Enter the arcane world of Alterra, and regale yourself with three tales in one epic story.
☆☆★ AFFAIR OF ROYALS ★☆☆
Tag along with LUCIUS as he investigates the brutal murder of the Arcerean monarch and sheds light on a conspiracy that may alter the...
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Welcome to the third storyline in ARIA, featuring a new protagonist (MAEVE) and a new set of characters. This part will focus on the politics of the Kingdom of Arcerea.
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MAEVE
"Prince Alphonse, you may now deliver your opening statement."
MAEVE SAT back and folded her arms as she gazed at the crown prince. Her mind was already made up—even the other republican senators—so whatever Alphonse said next would not change anything. But she was interested to hear what bullshit he would spew out to win the approval of the majority.
As mentioned by the minority leader, thirteen monarchist senators were on the fence about the Crown Prince. In the Senate, it was a numbers game. The Crown Prince needed twenty-six votes. Twenty-two monarchists were guaranteed to vote in his favor. But that was not enough. If four of the undecided thirteen would say yes, the prince would be confirmed. On the other hand, three votes or fewer would doom the succession.
There was a possibility that the prince would not get confirmed, but the chances were very slim. Maeve would not hold her breath and hope for an outcome favorable to them.
"You want some?" Renoux offered her some chips. "Don't worry. I didn't put any poison in it. I would have collapsed already if I did."
Maeve stared at him in disbelief. "We're not allowed to eat during a formal session. You know that very well."
"No one will notice." He tried to munch on a chip as quietly as possible.
Due to the brief silence in the hall, even a pin dropping would be heard by everybody. What more of Renoux munching on chips? "Everyone's attention is on the crown prince. They're curious about what he has to say. Even if we fall asleep here, no one will notice."
"Do you want me to report you to the Senate president?" Maeve whispered. "You may be wearing the same coat as him, but I don't think he would let your blatant disrespect to the rules slide, especially in the presence of Alphonse."
"It's up to you." Renoux challenged her. He grabbed a chip and chewed it slowly, careful not to make that crunching noise. "You wanna call his attention just to say that I'm eating? You wanna interrupt the prince's opening statement just to report me? Well, you don't care about him anyway. You can't even call him by his royal title."
Maeve rolled her eyes. If she made a scene here, it might be misconstrued as the republicans trying to create unnecessary drama. "You must be so confident that the prince will be confirmed. Is that why you're feeling so lax today?"
"We have the numbers." Renoux smiled before taking another bite. "Basic arithmetic tells us that it's a done deal already. This hearing is a formality, just like the confirmation hearings of the late King Bennett and the kings before him who graced this hallowed chamber."
Where Renoux' confidence was coming from, Maeve had no idea. Based on their insider, some monarchists might vote against the succession. But Renoux's tone suggested otherwise. Was the information wrong?
