The Sapphire Prince - Chapter 17

Azure’s POV

“Married?” I asked.

“I was promised to your father just two years from your age. Your grandmother had trouble finding the perfect suitor for me. She not only wanted me to love but also be loved. As the monarch of a continent. It’s best that we seal your promises to someone of the same.” Mother says sipping tea as though she fixed her hair.

“Peace isn’t a promised note. Your father is trying his best to sort this out very systematically. To command peace he restrained his ŀust for war as do I restrain my elegance for the sakes of less casualties. It’s a talk between your mother and a son. Believe me when I say, I’m not speaking with the crown.” She explained.

“You are obviously relaying something of the crown’s behalf. It’s only natural for me to be promised to someone for diplomatic benefits. But about the conflict, this isn’t the best place to consider such act.” I replied fidgeting with the empty porcelain cup.

Mother hummed then she went on and grabbed her fan. In her chambers, the large King-sized bed and a grand collection of books with a second platform, accommodating a fireplace. My own room would weep at my mother’s peak of luxury.

She was scanning me from head to toe. As though her fan hid her lips, I could tell she was not happy with how I was looking. She laid on the sofa and with that we came to a stop. The silence bickered with my head, I wanted to say something, but no. I should let her explain her side first…

“You wouldn’t act so carelessly. What do you really intend mother asking me here?” I asked.

“Azure, in no offense to you but I think…that you are useless as of now.” She then closed her fan.

“I’ve heard that from father some time ago.” I replied.

Mother gave me a fixed looked, rasing her eyebrow as she once again scanned me. She sighed the moment our eyes met. When she snapped her fan closed, her eyes changed brightness before she grimaced at my silhouette.

“You don’t give me happiness, you don’t owe your father anything. Your mere presence in the palace is another act of formality and a small back up in case there will be a breakdown of authority. You are a weak reservoir along with your other brothers. Seeing as how your father invited you over to the meeting, and he lets you off easily…it’s very apparent that to me…that you are weightless.” She explained.

“The opposing faction governed by the Cynthias are nothing compared to our limitless battalion of supreme rule. But we are at the corner, we can’t touch them. The first imperial monarch have made a statement back long before this was even a proper palace.”

“You don’t know? The Cynthias fought alongside our wars. They along with the imperial monarch commanded the norms against the mages. Back then, the fathers of this land didn’t have potential of magic. Where the strong mages sought the opportunity to have us as slaves. In that time, the first imperial monarch stroke a form of rebellion that would later be founded as the Kingdom of Rochileu.” Mother closed her eyes seeming to remember a very old lore.

“Our side won, obviously. But when it was time to share the rewards, they all asked what was needed to be. As the sole commander of the rebellion, the first imperial monarch asked for sovereignty, the Algers asked for the countryside, and the Cryptids asked for trading capacity…” Mother paused at the sight of me.

“You seemed surprised. Haven’t you read this in history already?” She asked smiling.

“I had a different understanding of the lesson. Maybe because I found history a bit boring in comparison to literature and diplomacy.” I replied briefly looking at my mother, immediately, I looked to the side embarrassed by how she teased me with her ample smile.

“The Cynthias who fought alongside our ancestors requested immunity over political regards. Specifically that they could get away with anything involving diplomatic matters. The coup organized by the Cynthias was noticed from the start and with the Queen’s knowledge same as I, we respected that long outdated law and left them be…” Mother distantly made herself cold as she looked to the window.

“But political immunity is an overwhelming shield. Why didn’t the first monarch disregard that request.” I asked.

“Back when everything was still raw, the first imperial monarch had little to none concern about political imbalances. Everyone at the time thought his power was absolute and for a few years, he remained in power before being evicted by his own council.” She replied.

If we can’t touch the Cynthias then all that planning earlier would be useless. Diplomatic shield doesn’t mean immunity to the law but it basically equals the potential of a monarch. Considering how the right of command is a law, we could still execute the state rotation but making more laws for the sake of this civil war…it would drive the country into chaos.

“That agrrement was signed by paper. If we want to them to give up that reward we must have all four parties to give up their benefits as well. That would mean revoking the crown, abolishing the Alger’s command, and complete exile of the Cryptids from our homeland.” She stood up, ascending the stairs checking to see if the tea was already boiling in her fireplace.

“We could, but I prefer not to. Politically, they did nothing wrong and it’s the act of following that led the nobles on a rampage. They didn’t lead this coup. The Cynthias waved their hand and with willing force the others followed. No one invited no one just people who came with the dance and waltzed into the fray.” Mother then poured some hot tea for both of us.

“We can’t arrest them.” She said descending down the stairs.

She went back to her previous seat. And started to consume her share of tea and pastry.

There is a difference between leadership and that particular situation. The Cynthias intention is to strike political imbalances for their own cost and so the nobles followed without invitation. A domino effect of sorts of perhaps a chain reaction. Eitherway, we can’t arrest them for something like such. Mother knows her rights and her wit stands to no violence therefore I’ll follow.

Quickly analyzing the given situation. I could see where this is going.

“Do you want me to marry one of the Cynthias?” I asked looking at mother’s direction but I looked at the window a second after. Not wanting to face mother for the answer.

“Your father could handle these things logically and thoroughly. If we want complete peace over the Cynthias, we must establish that connection without any means of political struggle or resistance.”

“Mother just please answer the question.” I ġrȯȧnėd joining her.

“That is my proposal. But fixing a marriage for them would be another diplomatic movement so I must consider that the other party must be willing to marry as well. Without any influence of politics or paper.” She said.

A marriage is something close to a peace treaty. A blessing made by the will of the church and through the marriage of two factions seals an alliance perhaps between noble houses or royalties. Mother wanted an easy solution, it’s not the bestest of plans but it certainly does the magic. If this would go successfully, then the civil war would be over by months or a year.

“So how do you plan to do it?” I asked.

“I’m the empress. I have my ways, and seeing as how Cacious is uniquely bsessed with your presence. I couldn’t see how he’ll be able to resist the temptation of you in his sights. Call that very eerie but it’s true, he does want you close to his sights…” The empress looked down sadly remembering what happened to the Mistress Cynthia.

“You will not be happy for a long time. If this goes well…” She paused then she dropped the fan as though looking at me with a soft smiling expression.

“You’ll have the crown by your side. Strength favors those who wish to be scarred. Thread lightly through your life.” Her lips widened she breathes for a moment before pointing a page upon the open book on the glass marble table.

“Read this it might help.” She says