The Crown Prophecy

by M. D. Laird

  Ex Animo

  Asmodeus Prince Calab of the First Order

  What is his problem?

  Eve frowned as she scrawled her reply, wishing her hand were as elegant as Calab’s cold, but beautifully constructed script.

  Asmodeus Prince Calab of the First Order,

  I apologise if I have caused offence by straying beyond the boundaries of our professional relationship. It is, however, still my wish to speak to you—may I arrange a convenient time to call at the Guild of Asmodeus?

  Regards

  Queen Genevieve of Impærielas, Crown of Arkazatinia.

  HM Queen Genevieve of Impærielas, Crown of Arkazatinia

  Any matters of importance can be discussed at the next CRM. If you feel your concerns are more urgent, it may be wise to bring the meeting forward.

  Ex Animo

  Asmodeus Prince Calab of the First Order.

  In sheer frustration and against her better judgement, Eve took a vector to the Guild of Asmodeus to consult with Calab in person.

  “I’m afraid the prince is otherwise engaged, Your Majesty,” said Charon upon receiving Eve’s request.

  “Please advise Prince Calab that the Crown of Arkazatinia commands an audience with him,” she said in her sternest manner.

  Charon appeared somewhat perplexed. “Right away, Your Majesty.”

  “I shall walk with you to his office,” said Eve, following him into the guild.

  “Your Highness,” Eve heard Charon say to Calab, “Her Majesty commands that you receive her.”

  “Right,” said Calab, his tone furious. “I guess you’ll have to show her in then.” Charon left the office and indicated for Eve to enter as he did. Calab stood, bowed slightly towards her and glared fiercely. “Do you intend to pull rank whenever you fail to get your way?” he said sarcastically. “That’s a fine way for a queen to behave.”

  The comment cut through Eve, but she ignored it. “I have asked on several occasions to meet with you with no success,” she said. “I know you spoke to Thalia at the party.”

  “Lord Thalia should not encourage you,” he said sternly. “She should not indulge your ridiculous notions.”

  Now she was hurt and felt her face burn as blood rushed to her cheeks. “Ridiculous notions?” She was not sure why she wanted clarity when he was making his distaste so abundantly clear.

  “About you and me and some kind of relationship.” He laughed. “I cannot imagine what either of you were thinking. I have nothing to offer you, and you certainly have nothing to offer me. I am a demon, I have walked the earth for millennia, and you are just a human child who knows nothing of the world. It would hardly make for a stimulating courtship.”

  “Well, I’m glad you’ve made that clear,” she replied, suppressing a feeling of rage burning inside her as she forced away the tears that were forming in her eyes.

  “I may have been pleasant to you during your arrival in Arkazatinia,” continued Calab, “and I admit that I did not like that blockhead’s attack on you; however, that is no reason to conclude that I want any sort of relationship with you. I have no feelings for you, and if you have any for me, I suggest you rid yourself of them as nothing will come of them. You are my queen, and you mean nothing more to me than that.”

  “That will be all,” said Eve, rising from her seat. “Thank you for your time, Prince Calab.”

  “Your Majesty,” he rose from his seat as she did and sketched a bow. “Oh, and I would appreciate it if your commands of me are related only to matters of the Crown.”

  “Consider it done,” she said plainly, as she left his office. Upon turning her back on Calab, her tears escaped, and she furiously wiped them away to conceal her bleary eyes from Charon as he led her from the guild.

  Eve heard nothing more from Calab and did not see him again until the CRM the following week. He ignored her as they entered the boardroom at the Guild of the Crown and took their seats. He conversed cheerfully with Avalon and Tarrin which enraged her and she vowed that she would not speak to or even look at him unless she absolutely had to.

  She took hold of the gavel and announced the start of the last meeting of the year. “Thank you all for your attendance. Today we discuss further aspects of the reintegration of the Crown into Arkazatinia. Shanna, please can you read the minutes of the last meeting to refresh our memories and verify they are an accurate account?”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” said the newly appointed Impærielas secretary who began to read the last meeting's minutes. The minutes included making the CRMs monthly instead of two weekly, setting a levy to raise money for the landscaping and regeneration of public parks, improved sanitation for villages in southern Laurentia, and allowing Arkazatine leads to make suggestions about what is included on the agenda.

  Until the integration of the Imperium, only the Crown set the agenda, and it was formed by members of the public raising a bill and collecting signatures before presenting it for consideration. This was a lot of work and could take a long time. The leads suggested it was far more efficient for their people to raise their concerns with them and they could add them to the agenda in addition to the usual method.

  “Thank you, Shanna,” said Eve. “The item involving lead suggestions may yet be obsolete. You may notice that I have prepared an agenda and if I can first turn your attention to item number three and the accompanying document. As part of my integration as the Crown and the reintegration of the Crown, I have had to learn its role within Arkazatinia which seems to me that, as the queen, I summon you here to discuss issues that arise and tell you what I want to be done about them. This does not sit well with me. I have taken the time to focus on the Imperium and feel that some of those aspects should be incorporated into the Crown. Before you panic, I do not want to exile anyone from Arkazatinia, but some of the changes proposed by the Imperium seemed logical, fair and sensible, at least on paper.

