Long May Harmony Reign

Grover looked out across the palace square being warmed by the early sun. Kaiser’s College was partially visible from his quarters. He only spent just a year there, and what little he learnt was more useful when compared to what wasn’t. War classes were the one exception.

In contrast to the patriotism of his older peers, Grover felt only apathy for the very idea of military theory. He couldn’t deny admiration for conquerors like Arantigos and Grover the Great, but it was fleeting. Fittingly, his windowsill was home to two items: an old Karthinian wreath and an Equestrian crown. It was claimed by the Imperial Palace that were once worn by the First Karthinian Kaiser and Celestia respectively, but such was unlikely. Nevertheless, they were the very symbols of the brutal manipulation and benevolent exterior he aspired to.

His skin jumped as the sun glistened off his shoulders, the difficulty of the task ahead once again led his mind astray. The First Kaiser and Celestia excelled in their respective talents, perhaps being the most cunning and propagandised statecreatures in history. Following in their steps was possible; Grover knew it. He knew Luna’s aid would bring the ponies to his side, he knew he could rely on the commoners and military to oppose the archons and hochadel. But none of that made the thought any easier, nor made the heat of Celestia’s sun on his shoulders any less apparent. Perhaps in bringing his form harmony to Griffonia, Grover would fly too close to Celesta’s sun.

With the sun beginning to strike his face, Grover pushed his talons off the balcony and headed through his quaint office and towards the door. When his father died, Grover rejected the opportunity to move into the imperial room; the idea being too traumatising for the then-fledgling. And in the twelve years since, Grover never moved in and with his transition to power requested a room adjected to the cabinet office. Grover lightly opened the door, the older griffon already at work.

“Hope I haven’t been keeping you.” He greeted in a soft voice.

“No worries, young Kaiser.” Gerlach gestured towards a kettle and coffee, Grover taking the invitation and pouring cups for the pair.

“Is my aunt in Griffenheim yet?” Grover tapped his claws on the desk before picking up the cups.

“Yes. She arrived late last night.”

“Have you seen her?” He asked softly, taking his seat beside Gerlach.

“Yes.” Gerlach’s reply was just as soft, aided by a subtle smile, “I welcomed her from Central and set her up in the east wing. She is very… eager to see you once again.”

“Of course she is.” The softness in Grover’s voice disappeared. “You know she never wrote to me once?”

Gerlach leant back into the chair and shuffled an inch, “Eros did oversee most letters into the palace. He even intercepted mine, after all.”

“Did she ever bring it up?” His eyes locked onto Gerlach and narrowed as he awaited a response.

“No.” His admission was nearly toneless, “She never seemed concerned once.”

“Then you know she is only here because she thinks you control me.” Grover’s left wing twitched behind him.

“How are you going to approach her?”

“I’ll play to her assumptions.” Like a flip of a switch, Grover’s body relaxed into his chair, “It will make her easier to deal with if she drops her guard and says something treasonous”

“There is a simpler way of achieving that.”

“I’m not using you to bring down your wife.” As satisfying as that would be, “It may be easy, but burning bridges with my duumvirate partner, willing or not, would be foolish.”

“You consider this a duumvirate?” Gerlach raised his eyebrows.

“I soon expect it to be a triumvirate with Bronzetail. Your influence over me will make Gabriela and Eros look feeble in comparison.”

Which is unfortunate, Grover thought to himself and rested his head into his talons, as much as I need Gerlach and Elias, forfeiting such authority has… poor historical precedent. I just hope I don’t end up being Lark Antony; that would make a tragedy for the history books.

“You are correct. I have not really considered the dynamics of our relationship yet.”

“It’s why I chose you. Ambition without lust makes you valuable.” Your magical ability to build bridges doesn’t hurt, either. “Means it doesn’t matter that our ideals diverge.”

“Oppose my ideals of democracy, I presume.” Gerlach’s accusation took Grover by surprise, though there was no harm in indulging him.

“Yes.” Grover left his answer to sit before continuing, swirling his half-empty coffee in his talons “There’s merits in it, can’t allow another revolution so I will compromise, but I envy Celestia. I envy that she can stare her people down and tell them ‘no’ when they get ideas of replacing her. I envy her real control over Equestria, the kind we haven’t had since Grover the Great.” Grover placed his coffee down, leant back to look at the intricate ceiling, his wings sprawled out, and he let out a soft sigh, “But alas I do not sit in Canterlot, nor do I rule over the strongest empire the world has ever seen. I sit in a façade of a palace hiding a brittle realm my predecessors handed onto me; to fix or… die trying.”

Gerlach paused while he took in his nephew’s words, a small smile eventually forming on his face, “Eros try to beat those harmonic ideals out of you?”

“Yeah” Grover chuckled, “Had a copy of Twilight’s Journal burned when he caught me reading it. Luckily, he thought I was a child too incompetent to have more than one.”

