"We've seen with Brexit and other things that there's a dark impulse to be petulant and frustrated with complicated solutions." Bill Pullman
Windsor Castle, Windsor
It's been a month now. Brexit is still under debate even though the people have spoken two years ago. Lelouch finds endless amusement from it. Parliamentarians stumbling, mumbling, and voice cracking in their lack of backbone to deliver what the people want. They're either all too soft or too fearful of whatever they stand to lose.
Prime Minister Gottwald did see through his declaration of fealty by following every request Lelouch made. Especially his first stipulation. For the first time, the King of England is doing more than he should.
In the Queen's Audience Room, Lelouch is reading the Brexit papers. The situation is indeed complicated as many parliamentarians have argued in both sides of the house and the debate in and outside Westminster. Something they got right. Something they should be proud of. They usually don't get it right.
Soon the situation became more complicated than its own adjective. The Permanent Under-Secretary of State for the Ministry of Exiting the European Union, apparently the Brexit Ministry, also sent Lelouch a letter. It was addressed to the Brexit Minister but the Minister knew it wasn't actually meant for him to read. Gottwald gave him the heads up. So he ignored it. He "accidentally" slipped it inside The King's Redbox. Lelouch gnashed his teeth in intrigue.
Lelouch learned there are so many things to consider in Brexit.
Will Britain continue its regular interaction with the European financial sector under European Union regulations? What about trade tariffs? The European Economic Zone is waiting to close its doors. Or is it just the City of London who will be allowed to get in to play in Euro finance and trade? Will British nationals continue to enjoy free movement in the EU or will EU citizens be deprived of free movement in the United Kingdom? Then what is going to happen to the Channel Tunnel? Will Britain replace all EU laws on health, welfare, and employment?
That being laid out, there are so many laws. Parliament will have to draft around 40 bills. Around 30 if they're happy to get rid of some. Mostly health, welfare, and employment. Lelouch predicts employers, industrialists, and other cunning capitalists to secretly lobby politicians to not mention certain EU laws in the House of Commons when questions to replace said laws have been raised. A considerable amount of capital will be free again from additional unnecessary expenditure. Just one piece of the pie. The pie is also just one among other concessions to be served in the big Brexit buffet on March 29, 2019.
Her Majesty's Home Civil Service will be useful as Lelouch has come to learn. The Brexit Ministry Permanent Secretary informed Lelouch of their highfalutin vocabulary combined with their intricate web of bureaucracy. In Whitehall, no one has ever noticed a courageous draft policy going the drain or a detested jotted down idea of a bill getting shredded even if they heard it. They've been doing this for decades. They claim they're the ones who are really in charge of Britain. Lelouch will take note of that.
Lelouch enjoyed reading until sovereignty and border control were thoroughly discussed in the letter. It included the popular perspective.
Commonly misunderstood subjects among Brexiteers and Remainers. They all already have sovereignty and border control. Out of all people, he should know it the most. He is the King of England. And yet the British people think otherwise. Why can't they see the truth? Don't they realize their sovereignty is embodied by the sovereign, by The King? What do they think "sovereign" stands for? It's as if he and his father and their ancestors never existed. It's almost insulting to their rank and office, and if Lelouch was sensitive he could've taken it personally.
Furthermore, what's the point of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office? Wave flags in front of foreigners to suggest they might be a country? Or the Home Office? What is the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration doing then? Independently and chiefly inspecting French borders and immigration since it's the most relevant neighboring country whose people acknowledge they do have borders and immigration control?
Lelouch is annoyed by the ignorance of his own people on issues they passionately want to resolve. Principle over practical. Something he wondered if it will be a significant factor in the future. He knows it depends if English Parliament still exists by then. No. Actually, if referendums will still be an instrument of state by then. If this ignorance continues then there's no place for the people in his imperial government.
The problem then is how is he going to win their support at the same time. He obviously needs them. They are doctors, engineers, bankers, button-pushers, and soldiers. A modern empire will still need a lot of them despite innovations allowing management and labor less manpower. The former British Empire Lelouch wants to restore comprises 1/3rd of the Earth's surface.
