Jason had suspected that Monteverdi’s opposition to the republican cause would have prevented him from being taken fully into the Cardinal’s confidence.
‘Indeed I am your highness.’ Monteverdi sounded apologetic. ‘I would never have anything to do with such treason. Your highness is aware that I have serious reservations about the republicans and that I do not favour a return of Montuga to the French rule.’
‘Of course I am,’ Jason assured him.
‘And your highness realises that last night when I gave the opinion I did, I was not expressing the views of my own.’ Monteverdi produced a handkerchief and wiped several beads of sweat from his forehead.
‘It was clear to everyone last night that that the Cardinal had engaged you as his legal counsel and that you were here in that capacity.’
‘That is good.’ A smile accompanied the relief in Monteverdi’s voice. He took a moment to compose himself before he spoke again. ‘So as you said last night, the Cardinal was wrong about the king’s death?’
‘Yes,’ Jason ha
d been expecting the question and he made a point of looking his friend in the eye. ‘But, as it happens, his majesty’s illness is severe and we do not expect him to last much longer.’ He paused. ‘You may see him now to confirm that he lives, if you have any reason to doubt my word.’ Despite its careful wording, the offer was a calculated risk. Jason had no idea how he would proceed if his friend were to accept it.
‘That will not be necessary, highness,’ Monteverdi replied. His forehead creased. ‘It did not escape my notice, highness, that last night you did not contradict the Cardinal about Prince Ruan. The allegation against him is surely not another of the Cardinal’s lies, I presume?’
‘That is a matter of the most sensitive nature. The consequences of these allegations being made public are serious as you well know. I trust that I can rely upon your silence,’ Jason replied.
‘Your highness, I shall remain silent for as long as the king lives. However, I am a Catholic. If Prince Ruan were to become king after what he has done it would be the insult to my faith and to the faith of most of the people of Montuga. I am not sure how I could remain silent in such an event.’
‘Do you know Bishops Sebastian and Livanos?’ Jason asked.
‘Yes, your highness. Before he was appointed as the bishop, Bishop Livanos was a priest in my parish.’
‘Do you trust them?’
‘Yes. Bishop Livanos I trust with my life,’ Monteverdi exclaimed.
‘Bishop Livanos will confirm that the king and the crown prince have signed a joint edict in the presence of the Cardinal which appoints me as king and Renate as queen, when the king passes on. Ruan remains crown prince. Prince Ruan succeeds only if Renate and I do not have a male heir. This joint edict bears the seals and the signatures of the king, the crown prince and the Cardinal. The Cardinal failed to disclose this to you last night I assume?’
‘He disclosed no such thing.’ Monteverdi’s tone displayed a degree of annoyance. He then allowed himself a few moments to consider Jason’s revelation. ‘A king has the power to appoint someone other than his heir to succeed him as the king. About that one cannot argue.’ Monteverdi’s forehead creased as he considered the matter. ‘However, the problem is the treaty. It requires that the monarchy falls away in the absence of the legitimate male heir. You are not the king’s male heir. There is not the bloodline from the king to you. The treaty must still fall away on the king’s death even if what you say is true.’
‘Yes, but that is where Ruan comes in. He stays on as Crown Prince and he remains next in line to the throne. That ensures that there is no absence of a legitimate male heir. If Renate and I have a son, he will be the next male heir and the bloodline to the king will no longer be a problem.’
‘I can find no fault with what you say. It must be legal.’ Monteverdi declared. ‘At least, it must be legal for a long as Ruan is alive. Who knows, by then Montuga may not even be under the threat from France.’
‘I assume that there is no need for me to arrange a meeting with Bishop Livanos so that you can hear about the joint edicts from him?’
‘No, highness,’ Monteverdi said immediately. ‘For now I believe that that we need the monarchy in Montuga. The alternative is the anarchy and the bloodshed we have seen in France.’
‘Can I rely upon your support then?’
‘Yes you can. However, if your highness will permit me to mention, always there is a price. Your highness cannot think that the calls for the change have gone. The majority of your subjects wish for the change. When the time comes, I will be compelled to lead the call for the constitutional monarchy. I will require your highness to make some real concessions in that direction.’
‘When the time is right, I will make some concessions in that direction.’ Jason promised.
‘There is one more thing, your highness,’ Monteverdi said. ‘The church must be ordered to permit all persons to attend the services in the High Cathedral, no matter if they are not of the nobility.’
‘This is going to cause some problems. Many of the nobility will not approve.’
‘Granted. But it will make you extremely popular with the people. It will indicate that you see all the people as equal before God.’
‘Okay,’ Jason agreed. ‘I will ensure that everyone will be free to worship in the High Cathedral.’
