Chapter 11: Another Unpleasant and Surprised…

  To The Lord of Solunoct, Noah Albright

  From the desk of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Charles Izora Lockridge of the Great Empire of Terones.

  Greetings and blessings upon you and your noble house.

  It has come to our attention that recent events occurred around you that have brought about considerable discussions regarding the results of the trial about the rights and responsibilities bestowed upon the noble House of Albright, and, more specifically, upon your own status and situation. As you are aware, the Albright name has long held a venerable position within our great empire, a legacy fortified by loyalty, devotion, and service that has spanned generations ever since the foundation of the Terones Empire.

  Given your youth and the recent decision about your assumption of the title of Duke during the trial, it is my wish to confer with you personally. The matter of your title is a delicate one, with implications not only for your house, and your family name, but also for the stability and order of your duchy under my rule. I would impress upon you the value of such a conversation, where your voice, thoughts, and intentions shall be duly considered.

  Thus, I extend to you an invitation to appear at the Imperial Court on June 3, 1861, at 10 am sharp. There, we shall discuss in confidence the responsibilities that lie before you and weigh what is best for both your house and the empire. Know that while certain individuals may question the strength and suitability of young leaders, it is my belief that the youth of noble blood have the unique opportunity to either uphold or transform the traditions of their forebears.

  I trust you understand the gravity of this invitation, and I am certain that you shall make the choice most fitting of an Albright. Should there be matters of import that you wish to bring to my attention before this meeting, you may do so through the courier who bears this letter.

  May wisdom guide your steps, and may the strength of your household fast through all challenges to lead the greatness of Terones Empire fate to unify the continent.

  In honor and respect,

  Charles Izoria Lockridge

  Emperor of the Great Empire of Terones.

  I put the letter down, and my eyes scanned the room but my mind was wandering. I tapped the table to think how this could have happened. It's not like I wasn't happy with the content of the letter, but it's more like how could this letter be at the hands of that Coisenmo couple in the first place?

  Taking a piece of paper, I started to write down the answer, ensuring that I was happy to meet his majesty the Emperor, and I couldn't wait to discuss passing the title of the house and duchy. I also report on the development that was made during my brief tenure in the duchy. I should make the emperor impressed with what I did, since as far as I know, the emperor is such quite a happy news lover, where he hides his disdain with a warm smile and thoughtful gesture. But some in the inner circle knew that slowly the emperor would distance himself from the trouble and blame them later if the problem was quite out of hands; this treatment of course was not enforced to his ‘allies’.

  KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

  The sound of the door followed by its opening as well, creates a distinct voice.

  "Excuse me, my lord," said Oliver.

  "Yes, what is it, Oliver?" I asked.

  "Countess Maurez wants to see you, sir!" Oliver replied in a fairly calm tone.

  I raised one eyebrow. Just three hours after being tested by my uncle and aunt, now I have to put on my serious face again?

  "She wants to see me?”

  Oliver nodded his head.

  “Privately?” he nodded again, “Now?"

  Oliver just nodded his head.

  I followed Oliver to leave my study, as I gave the letter to Oliver to be sent immediately to the courier without the need for the entourage of the emperor's representatives who I am sure are having fun in Tabarun with various pleasures offered by Count Coisenmo to delay their departure to Silverwood.

  “Get the reports of the entourage,”

  “Of course, my lord!” answers Oliver as we go our separate ways.

  I…uh…I didn’t know but I didn’t want to expose it yet, but let’s take it slow and let it flow as I didn’t need to explain it in my head. But…I didn’t know, I feel I need to explain it.

  As I walked into the room where Countess Estella Maurez was waiting, as the door swung open at the same time as I entered, Countess Maurez stood from her seat, I could see she carried some papers with her. From her serious expression, it was different from what she usually showed me. I suggest this wouldn’t be a good discussion topic, plus there’s a briefcase that she carried.

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  "Countess Maurez..." I greeted her as we shook hands.

  "Young Master..." replied Countess Maurez.

  The two of us then sat in the living room, a servant poured tea and chose to leave us both. The Countess wore her men's clothes, changing into plain black trousers and a flared shirt.

  "So,” I began, offering a polite smile as to open our conversation, she seemed to want to start but still hesitated, “What good fortune have I gotten from you, that you want to visit me today, Countess Maurez?" the smile turned into a cheerful and friendly one with a tone turned into happy.

  Countess Maurez looked at me with a serious look far from lighthearted. At first, she tries to make some words but she decides to speak bluntly as she leans forward, her hands clasped together above her knee, “My lord, as you know, or maybe the council with the exception of Count Coisenmo, that you’re the author of the book that caused quite a frenzy around people.”

  I nodded my head, “Yes, that’s correct, I didn’t expect it will go frenzy but I thought it was a great start, so, is there something wrong?” asked myself as I saw her face seemed tense.

  “If I could say more freely my lord, I want you to order the people to stop looting our forest!”

  For a moment I blinked my eyes trying to digest what Countess Maurez said.

  She said she wanted me to make a rule to stop people from plundering the forest.

  "Looting?" I asked Countess Maurez, still smiling while furrowed.

  Countess Maurez nodded her head, "Yes my lord, looting, I think that's the right word to show how greedy these people are in looting inhumanely our forest based on the book you wrote for them to enjoy, sell it at the price you set for profit, and instead of taking a sample of it and make by themselves.* she rubbed her face, something you didn't see as she didn't wear any makeup, then she continued with her unhappy yet it feel there's an angry inside tone, “They still decide to act as an animal by hunting it, my lord!”

  I looked at her still smiling, "Then is that wrong?"

