By Uroosah Ehsan
“My King, I am afraid the citizens are infuriated by your new policy.” My advisor told me, making me sigh in despair.
Being a King was unpleasant at times. I looked towards the noblemen discussing happily about their new tax evasion strategies. The members of the Third Estate have been protesting endlessly on the streets, saying things about separation of powers and equal rights.
I was torn, unsure of whether I should give the people what they want or continue pleasing those closer to me. Recent deployments of my army to America in their fight for independence has been costly, the nation’s bank slowly draining itself of its finances.
The people fought for their independence from the monarchy with a passion. My wife, Marie, wanted nothing but luxury, and so I gave it to her. In return, my dignity and respect from the commoners was sacrificed.
“My King, I would like to suggest a solution to our financial woes,” A clergyman said, his colleagues snickering behind him. The clergyman wore a kind smile on his face, his cheeks plump from the fancy delights enjoyed during his stay here in my palace.
“What do you have in mind?” I asked, knowing he wouldn’t give me anything useful.
“May I…speak to you in private regarding this matter?” He requested, to which I agreed to after dismissing unnecessary subjects.
After the last of the subjects filed out, the door was deemed shut, as I then turned to him. “Go on,” I implied, taking him by surprise as he walked over to the table covered with dusty maps and failed battle plans.
“I come from a wealthy family,” He started to explain, tracing his fingers over the map laid out in front of him. “That is, until I found out I was adopted. My biological parents are from the Third Estate. I have visited the situation down there, my King, and it really is as unpleasant as it sounds. The people are angry, possibly angrier than before the war fought alongside America and after the war with the British.”
I heaved another sigh. “If only it were not for my incompetence. What is your name?” I asked, to which I received no return. The clergyman continued with his somewhat inspirational speech.
“They are tired, my King. They have been exploited long enough, and it is not getting any better.” He shook his head, pinching the drawbridge of his nose. “We need to stop favoring the nobility over our normal citizens. It is not fair that we are essentially robbing them of their freedom, and riches.”
“Do you know what being rich does to you?” He continued, causing me to raise an eyebrow at him. “It corrupts you. It makes you greedy, hungry to take and not to give. Money will tear your mind away from good if not used properly and my King, let me tell you. The things I’ve seen my fellow clergymen do…”
“I see,” I replied, nodding my head slowly. It was time for change, and it was time to decide myself, not for the sake of my predecessor, nor for the sake of this clergyman. It had to be of good intent, for the benefit of all the citizens of France.
“My King, would it be fair if you were to call the Estates-General? They have not convened since 1614, is it not time to make change in this cruel world?” He suggested, fiddling with one of the model soldiers placed on the map.
“If I agree to this, I will lose my support from the higher ups. My power will become worthless, and you will be forced to pay your taxes,” I bargained, giving him a look of utter suspicion, wondering if this could really work.
“But my King, if you do not act, sooner or later the people will not care about your power. They will come dethrone you, and your advisors will not be there to save you,” He debated. “Look around, my King. Do you deem any of your subjects here trustworthy?”
I rubbed my temple in thought, he was not wrong. Everyone around me fed me meaningless lies, words of deceit. At this moment, no one I could think of was worthy of my trust.
“You have a point. However, what makes you think I trust you?” I simply replied, the clergyman stilling for a moment as I could hear gears turning in his mind.
“My King, you let me have a moment alone with you. Any other subjects who wished the same could have taken your life right then and there. But I have done nothing of the sort, have I?” He said, eyebrows furrowed as he looked at me.
“Very well. You might want to get my advisor in here,” I told the clergyman, causing him to tilt his head in confusion. “What for?” He asked.
“What else? I am going to give the people what they need.”
By Uroosah Ehsan
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