Chapter 134: A Speech of Unity

"Everybody," Isra called out from atop the balcony as the hall slowly silenced. They marveled at her beauty for a couple of seconds. The black dress that clung to her body perfectly matched her black hair. Many shook their heads to clear their thoughts.

With clear heads their true thoughts about the situation surfaced. Some were nervous, thinking she may be here to enact Alfred’s will. Others were confused as to why the Empress would come to the city and not straight to Almaris. Esmond made sure to watch every reaction and he did notice a few strange ones.

"I know that since the Empire’s conquest of the Safrid Lands, you have all been worried. It is no lie that my husband has a grim reputation. But he doesn’t wish for fear, he wants loyalty. He wants us to work as the cogs of the machine that is the empire. Only together can we stand strong. And I guarantee you that if you pledge yourself to my husband, you will not suffer. Instead, you will see your houses grow in a way you have never experienced before."

Isra watched as the nobles turned to one another speaking in low murmurs. Hesitation. It was the main thing she picked up. She knew that she couldn’t play only on what Alfred could bring. She had to create an enemy. Luckily one existed in the city who preached a very dangerous topic.

"My husband." Isra started once more silencing the crowd. She gave a subtle look to Esmond and a small nod. He understood what it meant and his focus on the crowd became more intense. "He is a man that respects tradition. He may see a need to change parts of the system but overall he will keep it the same. He understands your families have worked tirelessly to come to where they are and he respects hard work and results. You are the essence of it." She paused seeing looks of pride on some of the noble’s faces.

"And despite our hard work to become what we are, an enemy exists. One who preaches the word of God with a book in one hand and a knife in the other. An enemy who preaches peace, love, and equality but builds an army that worships her. An enemy that reassures you that she doesn’t wish to hurt you, but makes promises of destroying the current system. Someone who believes that the people are able to choose their own leadership. Someone who will see to our destruction under the guise of being ’Sol’s Puppets.’"

Her words were passionate and struck a chord with many in the crowd who were distrustful of Mother. They all knew who she was and nearly all felt that if she had her way the nobility would be destroyed. Some had originally sided with her more afraid of Alfred but hearing Isra’s words they now felt skeptical. Mother was charismatic and many who sided with her did so because they had heard her talk and were drawn in by it. But hearing Isra’s words, they felt Mother’s pretty words weren’t enough.

"They call my Husband, Your Emporer a tyrant because he dealt with traitors. But they conveniently leave out all the good he has done. He revolutionized the agriculture industry. Every season has been better than the last. He created the Academy. A place that allows everyone, no matter their religion or status. He started funds for widows on both sides of the conflict, to make sure that even when their brothers, husbands, or sons died, they were looked after. He made it so the commoners could read and write." Isra paused and looked at all the faces that slowly nodded along agreeing.

"Her passionate cries started once more, "He made roads across the entire Empire, allowing merchants to reach even the most isolated villages. The Gold Bank, Not persecuting the Followers, the ending of slavery. All because of Your Emporer. My Husband has done more to bring us together than anyone has. But the history books won’t write that. His enemies won’t write that. They will only see the one stain on his record." She paused. The air around her changed and became more dominant. Her voice lower, full of power.

"I don’t agree. We should be the ones who write the future. You should be the ones to pave your legacy. With are the Empire. No more shall we be ignored. No more shall we have our names tarnished and slandered by our enemies. I look down and I see good and just men and women. Men and women who are proud of what they will do to bring glory to the Empire. People are proud of what their descendants will bring. Your Future is not with the likes of Mother. Your future glory is with the Empire. For it is just."

In the crowd, Esmond watched for other reactions of the nobles. Many believed her words. They may have not liked Alfred but it was true that alongside his evil acts, he had done many great things. Not one of them didn’t have a skeleton in their closet. Maybe if Alfred was the one who gave the speech they would have been apprehensive just seeing it as a speech to boost his own ego. But Isra was different. Sure she was his wife, but she was more than that. She was one of them. She was the last Safrid Princess. She didn’t speak to them with love in her voice for her husband, but commanding respect.

Esmond was happy with the reactions from the nobility but did notice a few who had bitter or grim faces looking up at the Empress. He made a silent note of them, remembering their faces. Taking the list out of his pocket he looked to see if any of the names on it belonged to the ones who didn’t agree. From it only one did.’It was a lie.’He looked up and smiled at Isra. She had called it. Esmond silently snuck out, unnoticed by anyone to make the preparations needed to move against the nobles who were apprehensive.

