***The estates of the Royal House of Reed, at the outskirts of the city of Meldech to the north…***
As one of the two royal houses allowed to reign in the throne of Nerfes, the House of Reed held considerable respect and influence throughout the entire kingdom, as well as towards the lesser estates bordering them, like the Duchy of Savoy. However, with the downfall of the King James Walter Reed II and the subsequent ascension of his 'blood brother' Simon Hugh Reed to kingship, the main line of the House of Reed fell into hard times. The scandal that ensued after James was implicated in the conspiracy to eliminate the 'Commoner General,' Kuro of Arles—now the Duke of Maverny among the humans—caused for everyone to abhor his name. The commoners, for they perceived his deed as a way to keep the 'peasants' away from becoming heroes, and the nobles, who were trying to wash their hands from their sins, and found a convenient person to blame.
Nevertheless, even with all the unfortunate turn of events, the former king of Nerfes did not mind the opinion of such people. For one, his friend, Madelaine, already forgave him…along with Kuro. If anything, he believed that he should be grateful, for his deeds deserved more than the 'slap on the wrist' that he received. And second—as well as the far more important…
"Brother, I come here again to visit you!"
James greeted his blood brother with a smile. Even as he wore clothes like a commoner, he was content with his life. After guiding Simon's coach driver to his parking area, James sat with him at the dinner table with cups of tea and biscuits.
"How's Meldech?" the former king asked his successor.
"More than worry about the capital city, I'm more concerned about you," Simon admitted, taking note of his blood brother's shabby appearance.
"Oh these?" the former king looked at his own clothes. "I love these."
Simon remained silent. Yet, from his face's expression, James could tell the king was not pleased. So, he reassured him, "Even if you ask Maddie to come here and read my mind, she will say the same."
"James, Your Highness—"
"Just James is fine. Not that I'm bitter with the loss of prestige and title; it's more like, I'm used to being called that way."
"James, what's going on with you?"
"Hmm?"
"Look, you sold your house's properties until there was nothing left in your manor, except bare walls, tables and chairs," Simon pointed out. "Not only that, you also dismissed your servants, and took up farming your own fief, alone. What's going on? Even your remaining maid is asking me for additional funds for your household's budget!"
"Maid? I don't remember hiring any after dismissing everyone."
"Miss Almeera pleaded to stay with you, even as you're busy farming and growing crops in your estate," the king replied. "Tell me, James. I'm also your friend, along with Lily and Maddie. Is there anything we can help you with?"
"I'm not asking for additional budget," James countered. "If anything, I'm fine doing things back here."
"Yes, but Miss Almeera's stories about you got us worried. Your household still has allocation from the kingdom's treasury, yet you live like that."
"Well, if you're thinking I'm having a problem with my finances," the former king took a deep breath, "You're assuming things. Come, follow me."
----------
James led his blood brother to his private study, where the remnants of the furnishings the former king decided to keep remained. Upon entering, he quickly got behind an oak table and opened one of its drawers. The former king showed to Simon letters, and along with it, packages of handmade scarves.
"What are…"
"Read those."
The king did open one of the letters James gave him. It was from a widowed lady that was thanking the former king to the help he was giving her and her children.
"I found my happiness in this," James revealed. "Remember that time when I was a fugitive? In my escape attempts, I happened to meet some kind, yet unfortunate, people. Those folks, damaged and orphaned by our wars of old, though they are financially-limited, helped me more than those 'nobles' professing loyalty to me."
"Oh…"
"I still have my royal robes, there in the closet," the former king clarified, "Yet, I feel more 'alive' doing this than wearing those."
"So, all the furniture you sold…"
"The proceeds went to the needy. Even those crops in my estate, those will go to these people. I mean, look, I can live in frugality. I don't need the pomp and glory of the court life, and if I would be honest, that money you're about to give me will go to the same individuals."
Simon remained silent as he observed the former king. True enough, while he looked at James' situation through a 'royal's eye,' his predecessor was happy…even when the Reed Manor was stripped of its opulent decorations and furnishings.
"Those clothes that you wear," the king took note of the scarves and his blood brother's dress. "Did those come from the people you help?"
