CHAPTER 9 - III -

 

“So, continuing on Your Excellency, for us to reach a satisfying conclusion to this negotiation, I’d like to know your side’s complaints.  What made you take up arms against the royal authority?”  sensing that she already won the first issue, Maddie had considerably mellowed the tone of her voice.

 

“Your Holiness, I assume that during your stay at the royal capital, you have already conducted your own observation about the crown prince, David.” the Duke answered, “And I’m sure, you’re already aware of his demanding nature?”

 

“I am aware.”

 

“Yes, and because of that, the nobility is rebelling against his authority.  They don’t want someone like him to rule over them, now that His Majesty the King is old and weak.”

 

“Is that all of it?”

 

“Well, it’s a summary of our complaints.  We nobles have varying concerns and problems with the prince; however, if you ask all of us, we can agree on some points.”

 

“Like?”

 

“Matters concerning governance, Your Holiness.  You see, the crown prince is a shrewd man, just like his grandfather before him.  However, his rule is heavy-handed, and would impose his will on us with utter disregard to the situation and consequences.”

 

“Are we talking about the unpaid debts here?”

 

“It’s one aspect, yes.  I won’t deny that my colleagues have large, unpaid debts to the crown, and it is the royal prerogative to enforce the payment of these so that the state coffers won’t be empty.  However, how could we pay those debts if we’re imprisoned in the first place?”

 

“Imprisoned, huh?”

 

“Yes, Your Holiness.  I don’t think it’s illegal to throw into prison anyone who deliberately cannot pay his debts.  But what about those who are working hard to pay back what they owe?  Does the prince have the right to imprison our colleagues without the benefit of a fair trial?”

 

“Hm…it is indeed unjust.” Maddie admitted, “How could one repay when he’s in prison, even though he’s honestly working to pay back what he owes?  I don’t think that’s reasonable.”

 

“Precisely, Your Holiness.” the Duke continued, “However, that’s not all.  We also demand that the royal authority cease the practice of forcibly remarrying the widows—men and women—to another person, and let them keep their deceased partner’s inheritance, instead of ending up being claimed by the royal officials.”

 

“I didn’t know that such a practice is still prevalent here.”

 

“It is Your Holiness.  While it is our old tradition as humans, we feel like it’s unfair to the family of the Master of the House, who, throughout his/her life worked for the betterment of his/her household, only to have it end up in the state treasury on his/her death.”

 

“I agree, Your Excellency.  I tried to forbid it; but, it’s rooted in our system.”

 

“Thank you for your efforts, Your Holiness.” the Duke commented.  He then asked Mistress Johanna to hand him a piece of paper, then gave it to Maddie, “And finally…”

 

“This list is about?”

 

“Those are the names of the royal officials.  While I acknowledge the ability of the crown prince, I could not say the same to his ministers.  Most are just favorites out to grab influence over the young heir.  Some don’t even know the laws of the kingdom, and would abuse their power from time to time, such as forcing the peasantry to give them ‘entertainment’.”

 

Maddie was taken aback by the last sentence.  Perhaps she saw something ‘lewd’ in the Duke’s mind, regarding that ‘entertainment’ thing.  

 

Is this what Eris is telling us about the ‘right of the first night’?

 

The more I listened to the Duke’s words, the more I couldn’t help but compare the situation here to the events that led to the creation of Earth’s ‘Great Charter of Freedoms’—better known as the ‘Magna Carta Libertatum’ of 1215.  That piece of ancient legal document was also born from the abuses of royal authority, led by King John of England, and contained clauses that guaranteed the rights of English freemen, who were the barons of the time.

 

I don’t know if it’s possible, but anyway, I’d like to tell Maddie about the Magna Carta.  While the Chersean society was deeply traditional, I believe they should codify their laws—not only would they benefit from a standard reference for future use, it would also filter what should be law, and what was tradition.

 

“…”

 

“There goes Kuro in his silent mode once again.” I heard Lily say.

 

“Don’t worry.  I’m reading his thoughts all the time.” Maddie told her.

 

“Mister Kuro?” it was Eris, “Do you have a solution in mind?”

 

“Is this what you’re telling us about, Luisa?” the Duke excitedly asked his older daughter, “Once he had gone quiet, it means that Sir Kuro is about to solve the problem?”

 

“He is!” Eris excitedly interjected.

 

“I only said that he has a solution in mind once that happens, Dad!” the Marquise shot back at her old man.

 

Whoa!  It looks like they are really expecting something from me.  Well, anyway, I should get to work, huh?

 

“Okay, guys!  Here comes Kuro, and his ideas!” Maddie promoted me like I’m some oddity.

 

“Yeeeeey!”  Everyone clapped and cheered—including the Duke, his wives, and some of his supporters (I’m presuming they’re just going along).

 

Seriously people, are you even taking my words into consideration?

