eggy, I'll have to agree with the other posters. I don't think, from our point of view, that you have missed anything in the writing. We may not see the outcome yet, but we are not supposed to. It is not only an issue of needing to read the next page, but also in the manner in which each "page" is presented - the serial format we must use to post here. It simply makes it a bit more difficult to remember necessary items and place things where they need placing in the understanding.
I will readily admit that I, much like other readers here, find Hugh to be completely lacking in the ability he needs to be king. His outburts, his seeming need for approval and understanding of himself, his inability to "play the game" as it needs to be played - all hinder him in his quest. And all are very much a part of his character as you have written him from the very beginning. Unless that is not at all what you intended, then you have done your work very, very well. He is all too human and that is a testament to your writing talent. There is no law that says kings and princes must act or be a certain way. In fact many have lacked the qualities needed to govern effectively. Of course, lacking said qualities does tend to make their reigns problematic. Think King John or Edward II. Troubled men with troubled courts. But both human. Can't say much about Edward II, but John was at least partly responsible for the Magna Carta, so at least something came out of his troubled kingship.
As for Trempy, I think his newfound boldness is entirely keeping with the setup of his character. As I said before, I think his latest attempts were carefully orchestrated as is everything he does. The man does not sneeze unless there is something to be gained by it. And again, that is exactly how he is written.
I would suggest that part of what you may be experiencing is not so much that we the readers are not understanding what you intend (though that is always an issue between writer and reader, and not the fault of either) but that as you suggested, the characters are becoming, or have always been terribly complicated individuals - the complex human beings you describe. If you are having a tough time getting your mind around them, then so shall we. This is not to suggest that you are failing in any way - far from it - but that it may introduce some complications in understanding where they may be going - again both from your point of view as the writer and from ours as the reader eagerly awaiting that next page. I suggest perhaps trying to get a firmer grasp of the complications if you are having trouble getting those complications across. I don't see it myself, but the fact that you mention it suggests that perhaps that is an issue.
Getting longish here, so I shall wrap up by simply saying - you are doing a terrific job and if there is any hint that you are working above eggy means, it does not show from our end. I am tempted to say you are simply being too hard on yourself. Much like our troubled princess, in fact. And to tie in with what I have just written, she is the most complicated/complex of all, and one of the finest characters I have read about on these or any other forums. Maybe I missed the point of your question/worry, but thems my thoughts. Feel free to correct me if I went off the beam somewhere.
I will readily admit that I, much like other readers here, find Hugh to be completely lacking in the ability he needs to be king. His outburts, his seeming need for approval and understanding of himself, his inability to "play the game" as it needs to be played - all hinder him in his quest. And all are very much a part of his character as you have written him from the very beginning. Unless that is not at all what you intended, then you have done your work very, very well. He is all too human and that is a testament to your writing talent. There is no law that says kings and princes must act or be a certain way. In fact many have lacked the qualities needed to govern effectively. Of course, lacking said qualities does tend to make their reigns problematic. Think King John or Edward II. Troubled men with troubled courts. But both human. Can't say much about Edward II, but John was at least partly responsible for the Magna Carta, so at least something came out of his troubled kingship.
As for Trempy, I think his newfound boldness is entirely keeping with the setup of his character. As I said before, I think his latest attempts were carefully orchestrated as is everything he does. The man does not sneeze unless there is something to be gained by it. And again, that is exactly how he is written.
I would suggest that part of what you may be experiencing is not so much that we the readers are not understanding what you intend (though that is always an issue between writer and reader, and not the fault of either) but that as you suggested, the characters are becoming, or have always been terribly complicated individuals - the complex human beings you describe. If you are having a tough time getting your mind around them, then so shall we. This is not to suggest that you are failing in any way - far from it - but that it may introduce some complications in understanding where they may be going - again both from your point of view as the writer and from ours as the reader eagerly awaiting that next page. I suggest perhaps trying to get a firmer grasp of the complications if you are having trouble getting those complications across. I don't see it myself, but the fact that you mention it suggests that perhaps that is an issue.
Getting longish here, so I shall wrap up by simply saying - you are doing a terrific job and if there is any hint that you are working above eggy means, it does not show from our end. I am tempted to say you are simply being too hard on yourself. Much like our troubled princess, in fact. And to tie in with what I have just written, she is the most complicated/complex of all, and one of the finest characters I have read about on these or any other forums. Maybe I missed the point of your question/worry, but thems my thoughts. Feel free to correct me if I went off the beam somewhere.