23-06-2025, 02:21 PM
Dining room of the Casino of Bellaria, Imperial Residence of Villa Sironi-Talliani, 7.20 am.
![[Image: 88clQLnm.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/88clQLnm.jpeg)
The Grand Prince of the Crown Tommaso, still in his dressing gown, was having breakfast, holding a cup of milky coffee in front of him and a brioche freshly dipped in honey in his hand. The Private Secretary then entered into the dinning room with a silver tray on which were piled several freshly printed newspapers that he carefully placed on the table next to the Prince.
«Good morning, Your Highness. The press review: particularly interesting today.» responded with a smile.
Prince tommaso sipped the coffee, absentmindedly leafs through the first newspaper yawns slightly:
«Mmmh... good morning Emilio, let's see... yet another shaky government in Pontesi? A new coup d'état in Dovani? Maybe, finally some news from that disastrous sewer that is Deltaria?»
The Secretary responded with a hint of an ironic smile:
«Worse. The Empress of Kalistan attended a public forum of the…» briefly checks a line from the newspaper «the "Democratic Club of Sulari". She answered questions from the citizens.»
The Prince raised an eyebrow flipping to page seven:
«Questions? To the Empress? In public? It must have ended in bloodshed... It must have been like letting a poacher into an animal rights conference. What did they think, to walk out to applause? Tell me that at least someone tried to address her directly.»
«Sombody tried, but... » responded sarcastic the Secretary «"Imperial protocol: it is forbidden to address Her Majesty directly", you must interface through the Chancellor. Who, by the way, reminded those present that a formal error could have brought them directly before the magistrate for lèse-majesté. And they spoke of an "unprecedented meeting with the people".»
The Prince laughs briefly shacking the head.
«And these people call themselves "enlightened". I mean, the mere idea of having to filter a question through some kind of... "notary of the sacred" is grotesque. But threatening arrest in a "public discussion"? My God...»
«The worst part is that they even expected to come away well-liked. An image operation, they said. But when they asked her about the war in Kundrati, about democracy or the money spent on her palaces and jewels... well, let's just say the mask fell.»
The Prince shaked his head again, leafing through with more interest:
«Ah, here it is... "There is no equality in this Nation except under the law"» he read the sentence aloud, rolling his eyes «Delightfully brutal, a caress of steel, almost honest…»
«Honest as a slap. Then she went on to defend her crazy spending»
«Yes... "Our fortune is ours, and we don't spend your money." I mean... thanks for the clarification, Your Majesty.»
«In other times they would have said "bread and circuses"» said more severe now the Secretary «now the bread is plated in platinum and the circus is an absolutist monarchy that thinks it's enlightened because it occasionally lets the plebs watch it.»
The prince putting down the newspaper, took another sip of coffee, quickly scrolling through the article in search of the commentaries:
«There, everyone is commenting on her "frankness", her "courage", sombody with admiration, a lot others with obvious embarrassment. But the picture that emerges is clear: they were expecting a catwalk, and instead they found themselves in front of a real audience. With real questions. And they didn't have the answers… There was not even an official statement after the blunder?»
«Obviously not. They let it deflate on its own. But it seems clear that it will be the last time we'll see them at an event like this. At least as long as there's some "Democratic Club”.»
«But how come after centuries of development, wars, constitutions and revolutions... we find ourselves again with people who govern in this way? Who strut under golden canopies and get offended if anyone dares raise an eyebrow? It should be an interesting matter of study for political accademics»
«Perhaps» responded thoughtful and less sarcastic «because for centuries we have fought certain ideas, the Thallers, the cults of absolute sovereignty, aristocratic authoritarianism, but we have never really defused them. Defeated on the battlefields, yes... but never completely eradicated in political culture. And now, with such crisis of democracy, certain seeds have found tired soil and are taking root. And in the and the Thallers were not the only problem, should we talk about Dorvik, for example?»
