THE BALLET OF MADNESS
“Faithful subjects,” the voice of the Crown Princess filtered through the many stations and speakers, all across the realm.
“And brave soldiers of our Empire,” For many years, the question of inheritance had plagued the nation; uncertainty ruled even the greatest minds. Pity then, that such a situation wasn't pondered upon with as much resolve as lesser matters of lesser importance.
“Our Reich, now dominates the world!” It wasn't too much surprise, then, that the question had been answered; later than acceptable, yes. The answer, the heiress, had caused much controversy. Controversy, that an infantile dynasty could hardly afford; scandalous, that an heir untested by the winds of the unforgiving desert would inherit; Many, amongst the House had grown complacent. Far too complacent.
“This, is a testament to the resolve of our Glorious People,” Complacency breeds weakness. Weakness breeds war. War breeds devastation. Devastation inspires, akin to a messiah, feelings of dissent and revolution; the mind shudders at its mere mention. Revolution. Such a distasteful word. Yet, even now, as the Heiress speaks– whispers of revolution swim across the maelstrom of the Empire's politics.
“One by one, our enemies have been felled. One by one, their transgressions, have been paid back in full!” Cheers burst from every corner of the Reichshalle; there is no reverence in them, not anymore. They lack conviction and belief. They doubt the Reich and it's machinations. They grow tired of zealots and clergy spreading their venom throughout the Imperial Council. They grow disillusioned; revolution breeds amongst them now, stronger than ever.
“The burdens of the AlterKrieg, have been repaid in the tears of our foes! The stagnation of the past has now been overcome! The Coalition, the Futurist Leagues, the Horde and, now, even the Commune lay defeated!” The cheers grow, both in intensity and magnitude yet the people cheer not for the current rulers. Nay. They cheer for the old glories of Lilac von Celeste- The Great Conquer. It is her goodwill and prowess, that allow the House to survive and thrive. Without her fanatics and her church, there would be no royalty.
“It is through our Science, that we have sharpened our sword!” Ah yes, it had slipped her mind, the true reason for this Imperial address; a new hallmark of technology, had been achieved– Quantum Energy, a science to draw power from the unseen world- from the elder world, so to say.
“It is through science, that we delivered our final strike!” Quantum Energy, while intended, undoubtedly, for wholesome purposes, took quite a derailment in the Schnee Crusade; A new era of warfare had been devised. Artificial Intelligence. True Artificial Intelligence, the kind of which was never before seen– something, straight out of a science-fiction film or novel. ODESSA, now decommissioned unfortunately, was the gleaming jewel in our military’s crown.
ODESSA, had delivered the final strike. Nuclear Armageddon. And, for such a patriotic act, it had been punished. In truth, it was not the nuclear holocaust, which pushed this decision, no, it was fear; Fear of change, fear of replacement, fear of the unknown.
“It is through science, that our Reich will march into a glorious era for a thousand years! It is through science, that we will rid ourselves of enemies both within and without!” To a long standing ovation and joyful cheers, the Reich saluted its new master. Crown Princess Marilyn von Celeste.
“A quaint little speech, ain't it?” The man standing just a few feet left of her, questioned in a voice hardly befitting a royal; praise be upon Her, that he isn't.
“As much as it pains me, yes, it was,” She whispered back.
He smirked back, hiding laughter and amusement, though they twinkled brightly through his ghostly eyes; Very much, the definition of a heavenless lad, the man was dressed sharply in a military dress from a bygone era, striking blonde hair going untouched by the fierce coastal wind and his ghostly electric blue eyes staring amusedly at her. Alexander, for that was his name, was the kind of man that a woman, or a girl, ought to fall in love with– an easy smile, a silver tongue, dashing looks, sharply dressed and simply a delight to be around.
Imagine her surprise, when the man admitted to having been loved only once. Oh Lilac, the horror! Were the women of his time, blind?! Good Goddess, if she were there, Alexander would've certainly ended up being married before he originally was.
Shame, that she couldn't do so anymore; It was simply impossible. Nevertheless, at least she had the sole pleasure of his company and that was a great concession.
“A coin for your thoughts?”
“Ruminating on my lost romance with you, good sir.” She replied cheekily. Alexander let out a boisterous laugh; none were troubled by his rambunctious nature.
How could they be? It was impossible, after all.
The man was dead. Had been so, for over a century.
It did not disturb her, to share companionship with a century old ghost, after all, to him, secrets could be divulged without fear; who would he share them to? The Lord of Necropolis? The Lady of the Illiad? Or perhaps, Lilac forbid, a deathwalker of the Lilithian Dominion?!
If he wished to, go right ahead. What would, creatures and men of fiction and madness do to her? Nothing, they could do nothing. Just like him.
