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The Van den Wenen system and its effects on Queen Alma
Excerpt from the book “The Young Queen, the life and tragedies of Queen Alma of Simovia” by Professor Jolijn Ruiter, published in 2058
The van den Wenen system is what we historians have begun to call the strict measures employed to educate and guide the young crown princess of Simovia. It gets its name from its mastermind, the infamous Vorst Gregorius van den Wenen, Alma’s paternal grandfather.
To understand the full context, we must first look back to the early years of Alma’s life. The daughter of the Crown Princess Zoe (while her grandmother was still the reigning queen), Princess Alma was born 23 November 2000. The family, at the time, was enjoying a relatively free and relaxed life. They lived outside Zonneminster in a spacious cottage (if a vast 12 bedroom estate can be called a cottage), surrounded by nature. Her mother was a diligent representative of the royal family both at home and abroad and, therefore, young Alma and her brother, the Prince Anders, were primarily cared for by nannies, and occasionally by their paternal grandmother, the Vorstin van den Wenen.
This all changed abruptly in 2004 when Zoe succeeded her mother and Alma became the sole heir to the Simovian throne. Though still fairly young, Zoe had failed to produce more children, and after more than 20 miscarriages and several rounds of fertility treatments, it became evident that there would not be any more royal children born to the family. Zoe herself was an only child, and any other female lines in the Simovian royal tree had wilted away decades earlier. Thus the four year old Alma became the focus of everyone’s attention.
Initially, the Queen and Prince Consort had intended for their children to attend the public school system, in an effort to make the monarchy seem more approachable to the people of Simovia. However, this suggestion was so unanimously rejected by the House of Lords that it never even made it to the parliament debates. This is where Vorst van den Wenen, the Queen’s father-in-law, stepped in. He would oversee the young crown princess’s upbringing and education. Certainly a grandfather would be the perfect person for the role.
Sadly, this assumption proved to be horribly wrong. Van den Wenen did set out to work and, only from the methods he used, we can draw our own conclusions as to his motivations. A loving grandparent would likely have ensured that a young child be surrounded by peers, with plenty of room for social interaction. Though while the Simovian nobility is notoriously restrained in familial affection, they would not have subjected a child to the various methods of punishment for anything that the man deemed to be misbehaviour.
Physical and verbal abuse, as well as solitary confinement in a dark closet, sources confirm that Alma remained claustrophobic for the entirety of her life. While Van den Wenen dealt out much of the punishments himself, he was a busy man, and thus he also employed several tutors for Alma, each of whom was instructed to deal with her in this cruelly sadistic manner. All in order to make her behave, or perhaps more accurately, to break her spirit and make her easier to control both as a child and the future monarch.
Perhaps the most significant description of the conditions Alma was subjected to comes from her own brother, the Prince Anders: “My sister was a happy child until the tutors came. We did not share tutors. I was told it was because Alma would be queen and I would not need to have the same lessons. So we were separated. I still remember how I once walked in on one of Alma’s tutor beating her. I tried to stop him, and got into horrible trouble for it myself afterwards. Alma stopped smiling and laughing around that time. She used to always sing, without even realising she was doing it, but all that stopped. She grew thin and pale. Our parents listened to the tutors, and of course to Grandfather. They did not know what was really happening.”
The van den Wenen system finally came to its end when in 2019, at the age of 19, Alma pleaded with her mother to allow her to attend university. One does not need to have studied psychology to understand that much of Alma’s issues with her health, both physical and mental, can be attributed to growing up under such tyranny.
9. How formal is your royal family in public? How formal is your royal family in private?
The Simovian royal family is very formal in public. They aren’t particularly easy to approach and it is fairly similar in private, with Prince Andrew (Anders in Simovian) being a notable exception to that rule.
16. How popular and well-respected is your monarch and the institution of monarchy?
Historically the queens of Simovia have been well loved and the monarchy as well, as it has often ruled in favour of the people rather than the nobility that on its own fields large power over the common people of Simovia. However, during the second half of the 20th century, Simovia has had several weak queens in succession who have chosen to be passive when their active use of their power would have been critical in curbing the self-serving interests of both elected officials and members of the House of Lords and other land owners of Simovia. The line of succession has also withered, resulting in one single female line that has made people question whether the monarchy is still serving the needs of the people.
