Liberté Égalité Unité

[Radilo]

1884

Nouveau Port

Orviller, leader of the Nationalists had been keenly aware that Jas and Lunette were going to pull something off before the election. They would not wait until after, because he would be able to claim legitimacy to the premiership. The day before he had received word that Hennessy had left the country, so something was about to happen.

Orviller was not a sitting member of the National Assembly, so he could not actually sit in on procedures; he relied on those in parliament loyal to him to keep him up to date.

"So, Monsieur Orviller, there seems to a little plan in the works to halt the election," said one of the Nationalist MPs to Perrin, as the both sat in an open air cafe.

"What do they plan to do?" he asked.

"They are going to force a constitutional crisis--they are going to commit treason against Henri and declare Radilo a republic. Then the King has grounds on which to send his troops here."

"Jesus... who told you all of this?"

"One of my staffers caught wind of it. So what can we do?"

"As for now, nothing. They are going to go through with their little stunt and the king will send his troops, so mine will just have to be ready."

 

[Radilo]

OOC: a couple of cute little stories before all hell breaks loose.


1837

Emyn Arnen

Like many young noblemen of his time, Jas Lyon traveled Europa before his formal entry into a university. Jas admired Aren culture, so he went to Emyn Arnen for an extend stay.

One spring night, while in the capital, he attended a royal ball at the Versailles Palace. He donned his finest cloths and jewelry, and arrived to the event riding an overly-groomed white stallion. The whole aura of the event was one of an absurdly pompous fairytale. Jas found it all quite humorous. Still he was determined to have himself a good time… maybe he could even manage to crash the party—what a story that would be.

For the first part of the evening, Jas did little more than chat with friends and drink; that was until he set eyes on a beautiful young woman. Led on by either curiosity or alcohol induced courage, he asked her to dance. She blushed, smiled, and nodded.


1860

Nouveau Port, Perondi Industries Factory

Lunette had been working at the factory for three years now. It was demanding and dirty work, but it put a roof over her head and food in her stomach—it was much better than begging. Still, she didn’t look much better than a beggar, she was still dirty, barefoot, with unkept hair and wearing tattered cloths, only swapping out the brown rags of a beggar for a ragged grey working dress.

She had spent the day swapping out threads on the mills, an exhausting task. After what felt like an eternity, her lunch break came. Outside of the factor a girl sold clams, which Lunette purchased to supplement her lunch of bread, cheese, and wine. As she sat on the curb with her small meal, a boy, about her age, sat down next to her.

“Mind if I sit here?” he asked.

“Not at all,” she said.

The young boy smiled and took out his lunch from a small sack. He was also dirty and ragged, but to her, he seemed rather cute.

“I think I’ve seen you before,” Lunette said smiling.

“Yea, I think we work together,” he said also smiling… he thought she was cute too. “My name’s Renée, what’s yours?”

“Lunette,” she said giggling.

“That’s a pretty name.”

“Thanks,” she said, now blushing.

“W-would you want to get a drink tonight?” asked Renée nervously?

Lunette excitedly nodded her head.

 

[Radilo]

1837

Emyn Arnen

Klarissa was the youngest child of King Karl V of Arendaal. She was considered to be amongst the most beautiful women in the world, though she was more quiet and reserved than other members of her family--and much more so than her boyfriend, Jas Lyon. What had started off as an evening of dancing, had blossomed into a romance truly befitting a princess and a prince. The young princess shared Jas's love of all things radical, whether art or politics, and despite her quite nature she was amply enthusiastic about such things.

Versailles Palace

Jas had arranged to have a meeting with King Karl, for what he said was a very important reason.

"So, Jas Lyon, I can assume you are here to ask me for the hand of my daughter."

"Not exactly sire," he said grinning, "your daughter is her own woman--I am here to tell you that we will be getting married."

The King smiled back.

"You are a lot like your father," Karl started, "and... I think a lot like me. You don't care much for norms--how things use to be. I respect that." He paused. "You two can be married in Versailles, if you'd like. And of course with my blessings."

"Thank you sire," Jas said bowing.

... And after a fairytale wedding, Karissa, born to a revolutionary, found herself married to another.


