章節 12: An Unconscionable Suggestion
The other Councilmen looked nervous as Cafer stood at the end of the long table to address the future empress. The tension in the air was thick, but the Chief of the Council did not show his emotion. This girl was merely a child with power, and he would direct her in the proper way. Soon she would have to see his wisdom, as her mother had.
"Your Majesty, we received news that you have visited the nursery." Cafer began with a fact. If he could get her to agree to small things, perhaps he could coax her to his way of thinking.
"We have," the princess acknowledged.
"Then you are aware of the great danger facing us."
"I do not follow you, Chief Cafer." Aurora scrunched her eyebrows.
The chief humbly spread his hands, "Your mother did not name an heir."
"She did not have a chance." Aurora countered.
"Traditionally the first born inherits the throne." Devrim interrupted.
"Devrim is correct," Cafer said, still addressing Aurora. "But a second or third born has been known to take over the throne through force. Your mother was the second born. She became first in line when her older brother died in a mysterious hunting accident... There's more to this problem though. Your brother and sister were born an uncomfortable amount of time after the emperor died—more than 9 months. Now the Council does not doubt the Empress's fidelity, but others might use this as an opportunity to take the throne in the name of your brother or sister. A three-way war would tear this world apart."
The princess glanced at Devrim and could see his look of confusion. "Any child born of the Empress and someone other than my father would also be considered a 'first born' and have a claim to the throne." Devrim went to open his mouth, but the girl forestalled his question. "We don't know which of the twins was born first. It's complicated. I'll explain later." The boy chose to be satisfied for now. Aurora thought of the simplest solution, "We could change their ages. You are already doing that for me."
Cafer shook his head. "The council has discussed such an option, but since the babies cannot pledge their allegiance to you, someone could still take up the sword in their name. It has been done before."
"It's all too complicated!" Aurora puffed out her cheeks.
"The transfer of power usually is, Your Majesty," Birger mused as he stroked his long red beard.
Cafer continued his thought, "After considering our options, the Council would suggest we deal with this issue quickly and quietly. Few even know that these babies were born. If we announce that Empress Zephyra died in childbirth and say that the babies died shortly after, no one would question it."
Aurora nearly fell out of her seat. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Do I understand you, Chief Cafer? You want to commit…" she searched for the word, "infanticide?!"
"For the good of the world, sacrifices must be made."
"You would have me order my own flesh and blood to be killed? I am not my mother, Chief Cafer. I've no taste for murder."
"Not all of us believed this was the best solution," Ezer, another Councilman, pointed out. "Some thought it would be better to allow the babies to be raised far away from here where the origin of their birth is not known."
Adoption was a far better thought than death, and Aurora sat quietly to consider the offer. In the end she could not allow them to be apart from her. "My siblings will stay safe here. I will not be separated from the last of my family."
"I assure you they would be quite safe…" Ezer said.
"You can assure no such thing! Any enemy I form will try to use them against me if they are discovered. They stay here." Aurora glared at the men, daring them to defy her.
"What do you suggest?" Zan invited the future Empress to give an alternative. Unlike Cafer, he genuinely seemed to want the girl's input.
The princess felt her heart race as her cheeks turned red. While it was easy to dismiss the plans of others, she was not sure what to do. Would their really be civil war if she let her siblings go on as they were now? The Council seemed to think so, and they knew far more about these things than her. A solution was needed: a solution that was even crazier than changing her into an eighteen year old and giving her a fake husband. That's when the idea struck her. Her mouth curved into a half smile.
"Why do they have to be Empress Zephyra's children at all? Why can't they be mine?"
A silence fell as everyone considered her solution. Devrim was quick to come to her aid, "If you want Her Majesty to appear older, children are a perfect way to give that illusion. Plus it gives stability to the empire. The new Empress already will have an heir."
"What will you do when the children grow up?" Cafer challenged. "They will not be babies forever."
Aurora lifted her shoulders. "When they reach an appropriate age, I'll tell them the truth. This crisis will have passed, and I will decide what to do then."
"I do not like this plan." Cafer objected. His solution was cleaner, leaving no loose ends. He knew better than to say as much out loud.
Aurora extended her arm above the table towards the chief. "Your objection is noted. Now when do we make all the official announcements?"
Cafer gritted his teeth. "Tomorrow. I need to prepare my speech to include the changes you have just made. And you need to be fitted for your dress and special shoes that make you look… more mature. Devrim will need to be likewise prepared. If it pleases Your Majesty, I will call the servants."
"It pleases me. Thank you, Cafer. I look forward to your speech." To the rest she added, "Thank you all for looking out for the good of me and my empire." The girl stood regally. Everyone rose to their feet.
"Glory to the Empress!" Came the refrain. Aurora and Devrim were led from the room by a pair of servants. Devrim winked at his pretend bride.
"Did you just become a wife and mother all in one morning? And at the age of ten?"
"It sure looks that way," Aurora replied.
"How do you feel?" The boy wanted to know.
"Exhausted!"
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