"Yes," James proudly nodded. "It may not look grand, but these clothes are of good quality. And I can do a lot of things wearing these!"
"I can see it," Simon smiled, appreciating the pleasant mood of his blood brother. "And really, I prefer your current self, James."
"Really, huh?"
"Well, the former you were so fixated on Maddie, and is an inconsiderate prick towards people of lower status. Compared to that, you're worthy of the noble title now than before."
James laughed. "Nah, I don't need that; I found where my heart should be. Even without titles, I'll be fine."
"But really," Simon raised another issue, "Are you really okay with that?"
"What do you mean?"
"Would you like me to lend a hand?"
"To the people I'm helping? Why not?" the former king reached for a handshake.
To which, Simon obliged. "I'll also drag Maddie and Lily to this! And Kuro! I'm positive they would be glad to help!"
"Sure! Let's make this place a better place!"
"We'll also send messages throughout the nobles of the realm—"
At that point, the former king interrupted his successor. He shook his head and said, "Don't do it."
"Huh? But—"
"Simon, if you think I didn't do what you're suggesting to me before, then you are mistaken," James revealed. "Look, after I abdicated the throne to you, I tried soliciting for the help of these 'nobles.' I wrote letters to them, explaining that these people who fought for our names and our glory needs help. And what did I receive? Heh, I would be lucky if there's no reply to my correspondence. But no, these people…they…they would send me back 'coins' made of stone, along with letters mocking my efforts! To them, I was the disgraced king! They don't even remember their poisonous words when we're conspiring against the Commoner General! They act as if they are the holiest people around, yet inside, they are worse than snakes!"
The poignant and bitter expression on the former king's face saddened Simon. Out of words to say to comfort his blood brother, the king of Nerfes had to content himself tapping James' back.
"I always trust Maddie and Lily, heck, even that commoner. But those other nobles? Nope. I'd rather eat rags than plead help from those pricks," James reiterated.
----------
**Kuro**
"And so, that's how our friend, James, is spending his days," the king of Nerfes, Simon Hugh Reed, ended his story about his recent visit to his crush and 'blood brother,' King Rambo. And, to be honest, I was impressed by the complete 180-degree turnaround of his attitude, if we were to believe the words of His Majesty. The entire breakfast table at the courtyard of the Saint Palace in the Holy Palatial Gardens was silent; even Rambo's closest friends couldn't believe at the transformation.
"I can't forgive those nobles for doing that to him!" Maddie blurted out, finally breaking the ice. "James may be a muscle-headed idiot, but he has a pure heart…well, if he really believes in the things he is fighting for, that is."
"Yes, true," Lily chuckled. "But Maddie, you have to remember, he did that because he's madly in-love with you."
"Sh-Shut up," the Human Saint's face blushed. "Even if he's in-love, it is no reason to do those things to people of lower status than him! And to think, he did that to Kuro! My Kuro, of all people!"
"Our Kuro," the Head Maid reminded her.
I couldn't help but remember that meme about a popular bunny character and the Soviet Union flag. Nevertheless, I ignored them and focused on Sir Simon. "Your Majesty, I—"
"Your Heavenly Holiness, please call me Simon," he countered. "I don't care about our positions; my respect for you is as high as those azure skies above us."
"If you'll insist on that, then you'll have to call me Kuro as well. Do it for the sake of our friendship."
"Ahem, y-yes…any case, what is it that you want to ask, K-K-Kuro?"
"I'd like to help the former king," was my blunt answer.
"Of course, I can always rely on you, Kuro!" Sir Simon smiled. "And Maddie and Lily's commitment too!"
"Well, aside from our respective households, I'd like to encourage other noble houses and even the common folk to join the efforts in caring for the victims of Chersea's old wars," I explained. "And also, who knows? Other races might get the concept and implement it in their respective lands, too! I mean, we're not the only ones who suffered from conflicts, after all."
"What are you planning, Kuro?" the king asked, curious of my ideas.
"I like the idea!" it was Maddie who revealed to everyone what I had in mind. "An orphanage and home for the elderly? The entire people of the Holy Palatial Gardens—from the maidservants to the religious staff—stand behind you, Kuro!"