  “I would like to suggest that instead of me making the decision on the items we discuss, each member should have an equal vote and I would make the casting vote if a decision could not be reached. I think all business should be conducted as we now conduct security and defensive planning. I would also propose that we have an electronic agenda which each person can update with whatever matter they deem necessary to be discussed.

  “I know everyone is very attached to paper letters, but you have internet access, and in this case, it may be useful for you to see what everyone else adds. We don’t have to go mad and start emailing each other.” She smiled and then groaned inwardly when no one smiled back. “I should also like to see a guardian representative, an Impærielas representative that is not the Crown and a council of Arkazatine people from all areas to represent the needs of the ordinary citizen.” She paused to assess the mood of the court, she felt relieved that they appeared interested. “I don’t want to make any decision today. Read through the proposal, then we can discuss your thoughts and concerns at the next meeting.”

  “Should we change the name of the meeting to Crown Reformation Meeting and we can keep the same acronym?” asked Shanna.

  “If you like.” Eve smiled. A low hum filled the room as the leads discussed amongst themselves what they thought of the proposal.

  Eve had been preparing the plan since the discussion with Calab on her birthday and thought it may be a useful way to let everyone know that she would listen to them and give them something that they wanted—the aspects of the Imperium that they actually liked. She had also been considering how to make her rule amongst the Impærielas more like Machiavelli’s third method and thought electing one of them as an official might help. Whether they would like it was not really the issue, Eve wanted to give them a choice imagining that it would send a strong message.

  As much as she had disagreed with many of Calab’s suggestions to her about how she should act, she could not help but feel that he had made some sense. She ignored her thoughts of him, and requesting silence, she r
eturned the alliance to the rest of the meeting.

  The meeting drew to a close, and the rulers left. Eve had not noticed whether Calab had looked in her direction or not during the meeting as she had done a splendid job of avoiding looking at him though she did catch his glare at her when Tharazan asked to speak to her as they were leaving. She was glad that it bothered him.

  She felt foolish and childish, but stubbornly maintained her vow at the following month’s meeting and even avoided looking at Calab as he cast his vote in favour of the proposed changes to the Crown. Eve was pleased that all of the leads seemed enthusiastic about the changes and were happy to be part of the quorum. The quorum was the new title given to the court, as it was more fitting to the new and more inclusive approach. There were only a few concerns regarding acts of war, vote rigging and treason and it was agreed they would form part of a separate policy. Her proposals also appeared to win her some favour amongst the leads, some of who attempted small talk rather than just a polite ‘Your Majesty’.

  Eve saw Calab leave the room followed closely by Thalia while she was engaged in conversation with the Son of Raphæl.

  I hate him, and I am never going to speak to him again.

  “What is going on with you and Her Majesty?” asked Thalia, catching up with Calab as he approached his vector.

  “What are you talking about?” asked Calab nonchalantly.

  “I can see through your façade, my friend. You each act like the other does not exist.”

  “You can attribute that to your actions.” Calab growled. “Your attempt to marriage broker has been unsuccessful.”

  “I thought you liked her?”

  “That’s beside the point,” said Calab angrily. “Simply liking someone does not make them an ideal companion; you should never have encouraged her.”

  “She didn’t need any encouragement, she has feelings for you.”

  “She had feelings for me. I have ensured that’s no longer the case.”

  “What have you done?”

  “I have made sure that she probably won’t even speak to me again, let alone have feelings for me,” said Calab coldly to hide the pain of regret that stabbed at him.

  “Why would you do that?”

  “Because I don’t want to be with some ridiculous human child! I can’t abide her whining about everything she hates about her new life and everything she misses about her old life. Who could put up with that?”

  “That may have fooled the queen, but it won’t fool me. You wouldn’t deliberately hurt her unless you thought you had a good reason.”

  “Always the know-it-all, Thalia!” snapped Calab. “Why don’t you stay out of my affairs?”

  “I’m not trying to pry, Calab, I’m trying to help.”

  “You’ve done enough,” he spat at her before stalking away. He slammed the door of his vector as he threw himself into the seat. On the ride back to the guild, his anger was replaced with regret for the way he had spoken to his closest friend.

  Upon his return to his office, Calab picked up his pen and began a note.

  Thalia, my cherished friend,

  Forgive me! As you correctly infer, there is a good reason for my estrangement from Her Majesty. It is a decision that pains me; however, please do not pry any further—I beg of you.

