It is a fine morning in the capital.
The skies are clear and the sun shines from above warming the land beneath.
The current king of Bagyarosia, Nicholas Napuna Bagyarosia is taking a walk in his own garden to breathe some fresh air.
The palace garden features beautiful and manicured lawns, sculptures, fountains, groves of trees and various flowers which were personally planted by his wife, Queen Catherina Caberia. While silently staring at the beauty of nature in front of him, his mind was reminded of his dead son.
Niel's death has caused a severe blow to him and his wife. Until now, both of them are in a state of grieving. The couple no longer attend any banquet as they always do.
The most agonizing part is he can't seek justice for his son's death. Both the culprits are his eldest son and a young king of a new kingdom. He can still clearly remember the day of Niel's death. It can be said to be the worst day of his life.
Since then, he often had a nightmare which caused him to wake up in the middle of the night.
He can no longer have a good sleep.
Without a night of good sleep coupled with old age and deep grieving, a problem comes.
The obvious one is his cognition ability. Nicholas I become more forgetful. His decision-making, reasoning, and problem-solving worsened day by day. Something a king should be worried about.
Nicholas I know he has to abdicate. But when he was reminded of Niall, he put that idea aside.
His eldest son has the audacity to smirk at him while handing his little brother's corpse to him. As if Niall indirectly brags about his winning as a future king. The relationship between the royal couple and their son was completely destroyed.
At the suggestion of his royal doctor, Nicholas I takes a considerable amount of walks in his garden every day as a way to calm his unstable mind.
His doctor also suggests he stop grieving Niel's death. But, Nicholas I decided to ignore his doctor.
*Snap*
pαndα`noνɐ1~сoМ While he is reminiscing about the memories of his dead son, someone intrudes in the palace garden.
His daily walks come to a halt for a moment.
Turning around, a familiar face enters his sight.
"Your Majesty, there is urgent news I need to inform you about," said his prime minister, Wendall Walter. The only person he can trust right now.
Nicholas I look at him with uninterested eyes.
Honestly speaking, he's kind of fed up with all this governance matters. However, his pride doesn't allow him to concede so easily. He couldn't live peacefully until he could get revenge on his son's killers.
"What is so important that makes you panic, Wendall?"
Wendall replies to his question by passing him a report he had compiled. "You should read this report, Your Majesty."
Nicholas's hand reached outward for the report. While reading it, he moves his feet toward his office.
Wendall quietly followed from behind.
Discussing government affairs in the garden is not a smart thing to do. There are a lot of hidden ears in the palace.
It only took five minutes for them to arrive at their destination. From the garden to his office, his eyes were constantly fixed on the report.
Nicholas I sat behind the desk and leaned back on his chair.
He sighed after reading the report delivered to him.
Slowly, he closes his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose. The current situation is worse than he initially expected. Though he knows not all nobles will heed his order, he never thought they would retaliate in a short span of time.
In a mere week, three counties were turned upside down. An independent declaration and an uprising of the commoners.
Only Hajdu didn't make any move yet but they are getting restless.
"Did my move of revoking Count Naharog's nobility rank bring us any effect?" asked Nicholas I.
"It only has an effect on Tetherswest County and Caushilbo County. Perhaps, it is because these two counties are a little bit far to the north. The lower-rank noble has time to prepare in case of any aggression attempt on them. These nobles seem to get too excited about the reward. Some of them are on the brink of losing their patience and couldn't wait. They even plan to conspire with each other to overthrow their superior on their own."
"Their greed truly astonishes me." Nicholas I commented. He then speaks with a serious tone, "I want you to keep an eye on both of them, especially Tetherswest. Make sure there is no contact between them and Ryntum. Send weapons to the barons and viscounts in Tethereswest County. And don't forget to tell all lower-rank nobles to not do anything unnecessary. Instead of getting a reward, I'll make them lose everything."
"Why don't we apprehend the Tetherswest family member? That way we can lure Ryntum out to Napuna," suggests Wendall.
"We cannot carelessly make a move or else it will tarnish Napuna's good name. The on-the-fence nobles might oppose us. Where is the Naharog army currently located?"
"After exterminating Baron Nyirdi and his family, he returns to Mezorin and hasn't made any move yet."
Nicholas snorted, "Hmph...I guess he is busy establishing his kingdom. Now I think about it, Ryntum has been doing the same thing in the past year. First, Gyalcakes and then the three barons. Next, he makes a change in the way of ruling commoners. It all makes sense now."
Nicholas I is disappointed in himself for not realizing it.
Maybe if he took action from the beginning, things would have developed in a different direction. There is no use to regret now.
He orders Wendall to put royal soldiers into an alert state. Mezorin and Napuna are not far from each other. Getting attacked off-guard is the last thing he wants.
"Your Majesty, we only have 5,000 trained soldiers at most."
"Conscript the commoner if it is not enough."
"But most of our commoners are moving out of the capital and migrating elsewhere."
"Then block the capital. Nobody can get out of the capital until I say so!!" Nicholas I raised his voice.
"B-But it increases the dissatisfaction among people."
"Just make up some reason to quell their anger. Do I need to spell everything out for you?!"
Nicholas I is getting irritated with this constant question by Wendall. He wondered if Wendall had some injury in his head. His prime minister looks a bit dull and hesitated in making decisions now.
"My apologies, I will heed your order, Your Majesty."
"Hmm...you can go now." Nicholas I chase his prime minister away.
Seeing his king start to get angry, Wendall chooses not to ask any questions. He left the office in a hurry.
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