Chapter 1: The Philosopher's Daughter

Sitting on the eastern coast of an expansive continent lives a peaceful people in a large kingdom known as Aurora. And by peaceful, I mean to say that the kingdom was not one of conquest but rather one of internal development and growth. Much of this prosperity was all due to my adoptive father, Emanuel Ahren.

Sir Ahren has been serving the royals since he reached 38 years of age. Some may think this was particularly late in his life, but my father argued that he wanted to explore the many fields of knowledge available before settling on one path, if one could even call it that.

He continues to serve as the royal advisor, a position that seemed to only come to prominence once my father was bestowed the title. And it was around that same time that wars around the continent had significantly decreased in number and fatalities. Everyone always came to the same conclusion: it was because of Sir Ahren.

Throughout the kingdom of Aurora, he is considered the most intelligent human being; he understood economics, geography, biology, philosophy, astronomy, history, literature, and many others. But he taught me at a young age that it was philosophy––a traditionally dwindling subject that has seen a new resurgence in the last few years––that drove him to educate himself to this extent, .

So how did I become the adopted daughter of an intellect such as himself? I came across him on one of his diplomatic trips to Ditas, where he was going to negotiate a trade deal. I was one of their "citizens"––a term I learned from him. I was already an orphan and had to scrounge for myself. He saw me on the side of the road, on the verge of passing out due to fatigue and hunger. I do not remember all the details of that night as much as him, but he told me every single detail, as if he could mentally record every moment––another one of his terrifying talents.

When he met with the king of Ditas, my father had already come up with a new trade plan which significantly improved the infrastructure of Ditas while minimally helping his own nation of Aurora. However, the king of Ditas dismissed my father's plan as another ploy to undermine his power. As I got older, my father showed me a physical copy of this trade deal and from what I deduced, the king of Ditas missed a huge opportunity to help his own people. Although I told my father this, he just shook his head, telling me that persuading the royalty of Ditas was something no one has achieved. Even if one were to spell out the terms and conditions so that a child could understand, the king of Ditas would find an excuse to decline, saying it was a threat to his power.

Although he failed this one trade talk, he never gave up hope. After speaking with the king of Ditas, my father traveled back the same way he came, coming across my path once again. I was more conscious and stared at the ornate carriage as it rolled alongside the road. To my surprise, it stopped right in front of me, and he emerged.

"Tell me child, where are your parents?" he said softly.

"They died from the disease," I responded. One of the things I do remember from this encounter was me hoping that he would give me food or money. That was the main reason I continued our conversation.

"What is your name?"

"Athena."

"Well, then, would you be willing to accompany me back to my kingdom to become my daughter, Athena?"

"Why do you ask if I am 'willing?'"

"Of course, you are free to do what you want. I don't want to violate your right to choose."

"My right to choose?"

I noticed one of the guards heave a light sigh as he shook his head, moving to the front of the carriage.

"You're interested?" was all he asked, and before I knew it, I was in the carriage with him as he talked about "rationality" or something similar.

I was about six years old when I arrived at his living quarters: a small cottage detached from the main town. Since then, I have always been stuck by his side whenever he was in his study. I would be reading a book when he would begin talking to himself aloud. It was as if his words were always in the back of my head. If I did not understand it in that moment, I knew I would understand at some point in my life.

Sometimes, when he would go to the king's castle, he would allow me to tag along. According to him, I was very well behaved and would probably benefit more from accompanying him than staying home alone. For the most part, I stayed quiet since I was more curious listening to everything happening around me than participating. But one day, I actually did speak out without thinking which became the day that changed everything for me.

I was simply standing behind my father who was seated at a large table with several other advisors and the king and listened to the meeting about the recent diplomacy travels. From what I could decipher, there were talks of expanding the kingdom to the west. But from what my father taught me, there was another civilization next to us which would inevitably become annexed by us if we were ever to expand.

"By mobilizing our troops west, we could easily overtake the nation of Tauben. Then we would have access to their resources which would further bolster our economy," one of the advisors said.

Before another word could be said, I chimed in, "Why can we not just negotiate with Tauben and discuss a new trade deal rather than risking a war with a mobilization of troops?"

"Does this child not know anything of politics? They don't open up their borders to anyone."

"Apparently I know history more than you. Invading another nation recklessly will only create resentment towards our kingdom. We might have short term gains, but in the long run, many other nations will grow weary of us."

"Then we will simply squash them. We have the might and means to do it."

"Once again, short term solutions versus long term solutions. Even if we conquer all the nations, who's to say they won't band together and rebel in the future? Who's to say there won't be an uprising? Fall of the Perbia Empire, Year 872. Fall of the Nividia Nation, Year 1006. Fall of the Desidians, Year 1250. I could continue but I think you understand my point. It would be the world against us. Do you want to bring this danger to your people?"

