The Royal Truth

Campaign: Destruction and Domination

Chapter 12 / 4-7

The Royal Truth

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A Black Power

Summary

Elisanne has been distraught since reading a secret history, and even Alex's attempts at encouragement do nothing to assuage her doubts. For alas, she has learned the dark shame of the royal family: the prince died at birth and was replaced by another!

Dialogue

A few days prior to the clash between the prince's
New Alberian Army and the Dyrenell Army led by
Leonidas and Chelle...
A defector informs us that the imperials have started their advance on the Halidom. The decisive battle begins at last. It's possible the force is being led by my brother and sister—in which case, we have a very difficult battle ahead. Aw, those two chumps don't stand a prayer so long as we stick together! Yeah, we'll take 'em apart! Bwa ha ha! They're gonna wet their smallclothes and run like hell when they see ol' Ranzal comin' at 'em! ...... Well, I can't say I dislike the confidence. Still, we'd best get a start on our own preparations for battle regardless. Okay, everyone. Just stick to our battle plan and we'll be fine. Right! ...... Is something wrong, Elly? You're acting a bit strange. N-no, Your Highness! Just a spot of pre-battle nerves, I imagine. Yeah, it certainly isn't going to be easy. I'm sorry to keep asking so much of you. I serve you of my own volition, Highness; you need apologize for nothing. In that case, I'm going to head off and leave the preparations to you. Of course! ...... (I cannot tear my mind from what I read in that history book and document...) (Wherein lies the truth? What ought I believe?) Dyrenell is attacking! A-already? Damnation! We must hurry and get word to— I feared as much—your thoughts are clearly elsewhere. Alex? Then the attack is... A fiction I created to test you, yes. Now, what IS on that mind of yours? N-nothing! Nothing at all. Elly, are you still so afraid of showing weakness that you would seek to find the answers on your own no matter the cost? ...... Hesitation and worry BEGET weakness. And if such weakness is made flesh, you cannot hope to prevail. Would you truly throw aside all you have built here for such a reason? We already lost our childhood church. We don't need to lose another home. ...... This is not the time for mooncalf dithering—not with the wolves of Dyrenell at our very door. ...You're right, of course. Pray forgive me. Keep your head out of the clouds unless you want it to end up decorating a pike. The prince is counting on you. If you're still troubled after the battle, come find me. I've been known to lend a fine ear and shoulder from time to time. Thank you, Alex. Yaaah! (Alex is right. Why am I wasting time worrying about this?) (Right now, I must put my all into the battle before me!) (And yet...) (I cannot forget what I saw.)

Alberian Calendar, Year 287

A seventh and eighth child have
been born to King Aurelius.
The seventh is named
Euden
and the eighth is named Zethia.

However, ten days following the birth
of the seventh child...

He was stricken with wyrmscale.
Attempts to nurse the child to health
bore no fruit, and he entered Ilia's
arms a mere month after his birth.

King Aurelius then welcomed a new,
adopted son into his life.

This child henceforth became the
seventh in line to the throne,
Prince Euden.

(...If that document was authentic, it means His Highness is actually a baby switched near the time of his birth!) (Which would mean he is not the seventh scion at all...) (No, this cannot be! King Aurelius was famed for his fairness and forthright nature—he would never harbor a secret of such magnitude!) (And further, the signature on that document...)

On said terms is the agreement
between our nations so sworn.

—Aurelius
—Finlorda

(The name Finlorda is unknown to me. At best, it's a lesser noble who governs a far-flung territory somewhere.) (If the royal family WERE to adopt a child, surely it would have been from a good family of suitably high peerage.) (Which means Harle may have forged the document and is using it to trick me.) (O Ilia! Where is your voice?! Why would you lead me astray?!) Hrk! Haaaaah! *pant* *wheeze* (Enough of this! My questions will remain forever unanswered if I fall in battle now!)