Gerlach chuckled as well. “I am glad you held onto such an independent soul.”

“If I didn’t, our Reich would very soon find itself a Republic.” Grover shifted to a regal posture, “The archons tried anything yet?”

“Proteus wanted access to you last night, ignoring me completely. I have Bronzetail to thank for keeping him away. Erion set off from Romau overnight, should be in Griffenheim soon.”

Grover rested his claws below his chin, “Try to organise a private meeting with Erion and Proteus, I need to keep them docile for the time being.” Grover stood up and began to pace back and forth within Gerlach’s vision, his eyes tracing the Kaiser as he did.

“How do you plan to deal with them?” Gerlach took a deep sip from his coffee.

“It’s quite simple; without Eros, those two will bicker endlessly. I just need to spark that flame, and finding the kindle is on you.”

“I’ll find something, Kaiser.” Gerlach returned to the paperwork in front of him while Grover exited the room, Benito close behind.

The morning wind blew strong across the square, the palace wings funnelling it from the central avenue that led to the palace. Except for the statue of Grover the Great, the wind blew freely. While it ruffled Grover’s feathers and sent a chill across his body, Grover gave little physical recoil. It was good to feel the same winds Grover the Great did all those years ago.

He entered the east wing through an identical door that he left the west wing through, shining white with overly intricate golden ornamentation. Grover internally laughed at the utter contrast between the glamour of the palace and the impoverishment of millions across the Herzland. Yet Eros and Gabriela offered nought but gold and bread; pathetic bribes the spirit of Kemerskai made pointless.

Inside of the east wing was no less lavish than the west. The same marble linings, royal red decals, and the parquet flooring that still shined enough to show Grover his reflection; pitiful. It was at the further end of this wing that the short-lived Reichsparlament was established. Far from that chamber, Gabriela had chosen the most lavish quarters. Such was no surprise for the heiress presumptive to have chosen the only room that matched her elegance.

The doors to the lobby were only marginally smaller than the side doors that lead to the square, and the inside maintained appearances. Roughly half the size of the cabinet office, it could fit half a dozen easily, four on the central cream couches. Grover took his seat opposing the doors to Gabriela’s room, subtly adjusted his glasses.

Continuing to do so for a mindless few minutes before the doors opposite opened, Gabriela emerging just as Grover settled his glasses. The pink griffon quickly exclaimed Grover’s name, the Kaiser simply nodding and smiling in response.

“I wasn’t expecting you so early. When the news of your premier broke, I knew I had to come down.” Her words came out rushed and unprepared, though for most her natural elegance would cover. But it wasn’t enough for Grover, and it was clear to him she’d awoken minutes ago; at least her lies won’t leave her beak prepped.

“I truly appreciate it, auntie.” The lie rolled off his tongue as if it were second nature. “Eros’ passing was a shock to all of us here. Uncle will be a lifeline in helping me rule for myself.” Gabriela took her seat opposite Grover, Benito maintaining his a glare in her direction.

“He has always been an amazing statesgriff. I married him for a reason.” Gabriela smiled as he mentioned her husband, “I was wondering why you gave him Prime Minister of all titles?”

“It was the title that his Grand Duchy used. I thought it would be familiar for him.” It’s popular, that’s the only reason.

“You should know that it’s a title that holds a lot of weight, especially in the talons of my husband. While certainly no republican, my husband does have sympathies like them, and that title is heavily associated with that.”

“Ah.” Grover internally cringed at his performance. “I know. Gerlach says it will help mend the gap that has formed between me and the commoners, and I think it will. Uncle was passionate about mending that gap to keep me safe from another revolution.” The words may have been true, but the lack of authority communicated made them feel like lies. The false persona was already grating Grover just as much as Gabriela was; it’s so weak, so naïve, so pathetic.

“Perhaps you should consider widening your circle of advisors? Most nobles don’t like these sorts of… projects my husband entertains.” She replied with a smile as fake as Grover’s acting, making it more than obvious where she was heading.

“You want to help?”

“My talons are here if you or my husband ever need it.”

“I don’t know if more nobles in my court will help. Eros always warned me of their greed, and Uncle seems hesitant as well.”

“Well…” Gabriela began. “There are some nobles that don’t deserve the right Boreas bestowed upon them, but the Archons have successfully removed them. There is nothing to worry about from nobles like me and my husband.” Her response was predictable, a part of Grover was joyous at how easy this was, but another part was disappointed.

“Why did you and uncle fight Eros?” Grover continued his façade of naivete.

“We just didn’t agree on how the Reich should have been run, and we were both very ardent that the other was wrong.” Poor response.

“Eros called you and uncle traitors.” Grover probed. “Why did you betray him?”

