A/N: There's going to be a few new province names and dukes mentioned in this chapter, so if you're interested in a visual, check out this link for a map I made of the kingdom! /a/QuyNhhe
All the dukes of Solardie and many of their counts attended the late king's funeral, just like the previous funeral for the late prince a few months ago. "We must mourn the unfortunate passing of my father and brother. However, their untimely deaths were born out of their weakness and incompetence. In contrast, I will be a strong and intelligent ruler," Helena proclaimed to the nobles of the realm.
"Since when did the late King Nigel designate you as his successor?" someone called out from the crowd. Murmurs broke out, and all eyes turned towards Duke Percival. "King Nigel never selected an heir after the previous one, the unborn child from his first mistress, perished," the Pyroar pointed out. "I have a different idea of who should rule our kingdom. Allow me to introduce you to Prince Ludwig, King Nigel's only surviving male relative." Ludwig made his way to the front of the noble crowd where Helena was, and Duke Percival pointed him out.
"Yes, as King Nigel's nephew, I should continue his legacy as King. With all of your permission, of course," said Ludwig, standing tall and proud with his mane fluffed out.
Helena ignored her cousin, continuing to address the crowd. "There is no question that I am the next ruler," Helena said. "I am the previous ruler's only child."
"Kingdoms are meant to be ruled by kings, not queens," Duke Percival stated. "Prince Ludwig is King Nigel's only male relative, therefore-"
"That is utter folly," interjected Duke Qasimir, the Quagsire who Helena had helped out against Duke Percival in the past. "Princess Helena is more than capable of ruling our kingdom in a fair and just manner."
"I concur," a Mienshao spoke up. "Titles are passed from parent to child."
"Princess Helena is too arrogant to rule justly," Duke Ulysses accused. "Prince Ludwig is a clean slate."
"Agreed. We need fresh blood to lead our kingdom," a Breloom added.
Helena's friends sat at the back of the crowd. "This is not good," Max muttered, rubbing his chin.
Lily flicked her head between the various dukes speaking up. "What's happening? Is Helena not becoming queen?" she asked.
"Well, there are seven provinces that make up the Kingdom of Solardie," Max explained. "Each of the dukes who own each province holds considerable power. If most do not agree to crown Helena as queen and instead back her cousin, there could be a civil war…"
"Those jerks," Chadwyck muttered. "Which ones are the dukes?"
"We all know the Pyroar, Duke Percival of Lyonnais. That is where Lily is from," Max started.
"The fat Unfezant is Duke Ulysses of Caenhaulais," Terry added. "The Quagsire over there is Duke Qasimir of Nuohnais. He's pretty nice, I think."
"The Mienshao from earlier is Duchess Madelyn of Kojondais, the province to the west of here," Max continued. "The Breloom is Duke Brennan of Kinogais, south of us."
"That wimpy Breloom looks like he needs a little intimidation to turn him to our side," Chadwyck remarked, punching a fist into a palm.
"Do not do anything without Helena's approval. This is a delicate situation." Max grabbed Chadwyck's tail, but it's not like his little paw would have done anything.
"Duke Kendrick, you also support Prince Ludwig's claim to the throne, right?" Duke Percival prompted.
The Krookodile shifted from one foot to the other and fiddled his claws as everyone turned their attention to him. "I am not sure it is correct to take the succession away from the king's only child, who happens to be a daughter. I would not want to set a precedent that would erode my daughter's right to rule Waruvais."
"So that Krookodile is the sixth duke," Lily said, counting on her digits. "Who's the last one? There's seven, right?"
"That would be Helena!" Terry exclaimed. "At least it should be. King Nigel was both the King of Solardie and the Duke of Kyukonais."
"This is really not good," Max remarked. "Three dukes support Helena, three for her cousin, and one not sure."
"Prince Ludwig is not even from Solardie," Count Ignatio spoke up loudly. "He is a prince of Luneland. If we make him king, he will most certainly do whatever his uncle on the throne of Luneland demands. We cannot have a foreign puppet rule our kingdom!"
