Chapter 9: Conflicts

"I think you should talk to him. Not doing so will only lead you to worrying and making unfair accusations.", Selena tells Lillian as they ride back to Lumorra.

"I know, but I don't even think I can bring myself to mention it.", Lillian responds. In her mind Lillian admits she just didn't want to run the risk of her heart and relationship with Winston being destroyed. She keeps her head down studying her hands settled on her lap.

Selena shakes her head slightly. She herself is at a loss on what her friend should do. She resides to look out the window. The hope and fear that Vincent will be able to shine a light on the situation on her mind.

"Perhaps I should take you back home... Vincent should be there right?" Lillian speaks, noticing the silence.

"No... He knows Winston has met with the pope today. He most likely went there on business first.", Selena answers turning her attention back to Lillian.

"Hmm... I should have suspected that.", Lillian says. A smile on her face. The first one she has been able to make all day. "Perhaps the both of you can join us? Besides we haven't had dinner together in a while.", Lillian goes on. Although she suspects Selena knows she doesn't want her to leave her quite yet.

Selena smiles. "We will be honored.", she replies.

Lillian seats back grateful and they ride the rest of the way in silence.

As they arrive at the castle sunset is fast approaching. Upon reaching the doors in the forum Lillian and Selena are approached by a guard.

"Queen Lillian. Lady Selena.", he greets them with a bow. "King Winston and Sir Knight Vincent are expecting you both in the Sapphire common room. Immediately.", he informs them.

The amount of urgency in his voice causes Lillian to become alert. She can feel something is wrong. Turning to Selena it's clear she agrees. Handing off their own cloaks to two servants they hurry off to the Sapphire common room.

The name was given due to the room as a result of its deep blue and silver decorum. Two armchairs and a couch surround a low birch table. A blue cloth with silver swirls sits on top of it with a silver multi candle holder. Winston paces urgently in front of the stone mantle while Vincent sits in one of the armchairs. A blank expression on his face as he is lost in thought.

"What is going on?", Lillian asks when neither of them say anything. The two men's attentions are brought to the room at her words.

"Good you're here. We have a situation.", Winston says ceasing his pacing and facing them.

"Possibly. It may not be as bad as we think.", Vincent quickly speaks getting to his feet. Though his words only result in a disagreeing look from Winston.

"Wait. First tell us what happened? King Winston, does this have something to do with your meeting with the pope?", Selena says before Winston could say anything.

"Apparently Pope Clement has…declared war on King Winston.", Vincent informs them. A confused look comes upon Lillian's face. She's not even sure she heard Vincent right.

Winston releases a breath to calm himself and takes a seat in the other armchair. "Our dear new pope seems to see me as the reason...or motivation for other monarchs seeking to use the church as an economic resource. As well as my growing power, among others, as a threat to the church. Which means-"

"Which means he is targeting you to reestablish the power of the church in the minds of the people.", Lillian guesses finishing Winston's explanation. He nods in agreement.

Lillian sighs now understanding why both Winston and Vincent were in such a worried state. She makes her way to take a seat on the couch turning to Winston. As she does Selena speaks again.

"Why would Pope Clement do such a thing? Surely he shouldn't see you as a threat.", she says not fully seeing what the others see.

"Winston is the first monarch ever to tax the church. No one has dared to do that. It disrupts the church's image as an untouchable institution. Now that they have seen it is possible other monarchs will thrive to do the same. Especially in the recent situation they find themselves in.", Vincent seeks to explain to her.

"Situation...?", Selena replies.

"They're losing gold to us.", Lillian says, understanding what Vincent is getting at. She hasn't ever thought about it but now that she is. It was inevitable for Winston to be a target for the church. Seeing that Selena still had a questionable look on her face she explains further.

"We are the only kingdom that has abandoned gold and silver as a currency and uses a paper one backed by gold. Now due to Winston's other reforms revamping the merchant trade and the deals he has made. Merchants that come here have to exchange their gold for our money, but when they leave they can't get the gold back.", Lillian tells her.

"I see. So the gold stays here and inevitably is added to the treasury no matter if they make a profit or not.", Selena speaks now understanding.

"This has resulted in the other kingdoms creating a stockpile of our currency and losing gold when the merchants change their money from here back to their kingdom's currency. Which is gold and silver. Therefore they have no choice but to comply since our kingdom controlled the most gold in the first place.", Vincent adds.

"This is why the other kingdoms want to have their own paper money. It will protect their gold reserves and allow them to avoid the option of attacking us. Though that would mean taking the church's gold as well. In order to rebuild their reserves.", Winston finally speaks with a heavy sigh.

Lillian and the others look to Winston. "That is why this is happening. Winston you are arguably the most powerful king in the world.", Lillian first speaks.

"Not only that, but your system is forcing the whole world to bend to it.", Vincent follows.

"So it's my fault because I did what was best for my people?", Winston questions stunned.

"No, no that is not true.", Lillian urges. She really doesn't want Winston to feel guilty or to think what he has done so far as the king has been wrong. "We're only saying that something like this was bound to happen."

Vincent and Selena agree with her. Seeing this Winston sighs again. "So what do we do now?", he asks. It is a moment before anyone says anything.

"That is hard to say. This is very serious. If we make just one wrong move, Winston, you could be excommunicated as well as everyone and anyone involved.", Vincent says.

"Bringing an end to everything.", Selena adds. Lillian tries to think of what to do, but doesn't know where to start.

"What will be his first move?", she asks.

"He said something about renovations to the St. Peter's Grand Church, but in order to go through with it he is planning on gaining the properties around it. I don't know how many or when, yet he is.", Winston informs them. His eyes slide across them all. "I refuse to let that happen."

"Of course.", Lillian knew he was going to say something like that. Not any of them would let that happen.

"I think he is after me as well. At least that is the feeling I got from him when we met.", Vincent shares with them. The news causes a new inferno to set ablaze in Winston's eyes. Lillian knows how protective Winston is of those closest to them, but Vincent, being the first friend he made, held a special place that only she herself could rival as his wife.

"He is definitely moving soon then.", Lillian says.

"How about we get more information?", Selena suggests.

"We don't know exactly what we are looking for. Not only that, but we can't let this be public too soon. If word gets out that the church and the crown are at odds it will create unrest. No one can know until we have an outcome. Whatever it may be.", Vincent counters.

"Agreed.", Winston says simply. Lillian remains silent with everyone else; absorbing the full magnitude of the situation.

Suddenly her worries about the dream and its warning is pushed to the back of her mind. She is Agion's queen and must put the kingdom and the people first as Winston has always directed his reign. Whatever the dream meant will have to wait and will be resolved in due time she trusts. For now, Pope Clement is the enemy.