Yesterday's Enemy [AoT]

MEMOIRS OF HAVAS [07]

'Ingreed City is the jewel of Havas, the seat of the Council of Thirteen, and the centre of Havasian life. There is no greater hub of technological advancement known to humanity. Many flock to its streets in search of opportunity— few find it, fewer make good use of it.'

-An extract from an article on Ingreed City written by a Havasian journalist.

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MEMOIRS OF HAVAS

07

Wall Maria, North Region, Havas, Western O'Haen

Lorelai Bervik stood before the people of O'Haen, her people, her home, ready to drastically change their lives with just a few words. It was time for her to relinquish her seat on the Council of Thirteen. It was time to stop stealing from a legacy that wasn't hers.

The crowd was massive. Thousands of blinking eyes looked up at Lorelai expectantly; her words were caught in her throat. This was her first big public speech ever— Larken damn her if she messed it up. Her eyes caught on Warren in the crowd; he offered her a reassuring nod.

This was the first step towards living her truth— with him.

Lorelai cleared her throat. "Ahem. Well, many of you will know me as Lady Lorelai Bervik of the chief political family, daughter to the late Lord Amos Bervik and heir to a seat on your Council. However, I stand before you now, not as a public figure or a politician, but as just an eighteen-year-old girl who has something to say. So please, lend me your ear.

"It was three months ago now that I witnessed the suicide of my godmother, Tamsin Hyde. This taught me many things, many hard truths that before I was blind to. I've spent the last few months with a friend, who has helped me come to the conclusion I now hope to share with you today.

"But this decision is totally and irrefutably my own. The press may speculate, and you each may theorise, but if you take nothing else away from this, be it only that this is the most fitting end to my father's legacy that I know. And... I hope you'll accept and support me in this.

"I, Lady Lorelai Bervik, do now relinquish my title and place among Havas' noble leaders. I intend to move forward... without my birthright to the Council."

Cameras flashed in Lorelai's face, and journalists scribbled frantically in their notepads. The crowd dissolved into chaos. Many shouted questions loudly.

'But why?'

'Who is to lead now?'

'Who will replace her?'

'What is to become of the Bervik legacy?'

'Has she been threatened? Coerced?'

Lorelai internally panicked, trying to calm the crowd. "Alright, quiet everyone! I'll- I'll take questions now," she gulped. The journalists immediately sat back down, and each raised their hand. "Uh, you, on the left."

The man stood up. "With due respect, my lady, with our current political climate, is this the best time to make such an announcement? Many among us would look to you to place their votes on in the future."

She tried to come up with an answer. "Uh, while I am grateful for the public's support. I have judged myself not to be the best option to lead our nation, as the situation stands."