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8. How are members of your royal family styled (e.g., His Royal Highness, Her Royal Majesty, etc.)
The Queen is styled Her Royal Majesty, or Hare Koninklijke Majesteit in Simovian, the princes and princesses are styled His/Her Royal Highness, or Zijne/Hare Koninklijke Hoogheid.
21. Can members of your royal family marry whomever they wish, or are they required to get approval from the monarch or other governing bodies?
The members of the royal family, as well as members of the nobility, are all required to get permission and approval from the monarch, the House of Lords and the parliament in order to be allowed to marry, and before the aforementioned will even deign to consider granting their permission, the would-be spouse needs to fit certain criteria which vary based on rank.
29. How actively do members of the royal family participate in parenting? Are royal children raised by their parents, by extended family, or by staff?
Funny you should ask this one, as I’ve been working on a more detailed post on the topic. In short, Alma was raised mostly by staff and her paternal grandparents, while her mother was kept busy with state affairs. There is no set rule that it has to be done that way, but the past generations of Simovian royal family have not been particularly involved parents.
5. Does your monarch have absolute power? If there are limits on their authority, what are they?
The Simovian monarchs do not have absolute power, their power is tied to both the House of Lords and the elected parliament. The Queen may veto proposed laws and may put forth amendments and law proposals of her own, but similarly the House of Lords and the parliament may vote against her proposals. The House of Lords and the parliament must also approve of marriages and regents and there are strict protocols which must be followed that act as checks and balances for the Simovian crown.
18. Have there been any civil wars or succession crises in your country’s history?
Yes! The biggest one is the War of the Bastards at the end of the 18th century, which resulted in the establishment of the current enatic succession system. Following the War of the Bastards there were several uprisings by the common folk in Simovia, which gave birth to the elected parliament. Beyond those, there haven’t been any major succession crises, for now…
28. When and how does your royal family announce births and the names of newborn children?
Births are announced by the palace staff at the earliest convenience at the palace gates, and these days, via press releases and social media channels. A royal herald will also announce the birth at the House of Lords and the parliament. The name is usually announced alongside the birth, if possible.
Coucou ! For the worldbuilding questions, 12 & 31 <3
Coucou! Thanks for the ask!🥰
12. Can private citizens criticize or insult the monarch or the monarchy? Are there penalties for private citizens who critique or insult the monarch or royal family? Are those penalties enforced?
Ask a random Simovian on the street and they would tell you that of course they can, and it is not uncommon to hear criticism or indeed insults directed at the Queen in the media. However, there actually are lèse-majesté laws in Simovia, which carry fairly severe penalties varying from fines to imprisonment, but the state is aware that in the current day and age such censorship would not go over well and it is thus less damaging to the monarchy to allow criticism than to try and silence it.
31. What role do illegitimate children play in your royal family? Do they receive titles?
Illegitimate children are not common in the main branch of the royal family in Simovia, but it is not unheard of for Simovian princes to have fathered children out of wedlock. They may be acknowledged and recognised, and depending on the current monarch, may receive courtesy titles, but they will not be part of the line of succession.
1. What kind of government does your country have?
2. What are your country’s succession laws? Is inheritance restricted in any way by legitimacy, age, gender, ability, or other factors? Can your monarch choose their successor?
3. If your monarch died with no legitimate heirs and no chosen successor, who would become the next monarch?
4. What is the age of majority in your country? What happens if a minor inherits a title?
5. Does your monarch have absolute power? If there are limits on their authority, what are they?
6. Who creates and enforces laws in your country? What is the punishment for breaking the law?
Protocol, titles, and forms of address
7. What titles are used in your country? Are there any special titles unique to your country? (e.g., Hereditary Prince, Princess Royal)
8. How are members of your royal family styled (e.g., His Royal Highness, Her Royal Majesty, etc.)
9. How formal is your royal family in public? How formal is your royal family in private?
10. How is your monarch addressed in public? How are they addressed in private?
11. How are members of your royal family expected to dress? Are they allowed to choose their own outfits for engagements and official events?
