Queen by accident

- Second Part: The Royal Court -

  For as when such acts of hate and terror are committed, the public often forgets about the immense political machine that puts its wheels in motion as soon as the king is hit. At the royal residence, on Medura Street, the main saloon becomes too small for all the nobles who gather around the dying king. Some are like praying eagles, ready to kill their rivals and make a bit for the throne, while others await faithful for a miracle to happen or, at least, for the monarch to name a successor. In the neighbouring room, the poor man is treated by the royal doctor. The doors leading outside open and, as everyone turn their eyes to see who's the newcomer, a short, old, fat man steps inside. His walk is calculated. He looks around at some with disgust, at others with pity. Otto Bruchnof is his name and, for those who are curios why we paused upon him while the king may be saying his last wishes, he is the head of the royal government and the monarch's chancellor. We could say that if King Lutz was the great visionary and reformer, Chancellor Bruchnof is the iron will that oversaw everything turned into reality.

  -Where is he? His rough voice thunders through the room, making those who are hearing him for the first time to tremble.

  -Follow me, your Excellency... This way... A servant jumps before him pointing the way and allows him to pass in the treating room.

  -Who was that man? A teenager in the green uniform of a foreign cavalry regiment asks one of the people around him.

  -Good point, my prince! He was! The name is Otto Bruchnof. After the death of our beloved monarch, the Crown Council will have to gather, to solve the succession crisis. Between introducing taxes for nobles and taking away much of the land of the temples, I guess, the king had no time to marry again and leave us at least one male who could claim the throne in a situation like this!

  -Count Gregory Powezny, what is the meaning of this? Nobody said the king is going to die...

  -Just look around, Baron Karl Dupendorf! Almost all of the leaders of the main noble houses are here! I can't see Lord Hubert and Countess Toklorn...

  -Oh, don't worry... The lord is outside, smoking or flirting with someone and the countess is either late, with one of her younger lovers or flirting with Lord Hubert, just outside the doors, but still far enough so we can't hear them laughing or doing other things...

  The baron turns his aging but still energic eyes to their young companion, Prince Maximilian von Povern. Just in time to catch the still too young for their political games prince almost laughing.

  -Apologize, Baron Dupendorf... But you're talking about this kind of things with such detachment...

  -When you'll get to my age, my dear prince, you'll see that such things are trivial matters when it comes to manoeuvring your way around through those corridors. I can't be amused because if discovered, the lord and the countess could spark a small crisis on their own, and I can't be too concerned either, because it's not about what they are doing and the immorality of their action, rather the problem appears only if they are exposed and both their families are spoiled by the mud of public scandal and outrage.

  Suddenly a strange silence falls upon everyone in the room. The door that leads to where the king is being treated opens and Chancellor Bruchnof addresses everyone, speaking fast and keeping his rough, commanding tone:

  -The Crown Council and the ministers are asked to stay. Everyone else is to leave. Now! Come on! Can't you hear me? Important matters are to be discussed. Get back to your parties and whatever you were doing before this!

  Prince Maximilian holds his place, hoping he won't be noticed, but the chancellor comes to his direction:

  -You, there! Are you deaf or something? Get out!

  -Please, excuse him, your Excellency... He is Prince Maximilian von Povern... The old Count Powezny tries to save the situation.

  -And why would I care if he's prince or not? Have you even taken part in any battle so far or are you wearing that uniform because you were dreaming of glory and fame when you were a child and now you can finally pretend that you're living your dream? Get out when I say so or stay and see how a man of arms deals with wannabes!

  The chancellor turns to go back, but the prince finally manages to speak. With his face of a visible red and breathing deep and rare, he opens his mouth:

  -I challenge you, Otto Bruchnof, to duel! To the death!

  -Really? Let me tell you something about duels, boy. They are fought between gentlemen, members with honour and manners of the high society, only with the written accord of the king. As you may have noticed, his Majesty is in no position to sign such things now. Get out, before Generals Ghebor or Negur arrive. They don't have my patience for boys who want to be treated like men.

  Still furious, but pressed by both his friends, the prince agrees to leave. In less than fifteen minutes on Dupendorf's watch, all the ministers and barons are in the saloon, waiting for the king to make any sign or at least to tell something. Eight barons and five minister, chancellor Bruchnof included, are now formed into three discussion circles.

  -Shouldn't we try to see if the king is able to name a successor? Count Powezny asks visible impatient.

  -But he already did. The chancellor tells him and all the eyes are upon him now. It appears that all his illegitimate children are either girls or died. He has casted a name... His daughter, Princess Frederika Wilhelmina, is next in line and now she also has his father's blessing...

  -A girl?! Some voices rise the same question.

  -With all due respect, chancellor... a woman cannot be the head of a state...

  -This is why we are all here. You all knew the reason when you were called. Nobody ever gathers in such circumstances to do easy things... We are here to vote... The barons get one vote each and the government gets one. That means nine votes I total. Who is for respecting the king's last wish will say aye!

  -Aye!

  -Let's see... one... two... three... four... five... What about you, Baron Dupendorf? Are you against the king?

  -Not at all, my dear Bruchnof... I am afraid my voice was to weak.

  -So, six barons... the government is by the king's side... That leaves Count Powezny and Baron Duch with a nay each... That is that! We will have the coronation ceremony next week, one day after the funerals. Everyone who has anything better to do is dismissed! The rest of us, let's see if the king need anything else in his last moments!

  -This is outrageous! What is the Great Priest of Sobu going to say to this? We will have upon us the rage of Sobu if we are to allow a woman to rule! Baron Eugen Duch yells without looking at anyone in particular.

  -I am sure Sobu has nothing better to do than to punish us for being left with a girl as the only legitimate ruler. General Ghebor, please help Baron Duch find the way out!

  -Right way, chancellor. This way, Duch!

  I feel the need to inform the reader that, although I presented Nikolay Ghebor as a count and general, he's also a baron. This is what happens when a baroness marries a count and she's the only heir of her family's wealth. Their child will be cursed with not knowing if and when to use which title.