Side Story 1: The New King Claudio and His Older Brother
HALF a year had passed since the Kingdom of San Luenne became the Augustus Monarchy, over which Claudio presided as its new king. He was doing astonishingly well with his official duties. The important nobles had no issues with his rule despite his young age, so they worked without complaint under him. In fact, they were the ones who often proposed ideas and helped make his job easier. The civil servants carried out their duties earnestly, their expressions cheerful.
Whenever he stepped outside into the city on work matters, the citizens always greeted him warmly. The country was well maintained in every nook and corner. Its lavish public facilities continued operating smoothly even with the regime change.
“Chancellor, I’ve come to understand you’re the reason the country never fell behind,” Claudio remarked.
“Not at all, Your Majesty. The people have long desired a young, outstanding king such as yourself to take over. An old man like me only facilitated things with what little wisdom I’ve managed to gain over the years. Please be more confident in yourself.”
This dependable chancellor would be retiring toward the end of next month.
“I worry my worth as a leader will be questioned once you’re no longer in office. People will wonder if I can keep the country moving as fluidly without you.”
“You have no cause for concern. I’m certain you’ll do well, Your Majesty.”
The chancellor exited the room and Claudio found himself alone in his office. He stared out the window. A line of white buoys floated on the calm sea, bobbing with the waves. The buoys had remained in place since the day his ship sailed into this island nation.
The immensely powerful Empire stood behind this country. Anyone with designs on it had better be prepared to face the Empire’s wrath. So, naturally, no one was foolish enough to be the aggressor.
The Augustus Monarchy’s other ally was the Southern Federation, geographically close on the continent. Soon after Claudio became king, he had signed a treaty of friendship with the Federation. The treaty had an unexpectedly calming effect on the people as it meant the Federation would not be invading the Monarchy.
According to his subordinates, the people’s opinions of the Southern Federation had been low, its citizens derided constantly. Lately though the situation seemed to be changing in the Federation’s favor. He was told how Augustans discussed various aspects of their continental ally, like its warm climes allowing a variety of unusual fruits to grow or how they wished they could buy stingers for cheaper prices. Some even hoped that the Federation would allow Augustans access to their mines.
Claudio’s correspondence with His Excellency Cecilio, the leader of the Federation, continued unabated. For over two years now, he had asked the older man for his advice on various matters relating to statecraft, such as tasks related to running a nation and how to build a relationship with the people. He trusted Cecilio more than he trusted his own father. Cecilio’s ability to see far into the future, his broad mindset, his deep love for his people. Claudio respected all these parts and more of him.
When he received a letter from His Excellency informing him of Bertine’s pregnancy, a sharp pain lanced through his chest. He knew this day would eventually come, but still, the news devastated him.
“What a pathetic human being I am to envy his happiness.”
Though he rebuked himself harshly, he still couldn’t banish the idea in his heart of wanting Bertine as his wife. He had known his first love would lead nowhere the moment he realized his feelings. So it made him feel ashamed to hold fast to his unrequited love, wondering when he would ever let go.
His mother, Diana, had been saddened to see him go the day he left the Empire. But not long after, she started visiting once every two months and stayed for a few days in the royal palace. She deemed her visits a “nice change of pace because once you marry, I won’t be able to come as often.” Her smile had been gentle.
“What will you do moving forward, Mother?” he had asked her.
“Well, if your father’s affection for me ever wanes, I was thinking I would travel around the Federation with my mother. But you know the future is ever uncertain, hm?”
She had been able to survive her suffocating, closed-off existence by relying on his father’s love. Lately though, he had watched with relief as she slowly became more carefree. It must be because of his decision to leave the Empire and become this country’s king. He knew it had been the right one.
Yet his father remained ever in love with his mother, even now. And that love was the reason the empress hated his mother, creating a rift between himself and his brother the crown prince, Felix. I will never be a faithless man like my father. Of course, he never said it out loud because doing so meant criticizing his mother. But the thought sprang into his mind every time he reflected on her situation.
If no boys were born in a royal family, then society should strive to make girls queens. It was preposterous to say only boys were worthy or superior. After all, there were plenty of girls and women who were far more talented than their male counterparts.
Which was why he respected Cecilio even more on that point. Because the man loved his wife, and only her, with all his heart.
“I want to be like him. No, I will be like him,” the young king pledged to himself as he watched the line of white buoys floating in the sea.