  Ever yours

  Calab

  My dearest Calab,

  I do not offer any forgiveness as there is no wrong to forgive. It is my duty as your loyal friend to share your joy, sorrow, excitement and anger. Whilst it pains me that you cannot share your heart, I understand and respect your wishes. Know only that I will always lend a confiding ear and consoling words should you need this of me. I will end with this sentiment. I view you as my oldest and most treasured friend and I value your happiness as much as my own. The queen has a warm and kind character; she will forgive you your cruelties. I shall say no more, but only wish that whatever conclusion you arrive at will bring you peace and happiness.

  Forever yours

  Thalia

  Thalia,

  I am most relieved that you have forgiven my outburst. My cruelties to the queen far exceed those that I gave to you. However, I fear that you are right and she would forgive me. This I cannot allow. Selfishly, I find it easier to have her hate me, but this hatred will also serve to fuel her own happiness. That seems like a contradiction as I have made her unhappy with my actions. It was a necessary cruelty, as she will now be free from her attachment and able to move on with her life without regret.

  Always

  Calab

  My dearest Calab,

  It has occurred to me that never in the time I have known you, have you ever begged my forgiveness for your cruelties, nor have you sacrificed your desires for the sake of another. The queen had told me of her suspicion that you have the capacity for emotion. I dismissed it initially as impossible, but now I am not so sure, and I sense that you have indeed been stricken with some capacity for emotion. It is clear that you have feelings for the queen that are deeper than the base desires I initially imagined. If this is the case, then it is truly a gift and not one that should be wasted. I am reminded of the powerful words of William Wordsworth:

  “And from the blessed power that rolls

  About, below, above

  We’ll frame the measure of our souls

  They shall be tuned to love.”

  Your noble sacrifice warms my heart, but it also causes me great pain. Whilst it contains the ‘black and white’ and ‘impulsiveness’ I have come to both love and loathe about you, it also denies you a chance at happiness. Choose your path carefully, old friend.

  Always and forever

  Thalia

  Thalia,

  Your words have startled me in both their frankness and their insight. I wonder if any attempt could ever be made to conceal myself from you as you have a window to my very core and see all that I feel. Perhaps it is a hopeless effort with one who I have shared the most intimate of friendships. Your love for me, whilst with my limited depth of emotion was unrequited, has always been appreciated and returned with as much kindness and friendship as my soul could afford.

  Having considered all that you have said I still cannot bring myself to approach the queen. I fear I would bring her misery. Her attachment to a demon would not be treated favourably, especially amongst her own people who regard my kind with disdain. I fear I would make her life as the Crown unbearable and she would resent me. I am touched by Wordsworth’s words, but I am reminded of the words of Thomas de Quincey who, upon assessment of the marriage of an acquaintance, said:

  “Oh! blindness of the human heart! how deeply did she come to rue the day when she first turned her thoughts to him.”

  Perhaps the ‘feelings’ I have been given are a gift, but that is no reason to use it unwisely and selfishly for the sake of my own happiness at the expense of the queen’s. It is better that she turns her thoughts from me and seeks a more worthy suitor, one who is not shrouded with the beastly embodiment of a demon.

  Forever

  Calab

  Dearest Calab,

  It was the queen’s rather than my own insight that has observed this capacity. I am afraid that if she had not mentioned it to me, I might not have noticed. I hope I have not failed you in that respect, old friend. Perhaps I am too close to you to see the change and her newness offers fresh insight.

  I am disinclined to agree with your assessment, I feel any feelings of resentment would be towards the Impærielas rather than yourself though I will accept defeat in convincing you of your worthiness and allow you to follow what you feel in your heart is the right path. I would urge you to offer your friendship to Her Majesty. If your words were as cruel as you say, she would have been wounded and she will not know why. I fear this, amidst her hardships in adapting to her new station, will bring her much sadness.

  Yours always

  Thalia

  P.S. I would b
e honoured if you would join Mikæl and me for supper this night around the hour of seven.

  The next day, Eve was in her office engaged in some correspondence when Ezra entered. He wore his usual superficially polite air to mask his usual furiousness that caused Eve to wonder what error she had committed this time.

  “This letter has arrived, Your Majesty,” he said sternly, handing over a thick sheet of cream paper embellished with a familiar hand and the Asmodeus seal.

  To the Advisor of HM Queen Genevieve of Impærielas, Crown of Arkazatinia.

  I have recently learned that Her Majesty wishes to build a library in the Guild of Impærielas. I respect and understand that this is an ostentatious use of resources and not in keeping with your prudent traditions. However, as a regular observer of the people of Lycea, I have come to understand that they are comforted by material possessions, and I feel the addition of the library to your guild may help the new queen to settle. I offer a donation of whatever it will cost for your carpenters to furnish the library. I have also included a gift of duplicate volumes from my own library to start the collection. I hope this meets with your approval.

  Ex Animo

  Asmodeus Prince Calab of the First Order

  Eve’s stomach churned with a mix of emotions. She was delighted that she would finally get her library and that Calab, who she had convinced herself without any great success that she now loathed, had made contact. She also felt a mass of confusion of Calab’s intentions. Why had he sent the letter after saying what he said?