Chapter 6: Beginning of a Calamity
- Imperial Court, Ostshore -
-- Emperor's Throne Room --
the military bureaucrats,nobility, and the military generals are all gathered in the presence of the Holy Emperor.
They are to oversee, the Empire's march to all corners of the Continent. All independent states may it be small or huge countries that are not under the Empire's control will be immediately invaded after their ultimatum is refused. This plan was drafted by the power-hungry bureaucrats who wanted more power and wealth, despite the Empire's hegemonic status in the continent.
Meanwhile, in the gardens of the palace. The Holy Empress, Ekaterina. is having her usual stroll in her favorite spot. she loves the flowers and all the trees that are all wonderfully shaped. She would spend most of her time in a small but beautiful estate given to her as a gift by the Emperor. Entering the doors of her personal estate, decorations and furnitures that are considered the most expensive in the continent.
Fine silk from the east dominates her carpet and chairs, her tables made of tropical wood from the far south, and various paintings that are made by prestigious artists will welcome her. The estate is also adorned with gold and excellent marble, making it a perfect retreat house from all the stress in the court.
while entering her wardrobe room full of expensive and extravagant dresses, she sat in front of her hairdresser combing her hair so that she could fit her hair with ease while wearing the imperial crown later. She set out in her estate, and proceeded to ride her 10-minute carriage ride. Yes, 10 Minutes that's how big the Imperial Palace is. The estate and the surrounding gardens is even locater further south of the Throne room and the core of the Palace.
The Empress is aged 37. She is beautiful for her age, the Emperor married her because his father had earlier betrothed him to her.
She is from the House of Ophiel, the most powerful house in the Empire. She is known for her martial and war prowess and is admired in the lower ranks of the Imperial Army. She is also known for her reputation as a strict and despotic ruler.
But lately, she can't stand the emperor's hunger for power and expansionism. She feels that, something just doesn't feel right. She had earlier, prepared herself to leave her husband and flee with her son, Crown Prince Karl.
She knows that she can't stand the military bureaucracy in the court that is currently the one seizing power in the empire. As such, she prepares not just her son. But the whole House of Ophiel as well.
But the problem is, she knows she will be on the run along her family nowhere to go while being chased by the empire. if only there was some place which she could escape, but the carriage door finally opens.
The staircase of the palace can be seen already. She decided, that she would first attend the meeting and proceeded to step out of the carriage.
"The Holy Empress Ekaterina is here!", everyone in the Throne room suddenly had their eyes to the entrance of the room. Everyone was awaiting the presence of the Empress.
"Even if she knows how to fight, she is still a woman"
"she's a power-hungry slut"
the bureaucrats in the room lowly gossiped the Empress' tainted reputation. Everyone in the higher military ranks hates the Empress.
They think she's going to take their jobs soon and lead the imperial army alone. as absurd and unrealistic it is, it spread like wildfire in the military and especially the generals had come to hate her.
the Empress kneels in front of the presence of the Emperor, and after she was given permission to stand up. she immediately proceeded to sit behind him in her Imperial Throne.
Now, the two thrones of the palace is now occupied. the general plan and objective of the military operation was explained in detail by the general, and while the bureaucrats are explaining.
She couldn't help looking to the Emperor. "He's not like this before, it's as if though he had changed" she said in her own mind. She loved the Emperor. but later as his reign passes by, he had grown more despotic and power-hungry. The Empress knew the Emperor loved to expand the empire. the Empress used to support the Emperor's campaign to inherit the throne of summerwyn.
She led countless battles in favor of the empire. But as the war progresses, she saw the horrible side of that war. She saw thousands of peasants dying, cities pillaged and ransacked. And news that even cities are razed to the ground had received her. Ever since she received those news, she refused and stop leading the armies into battle.And finally wanted to stop the war once and for all, and for the first time.
it was the first that the couple argued, and ever since then they stop talking to each other, if it isn't for political matters. they will just ignore the other and continue what they are doing. after remembering all their past interactions, she immediately looks in front of the bureaucrats. Not realizing they're done explaining the plan.
After the meeting was over, the Empress headed to her estate as usual. Her estate is her residence ever since they argued with the Emperor. And she, after a long day decided to sleep in her comfy bed. She was atleast happy that she has a place to escape her problems away from.
- Ostshore, Financial District -
"Hey, why is the government suddenly raising taxes?'
"How can we even buy food?!"
"We don't need more wars! I'm tired of wars!"
thousands of peasants flocked to the Capital's Financial District. With all sorts of demands and protests againsts the government's policies. But the empire is not happy with this protests. So, the imperial army had went their way to crush the so claimed "opposition".
steps of horses can be heard from the distance, as one protester had noticed. The elite knights of the army had finally got their way first into the district. totaling about 300 of them, against 15,000 protesters.
the knights head their way into the crowd. using their lances to mercilessly kill the peasants. more reinforcements arrived, 1,000 footmen who used muskets arrived. mercilessly shooting everyone on the ground. The protesters previously only had fire torches and forks against the government. And they we're soon crushed by the army. Under the pretext of "crushing the opposition".
by the next day, piles of body are scattered in the streets outside the financial district. "Everyone must pay their taxes even if .. it increases threefold" the inhabitants of the capital are frightened by the news of the "opposition" in the capital.
But they know themselves, that if they pay more taxes they would atleast survive and live without fear of thinking that the flames of war might reach the capital.
Meanwhile, in the docks of Lincliff. Several cargo ships from the United Kingdom had arrived. This sets the beginning of a new age in the continent.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Hwarangskz
Hwarangskz Hello! i am really tired today and i almost had no sleep from school. i also finally updated and edited the previous chapters for more clarity. especially the treaty of London they signed in previous chapter. i would be able to release more tomorrow and especially on wednesday. And i promised i won't edit the previous chapters (except for any grammatical errors) I hope you enjoyed! :))
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