Isra was the only one who saw Emsonds disappearance and knew the man had already begun the plans to deal with their enemies. Whilst she wanted to know the next steps it wasn’t her role tonight. Lifting her glass the nobles followed along. "United we are strong. United we persevere. Glory to the Empire. Glory to the Emporer." Her voice had an almost hypnotic effect, commanding an undying loyalty at that moment as the nobles all around lifted their glasses and repeated the words back to her.

She smiled seeing this taking a drink. Tonight her mission was to win the loyalties of the people here. And she had succeded.

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Marcus knocked on the door of Esmond’s room and walked in. The old man was busy writing down a list of names and Marcus could gather instantly what they meant. "Shouldn’t you be with the Empress?" Esmond didn’t look up asking the question.

"Chris is with her." Marcus paused and smirked, "A fine speech. I didn’t know the Empress had that ability." As a man completely loyal to the Empire it struck deeper for him, having his blood boiling. He could already imagine himself helping to bring about the glory that Isra spoke of. It struck him even more knowing he wasn’t like those he stood next to. He worked his way up to power and had the ability to back it. He was the strongest candidate for the next general of the entire Ammary Military and if he got that position he was sure that he would have the entire world fearing it.

"A welcomed ability, but its effects won’t last forever. Grievances and fear are not quickly forgotten." Esmond words made Marcus frown but he didn’t say anything understanding he was telling the truth. "Did you come here for a reason? Even with Chris by her side I still fear leaving the Empress. Especially with me away."

Marcus nodded getting to the point. "I’ve noticed a problem. Not a problem actually but a limitation. The ability to investigate and deal with things behind closed doors rests solely in your family’s and your organization’s hands. Whilst I don’t doubt your ability, it makes things much harder. As the Empire gets larger we need more hands."

Esmond raised his hand and finally looked at him. "Are you suggesting that the military is given the luxury of my abilities?" Esmond’s voice held a deep chill and it caused the fear Marcus had first felt when seeing this man to surface once more. If he didn’t know him personally he would have reached for one of the hidden weapons on him. He knew that Esmond was the true loyal shadow of Alfred and that he could have him killed in tens ways without anyone knowing.

Gulping he had to choose his words carefully. Everyone who had some connection to Alfred or knew someone who did know the man was a control freak. He was a man terrified to give power to anyone and Esmond was someone who would happily make sure that no one did get too much of that power. "No." Marcus lied as quickly as he could breathe. Whilst he would love the military to have that power he valued his life and future much more.

"We just need something to be able to share the responsibilities you have. I’m sure you have noticed that it has gotten harder to keep track of everything with how many responsibilities you have. The Commonwealth, this situation, and the general overwatch of the palace and nobility." Marcus stopped seeing Esmond think.

The old man knew that Marcus lied when he denied wishing for the army to have it, but he wasn’t too concerned. He knew that it came from a place of loyalty, not ambition. It was a fair point to be brought up, Esmond noticing the issue himself. That being said he had a man ready already in mind to help with this. "You make a fair point Marcus but don’t worry. With this new land, we gained a formidable ally. The one who practically facilitated the Safrid collapse. I need to watch him for a while longer but he already has his own thing set up. The only reason I haven’t moved to destroy it is because it may become useful in the future."

Marcus thought of Adrian instantly. The small man with a silver mask. He knew of his ability and it surprised him every time. He didn’t get the same feelings he did when he met Emsond. He didn’t know if it was because Adrian had complete mastery of his emotions or if he simply wasn’t as dangerous as the man in front of him. It didn’t really matter. Although disappointed the military was brushed aside, if the empire became easier to run because of Adrian then Marcus didn’t mind too much.

"I will take my leave." Marcus put his hand on the door handle but stopped turning around. "Look into the masked soldiers who stand by Mother’s side. He’s dangerous Esmond. Made me think of Snowid." His voice was serious and he made sure to stare into Esmond’s eyes until the man nodded in confirmation. Only when he received it did he return to the hall. Esmond put his pen down and thought back to what William had told him about Marcus.

The man’s senses were incredible when it came to danger, having a near-supernatural sixth sense for it. He saw the seriousness in the man saying this, raising the threat level to the extreme of someone who he had originally brushed off. Snowid was a beast that made any human look pathetic next to him. To feel a danger comparable to that was a big thing.