Albion Rules the Wind 4 - or 'No, this is not a copycat of Noblesse Oblige' (Zero no Tsukaima, Wales' Twin!SI)
The Matters that soon unfolded within the Londinium are not to be considered a shocking scenario despite the unprecedented height of chaos within Albionese History. Not when the escalations preceding such events were indeed giving anyone with some smarts the understanding that it was not a matter of 'if', but a matter of when.
It was roughly three months after that birthday party that familiar events unfolded within the capital of Albion. I had been busy exchanging letters with a giddy Louise as she had been able to study magic more coherently after learning her true affinity, the girl providing huge amount of details to elaborate with her teachings, thoughts and other peculiar ideas. The affair of handling my fief had pretty much been a stable effort which rendered those letters a nice way to touch away from the same old paperwork.
That being said, the news that my 'King Father' had been urged by some advisors to personally pursue the arrest of five members of parliament by entering the building, interrupting a legislative session to force the matter when those had vacated the parliament in advance... Well, that was a major issue. And one that saw my title as Marshal of the Parliament invoked as rumors of a monarchist plot had terrified the parliament itself.
Truth be told, I had expected this sort of escalations, but I bet the king had not predicted for his moves to be predicted to this extent by those he planned to have arrested. I knew they were 'fine' when I managed to personally take hold of them on the guise they had purposely skipped parliament and that they were to be kept in house arrest until parliament itself could cast judgment on their members.
The troops I had been drilling for numerous months were highly-trained. The force I could produce out of my fief was by far the most prepared for war compared to the one any of the two old factions could muster, so I could tell I surprised many when my arrival unfolded a day or so earlier than predicted due to the efficient collective flight to reach the capital.
The orderly relocation caused a stir in Londinium, but everyone seemed at ease due to the restrained behavior of the officers and the soldiers, the troops trained properly in handling themselves in 'civilian strongholds'.
By the time I arrived, I also kept some reservists prepared to protect my fief- lest to not face a surprise attack from monarchist forces to force me out of the city. As I walked through the halls of the parliament once again, I finally arrived at the chamber I visited last time.
Once again, Lord Pelham stood by his grand chair, nodding as to bow at my entrance.
"Lord Tudor-Walpole, we are most glad for your presence here today," The man greeted warmly and with a hint of desperation pending by his throat. "We were just discussing on the possibility of reintroducing the militia bill, but our colleagues have told us that you brought forth a considerable force."
I nodded. "I have mustered sixty thousand highly-trained troops that will support you against any attempt of hostile takeover from the current king considering the last news regarding a royal effort to outplace the parliament's authority."
Surprise appeared on many faces. It's easy for many to be merely pleased with 'a lot of troops', but the specific number was unexpected. I had a big army with quality education, preparation and equipment.
"That's an impressive force you prepared, Duke Tudor-Walpole. If I may inquire for the members of the Parliament, what is your plan for this potential siege?"
I raised my head. "We have a sufficient amount of troops for a steady and resilient defence of the capital, a safe corridor to support a supply route in the eventuality of a blockade and plans for orderly evacuations for both civilians and parliament's members within fashionable time. Nothing has been left in the air."
"What about your plans for this event, Duke Tudor-Walpole," One of the members pressed, and I recognized him as part of those sticking by certain traditional values. "What do you seek to implement in the eventuality of becoming King if... if things go a certain way?"
There was a lot of murmuring around it, urging Lord Pelham to hammer it all down with his gavel before granting me the means to provide my opinion. It was a big topic, and while I wasn't pleased to make my opinion known since it meant creating a worrisome narrative, I decided to go for it.
"If I was made King, my plan would be to actually reform the kingdom in a gradual manner while preserving the current rights and duties and privileges of both King and Parliament. I would urge the creation of a government to act as an intermediary of the two major figures, to represent a solid and reliable ministry made by a cabinet of loyal and proper statesmen that would be given each roles within their positions. Each member of such government will be appointed through Parliamentarians by the King's own discretion and the Leading Member's own request," I started to say, pushing through words I knew were going to stun and gain a reaction from all members. And as I briefly pause, I saw shock flaring at my brazen expectations. "The Government's role shall be to propose bills of laws to the Parliament, which members shall vote upon with the expectation of improving the country and its people's lives. At the same time, however, within rightful reason, I would introduce an independent code of ethics for both monarch and parliament. The former shall be judged by myself in the eventuality of me becoming a ruler, while I would leave the chore of producing a code of conduct for the parliamentarians to a commission presided by members of the parliament itself."