----------
Ahem. Allow me to explain.
After His Majesty told to us the story of James Walter Reed II, I realized that there was no single orphanage, or home for the elderly, that existed throughout Chersea, Cherwind, Cherwoods, Cherhom, and even in the long-forgotten Cherflammen. However, there were many conflicts throughout the histories of these worlds, some were as recent as in Maddie's lifetime (she fought as a general under Lily during the old Chersean wars before the Saint's Peace). Because of those, there were many 'war orphans,' 'war widows,' and 'war invalids' that no one was left to care for them. At most, the relatives of these people would take charge of them, as was the case of those children from the village of Hagena, Mariya, and Anton. They were taken under the wing of their grandmother, Margie, after their parents died under Lily's curse.
But, for those whose relatives didn't care, or perished in the conflicts, not even the templars of the Holy Palatial Gardens were concerned about them.
Perhaps this is a result of Chersea's 'tough' culture, where the weak are expected to die, and the strong will live.
"…"
Well, I refuse to live with that. I was raised to care for people if I could, and now that I got the power to do it, I wouldn't waste the opportunity. Hence, the orphanages and the homes for the elderly. See, the early Christian church was the same; they cared for the poor and the weak, even raising funds through selling their properties and giving it to the needy, like the former king, James Walter Reed. This was also the reason the early Christians survived the severe persecutions meted out against them. Many were attracted to their willingness to help even those outside their religion.
From that kind of zealous charity, the orphanages and home for the elderly came into existence. Nuns and priests would care for the weak, and unfortunate, using the funds donated to the church by the faithful. Of course, I was aware of the abuses, but that was for another discussion.
"…"
And really, I could implement the same here in Chersea. Not only would it solve the social problem of children growing up without parents, or widows living the rest of their lives in destitute poverty, it would also create a sense of 'purpose' to those people whose hearts were for helping others. With the Church's guidance, it could also grow into an institution, securing the futures of these war victims.
Of course, I wouldn't forget King Rambo's—no, James'—efforts to solicit help for his cause, only to be met with mockery from the hypocrites. The former king knew he was powerless after his disgraceful exit, and he didn't wish to diminish the respect of others towards his friends. So, even if it was painful for him, he wouldn't pursue the matter, even when he still had connections with Simon, Lily, and Maddie. But, I'd beg to differ; as I said before, my respect for Sir James went up. If he couldn't avenge his humiliation, then I would do it for him…
…but not in the violent way. As we're still fighting against the Seductress, we avoid any negative events. But I would still get Sir James' revenge, though only through positive ways.
----------
So, after consulting with Maddie and Lily of my plans, we invited every noble and royal household head in Chersea for another 'Saint's Congress,' including the former king of Nerfes himself. Some demon leaders from the Federal Republic and elvish elders from the Chersean elf population also arrived. And really, the 'discrimination' towards Sir James was so severe…
Like, only the demons and the elves dared to seat near him. The human nobles stayed away like he was some plague. If I was some random observer, my pity would go to the former king. But I knew what would happen next, so if anything, I was more excited of the upcoming reactions, than being sad for Sir James.
"…"
Maddie and I exchanged amused glances; we could only laugh at the brave display of sheer hypocrisy before us.
The Grand Mother Templar Superior appeared before the council of all the human nobles, and some of the demon leaders and elvish lords and ladies. She opened the session by praying towards the heavens, and referring to me as 'The Most Holy One.' Honestly, sitting in front of every important person that existed in Chersea—along with the outrageously 'grandiose' flowing white clothing Maddie made me wear—was so embarrassing, I wanted to disappear from my chair. Nevertheless, I felt her hand gently squeeze mine, reassuring me that she got my back.
For James, I told her inside my mind. The Human Saint winked and smiled at me.
"Honorable ladies and gentlemen of the Saint's Congress," the Grand Mother Templar Superior began. "It has come to the attention of our Most Holy Ones that the plight of the poor needs improvement, even when there are conscious efforts to help them."