Public Image and the Press
12. Can private citizens criticize or insult the monarch or the monarchy? Are there penalties for private citizens who critique or insult the monarch or royal family? Are those penalties enforced?
13. Can journalists and public figures criticize or insult the monarch or the monarchy? Do journalists or news agencies face penalties for critiquing or insulting the monarch or royal family? Are those penalties enforced?
14. Are members of your royal family allowed to give interviews and speak freely to the press?
15. How does your family make announcements and communicate with the public?
16. How popular and well-respected is your monarch and the institution of monarchy?
Political Opposition
17. Is there a mechanism to remove unpopular or incapable monarchs from the throne?
18. Have there been any civil wars or succession crises in your country’s history?
19. Are there any organized anti-monarchy groups within your country? What are their goals?
Love and Marriage
20. Do members of your royal family marry for love, or are they expected to enter into arranged marriages?
21. Can members of your royal family marry whomever they wish, or are they required to get approval from the monarch or other governing bodies?
22. If royal marriages must be approved, what does the approval process look like? What kinds of factors are considered? Do all members of the royal family require formal approval, or only those close to the throne?
23. Are members of the royal family allowed to marry commoners? Are they allowed to marry citizens of other countries?
24. Are members of your royal family expected to be monogamous? Are affairs and non-monogamy accepted, tolerated, or frowned upon?
25. Are members of your royal family allowed to divorce? Are they expected to remarry if widowed?
Children and Parenting
26. Are members of your royal family expected to have children? If so, how many?
27. When and how does your royal family announce pregnancies?
28. When and how does your royal family announce births and the names of newborn children?
29. How actively do members of the royal family participate in parenting? Are royal children raised by their parents, by extended family, or by staff?
30. Do children attend school, or are they educated at home by tutors or governesses?
31. What role do illegitimate children play in your royal family? Do they receive titles?
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The Queenmakers - the relationship between the Simovian monarchy and nobility
Yay, another history/worldbuilding post! No? Feel free to skip… But if you do read, I recommend you read this post about the noble titles first and the post about the way the Simovian government is set up is a handy one as well. For more general information, check out this page.
The triumvirate of power - monarchy, nobility and democracy in Simovia
I said I’d do a post on the Simovian nobility but it really is a bigger post so this will explain the somewhat intricate relationship between the three. For more general background information on Simovia, go and check out this page. If you want to learn about the Simovian noble titles, see this post. If you want to read how the government structure came to be, read this post. No photos, just a wall of text. If you’re not a history/politics geek, feel free to skip.
The monarchy
The Queen is the head of the state and holds political power in that she needs to approve (or disapprove) bills before they can be enacted into laws. She also holds the power to propose new bills, though it is the House of Lords and the parliament that has to legalise (or not) them. The Queen officially appoints a government, she gives it power to act.
With the power comes the constitutional duty to be informed. The Queen is educated on the constitution, the law and the history of the country. Back in the day the Queen was the only woman to be so educated. The Queen serves her country, not her own interests. She is also expected to act as the mediator between the noble families, the nobles and the people, and Simovia and foreign nations.
Simovia has absolute matrilineal transfer as the War of the Bastards (a topic for another post) left the country in such shambles that it was deemed that the only way to really know if the children were of the right bloodline, was to rely on the maternal bloodline (because, well, obvious reasons). The rest of the nobility doesn’t follow the rule though.
That is also why the Queen’s marriage and choice of partner is such a crucial question and it must be approved by both the House of Lords and the parliament. It is to avoid one noble family from becoming more powerful than the rest… which brings us to…
The nobility ie the House of Lords
Simovian noble families are the descendants of the families that remained after the War of the Bastards. They were the ones to originally grant the power to the first Simovian queen, and as such, they act as the checks and balances to the monarchy and prevent it from sliding into tyranny, the same way the monarchy has the power to limit the nobles from seeking too much self-gain.