"I will not answer to my uncle in any way," Ludwig countered. "I despise my uncle and his son for their mistreatment of my father and me. Let me tell you what I will do, though. As your king, I will establish a monthly assembly in which I will invite all of my dukes to discuss important matters of the kingdom, like new laws, taxes, foreign relations, and more. I will only act with majority approval. If you make me king, you will not have to take my word that I will rule justly. You shall determine what is just or unjust yourselves. I will call this new governing body… The Universalis!"
"I wholly support Prince Ludwig and his proposal to establish the Universalis," Duke Percival declared. Duke Ulysses and Duke Brennan voiced their agreement. Prince Ludwig and his three dukes stared at Duke Kendrick, awaiting his response.
"Yes, yes, I recall your proposal now. It has its merits. Allow me some time to mull over it once more…" the Krookodile responded.
"That is a rather intriguing proposal…" Duchess Madelyn considered.
Helena looked between her father's former subjects, her muzzle agape. What a fool she was to believe these corrupt dukes would be subservient to her. Now they had somehow found a way to keep all the power for themselves. She trotted up to Ludwig and stuck her paw towards his face. "What is the point of becoming king if you are giving up your royal authority? Why do you really want to be king, huh?" she demanded.
"I believe that the dukes who own the provinces deserve more autonomy," Ludwig lied. He then diverted his brainpower to fantasizing about ways to stick his new title in his cousin's face.
"You can't just walk into my palace and claim that it's all yours," Helena growled. "If you think you can take this kingdom from me, then defeat me in a duel!" she loudly challenged, slamming her paw down on the ground aggressively.
Ludwig flinched out of his daydreams and cowered, taking a few steps back. He started sweating as he felt all eyes on him and Helena. He glanced towards Duke Percival, whose mane shook from side to side with violent fervor.
"What, are you afraid, cousin?" Helena taunted. "You have to earn your right to rule, not just sit here."
Ludwig growled, his mane beginning to spark with electricity, and his eyes narrowed. He would not get bullied this time!
"He will earn his right to rule by earning the permission of the dukes!" Duke Percival interjected. "Violence shall not determine the power-holders here," he declared.
"How contrarian of you, Duke Percival," Helena spat. "Look at this coward in front of me," Helena addressed the other dukes. "Do you really wish to bend your knees to this pitiful Luxray?"
Little did Helena know that most of the dukes did want a cowardly king if it meant more power and autonomy for themselves. She was shocked to find out that most of them were unfazed by Ludwig's display of cowardice.
Count Ignatio witnessed the dukes turning in favor of Prince Ludwig with growing contempt. "Prince Ludwig will still be a foreigner on the throne!" Count Ignatio hollered. "You simply cannot trust anything he says now!"
"It matters not what Prince Ludwig's birth status is," Duke Percival immediately countered. "With the establishment of the Universalis, us dukes would have the final say over foreign policy. Quiet down, little count," he growled.
"This is preposterous," Helena lambasted. "You still support me, correct?" Helena desperately asked Duke Qasimir and Duchess Madelyn.
"Well… if most of the other dukes support Prince Ludwig, we cannot do much about it…" Duke Qasimir sheepishly said. It sure was a convenient and cowardly excuse to support the Universalis and his province's autonomy without offending the princess who had preserved that very autonomy from a certain ambitious Pyroar.
Helena spent the next few hours trying to reason with individual dukes with mixed results. She tried scaring Duke Kendrick into thinking his daughter would not succeed him, but the other dukes drafted a written contract saying they would not usurp his daughter. Helena tried reminding Duke Qasimir of her good deeds to him, but the support of only one duke out of six would be pointless. For the other dukes, the prospect of writing their own rules in Ludwig's so-called "Universalis" proved too tantalizing for anything else to top. Helena wanted to unleash her fury in a battle, preferably against Ludwig, but Duke Percival, the caretaker, restrained him from taking the bait.
