"I guess your princess is something of a prophet," Suki said, throwing a dirty glance at Lucas, who hadn't done anything but stand there.
"What happened?" Cyrus asked apprehensively, knowing that the answer couldn't be good.
"Would you like the bad news or worse news first?"
"Bad."
"This is the thing Asteria predicted," said Suki. "The minsters took offence with Alcester's sum for anybody who could bring forth the lost princess to restore her. Hence, we are now at war with Alcester. Idiots couldn't even provoke the most militant kingdom in Kespia into a war, which means the weakened Central Army will be fighting in unfamiliar territory."
"We have to get Asteria onto the throne before too much damage is done," Cyrus muttered.
This whole dilemma was nonsensical. The three generals, already in the most esteemed noble positions in the country, had made a power grab for the state. And now they wanted even more power.
"What could be worse than that?"
"As you know, in times of war, decision making is crucial, and it is integral to have an individual commanding the state. I does make sense."
"I'm sensing a however to this."
"They closed the candidacy to anybody who was not a government position. And since the government has just been established, there are only two people in a government position. I'm not done," she added when Cyrus groaned and rubbed his eyes.
"As elections will take too long if every land owning male is given a vote, only the Calydonian nobles will be able to vote in this complete farce of democracy," Suki said.
Some government based on ideals of equality this was.
Her brow furrowed. "Why aren't you with the princess?" she asked. It was the first time Cyrus had seen her ask a question because she didn't know the answer rather than just for rhetorical effect.
"She told me she wanted to be left alone. What?" he asked defensively as Suki stared at him, aghast.
"You bloody bastard, she didn't want to be left alone! She wanted to see if you cared enough to comfort her anyway. What are you doing, standing there? Go!" she all but screamed.
"Why can't all girls be as forthcoming as you are?" Cyrus grumbled, hurrying nonetheless.
"Because I'm not in love with you, you brainless fool," she called after him.
Suki turned to the knight, who had watched the exchange with a taciturn face. "We do have a score to settle, don't we?"
He just smiled his cruel smile and nodded. She wished he would let the others see this side of him, but he was one of those who respected only the people he deemed worth respecting.
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