“We considered him just as much a traitor.” Perfect, “That’s all in the past, I’m here for you now.”

“You consider my late regent a traitor?” Grover egged her on, trying his best to hide the smirk he ever so wanted to show off.

“It’s all in the past.” Gabriela tapped her wing against the seat, Grover’s eyes darting to the movement. She’s getting nervous.

“He always said everything he did was entrusted to him by Boreas until I’m old enough to take on Boreas’ burden. Do you mean to say I’m a traitor to the Reich too?” Nowhere for you to go, is there now?

“No, you could never be a traitor as the Kaiser!” Her defence was brash and thoughtless, not waiting a moment, “Eros leading the Reich astray was his betrayal to you, to us all!”
Got her.

He audially sighed, crossed his legs and rested his elbows on his knees. “Benito!” Grover’s tone snapped; the façade being swept away in an instant. Benito quickly obeyed his kaiser, the small detail that had accompanied Grover closing all the lobby doors and leaving the Kaiser and his aunt alone.

“Grover?” Gabriela let an inch of worry slip through her façade.

Grover stood up, “You rebel against the authority of my regent,” Grover pointed one claw up, “at his death seek to manipulate the Kaiser he acted in authority of,” Grover lifted a second claw, “and then dare call him a traitor, and your Kaiser in the process?” Grover’s tone was more refined than ever as he lifted a third claw, “You dare treat me like a child you cared for?” he quickly snapped all three claws down.

“Grover?”.

“Kaiser!” Grover barked.

“Kaiser,” Gabriela corrected, “I never intended to rebel against your authority. We could not let Eros drive the Reich into the ground.” Excuses.

“Gerlach and Othmar fought for their righteous constitutions. What did you fight for?”

“To prevent the Reich from falling! You must see the horrid state we are in!” Grover shook his head.

“Lies.” His tone was much softer yet remained regal, as if he was scolding a disappointing child. “I know the horrid state of my Reich much more than you, and your lust for power would only continue its decline. This betrayal of Boreas’ trust. Tell me why I shouldn’t have you executed for treason? Maar, allowing the revolutionaries to lynch you might even save my reign.” Grover finally let that growing smirk emerge as he let out the threat.

“I always fought for you.” She replied sternly, regaining her composure, “I never intended for it to go the way it did”

“You can’t even answer a simple question; all you intended was to be the one in my chair. Do you truly want to help?”

“Of course! The Kaiserpartei has regained a lot of its influence amongst the Niederer Adel. They will be vital in supporting your rule.”

“I’m perfectly aware of what the Kaiserpartei can and cannot be used for.” Grover said sternly, “I have no interest in it being the foundation of my rule like the Rat der Drei was the foundation of Eros’.”

“Grov-” He flexed his wings, “Kaiser, you cannot push both us and the archons aside. It will…”

“It. Will. What.”

Gabriela sighed before replying, adjusting her posture to be upright, “The Hochadel and Archonates are the pillars of this Reich.” Her tone had shifted as well, from her usual elegance to something more… ruthless, “The civil war was between us, between me and Eros, and it was nothing more.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Duchess. It’s not the nobles or archons at the heart of my Reich.” Grover smirked at Gabriela. “It’s the people and their indomitable martial spirit. It’s the Reichsarmee and the commoners.” Gabriela’s eyes squinted ever so slightly, but she stayed silent, “Understanding that was how a lowly artillery officer claimed himself Presidential-Marshall but a mile from where we are. Understanding her people and their spirit is how Celestia has ruled uncontested for millennia. I don’t need you, aunt. I need Gerlach, I need Elias.”

“Kemerskai? Celestia?” She half tutted, “Taking inspiration from them?”

Grover rolled his eyes, “Says the person who lost power a decade ago. I want you to be honest with me, Eagleclaw, what reason do you have to not follow Celestia’s shadow?” I know the answer, of course.

“Have you read their manifestos? Seen their armies? It's everything the Reich stands against.”

It wasn’t a surprise to Grover that Celestia’s harmony, harmony in general, was dismissed by the traditional powers of the Reich. After all, it was the antithesis of their rule. The ignorance nevertheless frustrated him.

“Yes. I saw Pegasi regiments crush Ebonwing’s panzers in Cloudburry. Not long before I saw the body of the President-Marshall hang. Tell me, do you think we’ll ever be able to defeat an Equestrian army in their rebellious backyard?”

Gabriela collected her thoughts, “No.”

“Do you think my father’s rule was good for my Reich?”

“Your father was a great griff!” Gabriela was extremely quick to answer.

“I don’t care whether my father was a great griff, I care whether he was a great kaiser.”
Grover reiterated methodically.

Gabriela tapped her claws against each other, Grover counting each tap as it landed, “No.”

