Page 85 of The Prince's Curse

“As has been pointed out to me, the time of strong centralized rule in Ilthabard is fading, which means the role of an elevated monarch must change as well.” There were collective murmurs at that. Haldric’s expression gave away nothing as he continued. “While I intend to retain the title of king along with certain privileges it extends, I recognize that you also deserve more of a say in how your provinces are governed. Thus, do I propose a new system of rule—one in which a council of six governors for the six provinces meets and decides together on the best course of action for Ilthabard.”

The murmurs faded to stunned silence.

It was Duke Westley who broke it with a haughty frown. “Forgive me, Your Majesty. While this seems a step in the right direction, I fear it retains the same fundamental problem. What happens when we disagree on how each province should be run? What works in Weatheford may not work in Zaros.”

“Here, here,” a hawk-like woman seated across from Benjin agreed.

Katalin spoke up then, her voice crisp and polite. “Esteemed governors, for those of you who do not know me, I am Lady Katalin au Galax, here representing House Galax of Khordan. This new system proposed by King Haldric is similar in many respects to how the Forum governs Khordan. And while we have far more seats than six in our own council, we still manage well enough.”

“Obviously, not every minutia of governance can be decided by committee,” Haldric added. “As governors, you will retain control over most decisions affecting your province—even more than you do now, in fact. Rather than a direct monarchy, Ilthabard shall become a loose affiliation of states united by common purpose.” He met and held Westley’s gaze, arching a brow. “Isn’t that what you wanted, Duke Westley?”

The duke hesitated. “It is…in theory. Yet, I struggle to understand how it will work in practice.”

“We can iron out such details to our mutual satisfaction at a future date,” Haldric said.

Katalin jumped in. “As one intimately familiar with the workings of my own country, I am happy to assist however I may. Further, as a gesture of good will, House Galax is willing to help forge an official declaration of friendship between Ilthabard and Khordan—the first step toward a true alliance.”

Haldric gave Katalin a grateful smile. Benjin’s gut twisted as the king returned his attention to the restless governors. “I assure you that you will largely retain independent rule within your borders. Andallwill have an equal say in how the kingdom is run, working together toward roads and other common infrastructure. It is the best of both worlds. If you truly wish to govern yourselves, the needs of your people will also fall to you.”

“And whatofthe people?” Benjin demanded before he could stop himself. He wilted as all eyes in the room fixed on him but forced himself to continue, keeping his gaze solely on Haldric. “There are still whispers of rebellion. The Grand Magus was far from the only one dissatisfied with how things have been.”

Haldric flashed Benjin a soft smile that set his heart racing. Haldric hadn’t looked at him like that since…well since that final shared kiss. A flush colored Benjin’s cheeks as Haldric turned back to the governors.

“Benjin raises a valid point. While empowering the Provincial Council may assuage many of your own concerns, it does little to appease the commonfolk. And before any of you protest again about how that doesn’t matter, recall what transpired here in the palace. Had we not stopped Grand Magus Dexil so swiftly, you might even now be facing your own rebellions at home…or already have your bloody heads mounted on spikes.”

There was nervous shifting at Haldric’s pronouncement, none of the governors daring to contradict him. Even Duke Westley appeared ill at the graphic image.

His pallid face gave Benjin a savage spike of satisfaction. These nobles had thought themselves above such petty things as the people’s happiness. If nothing else, the tragedy here had served as a rude awakening for them…though who knew how long the lesson would stick.

“To that end,” Haldric continued, “I also propose we grant the people a voice in our new government—a secondary council to parallel your own, consisting of an elected representative from each province to embody the people’s interests and ensure their concerns are heard, both by their governor and the rest of the kingdom.”

Based on the general outcry that erupted from the governors, they were as caught off guard by the proposal as Benjin.A council elected by the people… To his knowledge, such a thinghad never been attempted in Allaria, though Sanjarka’s Pentarch came close.

“With all due respect, Your Majesty,have you lost your Void-cursed mind?”Duke Westley sputtered. “You can’t honestly expect us to hand over such power to random commoners?” He fixed Katalin with a disdainful glare. “This isnothow things are done in Khordan, my lady, nor in any other nation of which I’m aware. The very idea is preposterous!”

Haldric’s face remained an imperious mask, the cold smile he gave Westley laced with hidden meaning. “I thought you a man of the people, Duke Westley, sympathetic to their demands. Surely after so many bandit attacks in your lands, you understand the importance of keeping our roads safe more than anyone.”

Benjin fought down a grin as Westley paled at the veiled reference to the attack on their carriage.Good—let the Void-eater squirm.They might never be able to prove his involvement, but that didn’t mean they’d forget either.

Clearing his throat, Westley recovered, regarding the other governors with a raised eyebrow. “While I appreciate our new king’s earnest efforts at reform, I can’t help but feel they are woefully misplaced. This ‘council of peasants’ goes too far. None of us can support such a measure in good faith. Why, the average commoner wouldn’t have the first clue how to govern!”

There were general murmurs of agreement at that.

“Can you imagine what kinds of disasters we’d face at the western border should they compromise our defense against Nalax?” a hard-faced woman in uniform demanded.

“Or the potential harm to our crop production in Leonia,” a plump woman in a voluminous green gown tittered. “Why, I can picture it now: demanding their weight in gallants to labor in the fields for a half-day’s work. Our economy would collapse within a season!”

“Not to mention our mining operations,” a burly man growled, the scar on his face stretching around his thick beard as he grimaced. “The instant you give them the barest leeway, they’ll take every advantage they can.”

Benjin grew more and more tense with every word. As if these nobles had any notion of what it was like to work in the fields or mines they owned? Perhaps the commonersshoulddemand better wages and treatment.

A slam shook the table, causing Benjin to jump. All eyes fixed on Duchess Janelle as she lowered her fist, her face a frown. “I don’t like the precedent this sets any more than you do,” she said, her gaze sweeping over the other governors. “But we need to face facts. Unrest has grown so bad that rebels almost seized the Void-cursedpalace. If a handful of them could manage that, think of what they might do to you? To your families or your lands?”

There was another uneasy murmur at that.

“Perhaps King Haldric is right,” Janelle continued. “Perhaps a little appeasement is for the best. Grant the people increased visibility, make themfeellike their voices are being heard. And if things still don’t go as they like, well, then they have one of their own to blame, don’t they? Besides, you need not listen to everything they suggest.” She glanced at Haldric. “Right?”

He hesitated a moment before nodding. “We’ll need to negotiate the precise details, but in essence, yes. Think of them more as…advisers. They may set agendas or raise concerns, but the final say remains yours.”

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