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Title: Clarines' First Prince, Izana Wistalia

Inspired by: Chapter 8 of the Manga Akagami ni Shirayukihime

Characters: zana Wistalia, Zen Wistalia, Luen Mitsuhide, Kiki Seiran

Wordcount: 1303

Rating: General

I heard that you went all the way to Raxd?"

"Yes."

"I saw the report. That the soldiers at the fortress fell ill due to the wily tricks of a bunch of thieves, and they couldn't move about. That must have been really tough." I added nonchalantly, warming up with the lecture I'm about to give my brother. Zen has a lot to learn. And though outsiders may think that I do not think highly of my brother, this is precisely why I resolved to be tough on him: it is because I do not want other people to think he is weak and can be easily swayed.

An older brother's love is tough love. And therefore, I would be most displeased if anyone, even if it is a girl with a rare hair color, can easily bend Zen Wistalia according to their wishes.

I saw my brother's gaze wavered a little. He knew what was coming for him.

"I heard…" I continued, fingering another sharp piece of stone I placed inside my coat pocket. "I heard that you, a pharmacist of the palace, and one more attendant were there…" I made a show of looking behind Mitsuhide and Lady Kiki, as if expecting two more persons to appear behind them. "But you didn't bring them along, I wonder why?"

Zen's fingers twitched a little in response to my query. He let out an exasperated sigh. "Well… They're newcomers, so…"

"Indeed?" My eyebrows raised in mock surprise. Taking out the sharp stone from the pocket, I flipped it like a coin up into the air and catching it in the blink of an eye. I could feel Zen's eyes watching my every move. "Newcomers? So that man with a scratch on his cheek is a newcomer? I thought he was an outlaw." My hand clasped tight on the stone I was holding. "Turns out that he's yours?"

My eyes turned to shards of ice. I can see my brother's eyes glazed over with the realization that I was the one who scratched his newest acquisition. The man will not stay quiet about the incident. The scratch I gave on his face is a stern warning. Most likely, he has already reported to Zen what happened before he even entered this room.

I let my brother simmer under my intense scrutiny. If Zen is serious about being the next in line to the throne, he should stop being whimsical about his duties and should take his position seriously. People will talk, and once rumors are started, it can damage one's reputation. A great dike can fail with one small hole that is left unattended.

A kingdom such as ours is not easy to govern; people will loose faith in our ability to lead them if they feel it is shaky and open to influence from outsiders. How can we win their support if gossip, however untrue they may be, continues to plague the royal family?

"It seems that you haven't reported about the punishment you gave those soldiers at the fortress." I glanced at his two retainers, whose serious expressions never wavered. I can sense a little hostility from them with what I'm about to subject my brother to.

"How do you explain yourself, Zen?"

I waited.

"I haven't punished them."

My mouth thinned slightly. "Why?"

It took a moment for Zen to answer, but he kept his gaze at me steadily.

"They have the duty to patrol and protect the land around the fortress. Because of the incident, for a few days, they hadn't moved out of the fortress and fulfilled their duty. I can't let them be late for their duty any more than this."

Well said, brother. I thought. Zen has carefully thought his answer. In the past, his temper is a little hard to control, and he would often burst out in anger, especially when he is frustrated. I am pleased to learn that my brother is slowly, but surely, using his head wisely. A mature Zen to stand by my side and support our family and our cause is important to provide a solid foundation of our governing of the kingdom.

However.

"Well, then… Shall I take Raxd away from your control for half a year?"

Zen's eyes widened in shock at my words. I felt little pinpricks of pain stabbing my chest at the sight of my brother's dismayed expression. I knew he is hurt by my decision. But even if he is the next in line to the throne, he is not an exception to the Common Law of this Kingdom. The soldiers of Raxd ought to know better than to be conned by a group of thieves. They have not paid attention to their surroundings and had grown complacent, resulting in my brother intervening on behalf of their incompetency. A prince should never lift a finger unless he has to. Zen, without thinking twice on his position as Clarines' second-in-command, went to Raxd, not realizing the danger he is getting into. What if it was actually an invasion all along? What if the incident at Raxd is actually a lure to make him investigate personally? I would probably be standing in Grisaille Castle negotiating for his release with groups that have questionable agendas.

Zen should understand the consequences of his impulsive decisions.

"Granted that it was the doing of the thieves. But there was an error in the organization of the fortress. If you are not going to punish them, Zen Wistalia, you will be punished in their stead."

I saw Lady Kiki purse her lips, but she did not say any word of protest. Mitsuhide's face paled a little. They have become attached to my brother and served him well. By right, they ought to be punished too, alongside with my brother. But seeing their remorseful expressions at the sight of their master being reprimanded is enough. For now.

Zen's knuckles turned to white, as he clenched them tight at his sides. However much it pains me to see my brother like this, it is necessary to show that I will show no mercy when it comes to what is right and wrong, even if it is the second prince. Otherwise, if I let him off the hook, the rest of the members of the aristocracy will be hard to rein in with their fickle minds and rebellious nature. The Kingdom of Clarines will not survive a coup amongst the nobles. Better to be feared than to be loved if I cannot be both.

"You are too soft with yourself. You must hate punishing them for a matter like this, huh?" I gave a soft sigh. A punishment will be meted out before the end of this week. And whatever appropriate punishment is given, I will make sure that the soldiers stationed at Raxd know about it. There is nothing more convincing than the news that their beloved second commander took the blame meant for them. Besides, with this, their loyalty is ensured.

Whatever the outcome with this interview, I would be getting the same results. Zen Wistalia's greatest weakness is also his greatest strength. His ability to connect with people guarantees that he would have more than enough loyal followers at his disposal. And with him serving under me, his followers become mine too.

All for the sake of governing a vast empire such as ours, sacrifices must be made. I do not have time to molly-coddle him. He must be quick-witted, or else he would be left in the dust.

"I understand, Brother."

Zen let out a shaky exhale; obviously, my interview of him has drained him of his energy. Pity, I thought to myself. I wouldn't mind playing with him a little bit longer, but I have the girl waiting behind the curtain. My cute brother might not survive this day, if I teased him more than necessary.

Notes:

In the manga, Raxd is spelled as such by scanlation groups, while English-subtitles of the anime spelled Raxd as Laxdo. Since I am mostly relying on the manga chapters, I will use the names listed there.

The phrase "It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both" is a famous quote from Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince.

Recently, I rediscovered a good source of inspiration from Niccolo Machiavelli's work. I originally planned to exhaust his works for another planned one-shot, but re-reading my personal view of Izana Wistalia, I suddenly got the feeling that he would be a good role model for The Prince.