As the evening quickly approached, the sound of trumpets blared out across the palace lawn coming from the gate. The royal procession from the neighboring kingdom of Haxony caught all of the Solardian nobles' attention. Helena glared at the royal carriage and marched up to it as two knights opened the door and a Haxorus with a small crown stepped out.
"My my, how bold of my fiancée to be the first to greet me!" the Haxorus chortled upon seeing Helena.
"Horace von Haxburg," Helena growled with contempt, "what are you doing here?"
"I have come to sweep you off your paws and bring you to my wondrous castle in Haxony for us to get married per your father's wishes!"
"My father was a coward who believed throwing his daughter your way would protect him. He did not care for the future of Solardie, but I do," Helena said, loud enough for all to hear. "But it doesn't matter. My father is dead now, so any agreement based on his word is now null and void. Get out of my palace; you are not welcome here," she said lowly.
"But before you go, I shall pitch a deal to you, honorable prince," Duke Percival suddenly spoke up. "If you support Prince Ludwig as the next ruler of Solardie, he will gladly renew the royal marriage and you can have Princess Helena all to yourself," he offered with a wicked grin.
"Oh, King Nigel is dead, and there is a disputed succession, I see," Horace remarked. "Well, my darling Helena!" he exclaimed after just a moment of contemplation. "I shall throw my full support behind you, and we shall rule Solardie together as King and Queen!"
"I will never let you touch the Solardian throne, you greedy, blabbering buffoon!" Helena hollered.
"Those are some sharp words, my darling fiancée. If you keep that up, I may just prefer bedding one of my many mistresses over you," Horace "threatened."
"No self-respecting woman would marry a fat, ugly, adulterous bastard such as you," Helena fired back.
Horace's tiny eyes bulged out of his pupils. His head flinched back in shock, the abrupt motion accentuating his abnormally large and ugly chin, which the tusks on the sides of his face usually hid. "How dare you!" he roared.
"Only the lowliest of mistresses deserve a man like you," Helena continued, turning the Haxorus even more outraged. "Do you beg to differ? Then regain your pitiful honor in a fight against me!" Helena challenged, spitting a tiny Ember at his feet.
Horace's guards rushed forward after Helena's threat, but Horace shoved them back with his tiny arms. "Stay out of this!" he commanded. "I will destroy her myself!" He charged forward, his entire body glowing purple and his tusks and claws extending and sharpening as he used Outrage.
Helena raised her tails to the evening sky, sending beams of blinding light above the palace lawn and creating her signature makeshift sun. The nobles gasped in awe at the new slight heat radiating onto their fur. Passerby villagers outside the palace walls, many of whom had previously witnessed Helena's Drought from her skirmishes with bandits out in the countryside, took the sun as a sign that something interesting was about to happen. Many pokémon flocked to the palace gates to try and see for themselves. This was the first time Helena had used her Drought in the middle of the city, after all.
Helena had just finished activating her Drought when Horace nearly barreled into her. She ducked and dodged to the left as fast as she could, almost getting wiped out by a wild swing of the Haxorus's Outraged tusks. The foreign prince roared out a battle cry and pivoted towards Helena's new location faster than one could blink, slamming his tail against the ground for traction. He dove at Helena and slammed into her with his draconic tusks. The Ninetales cried out in pain, tumbling across the ground several times before struggling to her paws.
Fortunately for Helena, Horace had also stumbled to the ground after the impact and wearily struggled to stand back up straight, struggling after the exertion of his Outrage. Shaking her head, Helena conjured up a massive Fire Blast from her roaring inner flames with some assistance from her sun, firing it straight at her dazed, immobile opponent. The star-shaped attack exploded wildly on impact, charring up the ground beneath Horace and emitting a sharp wave of heat across the palace lawn, causing more than a few sudden cries of alarm. The Fire Blast knocked Horace onto his back, although it didn't do too much to the natural armor of his draconic scales.
Not stopping for an instant, Helena raised her tails to the sky once more, this time for Solar Beam. A ball of green light rose above her before firing down towards Horace as a powerful bundled beam of green, striking the Haxorus in the gut amid several gasps from the onlookers. Helena immediately started to create another Fire Blast, but she was beginning to tire from her attacks and the hit she took earlier, making the time to summon the necessary fire much longer.
