Chapter 17 : So I made Room for The Neglected Half

- "Discuss with all councilors and Dawn Light members. After that, decide which position will be perfect for each of the Dawn Light members."

- "As you wish, your majesty."

- "You remember what I just promised this morning. Create a team to heal the society."

- "Can you tell me more about the team, your majesty?"

- "This team should be full of experts and experienced. There is no limit of members. Add as many as you require. I am suggesting, Gornor, Elisa, at least two representatives of commoners, at least two representatives of nobles, two representatives of businessmen, two food experts, two goods experts, and four councilors. This team will be led by you."

- "As you wish, your majesty. May I ask you a question, your majesty?"

- "Sure, Lukemir."

- "Why did you suggest two persons of every category?"

- "Never discuss with a single expert. One's perspective may cause problems. Two perspectives will give you a better outcome."

- "Understood, your majesty."

- "This project will be called 'Recovering Lives.' The first mission of this project is reducing the taxes to a minimum."

- "Understood, your majesty."

- "I am not seeing any female councillor or any female representative. Lukemir, make preparations to appoint women who have wisdom and courage to stand beside us in this royal court."

Everyone is shocked. They start talking with each other. I know why. But I have to make it work. This is an important step to gender equality. A councilor says, "Pardon me, your majesty. But this is a dangerous path." I say, "Why do you think so? Speak freely."

- "This is the royal court of Alnovir. The heart of this kingdom. Matters of war, diplomacy, and governance are discussed here. Women are incapable of participating in any of this topic. Those topics are needed: wisdom, experience, and critical thinking. Our women are unfamiliar with the discipline and rules of royal court. One mistake may destroy this whole kingdom in a day. I know you want to give justice to women by allowing them in royal court. Do you wish to turn the royal court into a place of sentiment over reason?"

- "And do you believe reason only belongs to men?

- "No, your majesty. But history has shown us that balance must be maintained. Men with their wisdom and experience build kingdoms and maintain them. And women support them by taking care of them and giving birth to their future generations. Giving women seats in the royal court will go against the tradition. And many may not like it."

- "I respect every tradition. But I can't follow the tradition blindly. This system is not balanced yet, where only men decide everything for the kingdom. If men and women decide together, then it will be balanced. We have to listen to their perspective too. Otherwise, how can we know what they think and what they want? They may present brilliant ideas. They are mothers, sisters, daughters, and life partners. They raised us; they healed us. Without them we would never be born. They are wise; they are brave. They are capable enough to present in this royal court and share their opinions. If they work with us, we will surely make something even greater. Just like all families need male and female members to be complete. This royal court also always needs male and female members to be complete. Remember this, women are life givers, and when they participate to heal this kingdom, this kingdom will bloom with flowers." 

The counselor sits down. Everyone nods. Lukemir says, "You are right, your majesty. If there is a female teacher, female mage, female warrior, and female shopkeeper, then what's wrong with their presence at the royal court? Let's hear what they have to say; what are their opinions? There is no harm in listening. Just like you said, your majesty. They may bring us unexpected profits." 

I say, "Any objections, everyone?" Everyone says in unison, "No, your majesty." I say, "Then it's decided. Lukemir." Lukemir says, "Yes, your majesty." 

- "Female councilors will be selected by you. Talk to the academy of Alnovir. If any female scholar is interested in being a royal councilor. You may consult with other councilors for the selection."

- "As you wish, your majesty."

- "That's all for now. Anyone want to say anything?"

A councilor stands up and asks, "May I say something, your majesty?" I reply, "Sure." 

- "We don't have a general in the army, since your majesty killed the previous general, Dariwar. Without a general, an army is nothing, your majesty." 

- "Yes. You are absolutely right. Thanks for bringing it up. Your name?"

- "I am Rionin, your majesty."

- "I am sorry, everyone, for forgetting such an important matter. Rionin, I am grateful to you."

- "Your Majesty, you don't have to apologize, and you don't have to be grateful to me. I am but a humble servant of yours. It's my duty to give suggestions to my king. I am honored to be useful to your majesty."

- "You are very useful, Rionin. And now I can feel that a heavy weight is getting off my shoulder. Because all of you are thinking about the kingdom. So, I am not alone in this journey. I can count on all of you to make this kingdom a better place."

