A Turk in A French Castle.

Niccolò Machiavelli in his written work, "The Prince" early on talks about two kinds of kingdoms.

One of the French, and the other the Turks.

Both kingdoms are ruled by a king- but at the same time, they're intrinsically different as to how their respective king can rule their kingdom.

The Turkish King can freely do as he pleases in his kingdom, as he doesn't have traditional 'Nobles' that manage and rule the provinces for him. So, if he wants to directly interfere with a specific province within his kingdom, it's up to him- no one can really 'stop' him or throw a big stink.

The French King, however, cannot freely do as he pleases, as he has a litany of Noble families whose history span as far back as the dynasty that his does; sometimes, even older. These Nobles are loved by their province, as in all practicality- they themselves are their own 'ruler' to a certain degree in their own little micronation.

If the French King pushes too hard against these Nobles- he can expect to find himself becoming an enemy within his own kingdom.

Ultimately- when I played Epoch, this was oftentimes something that would be brought up in the forums by disgruntled noobs (easy flame bait lol, ah the memories).

A lot of them would complain about being forced into playing as a traditional European style kingdom.

Having to carefully circumvent the web of allegiances and Nobility that the kingdom had within was always a headache. It didn't help that if you didn't keep a close eye on your King, he would often go about sticking his head into a Noble's business without thinking twice. Resulting in a definite insurrection if you didn't put out the flames soon enough yourself.

But they failed to understand that having a Turkish game start wouldn't be such a good thing either. Just ask the Turks how they felt about Alexander!

*Ahem* Back to the point I'm trying to make-

Personally, I think the scariest thing royalty have to worry about aren't hidden enemies. Any good player would know to expect them, as they always make a move when your King is at their weakest.

No, the scariest thing for royalty are the enemies that you CAN see but can't do a single anything about.

They're the real threat you have to worry about, otherwise- your King is as good as dead.

...

"Your Highness, it is always a pleasure to see you in glowing health!"

"Your Majesty, your beauty is unparalleled every time I lay my eyes on you!"

"Your Grace, I commend you on your recent victory with the traitor from the Djinn Clan!"

Praise was lavishly thrown onto Flaur as the group of Demon Nobility, more of a blobby mass than actual worthwhile individuals, stood before her. I was surprised as well to learn about how quickly news has already spread about the successful sting op led by Flaur and Carmilla on Azu'll- but maybe they were informed officially beforehand?

Some were kneeling, others defiantly didn't, and some looked as though they just wanted this to be over already.

Some of the older(?) looking Demons stood in the back of the group- probably because they had nothing left to prove for themselves, not needing to make much of an impression anymore to hold onto whatever power or promise that they have or once had. I'll personal note that these are like the old guard of the kingdom- people I should try my best to stay away from as much as possible if I stick around long enough.

One particularly young noble dressed in a uniform much like Flaur's but with white motifs instead of her red, spoke as if the world revolved around him. He was handsome like Ryul, but instead of a refined gentlemanly kind of appearance like his- he instead looked something like a delinquent.

"Oi, Flaur" Well that's one way to greet a Queen. But Flaur herself didn't react- rather it seemed like she was far too used to this kind of greeting from him.

"When're we getting hitched, you're just playing hard to get at this point."

If I had water in my mouth right now, I would take the mother of all spit-takes.

Flaur- this purple, horned chihuahua- has a suitor!? And from a bad boy no less!?!

Well, honestly- I shouldn't really find that all too surprising.

She is a Queen after all- that's prime real estate. Guess even these types can recognize that.

"What an interesting proposition- I will carefully think about it and give you a proper answer at a later date, thank you Lord Zephyr." Now that- that was surprising, I wouldn't have ever imagined such a mature-sounding response coming out of her mouth- especially with how much of a brat she's been since earlier today- more so at the barracks.

"Tch!" The boy, or Lord Zephyr as she had called him, was obviously not satisfied with Flaur's response.

"Man- cold as ever, fuck this I'm telling the old man that this is the last damn time I ask." He """quietly""" grumbled away as he merged back into the crowd of Nobles.

