“Have you heard of the Red Flag rebellion?”
My father spoke the words I had hoped to go a lifetime without hearing.
While many citizens of Cassanova lived comfortable lives, the less fortunate were far greater and lived poor, jobless, and unhappy. An unstable economy could only lead to one outcome, a rebellion and such a group was beginning to develop sided against the upper classes, including the royals. This was the result of their suffering being left unheard for so long. The citizens demanded change.
And change they would have because this rebellion burns Cassanova to the ground. This catastrophic event is the catalyst to pushing Calisaya down a rabbit hole of insanity to her revenge arc, and one of the biggest key moments in the novel that I dreaded the idea of living through the most.
He sat behind his desk and studied the papers spread out before him. "Previously, you brought up the whereabouts of a ship you saw ten years ago harboring illegal drugs, but because we failed to eradicate them, something even worse is about to arise.”
The Red Flag were a group of individuals who sought pleasure in playing dangerous jokes on the royal guard and higher class out of spite of their own poverty. Their cause spread like wildfire throughout Cassanova, attempting to brazenly change the lives of the common people and start an uprising through means of violence.
Over the years I’ve been in this world, I’ve tried countless times to prevent this main event from taking root, but my efforts were fruitless. It seems no matter how hard I try to change the story, the plot was still sentenced to one outcome.
Much like anyone would try to preserve their life, I’ve decided I’m not as virtuous as Calisaya when it comes to saving people. I don’t need to put myself through danger for the greater good because that notion was made for fantasy novels, not the real world. I don’t have a body to return to in my previous life so I must treat this world like it’s my own if I’m to survive.
I just had to find a way to stay far away from the main events when they occurred. That was the only way for the story to truly change.
The atmosphere appeared to darken as my father continued. “After capturing a few of their members, we found evidence that their enhancements in machinery is the result of a hybrid drug originating from the ship that disappeared ten years ago. In other words, the two cases are connected.”
What? I blinked several times. I clearly remember these two groups having nothing to do with each other in the original script. Enhanced machinery shouldn’t even exist in this world. Now that I think about it, guns shouldn’t exist in this world either and yet there was one present that night ten years ago. I didn’t think of any inconsistencies at the time because guns were such a common aspect in the modern world.
The script had changed without me knowing. What does this mean?
“I’m not asking you to risk your life.” He looked like he was choosing his words carefully. “But if possible while you're attending to your stepmother's business, see what you can find out about this rebellion. Any information would be useful.”
My eyes widened in surprise that he admitted I’d be in danger from pursuing this matter. Despite what I said about not caring about the lives of the civilians, I can’t help but consider the losses from both sides. Did the higher class deserve to suffer? Did the rebellion deserve to live with poverty either? Both the poor and higher classes were being wronged with no clarity who was truly right, only that it appeared their reigning ruler didn’t care about them enough to stop the root cause.
Which was the proper distribution of job labor and civilian safety, but this domain of power was ruled from the Queen’s district. Once holding the title of Northern princess, she symbolized the peace treaty made possible by the marriage alliance between the Northern territory and Cassanova, so no one could dispute her decisions. It’s the reason why my father’s hands were tied when things came to her, and why the people of Cassanova were suffering behind the flamboyant exterior.
I couldn’t bear to meet the disappointment in my father’s gaze. I knew what would come next, but my breath still shuttered despite how hard I tried to hold it in. My last form of independence was slipping away from my grasp. I felt like a bird locked away in a cage, and if I made the slightest movement towards freedom, someone's head would go flying, and it would likely be mine. I bowed my head in respect. “I’m sorry for running away like I did. It was a foolish act, but it is honestly killing me to stay here and fight this losing battle.” I could barely breathe as I uttered these words. It was too difficult after everything I’ve been through in this house.
There was a sign of a shadow moving and startlingly, I looked up to find him kneeling before me. His gray eyes revealed two sparks of flames that had gone out a long time ago, mirroring his age. “I know,” he said softly. “But as the heir, your life is the only thing keeping this country together. If we don’t preserve the future then we will have nothing left.”
Even if I have nothing left?
There was only one way my step-mother would agree to releasing something I care a great deal about and that was giving up something I equally like in return.
"Have them thrown away by tomorrow."
Life continued forward while my mind remained in my father’s office for the remainder of the day and later that night I found myself lying on my bed, looking through the window at the sky, watching the stars carry secrets and twilight into my chambers. The taste of freedom lingered in the air but behind my iron cage I could only watch it slip further away from my grasp with each passing moment.
Wouldn’t it be better if everyone sat around sipping tea and played nicely? What wishful thinking. Unlike with relationships, proper communication wouldn't lessen any grieving hearts. In fact, it may just make things worse and validate people's opinions that my family was truly incompetent rulers. If the citizens believed their governing rulers were weak, there may be even more retaliation, which is why it was better to solve the matter privately then show signs of division.