"You are an insolent––"

"Instead of insulting me, maybe take time to think about what I said. Then you may proceed to say something derogatory."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my father slightly smile.

"She's no longer a child, is she, Sir Ahren?" spoke another voice at the end of the table. I looked up and realized it was King Friedrich of Aurora who joined the conversation. I also noticed that there was another person beside him who was closer in age to me. He did not speak at all but intently followed the conversation.

"Yes, I believe she has finally woken up," my father joked.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I urge you to please ignore what the young lady said," said the advisor I had been arguing with.

"Hmm," the king thought to himself. "Sir Ahren, what would you suggest?"

My father cleared his throat and said, "I trust my daughter's rationality. Conquest is not the answer here. I can begin coming up with a new trade plan with Tauben."

"Perfect. Then, Lady Ahren, thank you for guiding us today," the king said, looking at me. I nodded and curtsied towards him. "As for Sir Krieg, you are relieved of your duties."

"Your Majesty––!" Sir Krieg exclaimed.

"You first suggested us risking a war and then spoke disrespectfully to your colleague, and we do not condone that sort of manner here."

"My colleague?"

"Lady Ahren."

"She's not––!"

"Would you have spoken that way to anyone else in this room? I assume not. So why should she be any different?"

"Because she's a child!"

"Lady Ahren, may I ask how old you are?"

"18, Your Majesty," I answered.

"18 on paper. But speaking up in a room traditionally filled with intellectual men speaks to her actual maturity level. Moreover, her response remained calm and collected as you were ready to snub her and call her names, just as a child would. Therefore, you are free to leave."

I noticed Sir Krieg's face become red and puffy but since the king was addressing him, he could not retort for risk of further sullying his reputation.

"Yes, Your Majesty," he finally said as he stood from his chair and exited the room. The other advisors were as quiet as can be. I avoided all their gazes and looked out the window. It was not until I felt my father gently pat my hand that I looked at him giving me a comforting smile. But in my mind, I knew I set up a trap for myself in the future. I had no intention of getting Sir Krieg fired but I knew he would continue to resent me for a long time.

"I apologize, Lady Ahren. You never had a chair until now," the king mentioned. "You may sit if you so wish."

"Actually, Your Majesty, I think I would like to excuse myself," I said.

"As you wish," he smiled.

"Thank you," I said and headed for the door. Once it closed behind me, I looked up to see Sir Krieg reaching the end of the hall. "Sir Krieg!" He looked back and saw me approaching him. "I am extremely sorry for what happened."

"You're here to gloat about stealing my position?" he said angrily.

"No, I––"

"You should never have been there in the first place and now you're trying to apologize?! Your father may think words make a difference but he's wrong. Apologizing will never do you good. Not in this world."

"But––"

"And now that His Majesty or any of the others aren't here, I can say what I really wanted to say back in that room: you are a beggar-whore who does not know her place. Your 'father' should have left you in the streets back in Ditas."

"..."

"There, now you're silenced. You should have stayed that way."

"Do you feel better?"

"What?"

"I asked if you felt better after saying all that?"

"And yet you continue to speak. You rotten bitch––!" He raised his arm and I quickly turned my face away to avoid his wrath. But it never came. I opened my eyes and saw someone standing in front of me gripping Sir Krieg's wrist. I noticed it was the young man who was standing near the king earlier.

"Apologize to Lady Ahren," the man said.

"What?"

"I assume you have ears. Or are they just for show?"

"He doesn't need to," I said. "I don't want to cause any more trouble––"

"I am sorry, Lady Ahren," Sir Krieg said. I stood in astonishment, wondering if I heard him correctly. The man who had just admonished me for apologizing, was now apologizing to me.

"Now, leave and never return to the palace. And never approach Lady Ahren again," the main said, shoving his hand away.

"Yes, Your Highness," Sir Krieg said and went away in defeat.

I finally put two and two together: the man standing next to the king, who dressed in a similar attire, and was referred to as "Your Highness" could only have meant one thing.

"Thank You, Your Highness," I said and curtsied immediately. He was the Crowned Prince, the sole child of the current king. "But I do apologize that you became involved."

"Do not apologize for something you had no control over."

"If I may ask: why did you leave the meeting?"

"To be honest, I was very interested in your answer earlier. Then when you decided to leave so abruptly, my curiosity increased."

"I see. Well, everything seems to have been settled now so––"

"I have a question for you in return."

"Yes, Your Highness?"

"Will you be my royal advisor?"

"What?"

"Just as your father serves my father, would you do the same for me?"

"But...am I allowed to? I have never done anything like it."

"Of course you are. I requested it. That's the only qualification you need."

