Post

Ambition

Youngshik sat cross-legged facing Queen Soyul in the meeting room. They were in one of many such designated rooms for official business of the Royal Family, in the Palace colloquially known to Intrians as the ‘Half-Moon Palace’ due to its crescent-like shape, designed as such to match the curve of the waterway behind the palace. At three stories tall, it was both the tallest and largest residential building in the city. Clay, concave tiles formed the roof that angled upward from two sides to meet in the centre. The walls, where painted, were mostly red, with some black and occasional splashes of yellow symbols, representing the sulphur that was the main resource of the area, and mined by Intrians since before the Kostuan oppression. The main walls were made of stone.

This particular meeting room held no table; Queen Soyul sat a few meters in front of Youngshik, on a slightly elevated platform. They both sat on large, black pillows sitting upon red blankets. Soyul wore an ornate, red silk robe, with extensive yellow embroidery and a black sash. Youngshik wore a more subdued black robe with minimal yellow embroidery near the shoulders, and a yellow sash.

“Thank you for coming, Dear Youngshik.” smiled Soyul.

“I hardly had the choice, your...majesty,” Youngshik struggling to say the term he thought certain would be his, his ambitions flashing through his mind as he spoke.

“We always have a choice” Soyul stated firmly. “I’m sure you could have figured out a way to avoid, or at least delay, this meeting without it making look like unusual. I am thankful you have come. Before we get to business, please, enjoy some tea”, Soyul directed a handmaiden to pour them both a cup. Soyul noted his hand shook ever so slightly as his hand lifted the cup to his mouth.

Hungover, she thought to herself. no need to bring it up though; that would be twisting the knife.

“Youngshik, I’ll be open with you. You are aware of tomorrow’s very important meeting in our palace,” Soyul using the word ‘our’ as opposed to ‘my’, even though it was literally under her control. This was not unusual though, it was a quirk of the Intrian language, one that helped foster the strong sense of community throughout the Intrian people.

“I’ll be meeting with the heads of the major clans, as well as the Royal Geomancers to discuss my plans for Red Intria. In fact, as soon as this meeting is finished, I am due to meet with head Geomancer Jaesun; but I wanted you here to give you a bit of a preview. As you are part of these plans.”

Youngshik looked Soyul in the eyes inquisitively. Though his sister-in-law, as main rival for the throne, part of him worried that Soyul wanted to dispose of him. Perhaps not directly, nor violently, but she could easily reduce his status, and give him a lesser role. Though even direct violence would not have been out of the question. Had Soyul wanted him killed it would not have been without precedent; Red Intria’s history remained bloody long after the Kostuans left. Soyul was ridiculously ambitious, and Youngshik interpreted her volunteer work for Red Intria’s lower classes to be more political than altruistic. However, he felt that she genuinely loved her sister, and did not believe she would kill him, if only for the fact it would psychologically harm his wife, Princess Dahae.

Youngshik, ten years older than the Queen, figured himself to be quite adept at the political game. But part of him, as much as it hurt him to admit it, knew that Soyul was on another level. As crushed as he was at not being given the throne, he was not entirely surprised at the decision. And though he had wasted a week literally drowning in his sorrows, he had recovered emotionally, if not physically just yet. After all, he concluded, he was still young, and there was no guarantee Soyul would live a long life. The chapter on his ambition had concluded, not the book. He still wanted the throne.

“Your majesty, Queen Soyul,” he said respectfully, with no shred of animosity. He calculated that submitting to the Queen’s will would be the wisest path; at least for now. “What do you need of me?”

Soyul wasn’t sure exactly what to expect from Youngshik. Would he try to oppose her authority? Part of her worried that he would try to lead an insurrection; he certainly had ambition at least as equal to her. But she knew such a move would crush Dahae, and did not think it a realistic possibility. She knew Youngshik knew the political game; if he were to rebel, it would be slowly and quietly. So she needed to place him in a position where his role was both important, as to reflect his status, but also where rebellion would be counter to his own goals.

“As you know, my ascendancy to the throne was in Part due to King Sunghee’s interpretation of the Geomancers call for change. I too, shall heed the call of their expertise.” Soyul spoke deliberately. “I will be doing government in a different way than before....fear not, brother.” Soyul smiled, “I shall not be dishonouring our past, our ancestors would never forgive me. I merely seek to do things in a more....organized manner.” Soyul’s eyes locked in on Youngshik’s as she spoke the word ‘organized’, a not too subtle attempt to tell him that she needed him to get his drinking under control. He knew Dahae, loyal wife that she was, could not hide anything from Soyul if she tried. Queen or not, Soyul would always be her little sister. She knew that he would understand exactly what she meant.

“I shall be declaring the formation of many ministries. Many of these jobs were being handled already, but to varying degrees of competence depending on how important they were to the King at the time. I have my own ambitions, and thus shall be putting specific people in permanent charge of many specific tasks, to allow me to focus on my own duties. The Lords in charge of the ministries will report to me, of course, but will be given much sovereignty to perform their duty. One of these ministries shall be the ‘Ministry of Internal Affairs; its job will be to guarantee the Kingdom against internal threats. Crime, tax evasion, corruption, the things that risk destabilizing our country from within.... “ Soyul looked past Youngshik for a moment before her eyes set back upon him. “...and of course, threats against the Royal family. And the person in charge of this Ministry shall be....,” Soyul again looked Youngshik in the eyes with the intensity of a snake observing its prey, “....you.”

Soyul smiled, her face suddenly much more warm and friendly, and continued, “I will discuss the details later, but I hope this role sounds satisfactory. I know you can fight, but I need someone in this role who also knows strategy, who is intelligent. Who can plan. I cannot think of another person in the Country who I would want to be in charge of protecting my people, and indeed, to protect me.”

Youngshik stared at her in awe. It was as though she had read his mind, she knew exactly what he wanted, and had run all of the possibilities. She had placed him in a role of great importance, but also one that would require him to submit fully to her if he wanted to keep his honour. If Soyul falls, for whatever reason, he fails. And failures rarely rise in status.

“It would be my honour, your Majesty.” smiled Youngshik. “I look forward to hearing more details regarding this position.”

“I am glad, You....no, Lord Youngshik,” Soyul now using the title that she had delegated for the heads of her ministries. “You have brought me great joy today.” Soyul dismissed him, as she needed to go over her notes to prepare for her next meeting with Head Geomancer Jaesun.

a piece in in the right place......for now Soyul thought to herself.