"The Leader of the Opposition, Your Majesty." Group Leader Stadtfeld announced. Lelouch nearly jumped out of his chair. He redirected his sudden energy to his hips jerking forward. The documents in his lap flew down scattering across the floor in front of him. He didn't hear the door open. Was he too busy reading?
Lelouch swears Kallen could just pop out anywhere including the secret nuclear bunker in Scotland if he tried to hide there. She passes by like a ghost. She's so unremarkable in duty. Lelouch doesn't care if she's a gem at special occasions at this point. Sighing, he kneeled down the floor to pick up the papers. Kallen approached to help him. He didn't bother greeting her or anything. He just waited for her to finish. Pass what she gathered to him. Give her a nod for a half-baked thanks.
Field Marshal Waldstein was led in by a butler. Kallen quickly stood up from the floor. She leaves saluting to Lelouch at the door in haste. The butler follows behind her. A footman closes the door leaving the room. Waldstein bows from the neck.
"Good afternoon, Your Majesty."
"Good afternoon, Field Marshal."
Lelouch folded the letter from the Brexit Permanent Secretary. He hid it in his pocket. Lelouch prepared fully in this meeting with Field Marshal Bismarck Waldstein.
Bismarck's parents are grocers in Grantham. None of them were formally educated. They did however encourage Bismarck to find his fortunate elsewhere. He lived his youth in menial labor. He made use of his time in public school education. He got scholarships. He joined the National Service. He eventually found his way in Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Lelouch might've seen him in one or two of The Sovereign's Parade during his late father's reign.
Bismarck is a giant. His height reaches up to 7'0 feet. It was no surprise for Lelouch to know he was nicknamed "Strong Statesman" in both Westminster and Whitehall and "Giant General" in Sandhurst. He even got a name from The Sun "Dicky the Big Feeted" under a bare photo of him in the beach with his wife. His muscular torso wasn't a surprise addition. It's The Sun. What's more intriguing is knowing Bismarck's reaction. He's usually stoic so it's a first to see some lip movement. Bismarck wasn't particularly fond of the name The Sun gave him according to Lelouch's sources. Especially the photo. He threatened to sue them. At least he should be grateful he's not on Page 3. His sources had a good laugh remembering the ordeal.
By sources, Lelouch meant the civil service. They gave him the necessary information to prepare for the meeting. Not sophisticated or detailed or precise or official as most well-known intelligence networks but it works. It might be for the best if Lelouch wanted to keep prying eyes away from him. Gottwald as Prime Minister is supposed to be getting all the attention. That's the price of government taking over from The Crown.
Gottwald gave Lelouch some bribed bureaucrats from every key government department for Lelouch to contact when he needs guidance on sensitive state matters. More like "government gossipers" giving guidance on "state gossips" in Lelouch's opinion based on what experience he had using them.
"I've heard rumors, Your Majesty." Oh don't they all. Lelouch snorted. He crossed his legs.
"What rumors?" Lelouch can't believe Bismarck came here to discuss buzz talk. "I hope your purpose here isn't what I think it is."
"It isn't. I assure you, Sir." Bismarck crossed his arms. "It's about you. You want a hand in government."
Lelouch gulped. He didn't know what to say. Bismarck has an overwhelming stature. His figure intimidates Lelouch. But no. Lelouch must carry on. He must be firm. Between the two of them, he is the only man who really matters. He shouldn't forget who he is. No matter who it is challenging him. He recovered smiling.
"Field Marshal Waldstein. You're not seriously taking the Prime Minister's word literally? I'm sure he's just an overzealous royalist bordering on obsession. Any mention of me from Gottwald is completely exaggerated. I can assure you that."
Bismarck nodded not uttering a word. Lelouch didn't like it. He frowned. "Is there something wrong, Field Marshal?"
Bismarck shook his head. "No. It's just he asked me to support his efforts to restore some privileges to the monarchy such as convening privy council meetings exclusively with Cabinet on a regular basis to discuss matters of state. He wants to give you a more audible voice."
That idiot! He single-handedly gave away our plans. What a moron! He'll hear from me for this. Lelouch tilted his head to mask his awareness with confusion.
