Youthful Defiance

“Oh stop it Julius! It's much too early in the morning to be laughing so much!” King Bertram heaved as crumbs of berry strudel spilled out of his mouth and on to his white dress uniform similar to Wilhelm’s but with more bejeweled embroidery.

Julius’ long blonde hair fluttered between his pointed elf ears as his laughter shook the hall, his voice containing more strength than his scrawny body would imply. “Anytime is a good time for laughter, for laughter is one of the many gifts the Ultimatum has bestowed on mortalkind."

The two men rang the dining hall with their laugh to the annoyance of Wilhelm who was trying to eat his meal of bread, pork, and eggs in peace farther down the table. Camilla stood in front of Wilhelm on the opposite side of the dining hall, looking as serene as a maid can be. Wilhelm still did not know what her deal was. She was clearly not just an average maid, probably a spy or an assassin. Her movements were too precise and her body too toned to be just a humble houseservant. She would not be the first spy he had to deal with.

“I think the Ultimatum has bestowed a very fetching gift upon my brooding son. If you so wish I could have that girl become your mistress. It will not be too much trouble given that your status as a bachelor is not leaving anytime soon.” Bertram snidely said to Wilhelm’s irritation and Camilla’s embarrassment.

Wilhelm swallowed the food in his mouth before speaking sedately.“ It is my duty as crown prince of the Ragna Kingdom to find a wife of suitable pedigree to ensure the stability o-”

Bertram raised his palms defensively. “I jest. You ought to enjoy your youth while you still can, when I was your age I would frequent the town and enjoy all the pleasures our people work so hard to offer. All of the other noble boys would join me for a brief reprieve of the responsibilities that weigh upon our destinies.”

“I cannot in good conscience go out and debauch myself knowing that the Kingdom is in decline.”

Bertram rolled his eyes. “This again? All of my advisors have assured me that the Kingdom is in a fine state.”

“Only because the current state benefits your supporters through lower taxes on the nobility and Ougonite priests at the expense of the other subjects.”

“Our supporters. They can be yours too, if only you would lend an ear to their concerns. The concerns of our loyal subjects, as opposed to the ignorant plebeians and heretics.”

‘Plebians. He is using foreign insults to refer to his people now?’ Wilhelm masked his growing sneer with another bite of meat.

“I will not heed the concerns of those who seek to plunder the kingdom for their own selfish gain and erode the authority of the crown you wear.”

Bertram’s jolly disposition darkened as he sighed and turned towards Julius. “Is 19 not too old to still be in his rebellious phase?”

“‘Even dragons must eventually descend for water.’ Your son does not have your experience but he has a desire to prove himself to his betters, do not begrudge him for that. Let them enjoy their youth as you have said. There will come a time when a man will know the true direction of the world and adjust themselves accordingly.” Julius turned towards Wilhelm further down the long table, compassion radiating from his gaze.

“You are an intelligent, strong, and diligent man, my prince. Few men contain all of those traits at once or in abundance. I know you will make a great king in the future, just have patience my son.” Both priest and king looked upon the prince with equal amounts pity and disdain.

Wilhelm felt as if he was about to explode from all of the faux compassion and arrogance displayed before him. They speak to him as if he were a lost, disobedient child. Never mind that they are the ones throwing lavish parties while the kingdom suffers, leaving Wilhelm to clean up after them. Whenever Syntharan worshippers become unjustly persecuted it was Wilhelm and his few supporters in the courts who had to step in and ensure they were judged properly in spite of his father always siding with the Ultimatum worshippers. Yet the letter of the law could only do so much against the will of the king and church.

“What is it that you need to tell me father?” Wilhelm stared back at his father, his eyes locked with his. Bertram hid a smirk behind his beard.

“As you already know, two days ago the Royal Sorcerer has unfortunately, committed suicide, a sinful act of disrespect against the gift of life the Ultimatum has graciously provided us. This disgraceful act has left a stain on the reputation of the kingdom and the Starrk dynasty. Julius here has volunteered to take on the position himself, and I intend to make it so.”

Wilhelm narrowed his eyes. He had spoken to the Royal Sorcerer the day before her death. It was her that saved Wilhelm’s life when he was born. He was born with a severe case of Asthenia where his body was abnormally weak, as a result he had trouble breathing and was in constant pain. The Ougonite healers could not do anything as there was no wound or disease to fix, he was born like that. It was the Royal Sorcerer and her secret knowledge in necromancy that saved Wilhelm’s life and gave him his magic. This was a secret known only by the royal family and as a result, the two parties were close associates. Wilhelm in particular conversed with her frequently and counted her among his closest allies. She was not suicidal at all. It was more likely that the Ougonites assassinated her and his father was their useful fool in eating it up without a second thought. If the Ougonites had begun to brazenly assassinate his closest allies, then he would have to make a move soon.

“It is court procedure that upon the death of the Royal Sorcerer, a new one is chosen through the Royal Sorcerous Trials. Only those known for their skill in arcane arts can participate. As the Ougonites so aptly put it, they do not use arcane arts, but rather their miracles.” Wilhelm said as he had remembered the law by heart.

Bertram scoffed. “What does that matter? Julius here can do everything those spellsnobs can do and much more.”

“With all due respect father, foreign priests and ambassadors cannot become the Royal Sorcerer. Only official subjects of the Ragna Kingdom can.”

“He is the archbishop of our church and pays royal taxes, as far as I am concerned he is an official subject.”

“The law s-”

“I AM THE LAW!” Bertram shouted and stood up, launching bits of spittle and food at Wilhelm’s face, which he promptly wiped off.

“I am growing weary of your childish insolence Wilhelm. When you are king, you are free to do as you please. But so long as I wear the crown, you will treat my word as if it came from the Ultimatum himself!” Bertram slammed his fist against the table, spilling his goblet to the floor which Camilla promptly cleaned and replaced. “You will attend the Royal Sorcerous Trials and you will vote in favor of Julius! That is an order from your king! Is that understood!?”

Wilhelm turned towards his father, a sad, fat, old man long past his glory days. He used to be a great warrior and ruled the people justly and fairly. But ever since Wilhelm’s mother died in childbirth, he neglected his duties in favor of throwing lavish parties with his supporters and courting the cult of the Ultimatum. Whenever he did bother to rule his kingdom, he only ruled in favor of those that shower him in praise or gifts or whatever would earn him approval with the Ultimatum.

This was the man that Wilhelm had to overcome if he were to become king one day. For if he let his father continue to have his way, there will not be a kingdom left for him to rule.

Wilhelm locked eyes with his father. Red bloodshot orbs met with his ice blue ones, both unyielding. He felt his anger bubbling up from his stomach and into his throat, ready to be exhaled at his father like fire.

“I understand father.” Wilhelm said calmly. They are looking for an excuse to strip him of what little authority and influence he had, he would not give them one.

“Good, now get out, I'd like to enjoy my breakfast with more amicable company. That goes for the servants as well.” Bertram sat back down and directed his attention to the pile of food before him.

Julius gave Wilhelm his unflappable smile and returned to his own meal.

Wilhelm got up and walked out of the dining hall along with the houseservants. Things were coming to a turning point, he needed to meet up with his supporters in the Syntharan cathedral ruins now to discuss their next move.