Everyone says in unison, "Yes, you can, your majesty." Lukemir says, "Your Majesty, the previous king never listened to us. He only gave us an order. He didn't care about our suggestions or opinions." I say, "I am not always right, Lukemir. And I am not capable enough to notice everything on my own. I need guidance and help from all of you. Now, is the second in command of the army present in this court?" 

- "Yes, Your Majesty." A man with a muscular physique stands up.

I ask him, "Your name?" He says, "I am Elyar Rorex, Your Majesty."

- "Can I ask you a question, Elyar?"

- "Of course, your majesty."

- "You are second in command. So everyone in the army will accept your leadership; I have no doubts about that. And you seem to be capable enough. But you have to answer this question honestly. Your answer will help me to decide whether you are fit to be the general of our army or not."

- "Alright, your majesty. Ask the question."

- "Will you answer it honestly?"

- "I will, your majesty."

- "Who is your first priority? Me? Alnovir? Or your family?"

- "My family, your majesty."

Everyone lets out a strange, sad sound, "Ahh." I smile and say, "You passed, Elyar. From now on, you are the general of our army." Elyar says, "Thank you, your majesty." One of the councilors says, "But your majesty, if his first priority is his family. Then how can he be fit to be the general?" "You dare to question your majesty's judgment?" Rionin asks. 

I say, "Rionin, it's completely fine. He has the right to question my judgment. All of you have. And I'll be happy to answer. Yes, Elyar is fit to be the general of the army because he prioritizes his family before anything else. Family is the most important matter in anyone's life. We earn for our family, we endure hardship for our family, we live for our family, we die for our family, and we can take lives for our family. Because family raise us, family feed us, family protect us, family give strength to us, family comfort us, family take care of us, and family carry on our generations to the far future. No matter what we've been through, at the end of the day, we return to our family. If a man prioritizes his family before anything, that means he will do everything to protect this land where his family lives. He will understand what other soldiers feel because he understands his family members. And if a king provides all the necessities for his family, he will protect that king with all he has got. This is just my short answer. So, I hope everyone understands my judgment."

Everyone says in unison, "Yes, your majesty."

I say, "Elyar, Can I ask you another question?" Elyar says, "Of course, your majesty."

- "After family, what is your priority? King of the kingdom?"

- "You, your majesty."

Everyone nods with satisfaction. I say, "I am not satisfied with your answer, Elyar. You should prioritize the kingdom over the king. Before me there was another king; after me there will be another king. King will change again and again. But the kingdom remains. Alnovir will be here forever. The king is just a replaceable fragment of the kingdom. I know you're not trying to impress me with that answer. And you're a reasonable man. So, explain your answer, Elyar." 

Elyar says, "Your Majesty, your question was to choose between king and kingdom as second priority. But I choose neither of them. I choose you, your majesty. What you said is true, your majesty. Kings will change from time to time, but the kingdom remains. This statement is for ordinary kings. A king like you is different, your majesty. A king who thinks for his country, respects his subjects regardless of status, is kind enough to think about a soldier's family, respects the dead bodies of guards, doesn't hesitate to accept his mistakes, doesn't hesitate to say sorry and thanks to his subjects, and promised citizens not to sit on the throne before making the kingdom a better place. If I protect this man, this kingdom will always be a better place to live in. If I prioritize this kingdom over you and another king like Elinshor sits on the throne, he will make this kingdom into a living hell. On the other hand, if I prioritize you over the kingdom and this kingdom ceases to exist, you will make another Alnovir, which will be a paradise for living. So, yes, your majesty, I will always choose you over Alnovir." 

I am just speechless. Lukemir stands and says, "We all think that too, your majesty." Others say, "Yes, your majesty," one by one.

I stand up. They also stand up. I bow before them and say, "Thank you, everyone. I will always try my best not to disappoint you. And I wish all of you will continue to support me." Everyone kneel before me and say in unison, "We will always support you, your majesty." I wipe my tears. 

I clear my throat and say, "Everyone, this is all for now. You may go now to attend to your duties. I want to speak with Lukemir and Elyar alone." 

Everyone except Lukemir and Elyar bows and leaves the royal court. Lukemir and Elyar stand near me. Lukemir says, "How can we be of service to you, your majesty?" 

I lower my voice and say, "I want skilled and talented spies, as many as possible."