After the speech, her family and their various aides had been all ushered to a riverside pavilion– established specially for this occasion; talk about tactless. Unnecessary grandeur, ought to achieve naught but resentment.
For all the claims of her disintegrated nature in history, she had studied accelerationism and socialism, in great detail. Both, inspite of later differences, began from disgruntled populace despising the royalty and corrupt autocrats. Many, in the House and the Imperial Senate, have forgotten this fact; they grow complacent with the Accelerationist Monarchy, twisting and manipulating it into something horrendous and completely detached from Lilac's Divine vision.
Perverse and debauched ideologies had penetrated their exalted family; her alarms over this, had been laughed out. A pariah, everyone called her. Everyone except Alexander; he agreed wholeheartedly, even pushing her to make a bid for the throne– an act, done too late to secure stalwart support.
However, her meager support was from amidst the revolutionary masses; whom, seeing in her, a persona of the Great Lilac, threw their support behind her. It had disgruntled her, for a time, until Alexander made sense of the matter.
Apparently, even Lilac had been disgruntled at first by the revolutionary support! Who would've known?!
Now, seeing her sister's disgusting and frankly revolting behavior, she was determined. The crown would not survive without her.
“Look-” she motioned to Alexander, and by extension to Agony- another of her stalwart supporters-, and spoke, “Look, at the harlot; hanging, so distastefully off of the men! No class, no tact, no grace!”
Agony merely nodded in mute acceptance; Alexander, however, vocalized his support, “Indeed, I see her disgraceful behavior; it surprises me, that characters of questionable quality are allowed upon the throne. Verily, she will bring ruin, upon this dynasty.”
Elenore nodded, affirmative determination coloring her movements, “Yes, of course, she will. You hear that, Agony? She will bring destruction, destruction, you hear?”
“Yes, My Lady, I hear even the unheard,” Agony replied, sagely. Intelligent beast! Under her, he would be suitably rewarded.
“I am proud of both of you, you know? So terribly proud, that oft my heart thunders with indescribable love, you understand?”
Both of her loyal supporters, nod. “We understand,” they say in a chorus, unintentionally.
She digs into her food, unconcerned and ignorant of the conversations surrounding her; opinions of fools, had rarely ever troubled her sleep. Besides, there were other important matters to attend to. Matters, such as her beloved sister's marriage to a lowblood– a mongrel born in the Order-State of Reina; how her imbecile family had allowed this, she didn't know, suffice to say however, none were too happy with the idea of a soiled dynasty. And, that included her.
And Alexander. And Agony, of course, who inspite of the inherit quiet nature of the Cardinals, was quite a racial bigot; well, then again, she was one too, so such trivial traits went ignored in favor of protection of Lilac's bloodline.
Do not misunderstand her! She wasn't a professional bigot, like Agony! She was a.. uhh… a part-timer! It was merely that she couldn't bear to see the glorious era of her beloved Reich be overlooked by Reinan mongrels; the stuff of my worst nightmares!
As she comfortably sipped on her drink- a strawberry flavored cocktail, refreshing and pleasing to the heart- Alexander knelt beside her, leaning into her ear, began advising, “Listen, Elenore; you must make your move. And soon, preferably and, if possible, before their marriage! Because, if it goes–”
“If it goes through, the marriage is sealed and a Reinan mongrel shares my blood. Wunderbar. Do not worry,” At his impeaching look, she elaborated, “I have a plan; By Lilac's grace, it is already in motion. We merely have to wait for it's climax!”
Nodding pleasurably, Alexander smiled before returning to his position beside Agony. Elenore continued feasting; revelry dominated her heart and mind. Victory is near!
It's been a week, here; spent utterly ingloriously, drowning in civilized pleasures- in the case of her sister, carnality. Alexander has grown troubled. By what? He doesn't share, whether he wishes not to or can't; she doesn't know. Nevertheless, it irks her. How could it not? When everything, in this final stretch, depends on utmost knowledge and trust; Alexander won't betray her, he simply can't. However, it's still of vital importance that he sorts out, whatever it is that troubles him, lest it become a nuisance.
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Speaking of nuisance, her family grows suspicious; her politicking and machinations, have hardly gone unnoticed– many, have begun to speak of the new legions replacing the old. It was a pain to ensure that no more brows are raised at her creatures- for, the legions are hers and her's alone- and that task, in of itself, has caused problems.
There won't be a clean takeover; curse the inquisitive minds of Ascalon for that!
Neverminding that, her plan will succeed. It has to.
“My fair Empress?”
“Yes?” She raised a brow.
“The traitors- the royal family- have been arrested. We await your orders!” The news of the success, inspired elation within her; great enough that irritation at having lost hold of her thoughts, was forgotten.
