NOVEL WEB Section I: The Benefactor
It was a rainy late afternoon in Mesládria…
Adriana watched the raindrops fall through one of the windows in her palace’s throne room, wearing an expression devoid of surprise or astonishment. The lack of emotion on Her Imperial Majesty’s face struck terror in the hearts of the impious lords of the Congress. It was impossible to predict what was going on in the heart and mind of that tifferine.
“I cannot understand your actions, my lords,” comments Adriana, avoiding eye contact with her subordinates. “The reasoning made by the congressmen to support such a massacre in Alvanista is beyond my comprehension. What did you hope to achieve? Did you believe that this attack would undermine my control over the Empire? That this risky gamble would weaken my influence, or worse, result in a coup d’état and remove the crown from my head?”
One of the lords, unfazed by Adriana’s seemingly innocuous tone of voice, responds to the empress with subtle audacity:
“No, Your Imperial Majesty, we did not seek to affect you with such an attack. On the contrary, we have our reasons and personal interests for attacking the Academy. Such ambitions do not in any way affect your crown.”
The lunarian’s voice visibly disturbs Her Majesty, who for the first time shows some emotion on her face: discontent.
“Tell me then, Marquis Leopold de Liméria, what would these reasons and interests be? Are they related to your dispute with Friedrich de Merôndia? You, as leader of the Congress, would be capable of ordering the massacre of countless innocents just for a petty grudge? If it’s for this reason, your shot has backfired. Friedrich is marching towards Mesládria at this very moment, demanding explanations regarding the Massacre and its ‘anonymous financier,’” Adriana then approaches Leopold, her eyes fixed on his. “I will allow myself to be more direct with you, Marquis Leopold: I have reasons to believe that this attack came from you and the other lords, the true financiers of this massacre.”
Leopoldo, seeing the expression of discontent in Adriana’s eyes, smiles maliciously.
“Do you have proof that such a plan came from the Congress? Accusing us like this could generate a scandal of great proportions, this one indeed costing you your crown. Remember what happened to the president of the Confederation of Bassília, for example. His connections to the mentors of corruption schemes irreparably tarnished his public image, to the point of ending up in prison soon after. I don’t think you would like that to happen to you,” Leopold rejoices at the growing anger in Adriana’s eyes, then proceeds to provoke her even more. “What I can tell you is that ‘no’, it didn’t come from us. You have no way to doubt my word. For that very reason, I can say calmly that it did indeed come from an anonymous mentor, who knew about our problems with Friedrich and decided to motivate us to do something about it. The identity of this anonymous benefactor I cannot say, as he only communicates indirectly with us, but what I can say is that we will continue working together, whether Her Imperial Majesty wants it or not. I have my scores to settle with Friedrich, and it won’t be his mother who will prevent me from pursuing my goals.”
Paola, who was with her friend at that moment, does not allow this scene to continue.
“How dare you? Who do you think you are to offend Her Imperial Majesty with such ease?” questions Paola, holding Leopold by the collar.
Leopold does not lose his composure, doubling down.
“I’m impressed you didn’t advance against me before, Paola. I expected no less from the Duchess of Mesládria, Prime Minister and Captain of the National Guard. With so much favoritism from Her Imperial Majesty, it was to be expected that you would be ‘so loyal’ to her,” responds Leopoldo, laughing at Paola’s fury.
Adriana then gives up interrogating Leopoldo.
“Let him go, Paola, it’s not worth persisting without more information. He’ll only insult us more.”
Paola then releases him, letting him withdraw along with the other lords. When they are alone, Paola lets her indignation manifest.
“We are so close, Adriana! Why doesn’t anyone spill the beans? Threats, bribes, blackmail, nothing serves to reveal who the perpetrator was!” responds Paola, furious.
Adriana sinks into her throne, frustrated by another failure in her investigations.
“They won’t talk. They know they are in a comfortable position, so much so that they would never have accepted such a plan if they weren’t. We can’t do anything, not even start a public investigation without them accusing me. Meanwhile, Friedrich and the Liberating Alliance continue to demand the perpetrator’s head. I feel like a failure, Paola.”
Paola then tries to console her friend.
“I will continue investigating, Adriana. For your sake and Friedrich’s,” responds Paola, who leaves the throne room.
The only reaction Adriana can express at this moment is a smile…