Chapter I
King Harlequin's New Residence (part 2)
Suddenly serious, he bowed:
-I congratulate Your Majesty for this complete transformation of Your Highness' persona.
Tito grumbled a few indistinct words which might sound like polite and satisfied thanks. And as the barber was waiting, razor in hand, he signalled him to continue. Major Kreizbaum took advantage to retire to go back to the Chancellor, Count Arnoldi, who was waiting in the council room for the King. He didn't have the necessary power to pester the King during his shaving. When Major Kreizbaum arrived, he was full of enthusiasm.
- Hey! Fancy that, Chancellor, he insinuated as soon as he joined the Count, I've got some good news!
He waited for a minute, striving for effect, and said:
- My dear Count, the King has changed. He is unrecognizable!
The chancellor was walking around in the vast room, his hands behind his back, lowering his head.
-Yes, the Major went on, it's extraordinary. I cannot believe it. He is calm, serious. My word! He became likeable.
He laughed at his own joke. Count Arnoldi shrugged and went on walking. Then, without looking at the Major, he spoke in a dry and bitter tone, a tone that showed his hatred for the returned prince who seemed better physically and morally.
- Likeable! Really, you surprise me major! This race never changes. They are fixed for eternity: like father, like son! Think about it. Did he even ask you how his father died?
The Major looked surprised:
- Upon my word, no. he whispered. He didn't say a word about it. He doesn't seem to know.
The chancellor sniggered.
- You see!... And you pretend he is better, your…your prince charming?... You are wrong, my dear Major, the whole family is ferocious and ungrateful. It's a dynasty of rascals.
The aide-de-camp stood up straight, raising his highbrow and his voice became hard:
- My Lord Chancellor, I cannot tolerate such words. We are the king's servants and we mustn't forget it, especially within this palace's walls where we made freely our vows to serve the King.
The chancellor whistled a tune under his breath, showing that he didn't care one bit about the respect for a monarch. He acted according to his own conscience.
- Really! He mocked. Do you really think that we should kneel in front of a boy who spent his life womanizing and killing husbands?...If you think I am not aware of what he did in Italy, France and Germany, you are wrong! My police is excellent, my dear Kreizbaum, better than yours.
He went on whistling. But the Major couldn't accept an opinion which he considered disloyal during service. He said in a strong voice:
-It doesn't matter if the prince did what he did. I only acknowledge that he is back and at his post. It's enough for a soldier. For the rest, there are ministers.
He stopped as the door was opening. A regulation officer stood up to arms, motionless like a puppet squeezed in a pale blue uniform and announced the King. The Chancellor took on again his impassive attitude and stood by the table while the aide-de-camp went to the door to guide in the new sovereign. There was a respectful minute of silence. And then Tito came in like one of those shy lions who are afraid to come into a circus' ring when they are blinded by the spotlights. He looked around, observing this new environment and the aide-de-camp asked:
- You don't see any changes in this palace, do you Sire?
- No, replied Tito, nothing at all.
He would have been extremely embarrassed to find any changes. He approaches the table led by the Major and sat on the armchair. He looked at the scattered papers on the table wondering what to do. Taking advantage of the silence, the Chancellor came near Major Kreizbaum, motionless at the end of the room and whispered to his ear:
- You're right, he has changed.
He paused and added:
- From bad to worse…
If the Major could have crushed the Chancellor on the spot he would have done it. He felt for the prince -however he was- a real friendship like a comrade in arms. Was he not his mentor in the olden days? And while he was a dignified and honest man in his service, he had tolerated the prince's many misdemeanours. One gets attached to a young man because your forgiveness for his mischief rather than for the joys he gives you. And also, he was still astonished by the prince's moral change which suddenly shook the idea he had of him. He gazed at him sitting at his table trying to look serious and austere. Major Kreizbaum thought:
- He thinks of the affairs of State…He is thinking about what he is going to do. Really, the Chancellor is an idiot. We'll have a good King.
Then, he noticed that the King's tunic wasn't buttoned properly. It was for him an unforgivable fault. Quickly, he ran and he buttoned himself the tunic according to regulations while telling him in a tone of affectionate reproach:
-Sire, I told you this new uniform would surprise you, but, in the past, you cared more about your uniform.
Tito tried to smile. The Chancellor listened to all this joviality which infuriated him with deliberate coldness. His impatience was visible. He felt himself no friendship for the heir of a family he had always despised and he served him reluctantly. Interrupting this futile discussion about a uniform, he went to the King's table.
-All these papers must be signed, he said. Their dispatch cannot be differed.
He handed the quill to Tito. The clown felt a sudden heat running through his temples; he blushed violently and his heart pounded. To sign! It was easy to say, but under what name should he sign this impressive document he was given? All he knew about Illyria was pretty vague. He had learned in the past that it was a small nation created after the war when it was given the freedom to rule itself. He didn't know the name of the capital, its exact geography or even the number of inhabitants. He took the quill mechanically. Everything was going to fall apart unless a miracle happened. It was pretty improbable but that miracle happened.
- By the way, said the Chancellor, bending above his shoulder, Your Majesty hasn't told us yet under which name he choose to rule?
The major hit his forehead:
- That's true! He added, has Your Majesty chosen his new name?...We haven't talked about it yet. Do you want to keep your usual first name?
Tito looked up; at least, he could gain time.
- It seems fairly natural. He said. What do you advise?
The Major, eager to be useful, went on:
- We need to know the kind of policies you are going to develop. If you want to govern according to your father's principles, it would be best to keep his name. Unless, you took the name of one of your ancestors?
- Ah! Said Tito, It's very wise. I ask you again: which name do you advise? It depends on what the country thinks.
The Chancellor and the Major looked at each other, and after an embarrassing moment, the major said the sentence which allowed the clown to escape his fateful end.
- To be honest, he said, I would rather Your Majesty chose a new name. You must know as well as I do that your august father (as well as all his line) committed some serious political errors which mustn't be recalled. If you want my own honest opinion…?
- I beg you, said Tito who was gasping for breath during this long speech
- Well, then! I would sign the edicts with your third name: Rudolph. No King in your family was ever called Rudolph. It will give a good impression among the people. He will look at you favourably and think of you as a liberal.
Tito couldn't hide completely a half-smile. His new adopted family sounded fairly disreputable.
- Crikey! He thought, my ancestors are not well thought of in the region. One day, if I have the time, I'll read their biography.
Then, aloud, he added:
- Very well. I thank you for this advice. I'll sign as Rudolph as you seem to like it. I do not have any preference myself.
He tried out this new signature on few blank sheets of paper and was astounded to hear the Major exclaiming behind him:
- Ah! This time, I do recognise perfectly your writing. That's one thing which hasn't altered in you. Look at it, Chancellor, this is really our prince. His writing hasn't changed, he still closes his
a but doesn't finish his
m.
The chancellor agreed very dryly.
- It's remarkable! He said in a curious tone.
To be continued