The same way that the Queen (and by extension the other senior royals) is required to get permission for her marriage, the Simovian nobles are required to get the Queen’s approval for their marriages, again, to prevent one family from becoming too powerful. If the Queen does not approve of a marriage, it is considered morganatic, which could result in the loss of the hereditary lands and titles (as the lands are tied to the titles in most cases… landless nobles are also known as petty nobles, their ancestors served an important role in service to their country but they did not originate from the landed nobles). The risk of displeasing the ruling monarch so much that they might disapprove your marriages keeps the nobles in check, in theory.
The House of Lords, where 20 noble families have a seat, can approve (or disapprove) and propose new laws. In case of an unfit (ie too young or too sick or otherwise incapable) monarch, the House of Lords nominates, and acts alongside the regent.
Most Simovian noble families have patrilineal transfer unlike the royal family. It is only if there is no remaining legitimate male heir that the transfer of titles and lands - and only if approved by the Queen and the parliament - is allowed for female heirs. A similar approval is required for any potential noble family mergers.
And then finally…
The parliament
The parliament is the democratically elected part of the Simovian power triangle. Established by the first Simovian queen after the popular uprising 20 years after the War of the Bastards, it is this body of 140 elected officials that gives the Simovian government legitimacy. The prime minister - who is the head of the elected majority party - is second in power only to the queen, and in the recent years we could even say he holds an equal amount of power.
Members of Simovian - even minor - noble families cannot hold an elected office, which keeps the parliament free of self-serving noble interests. The parliament’s approval is required for any major changes in the House of Lords and also for the Queen’s marriage. This adds another layer of security to prevent tyranny and sliding back into feudalism and absolutism.
The parliament is the primary member to propose and bring forth new legislation, and they do have the power to disapprove bills proposed by the House of Lords and the Queen.
So to recap:
The balance of power has been set up so that not one single entity can grab the power to themselves, the two other sides of the the power-triangle will put a stop to that. It makes the system a bit rigid at times but it keeps the system stable.
During a long late-night conversation, Louis and Eleanor speak with unusual honesty about the burdens of their royal status, the loneliness it brings, and the impossibility of freely pursuing their personal lives. Louis confides his doubts about his marriage to Charlotte, his fear of becoming a bad father, and his growing love for Laura, while Eleanor reflects on her breakup with Elliott, her isolation within the Thornolian royal family, and the relentless harassment she endures from the press. Eleanor encourages Louis not to give up on Laura, while urging him to consider the price that such love may ultimately demand. In return, Louis tries to restore her hope, even offering her refuge in Francesim should she ever decide to leave Thornolia.
TRANSCRIPTION
Louis rises from the sofa, then begins slowly pacing the room with restless military energy.
Napoléon: I don’t actually know when any of this became so complicated. One minute I was being crowned Emperor, and the next, my wife is pregnant and half of the French expect me to become my father reincarnated.
Eleanor:That does sound mildly stressful.
Napoléon: I was raised for it and.. I think I’m good at it. Just I… married far too quickly. For stability. And… Charlotte fell pregnant very quickly too. We were not especially prudent.
Eleanor: Sounds like royalty speak for being pregnant before you were married.
Napoléon: In my defense, we were engaged.
Eleanor: Not like I can judge when I’m not exactly celibate.
Napoléon: I’m terrified of being a bad father. I’m already a bad husband…
Eleanor watched him pace for a moment before deciding how to answer.
Eleanor: I don’t think bad fathers usually worry this much about being bad fathers. That says something.
Napoléon: Laura said the exact same thing.
Eleanor: Smart woman.
Napoléon: She really is.
Eleanor: That’s really the crux of the problem, isn’t it?
Napoléon: Yes… Now I can’t love her publicly. I can’t build a life with her properly… And the absurd part is that I’m Emperor, one of the most powerful men in Europesim!
Eleanor: Unfortunately for us, power and freedom are not the same thing. People look at our lives and think privilege protects us from grief, when in actuality it makes our grief more public.