As I said before, I’m not going to get involved any further. At least I won’t get involved directly if I plan to do anything crazy. I still have my own future to think about.
An idea started to fabricate in my mind as I twisted and turned in my bed sheets endlessly. The first step had to be to cut my step-mother’s supply source from her family in the North, but the northern territory was not on negotiable terms with many people. They weren’t exactly a hostile race but they were known to keep to themselves and didn’t often dabble in political affairs. Really they are brilliant for this and living my kind of life, but their indifferent behavior was the very thing that could ruin my whole plan.
Earning their favor would be the most ideal solution, but alas I can barely leave my room, much less travel to the Northern territory. I’ll have to send Aiden there when things around the palace calm down. I regretted having to let him go. What Aiden often didn’t realize was how he represented the backbone of the royal guard, and how he held my only reassurance that my life in the palace wouldn’t completely crumble apart.
.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.
I darted past fallen crates and empty stalls. The sound of boots pounded loudly against the gravel behind me as I ran through the streets of Cassanova the following evening. A hand suddenly grabbed my wrist and yanked me out of my pursuers path into a quiet alley.
A husky breath hovered near my ear and sent a shiver down my neck. “Don’t move,” the man warned. However this wasn’t just any man, I recognized the familiar voice and let my shoulders fall in ease, knowing I was in safe hands.
Moments later my pursuer went charging past with a face of seething rage. I was barely aware of the abnormal drumming in my chest as I honed my breathing to a still. The man soon disappeared on another path.
Damn that was close. All I wanted was to buy some fruit but that man kept asking for more until my pockets were empty. It was practically a robbery in broad daylight. When I had nothing left, he looked me over like I was his new paycheck. If I hadn’t taken off when I did that could’ve ended very badly. My nerves were still unsettled to be observed like a toy.
“Cass.”
That single word drove me mad with an itch I couldn’t quite place. “It’s okay,” I told him with a sigh. “We’re fine, that’s what matters.”
Aiden got closer, peering at my expression with worry. He finally sighed, “You're so stubborn sometimes.”
His green eyes were so close that I had to look away. He wore such an earnest expression.
“Why did you throw them away? I’m only a servant.”
I went around him, evading the question I dare not answer. “They were nothing that mattered anyway.”
He muttered something incomprehensible behind me.
To hear him be this upset made me want to tease him. “Who’s really in charge here? I do wonder, my young disciple.”
“Cass,” Aiden almost whined this time. “As if you ever doubted,” he perked up and gave me a half grin. With his arms folded, he stood in a proud way that made him seem slightly taller then myself. Actually he may have always been that tall, I just didn’t noticed until now. He had always seemed like a kid in my eyes.
Pulling my cloak over my head, I mumbled something about puberty and left the alleyway in a rush.
Aiden leisurely appeared by my side, “You know no matter how far you run I will still find you.”
I stuck my tongue out at him, not slowing down in the slightest. Walking fast felt really nice right now. The feeling of the wind felt like the freedom that I lost. He can think I’m running away, see if I care.
Faintly I heard him laugh. The sound put me at ease. For just a moment I let myself embrace this feeling of happiness. The sky was turning a beautiful shade of blue with the day brimming to a close and the cobblestone streets began to glisten under the moonlight. The smell of flowers was faint but pleasant to the senses.
We stopped in front of a grand manor, one that I was familiar with in political nature. The residences of this house would attend the annual balls my father hosted to keep good relations with the citizens. It was a spectacular event with the flowers in full bloom and people dressing up and eating good food. I would always sneak downstairs and enjoy a meal with Aiden under the moon. We did so every year, however, since the decline of our economy, many people have stopped attending. I knew this house was an exception and they clearly favored my family. I realized perhaps I stopped here more intentionally than I thought.
“Aiden, do you suppose…” I let my words hang in the air with an unfinished thought. If I dared to go down this road of the novel, what outcome would await me?
Aiden bowed with a hand upon his chest. "On your lead, my liege."
In other words, he was saying I should do what I want and he would follow regardless. I carried not only the fate of the citizens on my shoulders but this loyal friend beside me. The weight of my decisions were becoming more severe by the day, leaving behind a bloodied trail of those I might not save.
“Hello? Who are you?” A small voice said, answering the door. A moment later she blurted out, “YOUR HIGHNESS!!” The girl who had opened the door suddenly bowed so deeply I thought her knees would crack.
Aiden held his mouth shut, trying not to laugh. In contrast, I was in a state of shock that she recognized my face when I was revealed so little in public. No, rather I couldn’t believe it, but perhaps logic doesn’t apply here since this was not an ordinary girl.
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