The Fallen Throne

Chapter 2.2 ✦ Consequence

It is worse than they'd thought. Or perhaps they just did not imagine that it would've caused such an uproar.

Alaina, Lancaster and Rose have made their way to the city centre, where the locals are currently gathered, shouts defining the atmosphere.

A man is standing on the platform with a statue of a large, titan woman with one of her arms raised high and proudly in the air, with a miniature sun resting in her palm that faced the sky. It symbolises the Kingdom of Theia, the Land of Sun.

The statue glimmers in the sunlight ever so brightly, it's a pity the locals aren't here to simply enjoy its brilliance.

The man is yelling, with the locals gathered all around him below the platform.

"What do we want?" the man yells, raising an arm.

"Peace!"

"And how do we achieve it?"

"Harmony through separation!"

"Harmony through separation?" Alaina repeats questioningly, raising an eyebrow. A woman standing in front of the three of them turns towards their direction and steals a glance. Alaina flinches, but builds up the courage to ask, "excuse me, kind lady, is this about the flyers all around the city?"

The woman fixes her gaze on Alaina. "Yes, my dear, the kings --" It takes her a moment to register Alaina's appearances, and finally something snaps in her. "Oh, your highness, have you came to protest as well?"

"Please, drop the formalities," Alaina replies, "protest against what, exactly?"

The woman seems hesitant for a minute or two, but finally says, "against the formation of the empire, of course."

"The decision has not been made just yet, is it not?" she asks, frowning.

"That is correct, your highness. The kings are currently still in the meeting now." She then gestures around her, before continuing, "but you see, we are all very unhappy about it. The kingdoms live peacefully, although separately. What if someone were to come along -- without even a bloodline of royalty, as a matter of fact -- claiming that he would be the absolute emperor of all seven kingdoms? That is just outrageous."

"Therefore, the protest?"

"Certainly. To demonstrate how unhappy we are. If the kings witness this scene during the meeting, they would definitely take into account the feelings of the locals, if they have not already."

Alaina frowns. "I am sure my fath -- I mean, his majesty would think for the people of Theia, like he always does. I am sure of it," she quickly says, in defence of her father. Lancaster nudges her slightly in alarm.

"Hopefully."

At the woman's nonchalant shrug, Alaina grits her teeth, ready to snap at her anytime. But Lancaster nudges her again, harder this time; even Rose is tapping frantically at her arm. So she shuts her mouth and purses her lips; but inside, she is grateful for them holding her back.

"My dear, is something the matter?" The man who'd just been shouting on the platform strides near.

"It is her highness," the woman says, in reply to the man.

"Ah, your highness." The man steps forward, bowing respectfully. "Pleased to meet you."

"A pleasure."

"I do apologise for this mess, but please do understand that it is necessary, with all due respect, for his majesty to realise the gravity of the consequence if he were to accept the proposal."

Clenching her fists, Alaina says, "the king would never accept such an absurd proposal."

"Ah, but what would your highness know? It is his majesty who is currently in the meeting --"

"No. The king would never," she says firmly. She locks her eyes into the man's. "The seven kingdoms are living -- by all means -- peacefully right now. I do not see the need for a change."

"As you wish, your highness. But again, it is his majesty who will be making the decision, along with the other kings. I just hope they are as rational as you are," he says slowly, as if he's trying to channel the message directly to Alaina's subconscious and imprint them into her mind like how poison spreads slowly, but deadly, permanently; his voice is venomous but seductive, like an innocent crocus. "Perhaps for someone born of royalty, your highness, with all due respect, you would not understand how we locals live. It would be worse to have only one absolute ruler; we may be neglected, and a marginalised world far worse than as it is now however small, would be formed -- an empire free from rights and equality."

"I understand how you feel, but --"

"Oh, your highness, but you do not. Your whole life you have been living above everyone else, and even if an empire were to be formed, you would be given privilege, unlike us. You may be stripped of your powers and pleasures, but you will not become something we would -- dust. That is right, we would perish into nothing!" His voice rises, attracting attention from other locals.

"Enough," Lancaster snaps fiercely. Narrowing his eyes, he glares at the man.

"Pardon me," the man apologises.

"You know, sir, I could take your words as an assault towards the king. These two here are my witnesses," Alaina says threateningly, "I may have your head -- even your entire family's -- if I just so wished it. Need I remind you of your position?"

The man sets his face straight. He clenches and unclenches his fists, then through gritted teeth he manages to utter, "yes, your highness. I apologise for going too far with my words."

Alaina turns away. She'd had enough from this man. Honestly, she would've agreed to every word this man had said, because she thinks the same way; but she refuses to give in because her father's rationale is being questioned and doubted.

She walks away, with Lancaster and Rose following behind.

After putting as much distance as she could between the three of them and the city centre, Alaina and Lancaster bid Rose farewell, and begin making their way back to the castle.

As Alaina makes her way back to the castle to await the results of the meeting, her mind does not stop lingering on the words from the man. She believes that it's true, as well; she loves the way they are living now, and wouldn't, in a thousand years, change anything for it.

A marginalised world.

An empire free from rights and equality.

If the change is to be implied, what would that make the seven kings then?

What would that make her?