The pain from the Solar Beam broke Horace out of his confused stupor. He stood back up with a mighty roar with his arms to the side, bending inwards, claws outstretched and pointed upwards, and chest held high as if he was some sort of mystical supervillain. A purple aura swirled around him, and his body started glowing blood red - the effects of his Dragon Dance. When Helena's next Fire Blast came his way, he dodged it with a remarkable speed that one could never imagine was possible from his tiny legs.
The stray Fire Blast went soaring towards a crowd of nobles, who started screaming for their lives and tripping over each other to get as far away as possible. A brave Golem knight stood his ground in front of the Fire Blast to protect his liege. Fortunately for him, before the Fire Blast made contact, it was partially blocked by a Light Screen appearing out of midair, significantly reducing the harm to the Golem. Max sighed in relief, seeing his handiwork's effectiveness even against Helena's Drought-boosted Fire Blast. He continued to keep a close eye on the battle in case any other reckless moves found their way out of the showdown.
Helena changed tactics, her normally red eyes glowing an eerie light blue as she started using Psychic. She blasted her enemy with a sudden, bright blue blast of force; since the Psychic was invisible until just before the strike, Horace's increased speed could not help him react fast enough. The Haxorus let out a yelp of pain but still powered on, straight towards Helena. His sharp tusks glowed purple, and he brutally slashed Helena from one side then the other with his Dual Chop. Helena cried out as she slammed into the ground amidst several gasps from the crowd. She lay still on the ground, trying to catch her breath. Her sides and back were aching more than she could remember in a long time.
Horace roared out another Dragon Dance while Helena fanned her tails out; they slowly glowed green, and their energy calmly rose to the sky. Horace charged at Helena with a menacing Outrage while Helena was still unmoving on the ground. At the last second, Helena's paws started glowing a brownish light orange, and she drove them into the ground, using Dig. She disappeared beneath a mound of unstable garden soil just as Horace dove at her. After a Mightyena bandit had surprised her with Dig a while ago, Helena had sought out villagers to teach her the technique to much success, and that hard training was paying off immensely.
Horace ended up face-planting in the loose soil with a muffled and disgusted bellow. Helena emerged from the ground several feet away, raised her muzzle to point towards the sky, and slammed her paws down while focusing on the Haxorus in one dramatic motion, commanding her Solar Beam to strike at his position. The bundled beam of powerful green light punched into the scales on Horace's back, shoving his tusked face further into the dirt. When he finally lifted his face, his eyes widened as he was hit head-on by a final Fire Blast that exploded in his dirty face and shoved him along the ground, leaving streaks of upended soil trailing the protrusions of his scales. The draconic deep purple aura from Outrage and the blood-red aura of Dragon Dance dissipated as he fainted, leaving behind muddied and charred yellow-brown scales.
The audience erupted into clamor once the verdict was made. Helena's Drought sun faded away as her strength subsided. Terry, Lily, and Max rushed over to Helena, and Lily let Helena lean on her for support. "Are you okay?" Terry asked.
"Not really," Helena mumbled. "At least I beat that arrogant, disgusting Haxburg prince, though," she said with a hint of pride, her muzzle forming a weak smile through her pained grimace.
Across from them, Prince Horace's escorts had picked up the fainted Haxorus and placed him in his carriage while others treated his wounds. A Beartic started stomping towards Helena and her friends with curled fists, but Marco, the Marowak royal guard, intercepted the Haxon knight. "You heard Princess Helena, you have no further business here," he said sternly, wielding his bone in front of him. "Take Prince Horace away and do not come back," he commanded.
"Do you require anything?" Max asked Helena.
"I should be fine…" Helena sighed, sitting down comfortably with a slight wince. "Ugh, everything hurts without your Light Screen and Reflect," she said with a chuckle.
"You sure showed him who's boss!" Lily cheered. "I can't believe you were supposed to marry that guy. Good thing you destroyed him!"
