Interlude: Kingdom of Menexes (1)
*Vio was taken in during Continental Calendar Year 585.*
In Continental Calendar Year 575, as always, the beginning of the new year commenced with the king's celebration.
The nobles of the great nation, the Kingdom of Menexes, entrusted their territories to their deputies at the end of the Season of Winds and made a great migration to the royal capital to attend this banquet.
For the lords of the most distant frontier, it was such a vast kingdom that they had to depart a full month in advance to make it in time.
Currently, the one ruling this great kingdom was King Narcisse Cain Menexes.
The throne he inherited from his father, the former king, was by no means a seat of mere comfort; amidst the castle swarming with political schemes and nobles seeking only their own gain, he managed to bring order by fighting them off with the aid of his excellent retainers.
Most of the nobles had been made to behave by offering them both carrots and sticks, and they diligently focused on managing their territories.
The greatest current nuisance was the former king's younger brother, in other words, his uncle, Duke Edgard Raftera.
His other uncle, Duke Lionel Osman, was greatly helpful, serving as the chancellor, but Edgard was utterly useless.
He would often say that he was more capable, but because of the age gap, he had been passed over for the crown prince title—and he continued to say so to this day.
Edgard's son, Aurelian, who was only five years younger than Narcisse and had interacted with him frequently since childhood as relatives, also said similar things.
"If my father had ascended to the throne, you and I would have switched places. It can only be called divine mischief that birth order determined otherwise."
"Even without birth order, your father Edgard could never have become king.
Those chosen to be king must possess violet eyes. I have purple eyes, whereas your father—my brother—has eyes that are nearly black.
And besides, even as relatives, speaking such words to the king is nothing short of disrespect. You ought to know your place."
Even after I succeeded the throne, at tea parties, Aurelian would still say such things, and Lionel, ever by my side as chancellor, would reproach him each time.
"Haah, well, it’s a relief that his daughter has finally found a place to marry."
"Indeed, we were repeatedly told to make her the crown princess either to Prince Gritzini or Prince Orhide. Both already have crown princesses, and although they firmly declined, the other side refused to accept it."
"Wasn't it said they could just demote the crown princess to a concubine?
If blood from a ducal house is to be added next, it would probably be from Gardenia.
Well, that daughter had just entered the Magic Academy, hadn't she?
By the time our future grandchild is of age, she'll be too old, so it will be a matter for the next generation."
Currently, the kingdom had three ducal houses. The Raftera and Osman houses were newly created for the former king’s brothers.
The leading ducal house, Gardenia, was established when my grandfather’s sibling—the sister of the king before last—married out of the royal family.
The person who married out from the royal family became a duke, and the title could continue for two generations. If the third generation married back into the royal family, they could extend the ducal status for another two generations; otherwise, the house would be downgraded to marquisate.
Uncle Edgard was trying to force his granddaughter into the royal family to keep Raftera as a ducal house, but she was infamous for abusing her title as a duke’s daughter to do as she pleased, much like her grandfather.
She was not someone fit to enter the royal family.
Upon realizing that Gritzini had fathered a child, Edgard had finally given up.
Clang, clang.
The opening bell resounded, and the sound of several footsteps could be heard from the adjacent room.
When the doors leading to the grand hall were opened, even from this room, one could hear the music from the venue.
"His Highness Crown Prince Gritzini and Crown Princess Musette."
"His Highness Second Prince Orhide and Second Prince’s Consort Solenne."
After each announcement, a grand applause erupted.
"My dear, we should be going as well."
At my wife's prompting, I set aside my work and rose to my feet.
I donned a violet-colored cloak embroidered with the kingdom’s crest.
Ange, my concubine, was still ill and unable to leave her bed, so she would be absent from the banquet, though it could not be helped.
Taking Queen Victoire's hand, I stood before the door leading to the grand hall.
"Now entering: King Narcisse and Queen Victoire!"
At the doorkeeper's announcement, the great doors were thrown open from both sides, and we stepped onto the balcony overlooking the venue from the top of the grand staircase.
As the queen and I raised our hands, we were met with a wave of loud cheers and applause.
Escorting the queen, I descended the stairs and stood side-by-side with my sons on the platform.
"Everyone, thank you for gathering.
Last year, natural disasters such as torrential rains struck various regions, making it a difficult time, but thanks to everyone’s cooperation, recovery was swift.
Reports tell us that the central, northern, and western regions had bountiful harvests.
Because of your diligent management of the farmland and the results you produced, we were able to build up reserves and quickly send aid to the southern and eastern regions affected by disasters. I am grateful to you all.
Now, the new year has begun once again. Let us wish for a wonderful year ahead!"
New Year's greetings were exchanged, and we toasted with wine.
From there, the nobles came to offer their greetings one after another.
Since there were too many nobles coming to greet us, it was decided that we would handle the marquises and above, the crown prince and his wife would handle the counts and half of the viscounts, and the second prince and his wife would handle the other half of the viscounts and the barons.
"Oh, Narcisse, it looks like we’ll have another wonderful wine on sale this year. I wasn't able to make my granddaughter part of our family, but she has been blessed with a wonderful match. Since her husband-to-be is going to be taking over as lord, I would very much like you to send him this wine as a congratulatory gift."
"Happy New Year. Miss Sicilian’s marriage is indeed a most joyous occasion. I will be sure to send the wine as a wedding gift for our relatives."
Duke Raftera was the first to come greet us, apparently pushing aside Duke Gardenia, who should have been first.
It's shameless, really — he still calls me by the same old name, and no matter how many times I tell him to use honorifics, he won't listen. He surely knows that the king cannot personally send a gift for a lord’s succession, but under the guise of a family wedding celebration, sending a single bottle of wine should be permissible.
He left with a sullen look, but behind him, the chancellor was trembling with anger.
"... To behave like that toward the king, I apologize for my elder brother. Even if it were a private gathering, such arrogance would be unforgivable, let alone at an official event like this."
"No, there's nothing to be done about him anymore. Once Aurelian succeeds him, there will be no next time. As long as he doesn't harm my sons, I'll just let it go."
Since the Gardenia family was waiting next, I told the chancellor quietly not to worry about it, but I'm sure he will. That man is like a stain on this country that can't be washed away.
Although Duke Gardenia offered a few pointed remarks, it seemed that, since everyone was well aware of Duke Raftera's tyranny, blocking the marriage into the royal family for a third generation had somewhat appeased their anger.
"Allow me to offer New Year’s greetings to His and Her Majesty. I have finally been granted permission by my father to come up to the castle. I am truly honored to be able to serve by your side starting this year."
Next came a young man with silver hair and sharp green eyes — Argonas Osman, eldest son of Chancellor Lionel, giving a stiff and formal greeting.
"Oh, I thought you’d come straight to the royal castle after graduating at the top of the higher academy, but I heard you were roped into managing the territory. I'm glad you could finally come. I suppose this means your training as the next chancellor will begin. I’m looking forward to it."
"I will devote my life to serving faithfully."
So stiff. But considering how Duke Raftera’s son turned out, it’s understandable that Argonas was raised with strict discipline. I really can’t say anything about it.
It will likely be my son whom Argonas supports as chancellor.
It would be nice if he could relax a little, but he’ll just have to get used to it while working at the castle.
Thus, the New Year's banquet ended with socializing among the nobles.
What do you think about this chapter?
