After concluding the meeting, Ethan—or rather Bruno, was in his office at this estate. He tidied up his room, making sure that everything looked pleasing to anyone's eyes. After all, most of the future meetings with important figures would be held in this room.
Not long after, there was a knock on the door.
"Your Highness, this is Antoine, may I enter?"
Bruno quickly sat behind the table and prepared himself with the encounter.
"Come in," Bruno permitted.
Seconds after, Antoine opened the door and stepped inside. He walked toward the front of the table, and kneeled before him.
"Your Highness, you ordered me to come visit you after the meeting. Here I am, what is that you wish to discuss with me."
"Nothing, I just want us to have a personal discussion," Ethan revealed.
Hearing that, Antoine looked up to meet the prince in the eye but—.
"When did I told you to raise your head?" Bruno asked sharply.
Antoine's eyes widened slightly in shock. He did notice that Prince Bruno's personality has taken a 180 degree turn, but not to this extent. Nevertheless, he quickly lowered his gaze and spoke.
"I apologize for my impertinence, Your Highness. I meant no disrespect when I looked upon you," Antoine said.
Ethan—or rather Bruno, was pleased to hear that from Antoine. In order for him to effectively rule this realm, Ethan knew he needed to establish authority. Respect was essential, but authority was paramount. If he wanted to implement reforms, crush the rebellion, and gain the support of his subjects, it had to start with his inner circle recognizing his authority. Antoine was the first test.
"You've served this estate and this position longer than I have, Antoine," Bruno began and continued. "Tell me, what do you think of me? Speak honestly. I won't punish you for your candor."
Antoine hesitated. He was torn between his instincts to protect himself and his duty to answer the prince truthfully. Finally, he decided to tread carefully.
"Your Highness, you have always been... a man of charm and potential, though I fear that potential has not been realized. Your recent actions today suggest a... change, one that I hope is genuine and lasting."
Bruno smirked slightly. The diplomatic response was expected, but it also reflected Antoine's doubt. "Fair enough. And what would you say if I told you that everything you thought about me before was true—but from now on, I will show you the leader this island needs?"
Antoine's eyes flickered with confusion but quickly returned to their subservient downcast position.
"I would say, Your Highness, that actions speak louder than words. If you prove yourself, I will gladly follow you."
Bruno leaned forward, placing his elbows on the desk and clasping his hands together.
"Good…then how about another question? What would you follow first? My orders or the king's orders?"
Antoine hesitated for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly. He had served the Elysean crown for many years, navigating the treacherous waters of court politics and royal mandates. He knew this question was a trap—no matter how he answered, it carried risks.
Finally, he responded carefully, "Your Highness, with respect to the hierarchy of authority, I would have to prioritize the King's orders, as he is the supreme ruler of our land. However, I am also bound to follow your commands as you are the appointed governor of this island."
Bruno's eyes narrowed, and he leaned forward slightly. "Wrong answer, Antoine."
Antoine's head snapped up in surprise before he quickly lowered his gaze again, realizing the weight of his misstep. "Your Highness, I meant no—"
"Enough," Bruno interrupted firmly. "Let me make this perfectly clear, Antoine. The King may sit on his throne in Elysea, far removed from the realities of this island, but I am the one who stands at the helm here. I know the situation firsthand—the rebellion, the people's grievances, the resources we have at our disposal. Any order from the mainland is made without credible understanding of what we face."
Antoine's lips tightened, but he remained silent as Ethan continued.
"You were sent here to assist me in governing Corse, not to act as a messenger boy for the court. If you place the King's hypothetical orders above my direct commands in this region, you undermine not only me but the stability of this entire operation. Is that clear?"
Antoine bowed his head even lower, his voice subdued but steady. "Crystal clear, Your Highness. I apologize for my earlier response. I will follow your orders without hesitation."
"Good." Bruno's tone softened, but the intensity in his eyes remained. "Understand this, Antoine. If we are to succeed, I need loyalty, not lip service. If you ever find yourself questioning my authority again, I expect you to voice it here, in private, where we can resolve it. But in public, my word is law. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Antoine said, his voice more resolute now. "Your orders will take precedence."
Bruno leaned back in his chair, satisfied. "Very well. You may rise."
Antoine stood, his posture straight but his expression guarded.