“Music to my ears, Karl!” Flashing her aides, a blinding smile, she questioned, “Any reports of Agony?”
“Yes, milady,”
“All good things, I hope,”
“Better than good, milady; tis an excellent news, that he relays- the plan has succeeded, to an even greater extent than predicted!”
A smug victorious grin bloomed upon her face; turning to her left, she spoke, “Listen, Andrew, make your way out of the castle; prepare the freikorps, understand? And, have them march and seize the city, crystal?”
“Yes, milady, crystal clear.” With a pleased hum, she continued sauntering through her castle; wasn't that a pleasing thought! Forget carnal pleasures, true enjoyment is held in the throes of power!
“And, Karl?”
“I am at your service, milady.” With a bow, he awaited.
“Begin our defiance. We ought to seize the Empire before the onset of fall, understood? I cannot risk any longer than that, lest the Empire shatters once more, understand? Besides, I cannot find it in myself to crusade and purge like Her Divine Self, Lilac von Celeste, you know?”
He bowed deeply, forehead nearly touching his knees, “Certainly, milady. I shall not, allow you any chances of complaints!”
“Excellent,” she paused, gesturing to the looming door, “This is, where they are, yes?”
“Yes, milady,”
“Very well, I shall be off then; remember your orders, yes? We cannot tarry any longer; begin it at once, understood?”
“Crystal clear, Holy Empress.” With another, this one deeper than any other, he bid her leave.
The revolution has begun, Alexander. Are you proud?
The man, Alexander, flashed her a bright smile, “I'm so very proud; I always believed that you would carry out Lilac's vision. And, now.. now that I'm seeing my dreams come to fruition. It- it fills me with cold anticipation,”
Elenore smiled demurely, “Well, then you ought to be glad, that in a matter of few moments; our dreams will be realized,”
He mirrored her smile, “Then shall we?”
“Indeed, we shall.” She threw the door open; all voices were silenced.
“Daughter! Thank Lilac, you are safe!” Her mother shrieked, in holy gratitude, as she embraced her; mother's gaze, seemed to search for something in her face, or perhaps, in her eyes– something that she couldn't see or saw, for in the next moment, all warmth vanished from the embrace, leaving only cold solitude.
“Elenore, how are you free? Did they, perhaps, miss you?” Her younger brother, James, questioned. He was a sweet little chap, his boyish face framed by her mother's blonde hair- his black eyes, a mirror of her own, stared back with cluelessness as to the situation. Pity, such a pity!
It almost made her regret it.
Almost.
The uneasy silence, was shattered by Marilyn's shrill laughter. “Oh, hahahaha- oh ohh, foolish brother! Oh you poor chap, can't ya see?!”
“See what?!” James cried. The poor boy was affronted at the insult.
“Oh~, my dear. Tis her! She's the orchestrator of this madness! The bitch couldn't handle mine ascension, so she did the best thing, she could do; be a filthy traitor!”
Her brother, unbelieving of the claim, looked towards her- his eyes, imploring her to dispute the claim. An usurper, she was. But a liar? She couldn't be.
“It is true; I have orchestrated this,”
At once, pandemonium broke loose.
“You whore! Foul bitch! Release yourself from this madness at once!”
“Daughter, cease this foolishness. This is no time to destabilize us!”
“It is no point, mother. The vindictive beast won't listen to reason! I should've offed your bloody head, infact I will, once I'm through-”
“SILENCE!”
Silence gripped the ornate room, once more; tying the tongues of each and every individual within her vicinity. For a few moments, all that one could hear was the sound of gunshots filtering from the streets.
Ah, so the revolution has begun.
The silence growing heavier, the people growing uneasier, she began speaking, “You see, for a long time, there was no trace of desire for the throne within me; I cared not, for either the people or the Reich. Why should I have? It was pointless to covet that which is not mine. But.. but then, dear sister, I saw your dalliances- your debauchery. And- and, quite frankly, we couldn't stand for it. The Reich would be dirtied under your blood. For me, no harlot, no Reinan mongrel could ever sit their savage selves upon the throne. No, never. You understand, yes? I beseech you, understand. Lest, my horde devours like they wish, so desperately, to do. You see? I did this, for the Reich, for the people to be saved from suffering at hands of half bloods and- and, oh Lilac, and bastards. I couldn't possibly allow for such transgressions to hold! Never. Our Goddess Lilac, would roll in her grave, had this come to pass. You must understand, that neither I nor Alexander, would've allowed this! It simply couldn't pass, couldn't come to fruition, lest our House be finally brought to end! And, it would be!”
“Liar.” Her sister voiced out.
