The Crown of Rutile Quartz: Volume 2 [Parts 1 to 2] by Surume Enoki

Author:Surume Enoki
Language: eng
Format: epub

Chapter 2: The Coup

December and January were the coldest months in the western kingdoms. By February, the air had already begun to show signs of warming. Snowfall tapered off, and little by little, travel between cities and villages resumed.

At this time of year, the lords who presided over the fiefdoms throughout Hasenvalia journeyed to the capital to extend their new year’s greetings and offer tribute to the royal family.

Although the feudal lords had no codified obligation to the crown other than military service, these tributes served as de facto tax payments. There was an expectation that each house, in accordance with its noble standing, would furnish the royal family with goods of appropriate value and quantity.

Tradition established the definition of “appropriate,” and any deviation from this norm would be considered a deliberate slight against the crown.

For example, in the 78th year of the royal calendar, House Akerlof—head of the county guarding the western border of the kingdom—paid a tribute of twenty swords, twenty spears, and a supply of fine wine produced in its territory. Other lords offered weapons, earthenware, cloth, livestock, or luxury goods.

The eastern nobles, who had witnessed Slaine’s martial brilliance firsthand in the battle against the empire, presented rather lavish tributes. While the western nobles’ offerings were not quite as extravagant, neither were they objectionable. There were no issues of note among the gifts.

Cronheim County, which had sustained heavy losses in the course of the war, was exempt from paying tribute—instead, the crown had pledged significant subsidies to the county’s reconstruction efforts.

The new year’s greetings proceeded smoothly into the midst of February. The last fief to offer salutation to the crown was the Duchy of Wahlenheit—delivered not by the duke himself but by a messenger.

Slaine sat on the throne, flanked by his aide-de-camp Monica, his advisor Sergey, and Victor, the commander of the royal guard, as the duke’s envoy kneeled before the crown.

“Your Majesty, His Grace the Duke of Wahlenheit extends his best wishes,” said the messenger. “As we enter a new year, his lordship prays that God will bless our kingdom and its royal family with even greater prosperity.”

“Lift your gaze,” said Slaine.

The messenger did as instructed.

“I offer my thanks to you for your visit,” Slaine continued, “and to His Grace the Duke of Wahlenheit for his greetings. It is a shame the duke could not attend in person. Is he still unwell?”

Typically, the head of a noble house was expected to present himself in person to the crown—but if said lord was elderly or ill, it was acceptable to send an heir or vassal in his stead. As the unmarried duke, Julius, was in poor health, he had sent a knight as his envoy.

The duke’s messenger, still on one knee, answered with a blank expression. “Lord Wahlenheit’s condition has improved. The fever and abdominal pain he began experiencing at the start of this month have subsided, and the doctor believes he should recover well with rest. The duke strongly wished to attend in person, but it would have taken far too long for him to regain strength enough to travel.

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