Napoléon: Exactly. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do anymore. Laura keeps rejecting me so… Perhaps I should simply give up. She didn’t even wish me a happy birthday today.
Eleanor: Well, first off, not wishing a person happy birthday is psychologically monstrous, so of course I support her entirely.
Napoléon: Thank you for your compassion.
Eleanor: Drunk me is my peak intellectual form, so you’re more than welcome.
Louis is laughing now.
Eleanor: But in all seriousness…and perhaps based on my own foolishness…
Eleanor pauses a moment before continuing.
Eleanor: I don’t think you should give up on her. But I do think you should decide whether loving her is worth becoming lonely everywhere else…
Napoléon: How does one know?
Eleanor: I think…you know when loving someone starts to make you disappear everywhere else in your life.
Eleanor avoids his gaze.
Eleanor: You start rearranging your life just to have small moments with them. You wait for their calls. Their messages. Any scrap of attention. And somehow…suddenly it becomes what is enough to sustain you.
Eleanor laughs bitterly.
Eleanor: Which sounds deeply pathetic now that I’ve said it out loud…
Napoleon: I guess people who are fine don’t hide in gardens waiting for one person to text them back all night.
Eleanor: Or down six glasses of champagne you don’t even like and then water the flower beds with your sick…
Louis points to the two of them.
Napoléon: We are completely doomed, Eleanor.
Eleanor laughs again.
Eleanor: Utterly doomed. Perhaps they should write an opera about us.
Napoléon: Very well…nothing left to do but persevere and conquer.
Eleanor: How very Simpartist of you.
Napoléon: And you? What are you going to do?
Eleanor: [Sighs] Not much I can do. I’m stuck in this hell, suffering in silence because no one even knew about Elliott in the first place. Well, except Ophelie. And that’s not even considering the familial abuse I suffer day to day between my mama and my youngest sister, Margaux…
Napoléon: You’re not the heir… so why don’t you leave? Get an apartment somewhere else in Thornolia maybe?
Eleanor: Out there…they hate me. The tabloids harass me practically every day. At least within these walls I know where the knives are.
Napoléon: Yes. But eventually living among knives stops feeling safer simply because they’re familiar… You would always be welcome in Francesim.
Eleanor: What, like house me in Francesim when I want to run away like a fugitive in the night?
Napoléon: Why not? I would be more than happy to help you.
Eleanor turned to look at him, in shock. She said nothing for what felt like forever before finally getting out.
Eleanor: You…you would do that? For me?
Napoléon : Of course I would. No one should feel trapped everywhere.
Eleanor: Can you please sit back down? Drunk me is getting sea sick watching you pass back and forth.
Louis finally comes to sit down beside her once again.
Napoléon : Sorry. I’m rarely calm and fixed in a seat.
Eleanor: I’ve noticed…perhaps you should see someone about that.
Napoléon: Who?
Eleanor: I don’t know. Some random therapist who has no idea who you are or something.
Napoléon: Oh non.
Eleanor: Gotta see someone for that anxious, Napoleon complex, Louis.
Napoleon: Send me to an island instead, like the British did.
Eleanor: Do you really want to relate yourself to anything British?
Napoléon: I would rather die.
Eleanor laughs.
Eleanor: That’s what I thought.
Eleanor sobers up slightly, unconsciously leaning her head on his shoulder.
Eleanor: I don’t think I’ve laughed like this in such a long time…
Napoléon: You’re welcome.
The two sit quietly for a bit.
Napoléon: Tell me, how exactly am I supposed to explain to Laura that I hung up on her after harassing her by telephone for several days?
Eleanor: You could try honesty…though, in reality it seems neither of us is particularly good at that.
Napoléon: I will keep you updated on my success.
Eleanor: So confident. But I want updates even if it all ends in disaster. If anything, it should keep me entertained within the walls of this hell. The last thing I need is to be left alone thinking about him every minute of every day…
Napoléon: I promise.
Eleanor closes her eyes.