“Excuse me? ‘Liar?’. Typical of you; right, why did I expect any semblance of gratitude from you mongrel lovers. None of you understand mine and Alexander's grace upon you! None of you. Very well, then I suppose, you shall have to be dealt with too, understand?-”
Interrupting her rant, her mother questioned, “Alexander?”
“Yes, of course; my stalwart ally,”
A dumb silence descended; broken by the disbelieving laughter of Marilyn.
“Oh Lilac- hahahahaha! Alexander?! Hahaha! Ya don't fucking mean, that imaginary delusion of yours. Surely?!”
Elenore reeled back, affronted; “Imaginary?! Delusion?!! Certainly not!” Her tone turned softer as she continued, “He is a very- very dear friend. And, I shan't tolerate such blatant disrespect towards him,”
Mother's eyes softened, “Ele, dear, you can still seize this madness; you hardly need the burden of a Reich steeped into civil war on your shoulders. What- what you need is help, mental help-”
“No, no, mother dearest. You wish for my surrender, but you shan't have it. Not like this, not without a fight.” After a pregnant pause, she added, “Besides, Alexander is no imaginary construct. He's a real being, a supernatural one albeit, but he exists.”
“Invisible to us?” Her younger sister, Emilia, questioned.
“Yes. Of course, he appears only to those whom he considers worthy.” Nodding at her own answer, she let out a smug grin; proud of her victory.
“Sister. Elenore, indulge me, one last time, will you?” Marilyn requested.
She nodded, very well, I can hardly refute Marilyn's last wishes.
“Is.. is he here? Within this room?”
She nodded, “Yes. He is, why?”
“You see, I have a few questions for him; would you mind?”
She shrugged, unsure. “I guess?” At Alexander's accepting nod, she continued, “Ah, well, go ahead, whatever,”
“Alexander.. where were you born?”
“He says, in Avalon,”
“Where was his military career established?”
“He says in the Sultanate war,”
“Ask him, where he had married Lilac's mother,”
Alexander froze, refusing to respond; even at her silent beseechment. “He doesn't respond, maybe, he has-”
She nodded, “ He has amnesia? Maybe. Ask him, when was Lilac born?”
To this, Alexander responded enthusiastically; “He says, mere days before the end of fall,”
“Ask him, where was Lilac born?”
Alexander froze again; refusing to answer.
“He refuses to respond,”
“Oh? Does he? Very well, ask him what was Lilac's full name?”
Again, Alexander looked like a deer caught in headlights; frozen like a statue, as if the question itself was incomprehensible.
“He doesn't know,” she answered.
Marilyn nodded in understanding, “Of course, he doesn't. He doesn't, sister, because you don't know; had you taken an interest in history, deeper history, the guy would've answered these with resolute dedication. But, since you didn't, he's clueless.” She sighed, “I care not for the bitterness between us and for your foul acts this day. I say this from genuine concern, surrender Elenore and we- I promise, we will get you help, because that is, what you need; not the crown, not power, not the Reich. You. Need. Help.”
Elenore’s lip wobbled. Glaring at Alexander in betrayal and defeat, she bit back her mournful tears. There was no tarrying any longer; if she acquiesced to these demands, she'll go down in history as a madwoman. She can't have that. Not at all.
Turning her scouring glare towards her family, she lifted her head in pride, “I, thank you for your undue concern. However it is misplaced, you should be concerned for yourself; Agony has convinced the Cardinal Council- except, the vainful Avarice and the stickler for rules, Wrath. Everyone else, supports me and my cause. Even if you could muster a worthy army, which I doubt you could, defeat is certain.”
Turning her back, on both her disloyal family and the traitor Alexander, she opened the door; “If I were you; I'd take this time to ruminate upon my life choices and mistakes and their consequences. Farewell!”
With a flourish, she was gone.
“Are my fears true? That you trust me not, any longer?”
“Why did you humiliate me so?” She whispered, mutely.
Alexander sighed, running a hand through his hair, “There was no other choice, kiddo. If I had answered them, correctly; they would've figured out your biggest strength. And-”
“-By acting the fool, you prevented that. Genius, if I do say so myself,”
He smiled softly, although his ghostly blue eyes seemed ever more haunting, “Precisely. With this, even if they rant and rave about your madness; none will lend them their ears, their words will only stroke the flames of revolution. Nothing more, nothing less,”
She let out a victorious laughter, reveling in this ultimate victory! “It is time to celebrate then, yes?”
“Of course, Holy Empress! But.. but, before that, I have something to share with you,”
“Oh? Nothing too bad, I hope,”
“No. Not at all, I merely wish for you to meet a friend. Another ally of yours,”
“Aha! Very well, then! Lead the way, my good Sir!” She cheered him on.
Smiling all the way, Alexander led her deeper, evermore.