«It is as if there has been a creeping normalization of non-democratic thought. As if, by dint of being told that freedom is chaotic, expensive, inefficient... some people are starting to believe that all things considered, a solid and centralized power that let you work by yourself and put some money in your pocket is preferable. Even if it treats you like a subhuman»
«Yes... and the biggest problem is that there is always someone willing to believe it, as long as order reigns and the refrigerator is full.» responded the Secretary more cynical.
«Exactly. They stay there, on top of the throne, just because they fill people's bellies, plant a few trees and fix a few flower beds. But I'd like to see them maintain that air of superiority if they found themselves in front of a hungry, desperate, truly angry crowd. Forget thrones, forget gems, forget beautification programs… they'd escape by helicopter in the middle of the night.»
«And they delude themselves that these are stable systems. But a regime that tells a mother worried about her son's future that "it already has enough democracy" and that "it doesn't need more" is a regime that... is afraid, it seems, that relies on ignorance or apathy to survive.»
«And meanwhile, two of the world's major powers are governed by systems like that.» said more serious «This should make us think. Has anything changed over time? Maybe. But what doesn’t change is that these systems, however strong they may seem on the outside, carry deep cracks inside.»
«That could be represented even by Something like Sulari’s Democratic Club, for example: small, sure, but alive. People who haven’t forgotten what it means to confront, discuss, have a voice.»
«And could be enough to undermine their golden castles.»
«Yes, democracy may be imperfect, and it is, profoundly so, but if they tell you that you can’t even speak directly to those in charge, that your value is measured only to the extent that you don’t question the hierarchy... well, that’s not a State but a show.»
«Of course… no system is perfect, but at least democracy doesn’t pretend to sell itself as the fairy kingdom of fairy tales. It doesn’t pass off a golden fairy tale as reality. It offers a possibility and, when it works, that possibility is true: change, participation, dignity. There, instead, they’re content to offer pantomimes. A theatrical concession to listening, as long as the questions remain decorative. But as soon as someone dares to be treated like… like a person… the fairy tale breaks. And then off they go, protected by the canopy, they disappear into thin air, leaving only silence and the echo of their contempt.»
«And yet, and this is the disturbing point, many remain there, standing and applauding.» said the Secretary with a bitter smile «Convinced that they are living in freedom, while they tighten their own collars. All it takes is a little well-being, a few reassuring words, formally respected some basic "human rights", and the game is done.»
«They don't even use reassuring words anymore, Emilio, they threaten to send you before the magistrate "reminding you of the protocol". They don't even act anymore. I would like to see if they would respect things like "personal safety" or the "ban on degrading treatment" if they had to deal with serious and pressing protests and demands.»
«The trick, Your Highness, is that people can be easily intoxicated. A little propaganda, a little rhetoric about honor and stability... their eyes filled with "nobility and beauty", and there they are, singing praises to the yoke that oppresses them. All they need to do is change the shape of their boot... or their glass slipper, if you prefer.»
The Prince sighed and said before to finish the coffé:
«Yes. And as long as the oligarchs and the powerful make money from it... no one dreams of breaking it.»
«Because, as they say: they don't spend the citizens' money, or rather, the subjects' money, only their freedom.»
«And with that, they do a roaring trade.» smiled bitterly before to pour other coffee in the cup and a teaspoon of sugar, and while he stirred, he looked out the windows:
«Until when, I wonder. How long will this illusion last? If the bellies are empty and the balance is broken, will they still be able to strut under their monstrous canopies?»
The Secretary didn't responded, he just shrugged, so the Prince continue:
«Should we expect some reaction from our press?»
«Probably, certainly the left-wing newspapers will have a field day. I don't even exclude long articles by experts and political analysts.»
«Let's hope they aren't too harsh» responded sarcastically the Prince «you know... besides being autocratic, they are touchy and are easily hurt too!»
It was then that noises were heard coming from behind the doors of the room, which, shortly after, were opened by the valets letting in Eleonora, Michela and Alessandro followed by Melissa, pregnant with their fourth child.
The Prince kissed them one by one, Michela and Alessandro as usual bickered to have precedence, then he kissed his wife caressing her belly. And he began to watch them as they sat down to have breakfast, thinking to himself that he could never put them at risk of "beheading or shooting", this was the epilogue of many autocrats, only to pursue supreme power, and then hearten himself, that here "democracy" has not become a dirty word.
