THE FORTUNIST

19. Wuxhia

“Cailis is also known as the Port Province/City because it houses the Albenian Port which is the official entry and exit means to and from Albeny.”

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Wuxhia stares at the  throne. He is standing front of it, touching its gold gilded arms. He had never been this close to it before. Nobody had except the ruler and heirs.

Here he is now, though. Power so close. Power within his reach. It is unbelievable but Wuxhia knows he has little time left to start believing it. It has been seven days now.

Seven days since the queen's disappearance.

Since the princes left the palace.

Since he betrayed his father.

Since he was appointed regent while in his father's body.

A lot is still in the dark, even from Wuxhia himself. Information has been manipulated and the Bureau Council believes that the royal family is only gone on a diplomatic mission to a neighbouring country. The council had been eager to converge but Wuxhia did not let them. They sent ravens and crows along with temper provoking letters stemming from the bitterness of not having themselves chosen for the regency. Wuxhia still chose to remain calm, patient and strategic. It is through that way he would claim the Fortunist's fortune. He would win the allegiance of the seven houses and the three independent territories. For now, he considers Dropp, his own house conquered. His father's house before marriage is one affiliated to Xri. The Xri House bears the grudge for Xihan marrying into Fowella's house and taking her name. Most of the hateful letters had come from their representatives.

"Lord General."

Wuxhia faces Bough at the throne room's entrance. He is an expert already in answering all of Xihan's titles and owning all his properties. Bough shuffles his feet nervously. "Go on," Wuxhia urges with a mild tone.

"The… the council is gathered at the strategy room."

"How come? Who let them in?"

"They came with their veto rings. The guards had no choice."

"Bring me a name Captain. The power of veto rings compels royalty alone and I'm not royalty."

"You speak for the queen."

"I am not the queen. Speaking for her does not mean I want to take her place. I'm only regent for hundred days and seven is gone out of it already."

"I don't think it is wise to put off the council meeting any longer. You… you should pacify them."

"You speak brazenly as if you are my hand. Where is Lord Beckefort?"

"In the strategy room."

"I summoned him, three days ago."

"It's quite a long distance here from Lemohn."

"What are exclusive portals for?"

Bough squirms. "He claims they make him sick."

"Should he have been hand at all, if he cannot make himself available on a moment's notice?"

"He's here now."

Wuxhia rolls his eyes. "Very well, lead the way. It is just as well that I get this over with." He follows Bough down the regal corridors. The palace is a vast aggregate of complex structures which Wuxhia is not done studying. As for the Bureau Council members, Wuxhia had done his best to know them all so he would be well prepared for the moment he had to face them as an impostor.

"What does the council know?"

"That the queen and her sons went on a diplomatic mission and left you in charge."

"What did they think of it?"

"They… uh, wished they had been consulted," Bough shrugs and it betrays that the thoughts of the council are probably worse than he is letting on.

"What does Lord Beckefort think?"

"He thinks the queen is partial by making you her favourite and brazenly showing it. In normal circumstances, he would have been left in charge by virtue of his position as Hand."

"Aye, but portals make him sick. Does he intend to appear and disappear every three days whenever he is needed?"

Bough releases a horrific snort. "Sorry, Lord General," he apologizes. He had just caught himself on the brink of smug laughter. Wuxhia muses. Does he have a sense of humour that Xihan never had? Can he instil the same level of fear that Xihan could?

"I am not regent because I was favourite," Wuxhia mutters. He had never seen Idris Beckefort. In fact, most of the council he had never seen. But he had heard stories. And he had heard Xihan many times complaining about Idris' sense of entitlement just because he was the queen's hand and allegedly, her favourite advisor. Of course Idris had no problem when he was being regarded as favourite. That's why being bypassed for the position of regent was a bitter pill to swallow.

"I am regent because I am the most efficient, the most trusted. I show my face more often and I do more leading than delegation."

"Of course Lord General," Bough says enthusiastically— too enthusiastic for Wuxhia's comfort. Wuxhia begins to study the fat man who waddles front of him once more. His head is bald and sweaty. Wuxhia can see Xihan's reflection staring back at him on it. The man is also wringing his chubby fingers by his side, trying to knot them over each other, a clear pattern of nervousness. Wuxhia deduces that Bough is hiding something. Maybe he will confess during the meeting or after, but he will confess.

The two guards standing sentry front of the strategy room spot the approaching duo. They open the doors and position themselves in stiff salutes. A chamberlain who is also waiting outside goes in through the ajar doors to announce appearances. Bough steps in after he is introduced and scurries to his seat where he remains standing.

"His Royal Highness Xihan Dropp, Regent of the throne, Lord General of the Queen's Armies, Custodian of the Twin Mountains and First Lord of the Dropp House."

Wuxhia steps in. He nods at the chamberlain who takes the hint and rushes out while ordering the guards to shut the doors and shield it from outside.

The lords and ladies of the council are sitting with expressions that range from boredom to spite. He can identify them all. Only Bough follows protocol and stands. He might have actually been standing since he entered.

"Sit down Captain."

They would have stood for the queen but they won't stand for her regent. They would be stubborn even and obstinately address him as Lord General instead of Royal Highness. But Wuxhia has all the authority of the Queen notwithstanding. He could have them all whipped and stripped of their titles but he restrains himself. These are to be his future allies after all, the ones who would stand by his side when he goes against the queen's children.

Bough takes a long while settling into a chair not accustomed to his weight. Wuxhia heaves when the last of the creaking noises stop. He strolls over to the long table. The General's position is at the queen's left side, her Hand being on her right. He gives Lord Idris Beckefort a tight smile. He cannot imagine what his father might have gone through sitting adjacent to the arrogant Lord. Wuxhia hesitates. Then he follows through with the decision he had been mulling over for nights. Leaving his spot vacant, he sits on the right head.

The queen's chair.