204 Chapter 204: Rome (2/2)
He paused for a moment as a deep frown was etched onto his face, ”you cannot let the nobles run all over you, father,” Caesar implored, ”you are the king of Rahvin kingdom, as such, you should act the role… never cower in fear due to the threat of the corrupt nobles.”
Crowley slammed his desk, ”what do suppose I do?” he inquired, ”the dukes, counts, and even barons are the blood of our kingdom. We can not persist without them, all of our knights, farms, and even servants are paid for by them!” Crowley roared in protest.
”That's the problem, father!” Caesar snapped back, ”you rely on these nobles, giving them a chance to walk all over you. A real king doesn't ask his subordinates to follow him; they should follow their master without question, nor thought.”
The room became silent once again, neither side relenting in the argument. Crowley firmly believed that peace was of most importance, even if he had to succumb to the greedy nobles. In contrast, Caesar took a much more aggressive approach. If the nobles didn't follow orders, then they should only be removed.
Both arguments were right in their own way. Thus, Caesar handed Crowley a piece of paper with the system he had modeled after ancient Rome. No words were exchanged as Caesar departed from the room, letting his father cool off a bit.
Nothing irked Caesar more than when people schemed and used the people he cared about. The corrupt nobles could easily manipulate his kind-hearted father while funneling money into their own pockets. Due to the bustling life insurance plan that he had suggested a while ago, the nobles were surely drowning in gold.
The corrupt system would leave the kingdom at stagnating pace, never growing. With a detestable hierarchy, the economy would utterly plummet. No new immigrants would wish to live in Rahvin kingdom, and no merchants would dare sell in their territory.
With these troublesome thoughts in mind, Caesar soon arrived in front of his room. He could hear giggling and stern rebuttals from inside. Both Ahri's and Elizabeths melodious voices entered into Caesar's ears, calming him down ever so slightly.
He truly wanted to set Rahvin kingdom on the right path before he departed, alas, his father was far too stubborn. Peace was an impossible feat. That is why idealistic leaders always failed in history; they tried to accomplish the impracticable.
If you let others use you, then you are going to be sucked dry, until nothing is left. As he thought to here, the door cracked upon and Ahri peaked her head out. She had sensed Caesar at the door for a few minutes now. A weird smile was plastered on her face as she observed his troubled expression.
”Don't come in until you're frown has disappeared,” Ahri said cheekily while flashing her tongue in Caesar's direction. She was still bitter about him teasing her all morning. She then slammed the door shut, leaving Caesar alone in the hallway with the corner of his lips twitching.
He massaged his forehead with both his index finger and thumb while sighing deeply. ”I truly have bad luck…”