THE LIMELIGHT AND THE SHADOW
There were Messengers that were crowding the streets as they transferred papers from place to place.
The papers were pinned on walls and other buildings not only throughout the capital but the rest of the land as well.
The masses gathered to read a notice that was entitled the QUEEN'S NOTICE.
This is his Majesty the Queen's message to the land that if there be women who wish to join the armed forces, let them sign up at all the nearby military barracks in the country.
Signed by His Royal Majesty
Queen Valerian.
There was disorder that erupted amongst the people and most especially the husband's.
At once, the News spread about like a wild fire, the entire country was driven into awe by what they read.
"What is this?" The people asked.
"Is this a joke?" Others said.
"What do they take us for?" They continued.
"The Queen's notice, and the King?" The people asked themselves.
There was so much friction and gossip that travelled throughout the households.
A while later, Parliament received the news and there was a tough debate that erupted amongst the members.
These were in favour of retaining the old ways and there were some who supported the idea but they were no more than a handful.
"Order." The speaker of the Parliament demanded.
"How can women capably thrive in an army?" The Dukes said.
"It is impossible." The others shouted.
"The workshop of a woman is a kitchen and a household, not a battle field." The Prime Minister said.
"If the Queen says what more can we do?" The other side replied.
"We are not sure if the King is in our favour or the favour of his Queen." The other ministers said.
"This notice does not bear the King's seal, it is as good enough as a phony that is worth nothing." They said.
Order failed yet as amongst the crowds, there were women, the majority unwilling and the least confused.
Valerian happened to be riding through the capital when he stopped amongst the crowds.
Majority of the people who witnessed the Royal Carriage passing by thought it was the King and they rushed to it's sides.
"Your Majesty." They all called and Valerian happened to behold the uneasiness there was.
"It must be my notice." He said to Gerald.
"Of course, how did you expect the mobs to react your Majesty?" Gerald asked.
"I did not think it would be this unruly." Valerian said in his defence.
"Then I think the Queen better speaks to her people before further trouble erupts." Gerald said.
"Alright then." Valerian replied and the carriage door was opened.
"Valerian stepped out to the masses only to marvel them.
He was elegant and charming in a black and white velvet dress embellished in quartz and pearl sequins.
He wore a tiara of the same jewels that was shaped more like a winged arch.
"The masses quietened down as their Queen walked through them.
There were Royal guards who tried to have a distance between the Queen and his people.
"What is this your Majesty?" A few men asked.
"Tell us if this notice is truly yours." The people demanded.
"The notice is mine." Valerian said.
His reply was enough to drive the people into lowly murmurs.
"What about our wives, what about our homes?" The men asked.
"This is for our homes and this is for your wives as well." Valerian said and drove the masses into a slowly falling silence.
"I understand that we are all worried, every one is, we are short of enough people to make an army that is strong enough.
Tell me, is there any amongst us that was not born of this land, brought up from it and nurtured in it?" Valerian asked.
The silence at that very moment was starting to become absolute slowly and slowly.
"We are all Scolns who deserve much better than wars, conquests, we all need defence and peace.
Peace I can not give but each and every one of us can give.
Men, women all of us together, I know it is difficult but if there should be someone that is entitled to protect their motherland and their home it is all of us.
The responsibility of national security does not rest only on the shoulders of our husbands but even us as wives as well.
Us as young boys and girls can only thrive in this Kingdom if we fight along our fathers.
If not what the forefathers wanted, let us give the country and history the greatest army it has ever seen and if there be a man or any other person that threatens my people, I shall not spare them.
We are warriors, courageous and if we must as mothers and family fight to protect our country, our enemies shall think twice before attacking our lands." Valerian said.
There was absolute silence that prevailed and the only possible sound that altered it was the whispers of the wind.
At last, from one side a feminine voice emerged.
"I shall fight for my country." A woman said.
"I shall fight for my country." Another said.
"I shall fight for my country." Another said.
"I shall fight for my country." Another said.
All the men that were around were driven into wonder as the women eventually erupted in the same phrase.
Valerian was starting to wear a smile on his face when a few of the men later joined in.
The situation in the capital had been calmed that Valerian turned to Gerald.
"Issue out my speech to the rest of the country and let them all know what I have spoken here today." Valerian said and eventually stepped into the carriage.
"Word of everything that was happening reached the King's ears but as it had become of the King at that time, he was standing behind curtains and watching the capital.
The reactions of the people were all coming to a calm end but on the side of Parliament, things only got worse.
Alexander had insistedly said his word was final but he was tired of seeing the petitions asking the Queen to step down from Commander in Chief of the armed forces.
The King eventually calmed down and he had not spoken to Valerian about any of it.
The Newspapers he had received themselves were not making it easy for him to read.
THE QUEEN, A FACE OF HOPE, THE QUEEN AN IRON COMMANDER, THE QUEEN, THE LADIES PATRON, THE QUEEN, THE BEACON OF CHANGE.
The Newspaper titles were all saying the same that the King was barely settling down.
"Now you see exactly what I was telling you about my child." The Queen mother said.
"How did you come in." Alexander said barely shifting his gaze.
"I have noticed that of late, you have been a very uneasy person." The Queen mother replied.
"It seems you are interested." Alexander said.
"I only wish to help where I can." The Queen mother replied as she stepped closer to her son.
"Mother, whatever it is just say it." Alexander said.
"It seems between you and your Queen, the people, the press all seem to have a favorite." The Queen mother said.
"It is nothing that I can do about it." Alexander said.
"Of course there is, you know that but you are simply afraid." The Queen mother said.
"You think it is easy mother." Alexander said.
"I did not say that it is not hard but in situations like this, you must agree with me that transparency is not always the solution.
You wanted to give the crown Transparency but now, it seems that transparency has evolved to invisibility." The Queen Mother said.
"And what do you suppose that I shall do?" Alexander asked.
"What will your Ministers do, it is better the old way and this is why Queen's were supposed to be politically neutral yet you instead took yours and gave him powers.
Powers I am certain he can not comprehend and only uses as he pleases." The Queen mother said.
"It is nothing like that." Alexander said.
"Is that what he told you my dear, and is all this happening with your consent.
Did he bother asking you before he did any of this or was it you who proposed and granted him the charter to do so?" Queen Marietta asked.
"No mother." Alexander replied.
"Exactly, believe it or not, the Queen is supposed to set an example for women in the country.
What example do you think he is setting if he does things without the prior knowledge and consent of his husband?" Queen Marietta asked.
"I need some time alone to think of this as well." Alexander replied.
"Then you may keep thinking but you must beware that you are supposed to solve this problem before it becomes too big.
Your father and forefathers fought so hard to build and give the Scoln Crown the legacy it deserves, don't simply watch it fall apart." The Queen mother said as she turned around and departed from her son's presence.
Alexander was left in awe and wonder, thinking about what his mother had said and staring outside the window of his study.