A Prince's Ambitions

Campaign: Chaos in the Capital

Chapter 14 / 4-12

A Prince's Ambitions

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Conference in Valkaheim

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True Instincts

Summary

Having shrewdly opted to remain in the palace after the Other's departure, Emile makes the rounds in hopes of improving his stock with the citizens. But when he pays thieves to stage a robbery and then commands his own men to drive them off, it's clear little has changed.

Dialogue

The Capital

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Sol Alberia
I heard Prince Euden is on his way north to squash some invaders. As did I. I wonder if that means his battle with Empress Zethia ended in victory? In that case, the lad's gone and left us completely ungoverned AND unprotected! Too true. Prince Leonidas has shown no signs of leaving Valkaheim, and Princess Chelle is holed up in Rovetelle. Prince Valyx, too, has yet to return—and Prince Phares seems to have just up and disappeared. Now hold on a tick... Wasn't there one other royal offspring? Was there? Pretty sure we covered everyone already. Indeed. Excluding Empress Zethia, the late King Aurelius had only five heirs. Huh... I guess you're right. Silly old me! ...That's a sample of what's been said around the capital lately, Your Highness. Rrrgh! They don't even REMEMBER me?! Those ignorant, tasteless, pea-brained sheeple! Why does my name not dance across their lips entwined with words of praise and glory?! 'Tis I who now sit upon the throne once claimed by the Other! To be fair, all you really did was sneak in after everyone else left... What was that, you mewling cur?! N-nothing Your Highness! A gust of wind! Hmph. Right. I will prove my grandeur to you and ALL the rabble! Ho, you there! Devise a scheme to coerce the masses into accepting my undeniable majesty and authority. Er... Me? Yes, you! Here, how about this: I shall count to five, and if you spit out something truly idiotic I'll hack off your head and save us all further embarrassment. One... W-wait! Okay, umm... Oh, I've got it! The general populace is fearful of disorder and unrest now that the Other is gone, yes? If you were to tour the capital and sow peace and comfort, you would surely earn the people's approval. Hmm... HMMM... Yes. I like it. You honor me, Your Highness. You misunderstand. While you were busy wagging your tongue, I was all the while devising a plan in my head of a coincidentally similar ilk. In fact, I would have shared it earlier had you not been hogging all the air in the room! Yes, the credit for this plan is mine and mine alone. Brilliant, as ever! I... What...? All right, everyone! Prepare yourselves for a trip to town! Now listen: you're gonna hand over all your valuables, or I'm gonna hand me blade to your face. We clear? Y-yes! You can take whatever you want, just don't hurt me! HALT, KNAVES! Huh? The hell are you? You address the sixth scion of this great Kingdom of Alberia, the true genius of the royal family, and a hero worthy of both song and legend—Prince Emile! Fear not, my cowering citizen! All shall be well now that I am on the scene! H-hooray...! And you lot! There is nothing more depraved than stealing from a lowly business owner barely scraping by! Listen, "prince." I dunno who you think you are, but if it's a scrap yer lookin' for, then bring it on! You scoundrels leave me no choice. I shall bring the hammer of justice down upon you without mercy! ...That's your cue, minions! W-what? We'll be the ones fighting...? I mean, not that I'm all that surprised... Obviously, you dolt! I can't go getting injured, can I? Now, ATTAAACK! R-right! Hraaah! Come'n get it, punks! Yaaah! You IMBECILE! I was supposed to land the final blow! Might've helped if you told us that beforehand... Is it not your duty to deliver glory to your prince?! You should have known the moment the battle began! And as for YOU! Huh? You claim to be professionals, and yet you cannot follow simple instructions?! I told you to make the knockout FLASHY! Really put on a show! S-sorry, we just...got a bit nervous, is all. Ugh, just do it like we rehearsed! If you don't, you'll not get a single speck of gold from me. Okay... *sigh* It is SO difficult to find good help these days. All right, everyone, let us continue on to the next shop! You mean we're not finished?! Of course not! Word of my strength and excellence must spread throughout the entire city, so our quota is ten shops a day! *sigh* He really is the worst... Must I instruct you on how to walk, soldier?! N-no, Your Highness! I'm coming! ...I should've picked literally any other sibling to serve...