Condemnation King and Mia’s Loyal Retainer
*Author’s Note: A story about the previous timeline, which is as bittersweet as a deep roasted bitter coffee blend.
The exchange between Ludwig and Sion two days before Mia’s execution.
Tearmoon Empire, Whitemoon Palace. The beautiful castle where successive Tearmoon emperors lived did not lose its beauty even after the entire empire was burned by the flames of the revolution. The Revolutionary Army set up a command post for their leaders in the castle. They plan that once the wars in each region were over and the great nobles who had corrupted the country were killed, this would become the center of the country’s administration again.
Ludwig, who was summoned into the audience chamber, knelt on one knee, and bowed to the young man sitting on the throne in front of him.
“I am very humbled by your offer, Your Highness. I was originally an official of the Empire. I hope to continue working for the people of this country. But… I have one request from Your Highness.”
Ludwig then raised his face.
He looked at the young man with beautiful silver hair on the throne who turned to Ludwig with interest.
“What is this request? Ask and I will try to fulfil it the best I can…”
“I only wish for one thing. Your Highness Sion, spare Princess Mia…”
“Unfortunately, the execution of Princess Mia cannot be revoked.”
Without waiting for Ludwig to finish, Sion shook his head heavily.
“Blood has flowed too much. The people’s anger at the tyranny of the nobles and the imperial family is too great. If the execution is cancelled, outrage against the leaders of the Revolutionary Army will break out.”
The military power of the Kingdom of Sunkland can suppress the people. But that would only prolong the turmoil and make the country suffer more. Many people will suffer in result.
“We need to get rid of this chaos as soon as possible. To do so, we must have the Revolutionary Army gain the trust of the people as the champions of justice to correct corrupt power.”
A new leader will rise that is trusted by the people. Under that leader, the empire will be reborn. That is the smoothest and easiest road to recovery. It was a fair and logical decision. Ludwig knew this as well. This is why he sighed as he stood up.
“Is that so… So be it.”
He shrugged his shoulders and turned, walking away. It was an act of disprespect towards a royal family of another country. A soldier standing beside Sion involuntarily puts his hand on the sword, but Sion stopped him.
“Will you help me? To rebuild the empire.”
“Prince Sion… you are the ideal lord. You are intelligent, fair, and just. There is no doubt in my mind that you are a man of competence and virtue.”
Unlike that stupid Princess… Ludwig adds in his heart.
While attending St. Noel Academy, Mia spent her days not paying attention to the political and diplomatic significance of her actions. As a result, she earned the favor and affection of not a single soul.
Despite attending that same academy with the princess of a friendly nation, she had forgotten that girl’s name (Rania). During a diplomatic meeting when the empire needed their help most, she did the unthinkable. She looked at her schoolmate and asked, “My, who might you be?”
That incident almost caused Ludwig to give up on the Princess. Instead, he swallowed his frustration and stayed with her. Of course, not before giving her a good scolding.
Heavenly moons! At least remember the names of the influential people in your school and their countries!
But Ludwig couldn’t stay angry forever. Especially after he noticed that Mia was carrying a notepad after he scolded her. Every now and then, he would find her walking around with that note pad, muttering something to herself, and her face in full concentration. One time, he got really close enough to see what was written. On it was written the names of her classmate s with their nations of origin, which she kept on reciting to herself in an attempt to memorize them.
From that day on, something changed in Ludwig. He saw her differently. Yes, she was still foolish and unreliable…but she was trying.
Her Highness… she put in her best effort. She tried to be better.
Ludwig stopped in his steps and turned again to Sion. Sion looked the very picture of virtue. Mia was Sion’s enemy, and yet Sion had asked Ludwig for help, despite being Mia’s former vassal. This displayed Sion’s sound judgement and political acuity.