  She looked surprised before putting her fake smile hesitantly and uncomfortably, then she said, "My lord, pardon for my outburst; but I believe it was,” with a firm tone, “...it's not wrong to take advantage of the forest to sell to others for profit, it's been going on for hundreds of years..."

  The more I looked the more I realized that she seemed to be holding back from saying anything at length about what she was protesting to me. But she decided to take a deep breath before continuing her words, "...my lord, the point is, since you're young, my point is that you should outlaw hunting in the forest. The forest had once become the sanctuary and serene place for peace, but now has become the target of unbridled greed. Inspired by your words my lord, inside the book.”

  “The people who were never been taught about how big and complex the world they live, now they acted descend upon them like locusts, stripping the serene forest bare in pursuit of wealth. What was once a sanctuary of life has become a battlefield of axes and voices of people hunting all animals. They didn’t think forward my lord, they acted like a pirate looting every village with their cruelty. They only know that the forest would replenish itself but shall I remind you, my lord, despite the kindness and patience of mother nature as we push them beyond their limit. But mother nature isn’t kind enough when they are about to replenish their depleted resources or their worst situation. And by that such action should not go unanswered, my lord. We can’t just let people turn their once soil land into barren desert.”

  Her voice grew firmer as she spoke with full passion on each of her words, “My lord, you always said that this was needed for the progress of the market and to ensure every stomach of the duchy filled with food and there’s no hunger, but by making them looting the forest that already sustains us? Let me ask you a question my lord, how long do you want to keep this kind of behavior wreak havoc? Did you have any backup or contingency plan if someday the forest is already in dire crisis?”

  I watched her closely, her words stirring something in the air—a sense of urgency that lingered long after she fell silent. But I can’t ignore that my policy would lead to this type of situation and possible for an environmentalist person to be born right now.

  As my finger tapped at the chair, while biting my lips and in thought, I said, “Do you have any concrete proof? Actually, I can create an ordinance,”

  “Then please my lord, create the ordinance, you shouldn’t let people roam free and loot our precious forest,” I leaned back in my chair, “I found that your argument is compelling, Countess Maurez. But I need proof that their actions indeed cause harm to nature, if not I can jeopardize my relations with the temple, not to mention people will start to see me act not according to their wish.”

  Her gaze never left mine, her voice dropping low, “My lord, you’re the duke of this land. Your family had ruled this land for centuries. Act like it. Lead it, don’t make them dictate you!”

  I clasped my hands, “And you think they’ll accept that?”

  “If you need proof or report, I can bring it to you.” as she opened her briefcase, “You should act more viciously or they’ll drag you to the same grave those greedy fools with an axe and mouth that they digging by looting the forest. And let me remind you my lord,” her gaze turned too sharply.

  “We need to discipline those greedy fools because if the forest dies, so does our economy. No timber for ships. No game for hunters. No soil for crops. It’s not just trees they’re cutting down; it’s your future the same axe they used to loot our forest will now move to your neck!”

  As much as I am fascinated by her words tough and unyielding as steel, at her hand, there’s the proof I asked, “And I believe those are the proof?”

  She handed me the papers that were quite thick, “This is the reports from Etvini County, in just three months or spring of 1861. Almost 15 thousand trees were axed and then used for construction and charcoal. 23 acres of land turned into a one time plant farm. 11700 animals being hunted ranging from deer, boar, and more.”

  As I read her reports. Indeed the number is quite terrifying for me. Never could I imagine that the damage would be this bad.

  “My prediction, if this continues, the great forest of Etvini County will be reduced into barren land in just 10-15 years. That’s why we need an ordinance to ban unchecked harvesting. Impose fines. Require permits. Make it clear that this land answers to you.

  “"Countess I must say you did provide quite a detailed report on this matter,”

  Countess Maurez’s expression didn’t shift, her eyes narrowing slightly as I voiced my appreciation. She waited until I’d finished speaking, then leaned back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other.

  “My lord,” she began, her tone calm but laced with unyielding authority, “previously you said that you’re worried about jeopardizing your relationship with the temple and the people. Let me tell you something: relationships are built on respect, not pandering.”

  She leaned forward, her gaze like a knife, “Do you think the temple respects leaders who cower at the first sign of opposition? Do you believe the people follow a Duke who bends over backward to please everyone? No, my lord. They respect strength. Vision. They respect a leader who does what must be done, even when it’s unpopular.”

  I opened my mouth to respond, but she didn’t give me the chance.

  “You’re the one who will become the next Duke of Solunoct, not a merchant haggling for favor. The people and the temple don’t need to like you—they need to trust that you know what you’re doing. And if that means making hard decisions, so be it. Do you think the temple would turn on you for preserving the very land that sustains us all? If they’re half as wise as they claim, they’ll see the necessity of this ordinance.”

  She straightened, her tone colder now, her gazes still sharp and never leaving me, “As for the people, they don’t know what’s good for them half the time. That’s why you’re here—to lead, not to follow their whims. They’ll grumble, they’ll complain, but when the forests recover and the economy thrives, they’ll thank you. Or they won’t. Frankly, it doesn’t matter. What matters is doing what’s right for the duchy, not what’s convenient for your popularity.”

  As I returned the paper to her as she stood, received the papers she had brought, and fixed me with a final, piercing stare.

  “If you let fear of upsetting a few priests and peasants dictate your actions, you’re not fit to wear that title. Act, my lord. Or don’t. But understanding this—history remembers those who make the hard choices. And it forgets those who hesitate. That's why I need your answer right now before you leave, as my proposal for the ordinance is almost complete, but again, I need your confirmation as a guarantee that you will agree before you leave for the capital, who knows what surprise that will the emperor decide to give to you!” as she stands up and prepares to leave, she looked at me with her piercing gaze.

  “So, what's your decision, my lord?”

  To be continued…