From the notes of Citizen Emilia, Voice of the People

During our lunch break, Crysta had given me a boost of confidence, reassuring me not to give up before the convention was even over. But she didn't just help me out, there was also something she wanted help with. She had been reading a history book and wanted some help with a few words she didn't understand. She correctly guessed that I was educated, and I was happy to help her out with this.

She was reading a book about the Hibion Civil War, an event from a century ago, when parliament overthrew their king. It soon led to a dictatorship and eventual royal restoration. Despite her humble origins and lack of education, Crysta was trying her best to learn from a similar historic situation. I admired her even more. 

We discussed the treatment of the royal family during that war. The dictatorship attempted to execute members of the royal family, and many fled the country until they could rally support for a restoration. It was a tough decision, how to deal with members of a fallen royal family. I'm not sure I know the best way to deal with it, but Crysta only expressed sympathy for the son of the executed monarch who was turned into an orphan. She was almost on the verge of tears. I don’t think she was talking about history anymore.

We returned from lunch for the afternoon session. I could tell that my presence made some of the others uncomfortable, but nobody mentioned my remarks from the morning. Crysta introduced our final topic of the week, the fate of the royal family. Valerius’s 12 year old son, Martin, is imprisoned. Several royal cousins are in hiding or fled the country. We needed to decide, once and for all, what to do with them.

Charles spoke first, arguing that the diplomatic situation was worsening, the spread of the revolution into Rubidia is alarming neutral states, and the coalition may gain new members unless we send a strong signal. He proposed that Martin be immediately released, although he should be guarded for his own protection for a while to prevent overzealous revolutionaries from taking him out. There should also be a clear statement in the constitution that members of the royal family are ordinary and equal citizens like anyone else.

Aguilo agreed that keeping Martin imprisoned indefinitely was not acceptable, and execution was probably too cruel, but suggested that he and all the other royals be stripped of citizenship and exiled. He said it was necessary for security, in order to prevent royalist uprisings led by these family members in the future. I hated to admit it, but I could see his point. There is still some scattered support for monarchy within the country, and denying them a focal point to rally around could snuff it out for good. Perhaps in the future, when royalist sentiment has faded and the country has stabilized, their exile can be lifted. For now, it seemed best to send them away.

It was an unusual situation where myself and Robert were actually aligned with Aguilo, with the rest on the other side. The really crucial vote was Crysta, who voted for immediate release of Martin and citizenship for royals. I think she was feeling guilty for executing Valerius and leaving the boy without a father. I can’t hold it against her, and frankly I’m not upset about how the vote turned out. I honestly don’t know what the best way to deal with royals is, but I think things will work out for the best. I decided to put that issue behind me and focus on my big plans for the next week.

Special Bulletin from Militia Captain Robert, Commander of the Northern Liberation Forces

When Emilia returned from her lunch with Crysta, I was happy to see she was in a better mood than when she left. I didn’t get a chance to say anything to her immediately, because Crysta started discussion on the next topic almost immediately.

We had to decide what to do with the royal family. Charles wanted them to be treated like ordinary citizens, and Aguilo wanted them stripped of citizenship and exiled. In the north there are still some with royalist sympathies, mostly backed by disgruntled nobles hoping to restore their own privileges. I agreed with Aguilo that the royal family should be sent away to undercut the motivations of these royalists.

Charles won the day, the vote passed 5 to 3. I suppose it's not the end of the world. If royalists cause trouble, we’ll smash them again. I have far bigger priorities to worry about right now. After the session ended, I apologized to Emilia for the morning vote, but explained why I felt boxed in. She told me not to worry about it, and instead asked about the situation in the north. What she really wanted to know was: can any farmers be spared to come to the capital for protests next week? I told her a few can probably be brought in. I don't know if protests will accomplish her goals, but I’m willing to lend a hand if I can.

Dispatch from Admiral Dauphin, Revolutionary Naval Command

Our morning session was eventful, that much is true. I respect Emilia for standing up for her convictions, and I was pleased to see her lunch with Crysta had improved her spirits. I had my own meeting during lunch. Charles was quite alarmed by Oliphaunt’s comments about the Northern Army. He had heard that the war was going well, but asked if there were any recent reports that dramatically changed the situation. I told him, the Northern Army had taken the capital of Rubidia, and all indications point to a new republic being created there.

Charles was quite alarmed. Even though his ceasefire with Hibion was holding for now, he expected they would see the spread of the revolution to a neighboring country as an outrage, and might cause them to reconsider their position. Little we could do about it at this point, the citizens of Rubidia are taking matters into their own hands now. However, I appreciated his diplomatic concerns.

Our afternoon session was about the fate of the royal family, a most appropriate topic for this situation. Charles of course wanted leniency, and to treat them as ordinary citizens. Aguilo wanted them stripped of citizenship and exiled. I sympathized with Aguilo. I also feared the royal family could instigate royalist sentiment, but they posed a bigger threat outside of our country than within. What if the exiled family went to Hibion, and spent their days in the royal court, pushing for restoration? They could bring down the ceasefire. It's better to keep them here under our watchful gaze. With all due respect to Aguilo, I disagreed with his position. Ultimately, the vote went in favor of citizenship.

From the Office of Chancellor Pepe, Acting Head of Civil Service

Day 5 - Afternoon - Royal Family

With the morning's theatrics out of the way, I was pleased that the afternoon debate was more level headed. Despite differing opinions, both sides kept their cool. The topic was how to deal with the royal family. The competing positions were to treat them as ordinary citizens or to exile them. I had considered abstaining again, as this has little to do with government policy, but Charles seemed quite urgent with his diplomatic concerns and insisted that the royals be treated fairly. He was also joined by Dauphin who echoed similar sentiments. Dauphin has been quite moderate and compromising, but he does not usually back Charle’s positions with such vigor. I decided that they were probably correct in their diplomatic assessment, and I voted with them to treat the royals as ordinary citizens.

With our final topic of the week settled, Crysta gave me permission to spend the next week drafting articles based on these agreements, but not to deal with any major topics that had not been addressed yet. Following draft week, we would reconvene for another week of debates and deal with serious issues not yet addressed, such as division of powers between the national and regional governments. She also hinted to me that some settled issues might be reopened. In any case, I have a busy week ahead of me.

Result - No Consensus. By a vote of 5 to 3, members of the royal family are considered ordinary citizens, the imprisoned son of Valerius is to be released but guarded for his own protection.

Exile: Aguilo, Robert, Emilia

Citizenship: Crysta, Oliphaunt, Dauphin, Pepe, Charles