"I...I don't think I would be suitable. I am still young and have no experience––"

"Your performance today would say otherwise."

"And based on what I've learned, one instance is not enough to come to a conclusion such as this. Just like a science experiment, you must perform it multiple times to confirm your hypothesis. I suggest you wait before making this decision so hastily."

"Are you saying my instincts are wrong?"

"I am merely saying to make an informed decision. Whether you're wrong or not will only be determined later through research and experiments."

"Then I would like you to accompany me to my office and 'advise' me on some hypothetical situations."

"Are you not worried that this may be a waste of your time?"

"No, because I see this more as a long-term solution," he smiled.

"But my father will worry––"

"I will send someone to notify him of your whereabouts. In the meantime, you may follow me..."

*****

"And let's say a nation decides to invade our kingdom. What would be your response?" the Prince asked.

"Defend ourselves. That's the only response in that situation."

"I thought war was something you wanted to avoid."

"Of course it is. But allowing another nation to cruelly trample on our people is absurd. We fight to defend ourselves until they are forced to leave our land."

"Interesting. And afterwards?"

"We make it so they never think to do the same thing ever again."

"Do they not deserve punishment?"

"They do. But the best course of action would be to punish those who made the decision to attack us. Harming the innocent people who had no say in these war decisions would only create more animosity between the nations. Even if these people were the very ones fighting on the battlefield, we wouldn't know their stories completely, whether they were disillusioned by the war or threatened to fight."

"Lady Ahren, I would like to ask you again: will you be my royal advisor?

"May I have time to think on it?"

"Of course. Since my father is still king, my duties are not as extremely urgent. But one day, I will need someone just like your father."

"Then why not have my father continue to serve as the royal advisor when you become king?"

"Because I am not my father. And you are not your father. I choose you, Lady Ahren."

"Then I will try to send you my answer at my earliest convenience."

"I eagerly await this decision of yours."

*****

"So what did the Prince speak with you about?" my father asked. We were in the carriage heading back home.

"He asked me to be his royal advisor," I answered.

"And what was your response?"

"I could not give a response at that moment."

"Why not?"

"I don't know if I can accept that sort of responsibility."

"Let me ask you this: why did you speak out today and not at the previous meetings you attended?"

"Because of the history of previous fallen kingdoms, which you have always warned me about. I didn't want this kingdom to make the same mistake that would lead to catastrophe."

"Interesting. That's how I make my decisions as well. Funny how similar we are?"

"Father, do you think I should become the Prince's royal advisor?"

"It does not matter what I think. Only you can make the decision. Remember? The freedom to choose."

"..."

"If it helps, think of it logically: you are knowledgeable, you care deeply for the kingdom, you know how to speak, and the Prince personally requested you. I think the answer is already there, but you must be willing to see it."

When we arrived home, I said good night to my father and went to my room to change. I sat at the edge of my bed and looked out the window. When I was living on the streets, I never thought in a million years, I would be in this position where I was being requested to be the royal advisor for another nation. Then again, I never thought I would have been adopted by someone like my father. He was only a stranger who reached out his hand to me and I decided to take it because I didn't know what my future entailed, just like the position I was being placed in now. Therefore, I made the same decision.

I went over to my desk and took out a piece of parchment and my quill. I started to write my response to the Prince:

Your Majesty,

I have thought about your request and have come to my decision. I will serve as your royal advisor. I will do my best to serve you and the kingdom.

Sincerely,

Athena Ahren

I folded the piece of paper and slid it into an envelope and prepared to send it out tomorrow. Although it felt like a weight had been lifted, I now noticed a new weight falling onto my shoulders.

It was a bit unsettling to think that my father did not become the royal advisor when he was 18 years old. I could not help but think I was too young. Then again, I had been learning from my father for the last 12 years. Yet I was sure there would be much more to learn about the world and how it ran. The question now was: am I ready to begin learning on my own?

I laid down on my bed and continued to ponder these worrying thoughts of mine. Why did I choose to speak up today out of all days? What brought on this immediate surge of confidence all in a brief moment? What if I became too confident? What if I became too absorbed in this position of power? What if I ended up turning the future king into a tyrant? Or worse: what if I became the very tyrant my father warned me about?

I began to feel my stomach churning at these very thoughts. As I turned over, I saw a book resting on my nightstand. I reached over and grabbed it. My father gifted this book to me years ago and I always read it whenever I needed to calm my thoughts. It was titled, Age of Enlightenment: Foundings of Morals. One may have called me obsessed but it was mainly because I never understood it. But it took my thoughts away to another place that acted as a sort of sanctuary. I began reading it once more from beginning to end until I found the calmness I needed to fall asleep and embrace tomorrow.