I have a sneaking suspicion that this won't be the last time he'll ask either.

With the spiky, blue-haired Noble boy now gone, Flaur took this as an opportunity to move the conference- or more precisely, the Lesser Keys Court, along.

"Give me your reports." Flaur spoke- a handful of the nobles began to walk forward with an armful of documents on their persons.

One of the Nobles, a rather old looking man with small white horns and a wispy grey hair had a gigantic scroll held in his wrinkly hands- he opened it and began to speak.

"Your Majesty-" If he could, I'd bet dust would come out if his ancient sounding vocal cords too.

"As of late, there have been reports of Humans sneaking into Lady Levia's domain of the Eastern Delta."

Flaur rose an eyebrow, but she kept her stately composure.

"They have been apprehended- after some rigorous questioning, it has been revealed that they claim to be seeking asylum."

A small uproar rose from the Nobles, some were demanding for a swift execution of the supposed asylum seekers and others were vying for more 'interrogations' to find out the validity of the claims given by the prisoners. It's scary how fast two camps were already established by such a quick report.

Flaur kept quiet- probably waiting for the crowd to settle down from the excitement. But from the crowd, one Noble in particular caught my eye who cried out for the execution of the prisoners.

He was a mountain of a Demon, towering over the others. He had a single gigantic horn on his head, something that completely dwarfed the one that Ryul had. His skin was a deep red- any visible skin that she showed had a smattering of old pinkish scars- likely from a long history of warfare.

He's been burrowing his single good eye into Levii and me ever since the group of Nobles had entered the throne room; I could hazard a guess why.

He rose a stout hand, elbow high into the air, this stopped the heated debate amongst the other nobles as he did so; I'm guessing he's pretty high up there in the pecking order.

"Queen Flaur Goetia." He spoke, his voice was gruff, raspy, and entirely too unwelcoming.

"On the topic of prisoners." Yep, here it comes.

"Who are they?" He pointed a single stubby finger at Levii and me, him eyeing the cuffs that we were in.

The room went dead silent as a lot of them had now finally noticed that we we've been in the throne room this entire time.

Some began to write something on their documents, and others studied us from head to two from where they stood, but for the majority of them- they gave off the impression of 'why the hell are we sharing the same air as these two'?

For my sake, I turned on [Moon God's Grace] just before the Nobles had gone too close to the throne earlier. From the time that it had activated with an override in the Labyrinth- I think it serves as the one thing that my regular magical immunity can't do; protect me from magical mental attacks. Otherwise, I think I'm fine on the physical magic front- but the idea of being brought down through my mind scares me. Other than that, I've yet to still not know what 'exactly' that it does- but for that sole thing, I think I'll try and keep it always on for future reference.

I'll make sure to find the time to properly find out more about what these skills do in the future- that goes along with the weird traits that I have as well.

// Skill [Inspection] Negated Due to Item: [Anti-Magic Cuffs]. //

// Skill [Inspection] Negated Due to Item: [Anti-Magic Cuffs]. //

// Skill [Inspection] Negated Due to Item: [Anti-Magic Cuffs]. //

Woah- wait what? Are the cuffs are doing the heavy lifting instead?

I glanced at Levii, I half-expecting that she would've been charmed by some kind of mental magical attack by now as we're not physically touching. But to my relief, she looked just fine.

Did Flaur predict something like this happening?

"Guests." Flaur said, and technically- she wasn't lying. I guess you could call prisoners, 'guests'. But these cuffs don't really help to sell that idea do they Flaur?

The giant Demon frowned as Flaur gave her half-truth.

"Bah- I may be old, but I'm not blind." He pointed at his good eye; his other being scarred over by a long, horrific gash that rose up from the bottom of his right jaw to the crown of his bald scalp.

"They're prisoners, why just look at the cuffs on their wrists- what are prisoners doing IN here, Queen Goetia." Flaur's eyebrow twitched a little when he had called her by the title of 'Queen Goetia' without adding in her first name.

"Guests, prisoners- whatever they may or may not be, I believe that is my own private business to tend to, Duke Barbas." Flaur rose her small right index finger up.

