lady_mab | Mutiny - Letters - Clarence 02 (Reply)

The Lord Ean de Gillis

℅ The Arcadia Titan

My dear Ean,

It seems that Her Majesty has been on edge as of late. There is something eating away at her -- mentally, I hope, but she has not been in top form since before you even left, and I wonder if you might have noticed. For a very long time, she refused to tell me anything about it. "It is nothing to worry about," she would say. "I am tired." And she would laugh in a way that implies 'oh being Queen of Albion is a bit exhausting, but nothing I can't handle'.

And of course, I believe her in as much that I do not think it is something she can't handle. I know and trust her enough to believe that she is able to take care of the political struggles both at home and abroad with as much grace as His Majesty expects of her.

My concerns are thus: She and Sebastian have been wed somewhere north of fifteen years. As long as Sebastian has had the throne. It is a long time for a queen to remain childless.

This is, of course, not something I tell you lightly or in the spirit of gossip. I tell you because I am worried for my dear and closest friend. I owe Noah much -- oftentimes, I feel I owe her my life, despite what she might say -- and to hear the rumours said about her when I am in Albion? I do not like it, but I am powerless to act against those who whisper.

You would not stay silent, I think, should you cross paths with them. But they would be cowed by your reprimands -- the son of the Antillan head of council, close advisor to His Majesty, hero of the Battle of the Plains, the man who crowned Prince Sebastian at the Heathered Pass. Captain of The Arcadian Titan, sailing the skies of Assalia to keep the peace in the name of our nation.

But Clarence, you protest. Are you not the Earl of Carneath? Are you not Her Majesty's trusted and loyal advisor? Why would they not listen to you?

For reasons I do not like to discuss, and you are too polite to bring up.

But that is neither here nor there. I am writing to express my worries about Noah's health, and the rumors about her that persist despite all she does.

That you and I know why she is not with child is in the strictest confidence. That she should wonder if she should make a public announcement is appalling.

Despite the fact that their pairing had been arranged by Robert and Rupert before I even knew either of them, I worry that Sebastian's council will encourage him to take a mistress, or they will tell Noah to leave the court scientists so that she can focus on "more important things" (I say this because I heard one say this shortly before I sat down to write this letter, and I am livid merely remembering it).

As if they have a place to tell Her Majesty what she should deem important -- she who has fought hard to join the guild and maintains her position there out of the results of her work and not her title as queen. She who has done great improvements in technology and science not only for this court but for the kingdom as a whole. And they would tell her that there are "more important things" that she should think about.

I cannot tell this to Noah. I fear that she would construct another one of those foul tempered devices of hers and send it after the naysayers. That would not give them a good impression of her.

Now, when I try to push her to see what her concerns are, they are directed outward. To the state of Lemurian politics beyond Carneath’s reach, to Buyan's export rates exceeding years past, to the political squabbles in Frisland that threaten to become a civil war. To you, far from home.

To me, that the work seems to be giving me grey hairs at a faster rate (the joke will be on you, Noah, when I simply lose all my hair from stress over you, and what little there is will be no more).

I do not want to push her so, but she is making it increasingly difficult. If only she would tell me what is wrong, so I do not keep coming up with strange theories, or worrying unduly, or anything.

I have you to worry about, my love, far from home that you are; I do not want to also worry about the Queen and her nation.

Maybe I can ask Sebastian. See if he shares my concerns. See if I am merely making up problems when there are none, or if there is anything he can do.

I will keep you updated as best I can. If I am doing my math correctly, you should be several weeks out from Aelem. I look forward to reading your letters as soon as you are able to post them, but at least I know that you shall have mine waiting for you soon.

Ilaka na ashfi-al,
Clarence