The Grand Prince of the Crown Tommaso, still in his dressing gown, was having breakfast, holding a cup of milky coffee in front of him and a brioche freshly dipped in honey in his hand. The Private Secretary then entered into the dinning room with a silver tray on which were piled several freshly printed newspapers that he carefully placed on the table next to the Prince.
«Good morning, Your Highness. The press review: particularly interesting today.» responded with a smile.
Prince tommaso sipped the coffee, absentmindedly leafs through the first newspaper yawns slightly:
«Mmmh... good morning Emilio, let's see... yet another shaky government in Pontesi? A new coup d'état in Dovani? Maybe, finally some news from that disastrous sewer that is Deltaria?»
The Secretary responded with a hint of an ironic smile:
«Worse. The Empress of Kalistan attended a public forum of the…» briefly checks a line from the newspaper «the "Democratic Club of Sulari". She answered questions from the citizens.»
The Prince raised an eyebrow flipping to page seven:
«Questions? To the Empress? In public? It must have ended in bloodshed... It must have been like letting a poacher into an animal rights conference. What did they think, to walk out to applause? Tell me that at least someone tried to address her directly.»
«Sombody tried, but... » responded sarcastic the Secretary «"Imperial protocol: it is forbidden to address Her Majesty directly", you must interface through the Chancellor. Who, by the way, reminded those present that a formal error could have brought them directly before the magistrate for lèse-majesté. And they spoke of an "unprecedented meeting with the people".»
The Prince laughs briefly shacking the head.
«And these people call themselves "enlightened". I mean, the mere idea of having to filter a question through some kind of... "notary of the sacred" is grotesque. But threatening arrest in a "public discussion"? My God...»
«The worst part is that they even expected to come away well-liked. An image operation, they said. But when they asked her about the war in Kundrati, about democracy or the money spent on her palaces and jewels... well, let's just say the mask fell.»
The Prince shaked his head again, leafing through with more interest:
«Ah, here it is... "There is no equality in this Nation except under the law"» he read the sentence aloud, rolling his eyes «Delightfully brutal, a caress of steel, almost honest…»
«Honest as a slap. Then she went on to defend her crazy spending»
«Yes... "Our fortune is ours, and we don't spend your money." I mean... thanks for the clarification, Your Majesty.»
«In other times they would have said "bread and circuses"» said more severe now the Secretary «now the bread is plated in platinum and the circus is an absolutist monarchy that thinks it's enlightened because it occasionally lets the plebs watch it.»
The prince putting down the newspaper, took another sip of coffee, quickly scrolling through the article in search of the commentaries:
«There, everyone is commenting on her "frankness", her "courage", sombody with admiration, a lot others with obvious embarrassment. But the picture that emerges is clear: they were expecting a catwalk, and instead they found themselves in front of a real audience. With real questions. And they didn't have the answers… There was not even an official statement after the blunder?»
«Obviously not. They let it deflate on its own. But it seems clear that it will be the last time we'll see them at an event like this. At least as long as there's some "Democratic Club”.»
«But how come after centuries of development, wars, constitutions and revolutions... we find ourselves again with people who govern in this way? Who strut under golden canopies and get offended if anyone dares raise an eyebrow? It should be an interesting matter of study for political accademics»
«Perhaps» responded thoughtful and less sarcastic «because for centuries we have fought certain ideas, the Thallers, the cults of absolute sovereignty, aristocratic authoritarianism, but we have never really defused them. Defeated on the battlefields, yes... but never completely eradicated in political culture. And now, with such crisis of democracy, certain seeds have found tired soil and are taking root. And in the and the Thallers were not the only problem, should we talk about Dorvik, for example?»
«It is as if there has been a creeping normalization of non-democratic thought. As if, by dint of being told that freedom is chaotic, expensive, inefficient... some people are starting to believe that all things considered, a solid and centralized power that let you work by yourself and put some money in your pocket is preferable. Even if it treats you like a subhuman»
«Yes... and the biggest problem is that there is always someone willing to believe it, as long as order reigns and the refrigerator is full.» responded the Secretary more cynical.
