Chapter 16: Chapter 15: The Calm Before the Storm
Lord Contra, the mayor of Port Terra was a man that I had few dealings with. Perhaps that contributed to why he was dissatisfied with me. Still, it was no closed secret now that our relationship was clearly not one that satisfied both parties. The options before me were clear. Really, there was only one way to get out of this mess and that was with speaking to him directly.
As such, I had called him to the Palace for a meeting and was waiting upon his arrival as he accepted as soon as the messages made it to him. Perhaps he was just in need of a proper meeting and these rumours were just that. Rumours.
The days before he came were spent in a frantic mess in trying to organise all my duties to have as clear of a schedule as I could that day to fully focus on the task at hand. Fraus spared no effort in making his feelings clear. That he fully intended to become 'buddies' with the mayor of Port Terra and forge some sort of unbreakable bond so that he could help us all out.
Naturally, the thought of this petrified me. Though I had won over many of my associates in the palace whether they be advisors, knights or a former Queen, Fraus was one of the few I had remained at odds with almost the entire time. Every other day we were going at each other in furious arguments. It was almost impressive how far he was willing to argue against his Queen.
As, whether he was fond of me or not, I was still his Queen. In the end, he answered to me. That was unless he wished to be searching for a new post. I hated thinking things like that, but I could not quite help it with people like Fraus around. Something about him just was not right!
Dahlia told me more than once that it was likely just because we were some of the younger people around the palace and that our youthfulness aided in our conflicts when we held opposing views. She did not have the energy for things like that anymore is what she had told me.
Briefly, I entertained the idea that she had relinquished her position as Earthen Mother so someone else could deal with Fraus. That idea was quickly dismissed as simple foolish nonsense.
The time was quickly approaching, and I was waiting with the usual suspects. Adoria stood by my side ready to defend me and put a stop to any unnecessary conflicts should things turn nasty, and Dahlia who would be acting as my advisor stood on the other side of me, ready to impart her all-knowing wisdom upon my ears. That was how it had felt in recent times, at least.
Unlike other times however, Dahlia was not wearing her usual wide grin. Instead it was almost unsettling how out of place that serious look in her eyes was. Something told me that this meeting would not be as simple as I had hoped.
Before we knew it, the doors to the throne room swung open and I could see who I was to meet with on this historic day. If I had to use one word to describe Lord Contra, it would be quite rude to be honest. Rotund was the first descriptor that came to my head. He was very round with a large belly and a mop of golden hair upon his head. He was wide, but he did not lack in height either. It felt like he was towering over me like a giant as he approached. The second word I would use to describe him would be 'imposing' despite the roundness of his figure.
Unlike the many other visitors we had to our abode, he did not kneel or bow once he had finished his approach. Instead he spoke with a tone so casual, it would have made Enji's blood boil.
"Queen Lutum. As requested, I am in your presence." Infuriating. The way he knew what he was doing. He was toying with me. Attempting to provoke me into some reaction. I would not fall for this kind of trick again. The council and every day spent arguing with Fraus had left me with experience in these moments. Thanks to that, I was able to keep my cool and not lose my head over him not following the proper etiquette that I knew for a fact he was aware of. The games had started already.
"Lord Contra," I started "as you aware, I have brought you here upon hearing your dissatisfaction. Please, state your qualms and may we come to an understanding."
I could feel the sinister intent behind the otherwise friendly and approachable grin her wore on his face.
"Very well! First order of business would be your performance in the Council of Four Nations-"
"You were not at the council!" I protested, giving in to my irrational desire to drown the sound of this man's voice out as fast and as loud as I could.
"Ah, but my little birdies have good ears you see. As I was saying, regarding your performance," this man knew what he was doing. I hated it. This was awful. How was I supposed to not lose my temper at the disrespect like this? Being treated as if I was a child was something I was not unaccustomed to by now, but in the throne room and ignoring all of our etiquette and traditions as he did so! It was simply a thought that was inconceivable to me before. I almost missed what he was rambling on about as I thought that. "Earthen Mothers and Fathers should not give in to temper like you did, Miss. Though you brought forth an idea I am not entirely opposed to, well…could you not have handled it with more grace? I am just not convinced myself."
If I was a harsher Queen, or perhaps more of a brat I would have struck him there and then. The utter disrespect to be walking over everything we stood for like this.
Adoria was clearly growing wary, from the corner of my eye. She was not reaching for her weapon but she definitely made sure she knew it was there.
"I acted as I saw fit, sir. I was not to be dismissed and disrespected like that, Contra."
"Well, Lutum, perhaps you should look into solving that."
We were getting nowhere. It was a simple repeat of what we had been told, or another of my arguments with Fraus. I would not put it past that good for nothing to have put Contra up to this after all.
"Is this truly why you came? To laugh and dismiss what you have heard took place during the council?"
"Why of course not, do not be foolish, my young Queen." This man. It was like Fraus had grown up into a professional unruly brat. That was how it felt speaking to him. Only if Fraus had more of a brain to hold his ego alongside his cunning plans and sharp tongue.
"I am here to beseech aid from Port Terra. It feels as if we are being forgotten in such an important time."
Catching my interest with this comment, I could not help but momentarily forget my rage and raise an eyebrow at this question.