"Heh, that's right. No one's going to tell me who to marry anymore," Helena triumphantly remarked. "Now I need to tell those nobles who's boss." She stood up but suddenly whined from her aching muscles.
"You should rest first," Max insisted.
Helena ignored the advice and pushed forward. "Listen up, everyone," she shouted, although it came out somewhat hoarse. The pokémon in the courtyard turned to the battered princess with mixed expressions. "As you just witnessed for yourselves, I will protect our kingdom from foreign threats by crushing them just like that," Helena proclaimed. "I will not cower and hide from the kingdom's problems; I will deal with them personally. I am clearly the most fit to rule our kingdom."
"She could also crush you 'just like that,'" Duke Percival immediately pointed out to the crowd, staring intently at each concerned pokémon. "Princess Helena can and will assault anyone without reason. If she becomes queen, she can be as unjust as she wants with no one to stop her," he accused.
"Me, unjust? You should look in the mirror!" Helena snarled at the Pyroar. However, her retort was drowned out by Duke Kendrick's wife, a Flygon, crying, "And look at how filthy she is, digging through the ground like a barbarian," and several other noblewomen agreeing.
"In my Universalis," Ludwig spoke up sleazily, "no one shall suffer an unjust assault. We will talk out and agree to our disputes formally, and your points of view will be heard instead of squashed." The dukes voiced their approval, even Duke Qasimir, turning their attention decisively away from Helena.
Helena hung her tired head and retreated to her friends. "This is hopeless," Helena lamented in despair. "I just stopped the Haxburgs from taking advantage of our kingdom, and this is what I get? It's like, the more I show my strength to rule, the less they want me. They want a weak, incompetent puppet like my cousin over there."
"Look on the bright side, my friend," Max said. Helena gave him a cold stare. "No, really, look outside these walls." He waved his paw out, indicating beyond the palace gate and, more broadly, the city walls. "The pokémon who live outside these fancy gates and rugged walls believe in your strength to rule. You may not have convinced these dukes who rule their faraway provinces, but you have certainly earned the hearts and minds of the pokémon of Kyukonais," Max said.
"You're right… then I have an idea," Helena said determinedly.
Helena trudged her way to her cousin, sort of limping along the way and starting to feel just a little self-conscious of the dirt matted across her golden fur from her fight. "Ludwig, I have a deal for you," she said, keeping her voice even.
"What?" Ludwig questioned.
"You can take the throne, be the king of Solardie, and instate your 'Universalis' for the dukes," Helena offered. "I only ask that I be given a seat in your Universalis alongside the other dukes, representing the province of Kyukonais. I'll handle running the capital province so you can focus on your new royal duties. I'll deal with all the pokémon here for you and pay you taxes just like the other dukes. Hmm, I guess that would make me the 'Duchess of Kyukonais.' Anyway, since you will be my father's successor, the royal treasury will go to you. As will this palace, although I am still going to live here. Deal?"
Ludwig mulled it over for a few moments before nodding decisively. "Deal."
"Great!" Helena said with a smile. "I'm glad we can work this out as cousins and begin anew." She was willing to overlook their past squabbles if it meant she could have the hard ruling power over Kyukonais. It seemed like Ludwig didn't notice or care about the ramifications either - the fact that he would not have any land to his name. Helena figured all he cared about was the title of king. The two cousins finalized their agreement in a written contract then announced that Ludwig would be crowned the new King of Solardie and create the Universalis.
With Ludwig hashing out deals with the dukes, it was time for Helena to get to work on plans for the future of Kyukonais, her province!
A/N 2/27/22: In EU4, countries can make royal marriages with each other to increase the likelihood of alliances. More interestingly, when a country's ruler dies with no legal heir, they get a random heir who is a relative of the ruler of their most prestigious royal marriage partner. That's what I did here since Solardie and Luneland have a royal marriage, and King Nigel died without designating anyone as his legal heir. Ludwig, a relative of the Luneland king, became Solardie's king.