«Exactly. They stay there, on top of the throne, just because they fill people's bellies, plant a few trees and fix a few flower beds. But I'd like to see them maintain that air of superiority if they found themselves in front of a hungry, desperate, truly angry crowd. Forget thrones, forget gems, forget beautification programs… they'd escape by helicopter in the middle of the night.»
«And they delude themselves that these are stable systems. But a regime that tells a mother worried about her son's future that "it already has enough democracy" and that "it doesn't need more" is a regime that... is afraid, it seems, that relies on ignorance or apathy to survive.»
«And meanwhile, two of the world's major powers are governed by systems like that.» said more serious «This should make us think. Has anything changed over time? Maybe. But what doesn’t change is that these systems, however strong they may seem on the outside, carry deep cracks inside.»
«That could be represented even by Something like Sulari’s Democratic Club, for example: small, sure, but alive. People who haven’t forgotten what it means to confront, discuss, have a voice.»
«And could be enough to undermine their golden castles.»
«Yes, democracy may be imperfect, and it is, profoundly so, but if they tell you that you can’t even speak directly to those in charge, that your value is measured only to the extent that you don’t question the hierarchy... well, that’s not a State but a show.»
«Of course… no system is perfect, but at least democracy doesn’t pretend to sell itself as the fairy kingdom of fairy tales. It doesn’t pass off a golden fairy tale as reality. It offers a possibility and, when it works, that possibility is true: change, participation, dignity. There, instead, they’re content to offer pantomimes. A theatrical concession to listening, as long as the questions remain decorative. But as soon as someone dares to be treated like… like a person… the fairy tale breaks. And then off they go, protected by the canopy, they disappear into thin air, leaving only silence and the echo of their contempt.»
«And yet, and this is the disturbing point, many remain there, standing and applauding.» said the Secretary with a bitter smile «Convinced that they are living in freedom, while they tighten their own collars. All it takes is a little well-being, a few reassuring words, formally respected some basic "human rights", and the game is done.»
«They don't even use reassuring words anymore, Emilio, they threaten to send you before the magistrate "reminding you of the protocol". They don't even act anymore. I would like to see if they would respect things like "personal safety" or the "ban on degrading treatment" if they had to deal with serious and pressing protests and demands.»
«The trick, Your Highness, is that people can be easily intoxicated. A little propaganda, a little rhetoric about honor and stability... their eyes filled with "nobility and beauty", and there they are, singing praises to the yoke that oppresses them. All they need to do is change the shape of their boot... or their glass slipper, if you prefer.»
The Prince sighed and said before to finish the coffé:
«Yes. And as long as the oligarchs and the powerful make money from it... no one dreams of breaking it.»
«Because, as they say: they don't spend the citizens' money, or rather, the subjects' money, only their freedom.»
«And with that, they do a roaring trade.» smiled bitterly before to pour other coffee in the cup and a teaspoon of sugar, and while he stirred, he looked out the windows:
«Until when, I wonder. How long will this illusion last? If the bellies are empty and the balance is broken, will they still be able to strut under their monstrous canopies?»
The Secretary didn't responded, he just shrugged, so the Prince continue:
«Should we expect some reaction from our press?»
«Probably, certainly the left-wing newspapers will have a field day. I don't even exclude long articles by experts and political analysts.»
«Let's hope they aren't too harsh» responded sarcastically the Prince «you know... besides being autocratic, they are touchy and are easily hurt too!»
It was then that noises were heard coming from behind the doors of the room, which, shortly after, were opened by the valets letting in Eleonora, Michela and Alessandro followed by Melissa, pregnant with their fourth child.
The Prince kissed them one by one, Michela and Alessandro as usual bickered to have precedence, then he kissed his wife caressing her belly. And he began to watch them as they sat down to have breakfast, thinking to himself that he could never put them at risk of "beheading or shooting", this was the epilogue of many autocrats, only to pursue supreme power, and then hearten himself, that here "democracy" has not become a dirty word.