"What is it that you need? I have had supplies sent and I have been sparing no effort in our trade deals to ensure that the city does not suffer. Is there something I have become unaware of?"
"Is it not simple, my lady? Take the knight by your side. Clearly, she is in her prime and yet, Port Terra has no one as strong as this to defend ourselves! Despite this, we are a port city, the gateway to the nation of Aqua, should they turn hostile."
My initial curiosity had quickly been extinguished. I was not fond of the direction that this conversation was taking.
"And what do you propose I am to do about it, Contra?"
"Ah, I thought it had been obvious. I thought perhaps the council performance did not fully show your potential, but it seems that the whole story has been told." I could feel my hands balling into fists as I wanted to incite something that would spark something much bigger than this. Yet again, I had to physically stop myself from doing something I would regret for the rest of my life.
"I want guards like yours. Does it not seem unfair that only YOU and the capital are assured you have the utmost protection from potential enemies? The Great Oak is practically hidden away deep in the forest! You are not vulnerable as we are. I am proposing that you allow your Earthen Knights to station themselves in my city as well."
Mulling it over, honestly it did seem as if he had a point. It was not something I liked to think about, but if there was a war of some kind it would not be remiss to have the proper defences stationed on the coast, where we may be vulnerable. Following this logic, I should send some to Vita as well in order to fend off potential attackers from our neighbours in Ignis.
Adoria and Dahlia but looked unnaturally stressed. They were scared. Of what decision I would make here. I could not let their worry distract me, I simply had to do what needed to be done.
"Very well, Lord Contra. In the interest of fairness, we will begin training defences that are to be sent in defending the walls of not only here, but Port Terra and Vita as well. In this way, we will have a measure of defence against attacks from unruly neighbours."
Luckily, this seemed to please the man. With a smile, suddenly his etiquette appeared to return.
"My many thanks, your Majesty."
With that, he took his leave almost immediately. I was in two minds after that moment. A state, somewhere between relief and utter frustration that he had me dancing like his puppet, pulling my strings as he pleased.
"Well done, Miss Sylvari," Dahlia chirped, her worried expression seemingly having vanished without a trace. If she was smiling then everything would be alright. That was they key that I followed these days. If she was happy, then the job I was doing was alright in this moment.
"Do you really think it will turn out alright? It seemed as if he had you backed into a corner, Your Majesty." Adoria was going against the flow here and voiced her concerns though I was quick to dismiss them, naively thinking that I had saved the day despite being on the backfoot that entire exchange.
"Well Adoria, we have done all that we can. If there is any further trouble, we will simply have to take it in stride."
"If you are certain, Your Majesty but I did not like the looks I saw on that man's face as he left. Such smiles usually only have evil thoughts behind them."
"Adoria, you know we cannot simply judge a man like that for what he looks like. It is his words and actions that speak to who he is, not the way he looks."
Feeling satisfied with myself, I nodded and sat down, slumping against the throne as all the energy in my body had plummeted. That was exhausting. I was on edge the entire time, and who knows what could have happened if I had not made sure to be extremely careful in every step.
A job well done, I thought to myself.
That night, I thought I should celebrate with my dear friends and companions so we organised a dinner of sorts in the hall. Just the three of us, and Uli who I had grown ever closer with during these stressful times.
We went long into the night discussing our fears and our ambitions, what we thought of what had transpired and what we wanted from our lives in the future.
There was a part of me that felt guilty for enjoying my time like this. I was still in a stressful time of course with all that had just transpired, but did I have time to relax like this?
Was I really a different person to who I was than when I was chosen?
I wondered what Gaius was doing right now. If he had better luck in his own endeavours.
I missed him. Despite how lucky I was to have these people by my side right now, my heart ached for my love.
Despite what felt like a relative success in how our meeting went, I did not manage much sleep at all that night.
The following day meant that my lack of sleep became the least of my problems. In the morning, we had reports of a mass influx of residents of Port Terra moving to our community as well as many residents of The Great Oak making their way out the other way. This made me unwary as a start, but I was not prepared for what would come next.
Yesterday, we had worked the rest of the afternoon assigning different knights to leave their posts here and go to assist defences in other cities. A change of their duties and roles. Though they were due to leave in a week's time, we found that they had already gone by the time we would usually call them in to report that morning. My heart was rapidly sinking.
Fraus as well. He was nowhere to be seen. This would not usually bother me, but my concern was growing to more than it ever had during my reign in this short time.
Then the clock struck noon and the worst came upon us.
The doors to the throne room swung open and we had a plain looking man deliver us a message. A small square of parchment, reading a message that felt as if it meant my impending doom.
This might be the end.
Queen Lutum,
Thank you for being so co-operative yesterday. Luckily, it did not matter terribly for me. Those loyal to me within your Palace would have left sooner or later either way. Put simply, you are a terrible fit for ruler of our people. As such, I demand that you step down. If you refuse, well, I am sure you understand the consequences. We will have to remove you by force.
It was a declaration of war. I had never been more grateful that no one else was in the room as I curled into a small ball, feeling tears wet my cheeks.
Like a child, Adoria cradled me in her strong arms.
There was nothing I could do but cling to her and sob, drowning out the sound of everything else in the room.
Once again, I had become a sight that was terribly unbefitting of a Queen.
Worthless.
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