"Not yours." She pointed it at the now furious Duke.

What the hell is Flaur's angle at taunting this muscle head!? Is she TRYING to get Levii and me killed!

Wait- as long as Levii and I don't speak or otherwise interact with them- they have no solid ground to kill us.

Well, that's what Flaur had warned us to do anyway.

"Hmph." Barbas scrunched his eyebrows menacingly, but suddenly- he regained his cool as if nothing had just happened.

Rather- he had a personality swap.

"Ahhh- I see, I say then I believe I owe you an apology your Majesty." He bowed; his head reaching very low towards Flaur. His whole tone and body language were different now.

"Why if they're guests, and not prisoners-"

A disgusting smile turned his thick lips upwards as he raised his head.

"I believe it should be fine to cordially invite them to my province, would it not?" Barbas extended his arms outward to Levii and I.

Oh no- oh no, oh no.

You've just put yourself in a lose-lose situation like this Flaur- I don't need to deeply know the court room etiquette of Modos to know what kind of jigsaw puzzle we've been thrown into right now.

A Duke, an otherwise high-ranking Noble, likely second to Royalty himself, has just asked Flaur if it would be okay to invite us to his estate.

Flaur still had her regal poker face on as Barbas had asked his question, but I could make out some sweat appearing on her forehead from where I was standing- I guess it's safe to say that she's aware of the screw-up she's just made.

"A-Allow me to confer this with-" Flaur looked to her left, she stared at a loss at an empty space next to her throne for a moment.

I think she just instinctively tried to get Carmilla's advice, but- she isn't here.

That begs the question however- why isn't Carmilla here in the first place? Shouldn't a Royal Assistant always be with their ruler doing important talks like this?

She turned her head back around to crowd of nobles, some of them had adopted similar smiles to what Barbas had plastered onto his brutish face; what were they planning?

"Confer with whom, your Majesty?" Barbas asked, it was pretty obvious he just did this to taunt her.

"*Ahem*" Flaur cleared her throat, her fingers fidgeted a bit on her arm rests.

"F-For what purpose, Duke Barbas?" The hole she's digging herself in is just getting deeper and deeper.

Barbas smiled 'innocently' as Flaur fell for his very obvious bait.

"Why- if they're your guests, shouldn't it be obvious that we as Nobles should honor them so?" Barbas looked around to the other Nobles, some of them agreed with what he was saying.

"Yes, your Majesty! Why, as Lord Barbas graciously claims- I believe I should also extend an invitation to my province as well to these 'guests' of yours!" Another Demon from the crowd spoke up.

"Indeed- I too as well would like to invite them!" And another.

"I as well!"

More and more of the Nobles began to ask Flaur for permission to invite us to their estates, manors, and even just hamlets.

Flaur's self-collected mask was slowly slipping off as more and more spoke out- a wave of petitions were overwhelming her composure.

Her face darkened; her gloved hands were digging into the ends of her armrests from the helplessness that I no doubt know she is feeling right now.

If I had to explain what was happening- and why Flaur couldn't simply say no, is simple.

She couldn't.

She couldn't because if she did outright deny them- then it'd be a good enough cause to begin suspecting her of abusing her power.

How could it be considered abusing power by just denying someone from the right to invite others to their land?

Well, if you just let your Nobles go ahead and do whatever they want- you look weak.

But if you deny them of inviting us along- then you look like you're hiding something.

What your hiding is unimportant- it's the implication of what it 'could' be that is.

Even something as 'baseless' like that could cause a ruler to lose serious stability in their kingdom. Sometimes even enough to cause said Nobles to turn on you.

That's the kind of problem Flaur is now dealing with because she hadn't chosen her words carefully enough. Carmilla to her is likely too much of a crutch if she's making this much of a mistake without her in her presence... hmm, is maybe that why...?

Well, whatever- this doesn't change the fact that she's going to make herself look like a bigger idiot if someone doesn't do something about this.

I guess it's time to bail her out of her own mess; I'll apologize later for ignoring her warning.

///