ЦАРЬ KAISER - A Race to Conquer (Countryhumans)

Dissent

The dawn flittered through the empty halls of the gilded palace, servants waking to the bong of the clock. The sunlight touched the golden onion domes, ancient icons, luxurious furs, glimmering gems, thick iron bars, and sparkling fountains, and beautiful gardens. The owner of this grandiose piece of architecture stood out on a balcony, his chin tipped up, and a regal expression on his face. A small gold crown sat on his head and caught the light as he moved. The air around him was still, holding its breath, waiting for him to move first. Even the wind bows down to him. That he is I.

I survey the empty lands below and around me, my frown tightening. These large expanses of land, untouched and wild, have long vexed me. I have unfortunately only enough servants to guarantee me comfort, not my eyes. Unfortunately.

"Soon enough," I promised myself. "when there's a will, there's a way." Countless different options swam in my mind. Some plausible, some only whims of dreams that magically escaped the realm of the subconscious.

I righted the crown on my head and whisked away in a flurry of white silken robes. I had forgotten an important event scheduled for today. Enough staring out the window, time to go down and announce my awakening to the rest of the palace. I walked down the marble steps at the end of the carpeted hall, my heeled shoes clicking noisily on the stone floors. Some workers looked up and then lowered their gaze, some cowered in fear. A little fear is expected from those below you. I gave a little smile to one of the higher-ranking servants as he made his way up. I sensed his discomfort.

"I'm to leave soon. Get my auto ready!" I called out loudly, making sure the message was passed along. A wave of relief and barely suppressed ease swept through all around me. It slightly irritated me that my own servants didn't like my presence. Not that the fact particularly mattered to me. Their sole purpose is to work for me.

I walked briskly past the kitchens, not bothering to stop to eat. I am never hungry during morning hours. Out of the long halls and drafty rooms out into the warm gardens with flowers still in full bloom so late in August. The silence was punctured by an occasional bee and the steady bubbly stream of fountain water. Outside the lavish gates, my deep green Yakovlev-Freze was already started and the chauffeur was dutifully standing outside.

"Good morning, Batushka Tsar," he bowed. His hand moved towards the door, but I pushed it away.

"I can manage this myself," I looked down at him. "Don't open the door when we arrive either."

The chauffeur was at a loss for words. All he could do was obey. "Of course. Whatever my Tsar wishes." he ended with another gracious bow and slipped into the car. We were off, with ten minutes to spare. That would be enough time to drive down and out of my realms.

Although extremely outdated by modern standards, the Yakovlev-Freze was a useful and durable piece of engineering. It could withstand much pounding and neglect and stay shiny and nice. It wasn't entirely functional in the wintertime with its absence of windows, but I didn't travel much at the time anyway. Ah, who needs to travel when your realm has it all? Unfortunately, those with whom I needed to speak beg to differ. They believe my palace is too 'untrustworthy' for 'diplomatic engagement', and others would 'suppress their true opinion in fear'. If they're cowards, their opinions shouldn't be considered. But I am not that who establishes the diplomacy rules. Sadly.

The beautiful expanses and rolling hills are replaced by thick forest and then a disgusting city. My lip curled, and for once I wished for a window to shield me from the never-ceasing smog that effused from the smokestacks. These were all United Kingdom's abominable creations. He was so proud of the rapid industrialisation that he had to shove all of it down everyone's throats. He himself lived farther away, on a nice moor, where the smoke would never reach him. Only young people lived here. I was surprised they didn't have smoke in their brains. Although my auto was slow, we nevertheless reached my destination too quickly. I groaned dramatically as the car moved up to the hall. My chauffeur lowered his eyes, but I could feel streams of sympathy flowing off him. I stalled for a bit and then got out to face the monolith. My chauffeur drove off, knowing at what time I would come back. He dared not be late.