"Ah! My household has always been with the unfortunate!" a noble boasted his deeds. "I don't think His Most Holy Majesty, Lord Kuro, and Her Holiness, the Lady Madelaine, will find me or any of my family wanting. We never neglected the poor people!"
"I would also say the same," another one followed. "We always allot part of our fief's budget in uplifting the lives of our unfortunate subjects!"
All throughout those nobles' dialogues, Maddie would tell me what was inside their hearts. While many of them would say the truth, it was often embellished, as they were actually helping those poor folks so they could 'tie strings' unto them. Basically, once indebted, these 'nobles' would exact favors that would force their subjects to give unreasonable concessions. I couldn't help but be amazed; these people knew—or at least had an idea—that the Human Saint could read their thoughts, yet they spouted lies effortlessly in an attempt to impress us.
To be fair, there were only a few nobles—most of them from small fiefs in the fringes of the kingdoms they belonged—that would share the same true sentiments as with the former king, Sir James.
"Look at that idiot," Maddie admired her friend's silence with all the boasts around them. "He's just sitting there, minding his own business. We both know that those grandiose speeches are fakes."
"Should we show these nobles our grand reveal?" I asked her.
"Nah, not yet," there was a nasty smirk on the Human Saint's lips. "I love to build drama. The more 'invested' these nobles are with their grand delusions, the better it is when we step there and break those pretensions down their very eyes."
"I always wonder if you're a better demon lord than Princess Noir," I jested.
"Of course, I am," Maddie countered. "My figure's better than hers, and I can bite you all the same."
Kuh. S-Shut up…
The Human Saint winked and subtly stuck out her tongue at me. I forced my focus back on the session, where the Grand Mother Templar Superior was at the part where she finally got the nobles to stop bragging of their achievements and actually get into the proposals Maddie and I drafted. However, it was here that the problems began to rear its ugly head…
"What? Orphanages and elderly homes?" a noble blurted out. "Won't this add to the burdens of our fief's budget?"
"Why should we answer for the needs of people who won't be useful to our estates?" another one backed him. "The widows and war invalids are too old and injured to be put into the fields! And the children! Shouldn't the schools be enough for their education?"
At the mention of the word 'school,' it was as if I was slapped to my face. In the first place, schools weren't meant to end up as orphanages, but those inside my duchy ended up with similar arrangements because the neighboring nobles wouldn't take the orphans into their care. I was also thankful to Eris' household, the Braunhauers, for the support they were giving me to fulfill the needs of those children, as well as the other projects of my fief.
However, schools are not enough! The orphans need something they can call home! And the widows as well as the war invalids also need people who will take care of them!
"!!!"
I was about to rise from my seat when everyone's attention fell to the former king of Nerfes, James Walter Reed II. He entered the debate by slamming on the table in front of him. "My fellow lords, and ladies," he began. "While it is of no doubt that your heart goes to the unfortunate people of our estates, may I remind you that these same 'useless' invalids fought for our names. These 'old' widows lost their husbands and wives to enforce what we see as 'ours.' And these children 'liabilities' are the loved ones of those soldiers who gave up their lives trusting their lieges will take care of them. As such, I find it hard to stomach that in their time of need, we—as 'nobles' that we are—will just throw these people away just because we can't see their 'use' and 'benefits' for us."
"You!" the first noble bellowed at the former king. "Aren't you that disgraced king of Nerfes who tried to have Our Most Holy Lord Kuro eliminated? Yet, you have the gall to accuse us of neglecting our subjects? Isn't it our right as their superiors to be served? We didn't force them to come to our wars! We never asked them to leave their families! So, we shall never answer for them!"
More than half of the assembly roared in agreement to the first noble. The demons and the elves watched in horrified silence as the humans threw insults and accusations against Sir James. Still, the former king maintained his silence; it was futile to speak against his detractors, they won't listen anyway.
For her part, I could tell Maddie was having difficulty in controlling her emotions. Not only did she want to come to her friend's aid as Sir James took the brunt of the Chersean nobility's hate, she already lost her cool after the accusatory remarks made the first noble. And really, I was already pissed at the guy, too. However, as the 'god' and 'demi-god' of Chersea, we had to maintain the image of 'neutrality,' to legitimize our decisions. Now, it was my turn to hold Maddie's hand…
Stay calm, I told her through my mind.
