THE newly born Augustus Monarchy adapted remarkably smoothly to its new administration. Maxim continued to serve as chancellor to King Claudio, who burned with ideals. Ehrenfried remained in residence to provide support for his nephew, his presence lending imperial might to Claudio’s rule.
As predicted, the people welcomed the Empire’s younger prince with open arms as their new king. Up until the regime change, the citizenry had no choice but to accept the incompetent former king and his son because there had been no one capable to whom they could entrust their country. Compared to the former royal family, the emperor led his nation skillfully and the Luennians watched the Empire thrive under his leadership. Which explained their high esteem for him. So, naturally, they embraced his son taking over the throne.
The people understood it might take the new king some time to familiarize himself with this country’s unique economic system. But they had incredibly high hopes for him considering his parentage. They knew he would weather the challenges well.
The former royal family was given a plot of land on the outskirts of the Empire. None of the aristocracy followed them. Out of consideration, King Claudio had provided them with enough of a pension and a few servants similar to what a noble would receive in retirement. But the former queen and crown prince continued to rail against their current circumstances.
Marquess Maxim divorced his wife, Rose, the former queen’s younger sister. She returned to her family’s home. Bertine found out about this from a letter her father sent. Evidently, her stepmother had been married off once again to another noble by her parents. She felt sorry for the woman who had never been able to secure a home to call her own.
One day, while she and Cecilio took a stroll in the garden, he talked to her about his past.
“When I was young, I lived in the Empire for three years. Only three years. I went there to study how its society worked, you see.”
“Oh, I had no idea.”
“I wanted to see how I’d be treated as a migrant worker there. The broker placed me in the employ of a duchess, who just so happened to be Prince Ehrenfried’s wife. I worked there as a manservant. The household was so large, they had a staff of nearly one hundred.”
“Wait. Does this mean you and Prince Ehrenfried are acquaintances?” Bertine asked. “You knew each other? But neither of you gave any hint of a prior association.”
Cecilio picked up a large, white shell and threw it into the bright blue sea.
“I did manual labor outside during my time there. One day, Prince Ehrenfried, whose father was still alive then, came up to me and struck up a conversation. He knew right away I was from the Federation because of my appearance. Even so, he still approached me. He asked me where I was from and why I was there. I told him I was the son of a chief, so I wanted to know the inner workings of this country as well as how its people treated us folks from the southlands. I still remember his words to this day. ‘Fascinating. I have a feeling I’ll see you on the political stage someday soon.’”
“Did he really say something so incredible?”
“He did. I wonder if he remembers me and our conversation then. When we reunited some twenty-odd years later, I was surprised to see the change in him. He’d gone from being a young man with a refreshing aura to an extremely cunning fox. I realized something then. As the second prince himself, he too must have endured a great deal living in the imperial palace. I can’t imagine the things he was forced to listen to, the emotions he suppressed.”
Up ahead, they could see the domed roof of the building sitting on the hill. It was a jarring factory designed by Evance. Soil had been placed on the roof, allowing small white and yellow flowers to bloom.
Since the hotel, Evance and Eckhart created one building after another. The old master architect continued his energetic assistance of Evance’s ideas. Of course, everyone was used to his constant refrain of, “After all, I don’t know when God will invite me to His garden.”
Bertine felt a sense of nostalgia when she saw the five people who had first volunteered to take part in the jarring venture. They waved at her and Cecilio as they walked toward them. She waved back to them, overjoyed at knowing she had friends here as well.