Kings and Queens of English past. Give me the boldness to arrest the Prime Minister and lock him in The Tower.
Lelouch stretched his neck so he could hear the satisfying sound of bones cracking, Let him die of starvation. No. I'll chop his head off. Yes, I'll tear apart his genitalia! He wanted to hear it when he breaks Gottwald's neck.
I'll pull off his fingers! Hang his balls somewhere in Lincolnshire so the pigs could feast upon it. Throw his dick in The Thames! Cook his fingers in a fryer!
But how could I choose? Toss coin perhap-
Lelouch froze. He got an idea.
Toss coin.
"Coin."
Two sides. Two chances.
Yes. Why didn't he see this before?
Of course.
"Field Marshal, I have a confession to make," Lelouch will see if Bismarck could still smell a rat in this one, "I have concerns for our prime minister. Mister Gottwald."
Bismarck leaned forward. Lelouch took this as a hint of his strong interest. Now the pitch, "He...has been sharing ideas to empower the monarchy. Turn my opinion into government policy. It...frightens me."
Bismark didn't reply. He either bought it or didn't. Lelouch continued, fumbling his fingers, "Bagehot in Eighteen-Sixty-Seven wrote about The Sovereign: Has the right to be consulted, the right to encourage, the right to warn. Exercising these rights win me the affection of my subjects. For that I reign. I do not rule.
"I do still govern. But me, my father, my grandfather, and other kings and queens who came before us, surrendered our right to rule to parliament. The Crown and Government are separate.
"The Dignified and The Efficient. I give legitimacy to government and government...governs in my name. I am apolitical. I ensure good governance. I make sure democracy, parliamentary supremacy, is the power of the land. The power of the people. Not me. Not..." Lelouch didn't want to say it but, "...The Crown."
Lelouch closed his eyes exhaling deeply. "Thankfully, he has only sent me more government paperwork. No big responsibilities for me to mess up." He waved papers above his head. "I'm not a politician. I'm young. Honestly I'm impressionable. I'm not ready. I'm...sorry." He tapped a fist on the chair armrest. "I tried to do my best. I want to be the best for our people. But now...it seems I have been foolish. I neglected the good name of The Crown."
Bismarck hesitated. "No, Sir. I'm sorry. It's my fault for bringing it up." To that Lelouch smiled.
"It was foolish of me," Bismarck went on, "It's not really your concern. It's state business. I should've probably get on with the business of the day, or rather the night." He smiled.
That was close. Lelouch thought. He watched the dimming sun fade into twilight through the large windows of the room.
It is Bismarck who will be a valuable asset. Not Jeremiah. A prudent courtier who questions The King on his decisions and ideas will always be useful than a flatterer who praises The King through thick and thin. Another coin safe in Lelouch's pocket with his secret.
Lelouch now has two sides of two coins. Yet it is too early to predict Gottwald slipping up big time. Lelouch felt he was driven by his brief moment of anger earlier. Still, if it does happen Lelouch could save himself through Bismarck. Especially when The Strong Statesman becomes the Leader of the Nation in any scenario. Gottwald will be too deranged to look at for anybody to believe him so that's that. No need for contingency.
For the time he has right now, Lelouch has to make sure he gets everything he needs from Gottwald so he could have a proper game against Bismarck. Lelouch has to have the means to stand in his own feet.
Still, Gottwald will be Gottwald. A threat is still a threat. Lelouch needs to secure an insurance. He needs to find a way to keep Gottwald away from opportunists when the future has become difficult for Lelouch. Information in the hands of his enemies will be dangerous. Lethal if careless. This is the Information Age. The World Wide Web is at nearly everybody's disposal. A future checkmate could be a click away.
The door swung open. Heavy footsteps echoed across the hall behind it.
"Your Majesty!" Kallen ran in exclaiming.
"What's wrong?" Lelouch asked. Waldstein stood up from his chair.
"A woman broke into the State Apartments."
Author's Notes
To Kali-Maya: No, they're not lovers. And no, it's not a threesome.
To Patjeeson: The Commonwealth will be explored in the later chapters of the story. I can assure you that. ;)
Once more, thank you readers for following and/or making this story your favorite!