Chapter 105 - A Declaration Of War (1/2)
”You what?” Al asked in a deadly tone.
As soon as we got back from visiting his family we approached Franz to talk about potentially starting the reconstruction efforts in the spring. A stricken expression crossed his face when he explained that he couldn't just give away money and land without consulting the court first.
”My hands are tied! I thought I would be able to do things like this on my own but apparently I'm not…the archduke has been very clear on what is and is not allowed,” he finished sourly.
I scowled. The archduke had been a major villain in the novel but hadn't been a major player up until this point. It seemed like he was finally making his move, no doubt wanting to continue exploiting the mountains for Annalaias's benefit like the former king.
”Who's the king here, you or the archduke?! Shouldn't you have more power than this?” I demanded.
Even presidents back in good old America were allowed to declare executive orders now and then as a bypass for going through Congress. This was ridiculous.
I had thought becoming king would allow him to do whatever he saw fit to govern his country. Returning lands to a people your predecessor killed off and giving financial restitution to help rebuild should be within his jurisdiction.
Franz sighed. ”Sometimes I wonder. But he has served as an advisor to the crown since before my father's time. I cannot dismiss him so easily.”
”If you back out on our deal now that you got what you wanted I will personally tie you to a chair and drop you in the ocean,” I threatened.
With my size and how many guards there would be to stop me, this wouldn't be possible. But I wanted him to know how pissed off I was and it was the first thing I could come up with. He seemed to get my message.
”Katie, there should be nothing to worry about. All we have to do is wait until court reconvenes in the fall. The majority is on my side now so if I phrase the proposal correctly—”
Al cut him off angrily, his hands balled into fists. ”No. Your father destroyed my people without the permission of the court and you will fix it the same way. The archduke can go jump off a cliff for all I care.”
A lightbulb flickered over my head and I smiled smugly. ”Diplomatic relations are not subject to the court, correct?”
”Yes…” Franz said warily. ”Where are you going with this?”
”The Kanta region was never formally considered a country before and was left to its own devices because no one else dared live there. That changes now. You are now speaking to Clan Leader Alamar de Kanta and Madam Clan Leader Katie de Kanta of the independent nation of Kanta. If you do not give us what we want we shall declare war.”