Thorns of A White Rose

Madame Thorn gazed over such a letter stopping mid way simply pinning it to a board with a needle typically use to sew. She deeply sighed before she sat down at her desk in her dimly lit cottage. No words had been spoken she just began to type on her type writer the clacking of the keys echoing in the empty and dimly lit environment.

- PENNED BY Madame Thorn - FROM THE AAUNIC PRINTING PRESS - Published the 15th of Sun’s Smile, Y. 1953 OPENING STATEMENTS FROM THE WRITER Dearest readers, Before we begin, you may be wondering who I am and what right I have to speak on any topic as if I’m a saint from the heavens. Allow me to formally introduce myself, I am Madame Thorn. My identity is not of importance, and shall never be revealed to the likes of you all though nonetheless. I still love you dearly my darling readers and hope you will enjoy my columns just as much as I enjoy the coin I earn from your purchases of my paper. THE UNSPOKEN OPINIONS, WHAT MUST BE SAID ⇀ FROM KNIGHTS TO DAMSELS ⇀ MERRYWEATHER’S VEXATIOUS PRINCESS… ⇀ HIDE YOUR WIVES! ⇀ FROM KNIGHTS TO DAMSELS The Kingdom of Aaun has been filled with a rather deadly electrifying buzz, one which delivered a deadly shock to the members of our own royal council. Indeed, King Edmund II, Prince Heinrich of Merryweather, Marshall Walter, and last and certainly least, the Count of Haverlock, whom no one truly knew, were all murdered within the royal palace by the treacherous soldiers of Stassion. Whilst we mourn the losses of our young King and his loyal councilors, other nations have taken the chance and opportunity to bash us for our what they call our Incapable Boy King. What a shame they didn’t even consider the necessitous boy a man. He was crippled, granted, that was his fault for trusting those savages hailing from Stassion. ⇀ MERRYWEATHERS VEXATIOUS PRINCESS Our new King, the noblest and benevolent King John, uncle to the martyred Edmund II, has ascended the throne in light of this catastrophe and has rightfully called the treacherous Margrave of Stassion to trial to answer for his, as best put by the Aaunic crown, “failed and disgraceful” father’s attempted coup. The trial was an utter mess, to say the least, for the unruly Princess-Dowager of Merryweather was so distraught by her husband’s death, that she attempted to take the life of the dishonored Margrave of Stassion. And to be frank, it was a sorry and failed attempt. If you intend on trying to assassinate someone, I would suggest you at least take lessons on how to properly aim… or at least make it less obvious. Truly, it was as dramatic as it was idiotic of Lady Aleksandra to have directed her crossbow at the disgraced Lord Margrave, for all those present at the trial to see nonetheless. Verily, to the surprise of none, Lady Aleksandra did find herself summarily tackled to the ground and escorted forthwith from the palace alongside that beast she calls a daughter. And thus the Princess-Dowager of Merryweather was ousted from Whitespire in disgrace, a humiliating repeat of when she was first banished from our royal realm, ironically at the behest of the same Lord Stassion she sought to murder. Though, one is left to wonder what brought Lady Aleksandra back to our fair kingdom to begin with. Indeed, it has been a number of years since she was last in Aaun. Perhaps it is that the dishonorable, so-called “Prince of Nothing” consumes the every thought of our vexatious Princess of Merryweather; indeed, we dare call her obsessed with the ongoings of Lord Stassion and his lands. ⇀ HIDE YOUR WIVES! It is true, Aaun teeters on the precipice of instability, and that is being generous to say the least. That said, do not mistakenly believe that the rest of the human realms fare any better. It is rather amusing that, for some reason, the lords and ladies of Balian, Petra, and Haense had thought their presence was required at the trial. Shaking their heads and constantly whispering about our noble King’s decision to their peers. I should fear that the crown heads of Aevos should instead seek to settle their internal affairs before jeering at the Aaunish crown. Frankly, I believe that all of these foreign nobles should have been escorted out or rather, not let in at all, especially not those hailing from Balian. Their entire castle is in disarray, though that is hardly the least of their concerns given the enormous amount of infidelity that occurs within their walls. And perhaps most shocking, if rumor is to be believed, the Lords of Balian have been beating their wives so badly, that they now flee to Haense in respite. However, I suppose they will be no safer in Haense given their… reputation. Needless to say, I would suggest the Kingdom of Balian get their affairs in order before daring to speak upon the Kingdom of Aaun any time soon. I could say the same for Petra, given that they allow a child to sit upon their throne. It is indeed a wonder how the Petra still stands, especially with such a witless child at its helm, for it is perhaps the most disposable and forgettable of the human kingdoms settled within Heartlands. One must surely wonder whether it is the futility of their lands or the unpleasantness of their people that steers away the would-be conquerors of that oversized County they call a Kingdom. And the King of Haense’s temper is undeniably and utterly embarrassing. A proper King must have patience. must persevere and must never let such little insignificant matters cause them to lose their focus and temper. Though, I do suppose one would be hard-pressed to call Aleksandr II a proper King given he is but a weak imitation of his predecessors, riding off the coattails of their golden age. I suppose these nations could have learned something from that insufferable little boy king who once sat upon Aaun’s throne. Though perhaps that is out of my jurisdiction to speak upon. THE UNSPOKEN OPINIONS, WHAT MUST BE SAID CLOSING STATEMENTS So, here's a nod to our gossip aficionados, the silent readers and the vocal critics alike. As we close this chapter, let the echoes of scandal and the rustle of gossip linger in the air, reminding us that even in the every day, there exists a tapestry of stories waiting to be unveiled. Until the next edition, may your secrets be well-kept, your revelations be dramatic, and the pages of our gossip chronicles be a playground for the extraordinary tales that make life all the more intriguing. Until we meet again, dear readers. ,