"Now, let's set aside our personal discussion and let's talk about the domain of Corse. You have heard of my plan earlier right? My plan to raise troops? It's going to cost money implementing it due to us having to pay wages on the new recruits. What is the current situation of this island's coffers?"
Antoine hesitated before answering, his expression grim. "Your Highness, the coffers are in bad shape. We are running low on funds."
Bruno's eyes narrowed. "Why is it low? Is it due to mismanagement of funds, corruption, or something else?"
Antoine sighed deeply, as if the weight of the island's problems rested on his shoulders. "Your Highness, the issue is not corruption—at least not entirely. It's that this domain is inherently poor. There's very little economic activity on the island. Agriculture is meager due to the rocky terrain, trade is minimal because of our isolated position, and what little wealth is generated is unevenly distributed. Simply put, there's not much money circulating in Corse."
Bruno's sharp mind went into overdrive. "That doesn't explain the entire picture, Antoine. How many people live on this island?"
"Approximately 25,000, Your Highness," Antoine replied cautiously.
"And how many of them are paying taxes?"
Antoine hesitated, clearly reluctant to answer. "About 35 percent, Your Highness."
Bruno's brow furrowed. "And the other 65 percent?"
"They are members of the nobility," Antoine explained, his tone defensive. "As per the agreements made during the transition of power, they are exempt from taxes. It was a concession made to ensure the nobles would not revolt against the new Elysean leadership and to keep them—and their servants—loyal."
Bruno's expression darkened. "So, let me summarize. The majority of the wealth on this island is concentrated in the hands of the nobility, yet they pay nothing. Meanwhile, the poorest—those who are struggling to survive—are burdened with high taxes?"
Antoine nodded reluctantly. "Yes, Your Highness. The nobles hold the land, the resources, and control over their serfs. The high taxes on the commoners were seen as the only way to sustain the administration and military presence here."
Bruno leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers as he considered the situation. "Antoine, this arrangement is unsustainable. If we want to raise funds and stabilize this island, we must tax the nobility."
Antoine's eyes widened in alarm. "Your Highness, I must caution you. Attempting to tax the nobility would be seen as a direct affront to their privileges. It could incite rebellion among them, and if they rebel, they could rally their servants and destabilize the entire region."
"I understand the risks. But consider this: without funds, we cannot raise an army, pay wages, or ensure the island's security. If we allow the status quo to continue, we'll lose Corse to the rebellion, and the nobles will lose everything anyway. The time for half-measures is over."
Antoine hesitated but finally asked, "And if the nobles refuse to comply with a tax decree?"
Bruno smiled. "Then by law, I have the authority to confiscate their properties and redistribute them to the Crown. Let them complain to the King if they wish. I'll justify it as a wartime necessity to secure the island. Besides, nobles are far less likely to rebel if they know I'm willing to strip them of everything."
Antoine looked uneasy but acknowledged the logic. "It's a bold move, Your Highness. But what if they appeal to the King directly?"
"Did you just forget what we talked about earlier?" Bruno reminded him sternly. "I am the ruler of this domain, not the king who was in the mainland."
"I did not forget, but Your Highness, you must know that we are still on a plan of exterminating the rebels. If we anger the nobles of this island, then there is a possibility of them joining the rebels."
"Then in that case, they will become enemies of the state. Their betrayal would justify even harsher measures. I am not naïve, Antoine. I know that walking this path invites risk, but inaction invites defeat. Corse cannot remain stagnant under the weight of greed and privilege."
Antoine's face paled at Bruno's unrelenting tone, but he said nothing. The prince's transformation was undeniable. This was no longer the bumbling and inept Bruno de Elysea; this was someone with a clear vision and an iron will.
"Antoine, the nobility may hold power, but their power is not absolute. They rely on the Crown for legitimacy, on their lands for income, and on their servants for survival. If they oppose this decree, we will expose their greed to the people. Public sentiment, properly guided, can be a weapon as powerful as any sword. The peasants already bear the weight of taxation. If they see the nobles resisting a fair system, resentment will turn into anger. That anger will isolate the nobles."
Antoine hesitated but nodded slowly. "You're proposing a gamble, Your Highness. If the nobles comply, we secure funds and stability. If they resist, we risk unrest, but you seem prepared to face that."
"It's a gamble that I will confidently win," Bruno smirked. "Later tonight, I will draft the decree. We will implement it tomorrow, along with other decrees that will stimulate growth in this god forsaken island."