Maddie gently squeezing my hand assured me that she still had her wits with her. Nevertheless, the farce shouldn't be prolonged. I signaled at the Grand Mother Templar Superior to take control of the situation, which she did, along with some help from the paladins. When everything settled down, the Human Saint took over…
"Honorable lords, and ladies," she brought out a scroll, and read its contents before them. "As with the heavenly wisdom of Our Most Holy Lord Kuro have foreseen incidents like this, the funding of these orphanages and homes for the elderly will not come from the budgets of the fiefs, nor the coffers of each human realm. This is to avoid any issues with the finances of any lord or lady. The orphans, widows, and war invalids will never be left out, yet at the same time, they will never be a burden to any mortal ruler!"
"If so," an elf lady stood up. "Then, how will we care for these unfortunate souls?"
Maddie, waiting for this moment, smirked, "The Church will care for them! The Holy Palatial Gardens shall answer for the needs of every orphanage and home for the elderly, which will also be established inside the grounds of the holy embassies."
There was widespread applause as the Chersean nobility realized that they wouldn't be burdened with taking care of the people they deemed 'useless' and 'undesirable.' However, the Human Saint wasn't finished just yet…
"Moreover, because of his sincere heart to help and uplift the poor, in my capacity as the head of the Church of Chersea, I hereby appoint the Prince James Walter Reed II as the overseer of this project. Every noble house who wishes to donate to this good cause will have to go through him, and Our Most Holy Lord Kuro will bless their household greatly."
There was an air of shock and disbelief as the members of the Chersean nobility realized that the Human Saint honored the 'disgraced' king of Nerfes in front of them. Yet, they couldn't do anything about it; it was done in my presence, and they wouldn't dare go against Chersea's (future) god.
----------
***Chersea, eons later…***
At the center-most part of the Grand Royal Square of Meldech, just in front of the Royal Palace, was a pair of gilded statues of a man and a woman. It was being maintained by the Royal Household Service of the kingdom of Nerfes, and as such, ended up to be one of the popular tourist attractions in the capital city, especially whenever schools and orphanages conduct 'field trips.'
"Does anyone know who are these figures of people behind me?" a beastwoman tour guide asked her charges when they arrived at the front of the pedestal.
"That's the former king of Nerfes, James Walter Reed II, and his friend, Her Holiness the Human Saint, Madelaine Ann Rubinforth!" a student, who couldn't wait to be called, answered. He was about to add more information, when the guide cut him.
"Correct! And can anyone else tell me what they did to Nerfes?"
"James Walter Reed II was a well-known philanthropist, and a former rebel against Her Holiness the Human Saint. He secretly supported people after his abdication as king," the same student proudly recalled the lessons he learned from history class.
"Y-You're right!" the beastwoman guide tried to hide her annoyance at the smart-aleck, so she tried to engage her other companions by asking another question. "And what about the Saint Madelaine? Can anyone else tell me what she did?"
At that point, other students raised their hands, and the guide chose the kid at the back. "Her Holiness the Human Saint Lady Madelaine Ann Rubinforth founded many orphanages and homes for our grandparents, and told the church to support those up to this day!"
"That's good! You guys know your history lessons well!" she exclaimed. "But, as your guide, allow me to add more information to what you know. Remember, Chersea will never have its peaceful days if not for the efforts of Lady Madelaine Ann Rubinforth. It was her that forced the warring human kingdoms—your ancestors—to peace, which we now call as the 'Saint's Peace.' However, with the wars came its victims, so Her Holiness and King James set aside their differences and founded orphanages and homes for the elderly throughout the human lands, which was soon copied by the other races, like mine."
"We come from the orphanage, too!" a student told her.
"That's right! So, we give thanks to these heroes of old for their contributions; that's why they got their statues here…in honor of their memory."
Impressed at the end of her explanation, the students erupted in applause for their tour guide. Heartened by the warm reception to her historical 'tidbits,' the beastwoman was enthusiastic as she led the attention of her companions to the next tourist attraction in Meldech.