THE ALBA CHRONICLES (XVI) ((Private))
The First Secretary of the Spanish Realm, Don Esteban Alonso Fitz-James Stuart y Silva, was sitting in his cabinet and reading the reports of the provincial governors and viceroys. All of them reported the same - the remnants of the Jacobin conspiracies and revolts were eradicated. The might of the most catholic of kingdoms could not be challenged by the group of overeducated underintelligent renegades that the so-called Spanish liberals were. The people and God were behind the King – this was what counted.
The Duke of Alba grimaced and comforted his aching back. He was still slender and handsome, yet at fifty-seven you are never as healthy as when you are seventeen. Don Esteban tried to spend his spare time fencing, riding, hunting and engaging in various physical activities – and yet most of his hours were still eaten by the table. The smell of ink over time became quite disgusting for Don Esteban – sometimes it smelt almost like poison.
The Spanish Prime Minister stood up and poured himself some black rum, brought from Jamaica. Sipping it slowly, he dwelled on his life up to now. He gained everything that he wanted – and even what he did not want. He was held in great trust by the King, being the most powerful man in Spain after him. The latest highest awards, the Order of the Golden Fleece and the new rank, were a proof to that. In Europe he was respected and esteemed, earning the moniker of the Spanish Metternich, for only through moral authority and good sense Spain under his government managed to resolve the number of international disputes and keep the Concert of Europe whole. He was the First Secretary for ten years – and the Foreign Secretary for twenty two. He was wealthy, had a still beautiful wife, several children – and yet was he happy?
Probably not. The feeling of jolly happiness was alien to the cold calculating nature of the Duke of Alba. Ambition and sense of duty substituted it – and, while he was sometimes glad, sarcastic, triumphant, he rarely felt a true feeling of emotional attachment to anybody. And to a certain extent it pained him – and he hoped that the heart of his son would be a different one. Certainly not one out of weak and flashy gold, but perhaps one out of marble rather than iron? Hopefully his life would not be only one of race for accomplishments and battles against hardships, but would be full of warmness and pleasure.
- Your Excellency! – Montcada walked in, quite shaken and pale. His gigantic moustache, now completely grey, was drooping and the fat face was cringed – the time was much more merciless to him than to his patron. The Order of Isabella the Catholic was hanging from his chest and the silk ribbons on his neck were matching his complexion.
– What now? War? Revolt? – Don Esteban asked, raising his voice. There was an impatient glint in his eyes – and his palm automatically gripped the hand of the sword. And then his private secretary and confident muttered.
– An equerry came from the palace… His Majesty is dead.
For a few minutes the First Secretary stayed silent. His heart began to beartquicker –for this statue of a man it was a sign of great emotional disturbance, The greatest King of Spain since the old times, the man under whose banner he had walked during most of his life, the person chosen by God himself to ensure the greatness of the Spain - was dead. This thought seemed irrational, unreal – and yet what occurred has occurred and they had to deal with that.
– Leave me alone. – he finally told Montcada
– I need to write some letters.
TO THE KING (Keinwyn - Private)
Your Catholic Majesty,
My heart is overcome with grief over the death of Your august Father and my Master. When such divine-inspired men pass away – and we, common mortals, remain to live, it is always a great wonder and a mystery. He would be remembered and mourned by the generations to come, whom He brought happiness and stability, He would be remembered and mourned by Europe who saw in him a fair and impartial arbiter and mediator – and yet we, His loyal servants, who had the honor of witnessing His kindness, wisdom and noble ways in person, would weep until the day we die. I express my sincere condolences.
However, it is my grim duty to move to the matters of state. Your Catholic Majesty is now the King of Spain, ruling by the Grace of God himself – and I give you my pledge of loyalty. This pledge of loyalty forces me to speak of the governmental affairs even at the time of grief.
First of all, I believe that it is important for Your Catholic Majesty to consolidate Your authority over the Realm through acts of benevolence towards Your people, both great and small.
Your August Father was always successful in his just fight against the evil radicalism because through his kind acts He was seen as a true father to His people. While some haughty men say that one should scorn the poor, they are wrong, for the poor people are like wood. Separate trees can by brought down by an axe of any lumberjack, but nobody can bring down the forest as a whole. If one would try to battle the forest, he would most probably get lost in it and be eaten by animals. And if somebody would try to chop the forest down, he would most probably die before he cuts it even to the half – and while he does that, the new trees would grow. Therefore a good ruler should keep the forest flourishing.
