A Change Is As Good As A Rest [AMW]

[Chrinthanium]

Imperial Palace, Chrinthania, Chrinthanium

The gentle breeze of the late evening swept across the large crowd as they gathered outside of the Imperial Palace. People from all over Chrinthania, from across all ages, colors, religions, socio-economic class, and ability came to support the one man they love, Emperor Nathaniel. 200 or so college students from the University of Chrinthanium at Chrinthania had gathered to show their support of the emperor--who was relinquishing his power to allow a government governed by the people, not the monarchy. Yet the protest wasn't to support the change, but to get the government to leave well enough alone. The people didn't truly want an elected President, they wanted their emperor. The imperfect man, Nathaniel IV, whose many mistakes and gaffes were late night talk show fodder, was more important to the people than anyone could ever guess. He wasn't just the embodiment of the nation, he wasn't just someone with a crown. He was one of them.

Nathaniel was born to a live of luxury and privilege that only could come from being the next in line for the Chrinthani Crown. His upbringing was envied by millions, his schooling top-notch. He was bred to rule, but somehow managed to never forget his own personality in all of it. He remained the average 23 year old in spite of the fact that he was not your average man. He grew up in front of the media. Ever facet of his life was televised, photographed, reported on, and gossiped. To the average Chrinthani, he would seem like a deer caught in headlights most of the time. He would eventually grow more comfortable with the press constantly hounding him, but beneath it all, he wanted nothing more than to just be Nate. Something he felt he couldn't accomplish while ruling.

Despite this, the people didn't want Nathaniel to stop ruling. The fact he was willing to give away his power made them love him even more. They believed the best course was to keep Nathaniel in charge. He believed in Chrinthanium, and the great social and political freedoms already in place, and he championed their cause at every moment. He was a great man, even if his actions didn't always show it. The people knew that as he matured in his role, the man they all know and believe he can be will one day show up. That he'll be every much as debonaire, sophisticated, well-spoken, and intelligent as men like Johannes Ahler. This protest was their first attempt to make Nathaniel realize this fact.

Indeed within the walls of the palace, Nathaniel was very well aware of the events transpiring outside his windows. He knew why the people were there. A very grateful emperor watched in amazement as the crowd just extended in every direction for as far as the eye could see. Yet inside his heart, he knew he was doing the right thing, even if it wasn't the most popular thing. Such is the conflict of every man in power. To risk the popularity of the people in order to do the right thing, or cave into the majority like any freedom-loving person would do.

It was out of Nathaniel's hands anyway. The moves would have to come from Congress. Only they could put an end to all the changes. Despite what the people thought, only Congress could help them out. And to Nathaniel, this was a frightening thought.

"I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress," he said to himself as he paced in his room uncertain of whether he should comment on the situation, or simply make an appearance, or continue to seclude himself.

[Jatriqya and Hoya]

Imperial Palace, Chrinthania, Chrinthanium

Theseus enjoyed dusk in Chrinthanium, especially as the summer in Byzantium could be oppressively hot in Mesopotamia and the Levant. Theseus' first summer in Nineveh for charity had put him off from ever returning to the Mesopotamian desert. The cool breeze in Chrinthanium was refreshing, as long as it wasn't raining.

Theseus was sitting next to Nathaniel during the whole ordeal, looking at Nathaniel while reading news articles on his phone. Dramatic news titles were present in most major newspapers, as would be expected, however the major Byzantine newspaper, the Constantinople Post, made only a small reference to it.

The people of Chrinthanium protested in favor of the monarchical form of government today, a week after plans were made to transmit power from His Imperial Majesty Nathaniel IV to an elected leader. Although a major show of support to the monarchy, Emperor Nathaniel IV has so far not reacted to the well-wishers.

The short article, spoke more of Byzantium than the blatant omissions. Theseus focused at the problem at hand.

"Nate, I know that this is hard for you, but I think you should go out and make an appearance." Theseus paused. "I can be there with you if you'd like, outside. Even if this law passes, you have to let them know that you're still their Emperor, and you're still going to be there for them. Staying in the palace as if they aren't there isn't going to fix much."

Theseus walked towards Nathaniel, holding his hand out to grab Nate's. "You may have to be there for them, but I'll always be there for you. Although we're not married yet, I'm still here for you now. I'll stand by whatever your decision is."

[Chrinthanium]

Nathaniel just smiled. He turned towards Theseus and gave him a kiss in his cheek, "Walk with me. Be by my side as I go outside and try to talk to the crowd." Once Theseus agreed, the pair would walk through the corridors of the Palace of Gardens, towards the front door of the palace. Praetorians insisted that Nathaniel not go outside, but he would simply ignore their requests. While Praetorians worried about safety, the emperor worried about image. And if the people wanted their emperor, who was Nathaniel to deny them. He would order the guard to open the door, with which a quick response came as the doors opened to the outside world. Nathaniel, walking with Theseus, would walk down the long the road towards the palace gates.

The crowd would notice, with relative ease, just who was walking towards them. A loud and thunderous roar came from the crowd as the peacefully gathered citizens cheered their emperor. Some, taking notice of Theseus, would begin to chant something which would be completely unexpected. If Nathaniel had popularity, then the man he loved would have the same in return. In this amazing setting, the crowd would also chant Theseus' name. Nathaniel would turn to the Byzantine Prince and smile, taking his hand and raising above both their heads, he would walk side-by-side with Theseus to the gates themselves. He would again turn towards Theseus and give him another kiss on the cheek.

"Now, I want you to stay here. Just in case they get a little out of hand, alright?" Nathaniel said as several Praetorians came over to the pair. Nathaniel would then look at his guards and give the order, "Open the gates!"

