Measures

Satori entered the majestic Council chamber, a space with high ceilings and solid walls. The sky had a huge skylight that made additional lighting unnecessary during the day. The chamber had rows of seats for the Council on one side, and on the other side, the throne with guards stationed. The clear side was available for any legislator presenting a topic or for citizens seeking solutions to urgent problems. The presence of both the Council and the heir to the throne ensured equitable representation of the powers of Naësu, as Council members were elected by popular vote.As Satori entered, he adjusted his various war decorations. Satori had been a military general since he was old enough to be one; that is, he was the same age as the renegade of the crown, Ethan Blake, who, according to rumors, was in Éfesis seeking support for an unknown cause.His hair was perfectly cut, and the cleanliness of his uniform made him shine like a star. For Satori, the world needed to be orderly and clean, something that the designated and legitimate heir to the throne, Cassian Blake, seemed to share in no way, if judged by his demeanor.Satori took his place in the clear sector of the circle. One by one, the Council members, with solemn faces, began to fill the polished wooden seats. There were representatives of the ahnsuk, nyasuk, and even humans, which for Satori was an irregularity. This kind of change and alteration was typical of Cassian. Naësu was a planet predominantly populated by ahnsuk and nyasuk. The measure (arbitrary, to Satori) that Cassian had taken removed members of the Council, replacing them with humans, something that Satori saw almost as a personal affront.He began to grow impatient when he realized that the Council was fully present, and he was ready to present his case, but the prince did not deign to appear. He cleared his throat and looked around with increasing discomfort. Each minute without Cassian felt like a humiliation. His thoughts were focused on the recent change in the Council and how the introduction of humans challenged the traditional balance he valued.Finally, a youthful and arrogant voice interrupted the room.— Don't bother — said Cassian, as the Council members began to stand, stopping them with a gesture of his hand —. Let's begin already.Satori took the time to examine Cassian from head to toe. He was disheveled and had hair too long for his taste. His clothing was falconer-style, not the formal attire he was supposed to wear. He looked overheated, and his eyes were bright. He slumped into the throne casually, without any ceremony.— Sire and esteemed Council — began Satori in a firm and authoritative tone —, the current situation requires a concrete solution. The instability we are facing in Naësu, exacerbated by the recent changes introduced by Prince Cassian, is something that cannot be overlooked. I will propose a measure that, although it might seem drastic, is necessary to restore the order and integrity of our government.The Council was filled with murmurs, some in approval and others in disapproval.— I suggest implementing stricter oversight of the heir to the throne. His erratic behavior and disregard for our traditions are jeopardizing our stability. We need to ensure that his actions do not continue to undermine the order we have worked so hard to maintain. It is an example that should not be emulated by our youth.Some Council members exchanged looks of concern. Cassian raised his eyebrows.— Furthermore, I propose granting a lifetime honorarium to the Council members who have been unjustly removed by the prince. They should not only be compensated for their previous service but we must also show that we value order and respect for those who have contributed to our government, even if their opinions do not align with the current ones.Some Council members exchanged worried glances.Cassian, who had been listening in silence, finally stood up with an ironic smile and a challenging tone:— I suppose that means you're volunteering to oversee us yourself — replied Cassian, using the third person to assert his authority, without taking it personally.Satori swallowed, visibly uncomfortable.— It's fascinating to hear these proposals from a former guardian of order, who seems to forget that true progress is not achieved through oversight and retroactive compensations. Instead of fostering division and resentment, the crown should promote unity and collaboration — continued Cassian — Excessive apprehension suggests that there is no trust in the crown. Is that really what you want to argue, Satori?Satori took a breath to respond, but Cassian did not allow him to.— Lifetime honorariums are relics of a past we are trying to move beyond. Instead, we should focus on how we can work together to face current challenges. The measures that Satori proposes will only serve to widen the gap between us and create an atmosphere of distrust.Cassian stood up.— The true strength of Naësu comes from our ability to adapt and collaborate. In the time of Atlantis, our ancestors turned the most inhospitable circumstances into a viable habitat in the solar system, and they did it that way.The Council, delighted by the allusion to the ancestors, continued listening attentively, hoping Cassian would continue to captivate the audience.— We must not allow outdated and divisive ideas to impede our progress. Instead of dividing into opposing factions, we should unite to build a more inclusive and equitable future for all.The murmurs intensified, and Council members began to lean towards Cassian, his posture and words resonating with a more modern and collaborative vision. Cassian's subtle mockery of Satori's proposal left Satori uncomfortable to the point of disbelief.Satori bowed and headed towards the exit, visibly humiliated. His dignity and the validity of his viewpoints were in question before the audience.As he approached the grand doors of the Council chamber, they opened wide to admit a woman with green, slanted eyes, and dark hair artfully arranged. She dragged the train of her green dress to the space Satori had cleared. Her two ladies, who remained modestly by the doors, indicated that she was a noblewoman. Satori told himself he had never seen an entrance like that and that it was worth seeing what came next.— Your Majesty and illustrious Council —said Shun-Ri, making a graceful and deep bow—. I ask you to grant me a moment of your busy schedule.Cassian, who was bewildered by this dramatic entrance, made a gesture for her to continue. The members of the Council exchanged curious glances, some clearly intrigued by the noble visitor's presence.— We are fortunate to have a prince who is in the prime of his life, and I have come to personally thank him for this gift —she began—. The measures that have been taken toward creating an environment of harmony and collaboration are commendable, of course. I am pleased to see when a lack of experience is demonstrated through actions based on idealism and the very wonder of youth.The Council remained silent. Not everyone could grasp her rhetoric, but the tension in the room was palpable.— These measures would be even more effective if they also took into account the ideas suggested by Satori. While Prince Cassian, with his youthful energy and enthusiasm, seeks to transform our society, we must not forget that politics is not simply a matter of absolute ideals.The members of the Council exchanged curious looks, and some nodded slightly, attracted by Shun-Ri's unexpected approach.— The administration of the kingdom requires a deep understanding of political and social subtleties, something that goes beyond the mere application of principles. Of course, I am just a woman and am limited, and cannot stand on equal footing with the illustrious Council. But allow me to point out that the approach of dismissing an idea outright simply because it does not align with a personal vision —she emphasized the last word— is, in fact, a failure to achieve the very unity and collaboration that is sought.Cassian sat up straighter on the throne, feeling uncomfortable, as if the implicit criticism had reached him.— Your Majesty's vision does not fully integrate the diversity of viewpoints. A more united perspective is what we need, and Your Majesty could not be more right. But what is being proposed involves setting aside an important part of our society that should also be represented in this room and has rights. By closing the door to dialogue in favor of collaboration, Your Majesty makes a grave mistake in denying such collaboration.The members of the Council looked at each other, then at Cassian, who appeared confused and out of place, as if Shun-Ri's words were resonating in an unfamiliar language. Nevertheless, he maintained his composure until the end.— Let my words not be misinterpreted; Prince Cassian has admirable qualities, but leadership also requires the ability to negotiate and adapt to political realities. Sometimes, idealism can lead to a unilateral view that does not reflect the complexities of governing.Shun-Ri made another deep bow, but when she straightened up, her eyes met Cassian's with a challenging and penetrating gaze, as if trying to unravel his innermost thoughts.— Long life to Your Majesty —Shun-Ri finally said, with a soft but meaning-laden voice. She had achieved exactly what she intended. Her intervention had sown doubt about Cassian's ability to effectively manage the throne, leaving the prince and the Council with a distorted perception of the situation.