At the same time the elites are like noble elephants, extremely useful, but at the same time only being able to breed and exist well, when they are fed, watered and live in a healthy forest. At the same time they should not be allowed to destroy the forest – otherwise they would one day lose the source of food, water and fresh air and die out themselves.
Therefore, in my opinion, it is important for a Sovereign to maintain a benevolent policy towards both the people and nobility, valuing the principle of social cohesion.
Your coronation could, in my opinion, be the event that would allow you to demonstrate Your good intentions towards both Your noble vassals and your loyal smallfolk. Bread and circuses, as the Romans said. Charity, donations and various easements towards the poor, as well as rewards and honors for your courtiers and officers, especially within the Army, would, I believe, most appreciated by Your subjects.
The matter of the Cabinet being in need to be reshuffled if, of course, a matter I should raise as its current president.
The Minister of Finance, the Count of Viscaya, is known to have resigned due to the disagreement of our late Monarch with his budgetary measures. I must say that the wisdom of our King here was immense, for the budget proposed by Senor Etxeto would inevitable prove to be counterproductive, possibly destroying the good relationships between His Majesty and the majority of his subjects, by putting upon the shoulders of the weakest members of our society the burden of most hard taxes. However, since Lord Etxeto is a man of solid traditional views, he could perhaps could be considered for the appointment to an office of state which would not lead to the conflict between his views and the views of Your Majesty and the rest of the Cabinet. Sadly enough, the Treasury was definitely not one of these.
It is also known that Don Aldo Trumpo has, in private talks, many times expressed his will to govern one of His Majesties overseas realms. I believe that now a vacancy has opened, which would be quite suitable for a man of such stature. In accordance with our latest agreement with the Sultan Muhhamad of Morocco, a Spanish envoy would be appointed to his court, with the right to give (de-facto binding) advise on the internal and foreign policies of this country. I think that the appointment of Don Aldo Trumpo as the His Majesties Representative and Supreme Political Agent in Morocco could guarantee the Spanish interests (among them, commercial) quite well.
I also believe that now, when time has passed, it may possibly make sense to (in some way) bring the Archbishop of Toledo back into the fold, carefully entrusting him with more duties, without, of course, repeating the errors of the past. While he did make significant mistakes, he was still always a loyal servant of Your Father – and the support of the Holy Church is needed by the monarchy. All of the participants of these past event long ago have now departed that world.
Regarding the new (or renewed) ministerial council, I must note that I am sure that the Prince of Belmonte would be happy to take some new duties, if Your Catholic Majesty would choose to entrust him with them, and that, say, such an old member of the Court as the Duke of Escalona would be ready to serve his Fatherland in some capacity. Possibly there would be other candidates which would bring new blood into the government..
However, the matter of the future Cabinet (as well as the future premier, for my portfolio is fully in Your hands) is up to my Sire,
Your faithful servant,
General of the Infantry Don Esteban Alonso Fitz-James y Silva,
Duke of Alba
((Public - State Newspapers))
The loss we have suffered today cannot be described in words.
The Monarch through whose genius, iron will and benevolence Spain has prospered for so many years is gone. A ruler truly chosen by Heavens, a worthy successor of such saintly Kings as Louis XI of France and St Ferdinand III of Castille, is gone. Him breathing the air of our country, Him guiding and inspiring us alone was something that led to the spiritual strength of the Spanish people. A modern Charlemagne, he ruled as if despite this cynical and greedy age, raising the banner of duty, honor and noble doings and intentions that has it seems, been forgotten for such a long time.
A Monarch, a Knight and Christian, King Carlos V has been true to His principles from the beginning of His life to its end. The only prince who refused to bow down before the Corsican usurper, the heir to the throne who defended the Holy Church from desecration during the Wars of Restoration, the King who recovered the Spanish overseas empire from its ashes, who all his life, like a true father, cared about his people, granting them lands, abolishing serfdom, selflessly helping them during each calamity.
He always kept his word, He was an epitome of justice - and because of that under His hand Spain once again gained the wide international respect. We were successful everywhere under his leadership - and how could it be different, if we had a King who ruled in accordance with the Will of the Creator?
Now the King is gone - but He has a worthy successor. His eldest son, King Carlos VI, would lead us to victory as His father did. He carries His sacred blood, His soul is full of the same virtues - and under His wise rule Spain would continue to walk the path of glory. The legacy and great inheritance of Carlos V is in good hands. Long live the King - and may the Carlist cause prevail forever.