I took another brief pause, and Lord Pelham took this chance to speak up.
"Would you then be willing to expand the rule of law to permit new changes on the commoners' lives?"
I nodded. "Within gradual expectation. While I understand many here have doubts on changing the status quo even so slightly, the truth of the matter is that time goes on, people expects more from their rulers, and even though we try to push for a moment of 'peace' in politics, things will go on with or without us. What we can do is to be the caretakers of responsible rulings and legislations. To support the subjects just as they support us. After all, a head and a body both need to cooperate together to survive as a full body. A head can't be bodiless, and a body can't be headless."
Most of them actually applauded my speech. It was such a rational thing to expect, but I suppose they have been missing on a good king ever since 'daddy dearest' came along to play bad cop and corrupt cop on the Parliament.
Some even tried to push a motion to make me King, but they were rejected for now on the ground that it would cause senseless escalations and that diplomacy was much needed first.
For that to work, of course, it was a different story altogether.
-d-d-d-d-
Two days passed and the King was here... with around ten thousand men. Those weren't even quality troops, but outright conscripts that had been living most of their lives as peasants that hardly needed to wield weapons.
He asked for parlay, I gave him that by standing by the walls as he stood several feet away from us by the ground. The King looked pissed... and Wales was not there. Had he been sent to Halkeginia? I was hoping this much as it would make the next few steps easier for me to handle in terms of diplomatic effort.
"Prince Scottish, by my decree I request you stand down, abandon the walls, and join us in saving this country rather than accept the corrupt rule of some uppity noble."
...Really?
"King James, by Parliament's request you have been offered the chance to surrender and stop the senseless bloodletting you seek to inflict upon the capital of this country rather than going forth with the moronic effort to mimic some foreign absolute country."
"You have no ground to stand on with this claim! I have been crowned King and as such I have the final say on the laws of this country!"
"You do not. You are limited as many before us both had expected someone like you to come by. A tyrant with the smile of a devil, chanting the old songs of glory and yet lying about the suffering you plan to inflict on those that just want to live in harmony."
Something really pissed him off about my rebuttal and he snarled back with greater bitterness. "So, you wish to stand by a bunch of traitors than with your family? Is this your stand, Duke Walpole?"
I snorted at the indirect slap. The man sure had a nerve to play with the word 'family'.
"It's ironic that I am being questioned over familial love by a kinslayer. Worry not, King James, I will make sure you will be granted a fair trial. One that will bring up all the sins you covered up, all the lies you mustered, all the slander you held strongly in your heart. May those above us grant you mercy, for the people and I shall not."
That pissed him off, enough that he started to hurl foul shit at me as I turned around and left him to seethe and cope. I thought it would have been enough to push him to attack the next day, but I overestimated my father's view of honor.
Around the nightly hours, right about the time I was about to catch a brief two-hours rest, I was alerted that the scouts had seen the hostile troops led by King James acting towards the city. The Flying Ships were sent first to try and decimate the defenses, with a couple of Wyvern Knights moving to try and assist their effort.
Bombers and Fighters... can hardly go well against well-meaning and fast Interceptors. The Walpole Air Brigade and the Walpole Mobile Force were instantly mobilized. While the Mobile Force composed by 120 Wyvern Knights armed with explosives rushed to destroy the siege machines, our own Flying Ships rushed to decimate the infantry that was marching towards the wall.
The citizens of all classes were awakened by the loud battling, some panicking and trying to leave the premises of the sight of war, but most kept put to see with awe and dread how this siege was going horribly for the King's force.
Speaking of the King, the small squad of the Mobile Force which I personally tasked in retrieving him in the eventuality he dodged the battle and tried to retreat was able to intercept him before he was able to leave through the thick forests leading northward. His retinue was slaughtered before his eyes, while James himself was chained up and then delivered to my feet as soon as the battle was over.
The Battle of Londinium was... a striking display of power, and one that had numerous ramifications within the country and beyond.
Starting with the idea of a newly-crowned King putting his father in a public trial to be judged by the people rather than his peers.
AN
Hail to the King, Scottish and... next time will see Louise and her family's reactions to the idea she may be the one that the king may end up marrying. And also a certain elf and her caretaker being reintroduced to the family while also being given the chance to cause hell to the one that killed their fathers.