Grover let another smirk emerge on his beak, “Then let’s move forward. Keep the Kaiserpartei in check, and I’ll keep the Rat der Drei in check.” Grover extended his claws casually, “Oh, and of course I won’t have you or any other aristocrats lynched.”

“Abandoning both of us will only make you like your grandfather.”

Grover stood up, retracting his claw and raised his voice, “I will not fail like he did. Like my father did.”

“You are young… Grover. Just sixteen. If the realities don’t set in now, they will soon enough.”

“Grover the Great was twenty-two when he took the throne. The First Karthinian Kaiser was nineteen when he joined the second triumvirate. Arantigious the Great was just twenty when he set to conquer Griffonia.”

“Thousands have failed to live up to their legacies. It’s dangerous to fly so close to Boreas' sun.”

“You just don’t understand, do you?” Grover placed his claw couch arm, “We don’t have a choice. Dream high or we will all be lynched like my father should have been!”

“You always,” Gabriela started slowly, “always have a choice. Implement my reforms, calm the archons, the nobility, and the commoners by not rocking the boat. Don’t fail like Grover IV, don’t spend your time fighting when you could govern.”

“Your reforms were never going to be enough,Duchess,” Grover growled. “The commoners still hate us, no matter how much gold and bread Eros threw at them. They hate us because we refuse to listen to the song they sing.”

“So, you want to be like Celestia?” Gabriela asked exasperated, “When her subjects sung she let them get away, just to get stabbed in the rear.So much for her harmony and friendship.”

“Severyana was a blackhole for Equestrian agriculture. You don’t rule over those that want to kill you; you either let them go or die.”

“All you’ve told me is how much everyone wants to kill us. Your grand idea to give up? That’s how you want to honour your father’s legacy?”

“Fuck his failed legacy.” Grover yelled harshly, “I am not any other Grover.”

Gabriela’s eyes rose to Grover as he lashed his talons towards her, barely enough time to comprehend his actions. As his claws grasped her neck, she felt a sharp pain just as her body was dragged forward and onto the ground, directly below the Kaiser. Grover stared downwards; his eyes focused on his bloodied talons in silence bar Gabriela’s rapid pulse. Without breaking the silence, Grover extended his bloodied claws down to Gabriela, the duchess returning a blank stare that saw nothing behind his glasses.

“Gerlach couldn’t have…” She murmured as she accepted his talon. Grover continued to stand, using his sleeves to subtly rub at his claws.

“Gerlach is the only reason I didn’t have Bronzetail deliver you to the revolutionary mob. I hope you take that threat seriously now.” His voice was cold. “Now, do we have a deal, Duchess?” There was barely a façade of a question.

“Yes, Kaiser.” Gabriela held the side of her neck, staining her claws, “What now?”

“The obvious.” His voice had switched tones in a heartbeat, echoing his earlier regal authority, “I need you to pledge your eternal loyalty to me personally. Not to the Reich, not to the Crown, not even to the people. To Grover von Greifenstein, sixth of his name, the Kaiser of Griffonkind.”

Gabriela looked at Grover with uneven breathes, “I, Duchess of Strawberry… Gabriela Eagleclaw, pledge eternal loyalty to Grover von Greifenstein… sixth of his name, the Kaiser of Griffonkind.” Her pledge was clearly half-hearted, but that was enough for Grover.

“You’ll await here in this palace until further notice. Feel free to visit your husband or enjoy the wonders of the imperial capital but remain here. I’ll need your services soon enough, aunt.” Rather than endearing, aunt now stung the duchess to her core.

“Yes, Kaiser.” The satisfaction at her submission was crushed by the feeling of blood dripping down his talons. His mind of course exaggerate the true extent, but it was enough to irritate him.

“Benito!” The dog instantly entered the room, flanked by two guards. Benito looked at the Kaiser’s claws but said and expressed nothing. “Ensure she has the best protection we can offer. We couldn’t afford for her to be harmed, now can we aunty?”

Gabriela remained seated, looking down at her claws for minutes after Grover had left. Two guards were left with her, not bothering her but neither giving her the privacy she desired. She had to reach for a clothe herself. Memories flashed through the duchess’ mind from years ago. First the archon’s abuse of the people for their power, and now her nephew was foolishly following in the shadow of a foreign monarch. No, it’s not his fault. He has no choice but to submit to Celestia’s ‘harmony’. This is my fault. I failed them, I failed them all. Boreas… forgive me.

On the other side of the lobby’s doors, Grover rested his back against a marble wall and looked at the ceiling. This one’s a lot less interesting, Grover chuckled to himself. He used his sleeves to rub at his claws again. Out, out, out, he yelled internally as a guard handed him a clothe that finally allowed his claws to return to their natural colour.

“A change of clothes, Your Majesty?” Benito asked, Grover continuing to look up.

“I’ll deal with that back at my quarters. Inform Gerlach I’m done.”