Later that day, the palace announced that king Julien Garibaldi III had died peacefully in his sleep that morning. The contents of the joint edict was made public hours afterwards. Jason’s first act as king was to appoint Bishop Livanos as acting Cardinal. King Julien lay in state in the High Cathedral for three days immediately prior to his funeral.
The service in the High Cathedral was attended by ambassadors from all the countries which had diplomatic ties with Montuga. In addition, Count Aurelio Da Gama, the former Spanish ambassador attended the funeral in his personal capacity. It was his first visit to Montuga since Spain had withdrawn diplomatic ties with Montuga. Republican France was not represented at the funeral.
The hearse emerged from the palace followed by the royal family in the royal coach. Count Da Gama was invited to ride in the royal coach, which was draped in black and gold. A platoon of thirty royal guards marched in front of the hearse. The coffin was draped in the royal ensign and the king’s crown was placed on top of it. A second platoon of guards marched behind the hearse and a final platoon marched behind the royal carriage. A single drummer bearing a large drum beat it slowly in time to the slow march of the guards. No music was played and none of the guards were mounted. Crowds gathered on either side of the road to pay their respects to the late king. Most of crowds were dressed in customary black and the onlookers removed their hats as a mark of respect as the hearse moved slowly past them.
‘On this solemn and most important occasion, your majesties’ invitation does me a great honour,’ Da Gama said to Jason and Renate. Jason and Renate were still becoming accustomed to their new forms of address. On the other hand, Ruan, who was the only other person in the royal carriage, had grown a little tired of having to repeatedly correct people who understandably assumed that it was the former crown prince who had become king, and who accordingly erroneously referred to Ruan as ‘your majesty.’
‘You were much loved and respected by my father, your Excellency,’ Renate replied. She made a point of using the form of address which applied to his former post.
‘I suppose it is too soon to ask about France’s reaction to the decision to skip his royal highness, the crown prince, as the successor to King Julien?’ The Count was unable to contain his curiosity about why Ruan had not succeeded his father as king.
‘Indeed it is too soon,’ Jason responded. ‘International reaction to this succession will only become apparent at the coronation which will occur in a fortnight. I trust you will stay for that.’ Both of them knew that if the Count attended the coronation, it would be interpreted diplomatically as an unofficial endorsement of the succession by Spain which, considering the absence of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries would be considered a coup for Montuga.
‘I was permitted to attend this funeral by special dispensation of the king of Spain in recognition of the special relationship I had with King Julien over more than two decades. Spain now has diplomatic ties with republican France. So, my attendance here today is in my personal capacity. I doubt that I will be permitted to attend the coronation. Even if I were to attend in my personal capacity it is likely to be seen as diplomatic statement by Spain.’
‘Of course I understand.’ Jason was disappointed but not surprised by the response. As the hearse and the royal carriage arrived at the High Cathedral, cannons commenced firing a twenty-one gun salute. The coffin was then lifted off the hearse and carried into the church by six members of the royal guard. After the placement of the coffin in front of the altar, the guards saluted the coffin smartly prior to retiring to their allocated seats at the back of the Cathedral. The royal family and their guest then entered th
e Cathedral and took their places in the front row. Jason sat between Ruan and Renate. The acting Cardinal proceeded with the service.
‘Are the old cardinal and his accomplices still being held in the palace?’ Renate’s mouth was at Jason’s ear and her whisper was so soft that Jason could scarcely hear her.
‘Their burial took place at sea last night,’ Jason whispered in response. He elected not to inform Renate that he had arranged for a ball and chain to be attached to each of the ankles the clerics. They were thereafter each tossed into the sea whilst still alive. Jason had received a report early that morning confirming that the operation had been successfully carried out according to his instructions. The ceremony was performed at the aft of the vessel at night after midnight by his most trusted officers of royal guard. The gagged clerics had been removed from the palace earlier in the evening under strict secrecy. They were each wrapped in material and placed in the hold of one of Jason’s ships. The ship departed on a night patrol to one of the deepest areas of the Mediterranean Sea several nautical miles from Montuga. Every effort was apparently made to ensure that none of the sailors was in a position to ascertain the cause of any of the five splashes which emanated from the sea near the ship’s rudder. The official version from the palace continued to be that the clerics had evaded arrest and that it was presumed that they had somehow escaped to France.
The funeral ceremony in the church proceeded without incident and, true to Montugan tradition; it ended when Ruan removed his father’s crown from the coffin and placed it on a black satin cushion presented to him by the Cardinal. Jason then led the royal party out of the church whilst holding the satin cushion on which the king’s crown rested carefully in front of him with both hands. The royal coffin was carried back to the hearse by the royal guard and the funeral procession returned to the palace where the king was laid to rest next to his beloved wife in the royal mausoleum situated at the rear of the palace.