 

 

“Ahem.  Anyway, Your Excellency, I have several recommendations about the situation.” I explained, “You see, the nature of the problem stems from the abuse of royal authority, which is represented by the crown prince himself.  And because of that, I think it would be beneficial for your cause, as well as for the kingdom, to limit the power of the monarch, as well as his officials.”

 

“How do we do that?” the Duke doubtfully asked, “The von Alberts have been ruling this land simply because they have the power to do so.”

 

“Dad?” Eris suddenly interjected into our conversation, “Don’t you think that the king’s power was because the people supported them?  Eris read those in the books…”

 

“Eris.  Don’t just barge in adults’ talk.” Lady Ulrika Marie Hanna sternly rebuked her.

 

“E-Eris is sorry, mom…”

 

What the young duchess said had substance to it, “Well, I agree with what Eris—I mean, Lady Eris said.  If you put it into practical terms, their power is from the support of the military and the guilds, both of which are in personal allegiance to them.  And with those, the powerless common folk had no alternative but to give their support to the monarch as well.”

 

“See?” Eris had a triumphant look on her face, “Eris is right!”

 

“Shh!  Eris, please be quiet!” Lady Ulrika Marie Hanna tried to hush her up once again.

 

The Duke chuckled, but eventually never paid attention to what happened, “Hmm…I get your point, Sir Kuro.  But how do we limit their power?”

 

“First, codify your laws.  Write them down, complete with specific terms and punishment system.” I asked for a pen and paper, then wrote my concept, “For example, what is considered a ‘debt’?  What are the options for your people to pay the ‘debt’?  In case they cannot pay it, what happens to them?  What punishments can be applied, according to the severity of their violation?  For how long will it last?  Questions like that, Your Excellency.”

 

“Mister Kuro!” Eris’ eyes were sparkling, “If the king did that, then he will have a factual basis for our laws, right?”

 

“Yep, it’s like it would be set in stone:  no one could easily break or bend it.” I also added, “Codifying your laws would also help you identify which applies to the actual situation, and what should be kept in the ‘tradition’ department.”

 

“Hoh…”

 

“M-Mister Kuro!” Eris once again raised her hand.

 

“Eris.  One more time and we would have to send you out of the room.” Mistress Johanna finally gave her a warning, “You’re interrupting the talk of the adults.”

 

“S-Sorry…mother.”

 

“It’s okay, Madame.” I told Mistress Johanna, “Lady Eris could learn a lot from this.”

 

“She’s still of tender age.” Lady Ulrika Marie Hanna replied, “I doubt she’ll have any useful ideas in this matter.”

 

Well, it’s quite true.  But hey, sometimes, a kid can offer insights that can lead to resolving the problem…

 

I stole a glance at the young duchess from the corner of my eyes.  She remained silent and meek, but I could tell from her face that she had a lot of things to say.  Really, what’s the harm of listening to a child sometimes?

 

I continued, “Another benefit of codifying laws is that every time a violation happens, you could always consider it for reference.  For short, your kingdom will have a legal ‘basis’ for judgment, potentially curtailing the abuse of those in power.”

 

“Oooh!  Mister Kuro, so if it is not in the code of laws, then it is illegal judgment?”

 

“Precisely, Lady Eris.” I’m surprised that the young duchess could perceive that concept, “And such pronouncements should be disregarded.”

 

Because of me praising her, Eris had a proud look on her face.  Well, I got to give it to her.  She’s pretty smart.

 

“Are you taking this down, Joanna?” the Duke asked his wife.

 

“I do!  It’s really interesting.”

 

Maddie and Lily’s smile on their faces was extraordinary, as I continued with my recommendations.

 

“Second, once you codify your laws, form a parliament as a counterpart to the royal authority.  A parliament is basically a group of prominent people of the land, focused on creating laws aimed at improving the government system of the country.  Its secondary purpose is also to scrutinize the king’s government thru investigations and inquiries so that they could take preventive measures from his abuse.”

 

“Is parliament like the Council of Nobles, Mister Kuro?” Eris could not keep herself from speaking, “Because their functions are the same!”

 

“Eris!” Lady Ulrika Marie Hanna finally raised her voice, “You’ve taken this too far!  Please return to your room at once!”

 

“B-But Mom—”

 

“No ‘buts’ young lady!  A child should act like a child and leave serious matters to the adults.  Off to your room you go!” the lady then turned to the Marquise, “Luisa, could you please…”

 

“Okay mother.” the Marquise had an indifferent expression on her face; contrary to her personality when she’s with Eris back at the Holy Palatial Gardens, “Let’s go squirt!”  

 

“But sis, I’d like to listen to Mister Kuro…”

 

She took Eris’ hand, and…

 

“What the fu—” I almost blurted out that expletive when I saw the Marquise suddenly grabbed the young duchess and swung her over her shoulders like a sack of rice, and left the room.

 

What the heck happened?