Ariella

v. Politician

"I'm coming to council." she tells him firmly the next day. They are standing in the garden, pretending to look at the blue roses in case anyone comes by.

"No-Ariella, please. You'll only make things worse." he says emphatically. "We've got enough to do, between making sure the council doesn't kill your slavery plan and destroying Ruble's inane proposals."

She switches tactics. "What does he want now?"

Cielaré sighs. "He's calling for an election system. Let the people decide who their next emperor should be. He says the nobility's been in charge for long enough, and Julius would have wanted us to give power back to the people."

"That's ridiculous. Can you imagine the commoners voting? Most of them can't even read." Ariella agrees.

"Tell that to his supporters. They're calling themselves the Diamond Court. Because a properly cut diamond has equal sides, see? It's a nice idea, but horridly impractical. We can't afford to let them vote, but-" He pauses, then continues. "they have a point. Your brother Teinorus is hardly the most enthusiastic of rulers. There is talk of putting Aeroch or Marcellus on the throne instead, and damn the old laws."

"That would be as bad, if not worse." Ariella argues. "So let me help you. We can do it. You saw what they thought of my slavery proposal. Together-why, none would oppose us. You saw them."

"Princess-Ariella," he demurs. "You're getting ahead of yourself. A battle won is not the war, and the council might have listened to you once, but they can't again, not while this succession issue is still raging. Give it a few weeks, and I will assure you, a council spot will be yours."

"A few weeks?" she spat. "I can't wait a few weeks. In a few weeks you'll have crowned one of my brothers and then I'll be married off before I can say anything. Or worse, I'll be the spinster sister, confined to a life of boredom and captivity, watching Lia and Vala run off to parties and husbands and waiting for my turn. No, I need that council spot now. Two spots, in fact."

"Two spots? Ariella, this is madness. Who's the other spot for?" he demanded.

"Sorelle Satoya. Look, I know what you're thinking," she said, his mouth ready to raise objections, "but Sorelle's clever. She's been teaching me about the law, and I guarantee she knows more than many of our current legal counsel. If anyone deserves a spot, it's her."

"No. One seat I can get you, but two would be impossible." he admonishes. "Today, please, stay out of this. Spend some time with your mother and your sisters. They will need your support."

"That's it? You're just going to tell me to 'run along now'?" Ariella snaps. "I may not be an equal to a man in strength, but I am in wits; you'd best believe that."

"I never said you weren't. But Ariella, there's a time and a place for bold action. Until we get this succession-"

She cuts the High Lord off. "Alastair. Think. Which of my brothers is fit to rule? Teinorus wants to run off to be a musician. Aeroch is cruel and sadistic, and Marcellus is just a stupid little boy. None of my father's sons have the drive nor the wits to rule this country for a fortnight, let alone the rest of their lives."

"I know that, but what choice do we have?" Cielaré says.

"Amend the law of succession so it puts all my father's natural children in line for the throne. Let the council then decide, regardless of age, who will be the best emperor-or empress."

He seems taken aback. "You are certain, then, that this is what you want?"

She gives him a sad smile. "If I fail, I will at least know I tried to escape the dull life of spinsterhood heaven decreed I should get."