Ludwig smiled. It was a sad smile. He knew with painful clarity that he could not find a better person to serve than this young man before him. And yet…
“Have you ever been wrong, Prince Sion? Even once? I doubt it. And that’s why…”
Ludwig shook his head and swallowed his final words.
That’s why you will probably never understand… how she felt… and how desperately she tried…
“Do the right thing when you can” is the quality of a good ruler. If one has money at their disposal, how many people can use it for the right thing? Sion Sol Sunkland is definitely such a person who can use the money for the right thing. It is a testament to Sion’s virtue… and also to his luck and fortune.
There are times when the right thing simply could not be done. When the world backs one into a corner to the point that they are between a rock and a hard place. Even when one wishes to give food to the starving people, there might be no food to give. The desire to rule with integrity and enrich the people could be thwarted by the lack of resources or ability.
This was the story of his mistress – a princess who struggled against her fate in the worst of times. When all the world seemed hellbent on bringing about her ruin, she gave her best effort no matter how desperate everything seemed.
Exhaling a little, Ludwig looked toward Sion.
“I don’t think you need my strength. I’m sure you have no shortage of excellent advisors.”
Ludwig realized that he was sentimental. It was his emotions taking over him,
Effort and endeavour did not excuse the result. The cold truth was that many people died due to the incompetence of the royal family and the tyranny of the corrupt nobles. The wrath and pain of the bereaved family cannot be healed by any words.
But still… inspite of it all, he felt a deep sorrow at the fact that everything she had done – all her hard work and earnest efforts – would be in vain, never to be recognized.
“I cannot see myself serving you or the Lady Tiona. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
Then Ludwig left.
Sion let him go without stopping him or punishing him.
Two days later, at the Imperial City Square, the execution of Mia Luna Tearmoon took place. Since then, no one has ever seen Ludwig.
“I suppose this means that Princess Mia was regarded well, at least by a few people.”
Sion muttered, after returning to the office after the execution.
The girl he knew, Mia Luna Tearmoon, was a selfish girl who abused her power. She was vain and shallow. She openly disdained lower nobles and superficial. She was the daughter of a foolish ruler who undermined his very empire through his disregard for his people. She was a person that he could not give even the smallest affection. But…
“Was there something in her that I did not see?”
With that in mind, the face of the imperial princess suddenly entered his mind. They had gone to the same academy. They had spoken to each other. And at his command, he had just watched her decapitated. It was not a good feeling. It was an ugly bitter feeling in his chest. It was more than just sentimentality, and the bitterness remained in him.
Eventually, time goes by.
With the collapse of the Tearmoon Empire, a period of chaos will come to the continent. First the assassination of Rafina threw the Belluga Principality into mayhem. Then a revolution consumed the Kingdom of Remno. The waves of chaos grew and grew that it even swept in the Kingdom of Sunkland.
Sunkland’s excellent vassals, led by King Sion, survived numerous wars and domestic power struggles. Although some of the land was lost and the people were sacrificed, the number was still overwhelmingly small compared to other countries. It was all thanks to Sion’s good leadership and good governance.
However, these troubled times prove to be toxic for ideals, and Sion soon found out that a kingdom could not survive on morals alone. Every time he was forced to make a decision that was morally ambiguous, he would recall that fateful day of Mia’s execution. He felt trapped between conscience and reality.
I wasn’t wrong… I had to… it was unavoidable. There was no other choice.
He would tell himself each time the memory resurfaces. It was like scratching the scab of an old wound that would never heal. He would try to ignore it. Or pretend it was gone. But it stayed with him, forcing him to endure its persistent itch and ache.
In the later years, Sion Sol Sunkland was called the “King of Condemnation.” He gained fame as a righteous ruler, but he would lie on his deathbed alone. That was his life – one of respect, but little love. His named was evoked by his people out of fear and awe, but never out of affection.
Thus ends his story in a future that is yet to come. It was one of the many possibility that might have had happened if Mia did not launch it into oblivion with her mighty full-blown (feeble) kick.
