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...
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MAEVE
TODAY WAS an auspicious day for the Kingdom of Arcerea. But for Maeve, today was nothing but an superfluous display of extravagance and subservience to the flawed system that she had been trying to challenge. If she were still a monarchist, she would be rejoicing with everyone else. But now, she would dread seeing the crown placed on the head of Prince Alphonse de Arcerea—soon to be King Alphonse I.
Every important person in the capital city of Polarcus convened in the Cathedral of the Church of Arcanus. Since there had been a number of attacks in the past few weeks—from the murder of the late king up to the suicide of a terrorist in the downtown district—the security became the strictest in recent memory. Capitol constables were stationed within the perimeter of the cathedral. City garrison was deployed to assist in maintaining peace and order. Only those with invitation were allowed entry to the sanctuary and witness the historic moment that would only happen twice or thrice in a century.
While most attendees donned their most glamorous gowns and fashionable suits, Maeve chose to wear her usual navy blue coat. Not only her, but also her fellow republican senators. Dressing for the occasion might sent the wrong signal of support for the monarchy. She, as the newly elected leader of the opposition, could not be seen as either an enabler or a sympathizer. Striking a compromise with the Crown Prince and the Senate president in the Evergreen Gardens was already too much for her. She even wondered how she managed to stomach it.
Maeve stood at one of the galleries in the Cathedral, looking down on the monarchists and royalists below who wore crimson dresses. She easily spotted the blue republicans in a sea of red. Her eyes raised their gaze and stared at the giant statue of the hooded Arcanus for a minute. She had been here before, when she was a student in the academy. She was skeptic of the Arcerean supreme deity, but she respected the lore and beliefs of her fellow citizens.
"Does the opposition leader mind me asking some questions?"
Maeve's lips curled into a smile before turning to the woman who asked that question. Patrische, wearing a scarlet dress, stood before her. "Are you on duty today? Shouldn't you be enjoying the glorious crowning of our new king?"
Patrische rolled her eyes. "As much as I want to appreciate this momentous event, my editor has ordered me to write an article about the coronation. What a killjoy! But I'll make up for it by enjoying the cakes and wine later."
"Take as much as you can. We paid for the food and drinks here after all." Maeve darted her gaze around the cathedral. "Well, we paid for everything. The Senate president had to strong-arm us just to get the funding for the coronation approved."
"I wish I could write about the taxpayers shouldering the cost of this celebration and not being invited. But my editor will only censor that part."
Maeve meeting Patrische in a public gathering was such a rare sight. Patrische was mostly stationed in the Palace, waiting for any bit of news worth reporting. As much as she wanted to be assigned in the Senate so she could see Maeve more often, she chose to stick to the Palace beat, her comfort zone.