1861

Nouveau Port

When you are poor, courtship and marriage were quick. Lunette and Renée were married after only a few months of dating. The ceremony was even quick, not much longer than fifteen minutes after a mass. They couldn't afford a wedding dress, or even a ring; Lunette just wore a circle of white flowers in her hair.

Marriage was a good option for young workers; they only had to pay half of the rent, plus when it was cold, as it sometimes got in Himyar, there was a ready source of warmth.

When they were working, they would often sneak a kiss when passing by.

Being in love was something wonderful for both of them. There were the many nights, between cuddling and drinks, where they would meet up with a few other couples and started that small group of radicals.

 

[Radilo]

1884

Nouveau Port

Lunette had never felt so nervous. She had argued with kings, princes, and bishops; she had held her own in a parliament that was constricted by an age that, by its nature, was not accommodating to a young woman. But today... today she was afraid.

She had never started a war.

She walked into parliament, she was not dressed as she normally was; she wore a heavy black dress, as if she were going to a funeral--and her mannerism seconded that feeling.

Everyone was dead silent.

She took here seat.

"Monsieur Speaker, I have a docket to present."

The old man cleared his throat, "Madame Prime Minister, the floor is yours."

"Thank you Monsieur Speaker. My friends... our nation is on the verge of oblivion; we cannot stand idly by as our country unravels. The age old ethnic tensions that we had hoped had been extinguished have again taken to flame. We cannot allow racism to destroy our nation. There is only one path now that we can take to avoid this oncoming calamity.

Monsieur Speaker, I now submit a declaration to dissolve our personal union with King Henri of Montelimar, and to establish the Radilan Republic."

She sat down.

"Monsieur Speaker," said the Opposition Leader, "I motion to have the Prime Minister's docket submitted via a suspension of the rules and that the deceleration would be adopted by a voice vote."

"Without objection, so ordered."

They wanted it to be done by voice, as opposed to roll call, that way none of them individually could officially be considered to committing treason, just the chamber as a whole was. Lunette would still be, as she submitted the docket, but that was nothing she hadn't done before. They were able to avoid objections from the National Front because, all of their MPs had already skipped town.

"On the Deceleration to Establish the Radilan Repbulic," the speaker belted, "all in favor: Aye."

"Aye."

"All opposed."

Silence.

"By unanimous consent: the Deceleration is adopted. Would the Sargent-at-Arms inform the House of Lords."

The Sargent-at-Arms, bowed and walked across the lobby to the Lord's chamber; King Henri was personally presiding over the chamber.

"Your Most Catholic Majesty, Lords and Ladies assembled, A deceleration has been made by the National Assembly that I am here to present to you."

"Bring it forward," said the King.

Henri already knew what it said.

"This is a treasonous deceleration," he said unemotionally, "By my order's Prime Minister DeGinghs is to be arrested and brought to Valmy for trial."

The Sargent-at-Arms bowed and walked back into the other chamber.

"Madame Prime Minister," he said, "by order of King Henri of Montelimar, I am placing you under arrest for treason."

She nodded, and followed him out of the chamber. All of her colleagues then stood up and followed them out.

She met Henri in the central lobby. For the first time in front of parliament, she started weeping. Henri, ignoring custom, embraced her.

"It'll be alright," he said, doubting his own words.

"Guards," he said as sternly as he could, "please escort this traitor to my ship."

The die had been cast.

 

[Radilo]

1884

Valmy, Montelimar

“Lunette DeGighns, you are hereby accused of high treason, how do you plead?”

“Guilty.”

“Upon advice from the King, I hereby sentence you to one day incarceration.”

“I accept it humbly.”

Meanwhile in the gallery above the courtroom:

“This has been a marvelous waste of time,” noted Jas.

“It’s necessary,” rebuffed Henri.

“I know… Are you actually going to make Lunette stay in a cell tonight?”

“I was going to let her and her husband have some quite time together in the tower. I figured that she would appreciate that.”

“They both probably will.”

“So how is your niece?”

“Louisa is doing well, she likes being Queen of Arendaal. That Arthur is a nice man; he’s a lot like his father.”

“Liberal?”

“Stubborn, and just as good at drinking as I am.”

“Ha!”


Nouveau Port

“So?”

“Twenty thousand troops have been sent in.”

“What do you suggest?”

“I suggest that you make amends with God.”

“Then what?”

“Then you ready your troops!”