The Praetorians, knowing full well that the crowd had not been screened for security reasons, didn't want to open the gates, but a direct order from the emperor was something which couldn't be ignored.

"Imperial Majesty," stated the closest Praetorian, a Lance Corporal, "We haven't screen the crowd. It may not be safe, sire."

Nathaniel would immediate raise his right eyebrow. An unmistakable response which simply meant to do as he commanded without question. The lance corporate would freeze for a split second. He would gulp at the thought of what may happen to his military career if he didn't comply. He would turn to the other guards, "Open the gates!"

The sound of metal could be heard as the large iron gates slowly opened towards the crowd. Like a biblical scene from the times of Moses, the crowd would part like the Red Sea as they all began to bow down to Emperor Nathaniel as he walked through the opening gates, to the sidewalk in front of the palace along the main street. The cool, night air giving a slight, but comforting chill.

News crews stationed throughout the crowd would train their cameras on the emperor. The young man, dressed in a white dress shirt with a yellow tie, and naval blue slacks, missing only his suit jacket, would stand there as the breeze caused the hair on his head to dance ever so slightly.

From behind Nathaniel came the sound of boots moving quickly towards him. He would turn as two Praetorians came running towards him. One of them had a bullhorn in his hand, the other had a pedestal for him to stand on. Nathaniel knew that a simply bullhorn wouldn't be enough for everyone to hear, but perhaps the media would be able to help in that aspect. Smartphones could pick up television transmissions that were transmitted over the internet, and hopefully the people would spread the word to find a live feed from some source.

Once the pedestal was in place, Nathaniel would step up and face the crowd. As far as his eyes could see, a tremendous sea of people covered every open space around him. Silence reigned over the crowd as it was now apparent that the emperor was ready to speak. Cameras from cell phones, as well as higher-end telescopic lensed cameras flashed, capturing image after image of the sight before them. Television camera crews clamored to gain a clear shot, however they would take their video from where ever they could find room.

Nathaniel would begin to speak, but a loud shrill came from the bullhorn at first. He laughed as he realized that he'd pushed the wrong button. Once he figured out the correct button, he began to speak, "Good people of Chrinthanium, I cannot begin to tell you just how much your show of support means to me. I... I really don't know what to say other than I am a very grateful man to have the support and love of so many."

"I am a very humbled man this evening. This is, by far, more of a response than I would have ever hoped to have to anything. It's amazing to me. But I ask you tonight, what do you want to be done?"

"Let us decide!" shouted a man from the crowd somewhere near the front, which caused the people around him to applaud and cheer.

"Remand it to the people?" Nathaniel asked. The crowd would respond in greater volume this time.

A man, in his late 20s walked forward a few steps past the front of the crowd. He was a little nervous and a little chilly, but when he realized that he was at the forefront, he removed his ball cap and spoke quite loudly at Nathaniel, "Imperial Majesty! This should be out decision. Not yours alone, not the Congress, nor the Courts. We should have the right to decide how we chose to be governed."

"Your legislators, both at the Imperial level, and the Provincial level have all agreed. They represent you, do they not?" Nathaniel asked the man.

"No, sir. They do not. At least, not in their entirety. These measures, no matter how altruistic, no matter how good or decent, should be given to us to decide. That's all we ask, sir. To be able to vote whether or not we become a republic. It's not just your decision." he replied. "I mean no disrespect, sir. I am just a simple man, just like everyone else here. I care about my country, and feel that it is not the way we do things. Unilateral decisions from yourself, or from Congress, they just don't sit right with us." He replied.

Nathaniel would step down from his pedestal and walk over to the man, who was now more nervous than ever. Nathaniel would hand him the bullhorn. As he did, he spoke into the man's ear, "Say it so everyone that can hear, will hear. It's not fair you have to shout while I don't"

"Thank you, Imperial Majesty," said the young man as he took the bullhorn from Nathaniels hand. "We want to decide. I can't stress this enough, sir. We want to decide how we are governed. A simple vote, sir, is all we ask. Let the nation decide. It is the right thing to do."

The crowd, and all those who had ways to hear the broadcast would begin to cheer. Nathaniel would take the bullhorn back as he stood in front of the group. No more than ten feet could have seperated himself from the million-plus crowd.

"Then you shall have your wish. I will have my legal team meet with the Congress, and we shall find a way to make this happen." Nathaniel said. Again, cheers would ring out through the crowd. "I should think it not difficult for such a measure to be remanded to the people to decide. Perhaps I was a bit hasty in my decisions, but remember, I did what I thought was right."

"You did, sir," replied the young man, "But you're more important to us than you could ever know, sir. You represent us to the world, not just the nation. You're not like your father, sir. He was a great politician, but had no people skills. He would look at us, a smile, shake a few hands, then disappear into his limo, or the palace, or where ever it was he was headed, and that was all. He acted like he was above us. You don't. You are one of us, sir. That strikes a loud chord with the people. The Plantagenet's, and the Palaeologus' don't. They act like they're above everyone else. Like they're somehow better than their people. Maybe that's fine for them. They don't know what it's like to have an emperor who doesn't think like that. Who doesn't act like that. I guess we just don't want to let you go."

Nathaniel replied, "But I will never stop being me. Whether or not I am in charge, I will always be your emperor."

"We know that, but that's not what we want. We feel better knowing that you're in charge." He replied with a smile.

"Well, I will work hard to get this set to you all to decide. And if the people decide, their decision be final and concrete." Nathaniel smiled and waved at the crowd, then spoke once more, "We really do live in the greatest nation on Earth!" Nathaniel then turned and walked back into the palace, with Theseus following.