The Rise - Chapter 54

Joan Vinzent, the eldest sister of Thomas Vinzent, was allowed into Hilda’s home, but her royal guard escort was left outside. She unraveled her luscious purple hair as she removed her cap and revealed her face. Hilda took Joan to her own room upstairs still wearing her silver silk bed-robe. Hilda prepares a drink for Joan in her room as Joan seats herself in a rose red couch and crosses her legs. Hilda handed Joan the drink then sat besides her up close. Hilda never met with guests in her room and she never met them in her pajamas.

“Are you a natural?” asked Hilda as she strokes her own hair

“No, they dyed it as soon as I was born. I’m told it used to be blonde.” said Joan reluctantly

“I’ve met a natural purple before, they believe they are the decedents of God – an elite race. But God has no children, no true child of God can simply be born as such, rather they must ascend the heights, for God to even notice their existence.” said Hilda

“I suppose that’s why you’ve always hated the monarchy – my grandfather told me you were fully prepared to dissolve the monarchy when you were in power.” said Joan.

“Perhaps it is one of the reasons. Though, the monarchy was always a ticking time bomb. In the dissolution act ninety years ago, your great grandfather set a Borrowed Time clause that essentially stated the monarchy would give power to an elected parliamentary body temporarily. The only reason the idiots agreed to the clause was to allow the emperor to save face. All the revolutions in the North that had occurred, ended bloody with numerous deaths, they wanted a peaceful revolution and so settled for this symbolic clause.” explained Hilda as she took a sip from her drink

“It was truly believed back then that the monarchy was chosen by God to rule, it made sense that the parliamentary power came from the monarchy to allow for a peaceful transition.” said Joan

“I’m sure that’s the crap they shove down every royal’s throat. The reality is, your great grandfather was a sly fox, buying his family time to return to power. If it wasn’t for your grandfather stopping me from ending your lineage, nobody would be calling you princess today.” said Hilda coldly

“Well, I am here on behalf of my grandfather. To keep the promise he made you years ago.” said Joan handing Hilda a brooch. It was a gift given to him by Hilda and a way for Joan to prove that she was indeed sent by her grandfather.

“So, what is it?” said Hilda examining the brooch.

“I’m here to help you stop Thomas.” she said

Hilda smiles at the sudden statement and tilts her head curiously.

“I may not know Thomas’ plan, but I do know Thomas. He’s been dreaming his entire life of placing a crown that weighs something on his head. Not just a crown that’s only a tourist attraction, but one that signified power and supreme control. He never wanted to take power through politics, as the rumors stated, he always wanted to be an absolute monarch. And right now with grandfather sick, he’s acting emperor and this is the perfect time for him to strike.” she said

“Yes, a royalist I met with earlier said Thomas’ plan wasn’t to get Sinclair into the council, but it was to prove that he could. Your brother is more crafty than I gave him credit. I was only able to figure out his little scheme until after he leaked the royalist names.” said Hilda

“I’m assuming then that the royalists have a majority in Theodore’s party. Meaning Thomas has the power to replace Theodore.” said Joan

“Indeed. A party vote of no-confidence with a royalist majority will see Theodore replaced. They’ll place a new puppet Prime Minister who will relinquish power to the monarchy.” explained Hilda

“By using the borrowed time clause. You were right about my great grandfather. You were always right to stop royals from getting into politics and the shadow council. You were careful, but Thomas has been working behind all of our backs for this day. Yet you don’t seem fazed out at all.” said Joan

Hilda chuckles.

“I may be getting old, but I do know how to deal with your brother. I’m more interested in what your proposal is.” she said smiling

“If you’re right about how Thomas will try to take power, it means we can pull the rug from right beneath his feet. Assuming that since the vote of no confidence hasn’t occurred yet, it means my brother still does not have full royalist support. We still have time.” said Joan as she stands up and puts her drink down. “The plan is that a member of parliament will propose a bill, a piece of legislation that will finally allow female succession to the throne.” continued Joan

“I see. Thomas will no longer be crown prince and that will make you the crown princess. Even if the puppet Prime Minister relinquishes power to the monarchy, you’ll be next in line.” said Hilda as she picks up her drink and takes a long sip thinking deeply.

“I’ll entertain your plan, even though it puts your life in danger. If your plan fails, we will resort back to my way of dealing with Thomas. Though, I’d rather it won’t come to that, because it would mean the Vinzent’s will no longer be the royal family. And I’m quite interested in having our first Vinzent Empress.” said Hilda

“I’ll inform my grandfather of your support.” said Joan placing her hand out for a handshake.

“To several more years of peace between the politician and the royal.” said Joan as she shook Hilda’s hand.

____

Meanwhile at Leon’s home, late at night, Leon was sat in the living room watching television. He spent most of the night preparing for the presidential debates. He was sitting on the couch with the black cat sitting on his lap, when there was a sudden knock at the door. Leon’s head snaps towards the door with his eyebrow raised. He slowly places the black cat off his lap and onto the couch. He looks through the door peephole. It was a hooded Veronica. He looked back at the staircase making sure no one was coming down. Both his father and grandfather should be fast asleep. He opened the door slowly and carefully, but Veronica barges in regardless.

“Veronica? What if my dad opened the door?” said Leon whispering loudly

“It doesn’t matter anymore. We’re not hiding this. I’ve already gave my parents a piece of my mind.” she said

“Is this the Jonathon Jaylin incident?” said Leon

“Yeah, how did you know?”

“Justin came in here, and told me everything. He suspected me and I had to lie to his face.” said Leon with a serious look

“Well, you don’t have to lie anymore. This is what I want Leon. The question is, is it what you want as well?” she said looking at Leon with piercing eyes.

Leon looked down and away pausing. Then back up at Veronica. He replied with a simple and slow nod.

The TV could be heard in the background, it was a weather report.

“Tomorrow we will see a drop in temperature to around 20 degrees Celsius and we expect heavy showers in the region in the early morning – one of the strongest storms of the Autumn season.” said the reporter.