Eleanor: Good…
Eleanor pauses for a bit before speaking again.
Eleanor: Honestly? I envy you and what you have with Laura…
Napoléon: Why?
Eleanor: Because she knows you. Not you as the emperor, but you as Louis…I’m sure I do not need to tell you how rare that is.
Napoléon: You’re right. She always knows what to say or what to do for me.
Eleanor: Most people approach us already imagining who we are, what we represent…What we can give them…Very few of them ever bother meeting the real person beneath it all. So I’m glad you have that in Laura…I only wish Elliott would have stayed to be mine…
Napoléon: I don’t know how things happened with your Elliott, but if I can help somehow… I will.
Eleanor: I appreciate that…but I don’t think he’ll be coming back…he made his position on things very clear.
Napoléon: Once, I considered ennobling Laura, so she could officially join my entourage. And… When I proposed it, she categorically refused. I took it rather badly at first. She thinks titles should mean something…
Eleanor: I understand her. Especially as a woman that wants to make a name for herself without any handouts.
Napoléon: What I mean is… Perhaps he had reasons similar to Laura’s?
Eleanor: What do you mean?
Napoléon: Not because he stopped caring. But because sometimes loving someone like us… becomes complicated, or exhausting.
Eleanor: I mean. I know I’m complicated and exhausting. You don’t need to remind me.
Eleanor: I don’t know if I said anything today…well actually, I know I haven’t.
Eleanor giggles a bit before continuing. A sound very unlike any laugh she’s had in the last few days. A sound more free.
Eleanor: But Happy Birthday, Louis. I’m sorry I ruined it by vomiting near your shoes.
Napoléon: Thanks. It was a lovely gift, a real eye-opener.
Eleanor is starting to doze off quickly now, feeling safe for the first time in a long time.
Eleanor: The gifts I give are legendary and memorable. I’ll give you that.
With a yawn, she quiets for a moment, before mumbling and falling asleep.
Eleanor: Thank you…for making me feel safe…
Napoléon: You’re welcome, Eleanor.
⚜ TRADUCTION FRANCAISE ⚜
Au cours d'une longue conversation nocturne, Louis et Eleanor évoquent avec une sincérité inhabituelle les contraintes de leur rang, la solitude qu'il engendre et l'impossibilité de mener librement leur vie sentimentale. Louis confie ses doutes face à son mariage avec Charlotte, sa peur de devenir un mauvais père et son amour grandissant pour Laura, tandis qu'Eleanor revient sur sa rupture avec Elliott, son isolement au sein de la famille royale thornolienne et le harcèlement permanent de la presse. Eleanor encourage Louis à ne pas renoncer à Laura, tout en l'invitant à mesurer le prix que cet amour pourrait lui coûter. En retour, Louis tente de lui redonner espoir, allant jusqu'à lui proposer de trouver refuge en Francesim si elle souhaitait un jour quitter la Thornolie.
Louis se lève du canapé puis se met à faire lentement les cent pas dans la pièce, avec cette agitation presque militaire qui ne le quitte jamais.
NAPOLÉON
Je ne sais même plus à quel moment tout est devenu aussi compliqué. Une minute, j'étais sacré Empereur... et la suivante, mon épouse était enceinte, tandis que la moitié des Français attendaient que je devienne la réincarnation de mon père.
ELEANOR
Ça m'a tout l'air d'être... légèrement stressant.
NAPOLÉON
J'ai été élevé pour ça. Et... je crois que je m'en sors plutôt bien. C'est juste que... je me suis marié beaucoup trop vite. Pour la stabilité. Et... Charlotte est tombée enceinte presque immédiatement. Disons que nous n'avons pas été particulièrement prudents.
ELEANOR
En langage royal, ça veut dire "nous avons conçu un enfant avant le mariage", c'est ça ?
NAPOLÉON
Pour ma défense... nous étions fiancés.
ELEANOR
Je serais mal placée pour te juger, vu que je ne suis pas exactement un modèle de chasteté.
NAPOLÉON
J'ai une peur terrible d'être un mauvais père. Je suis déjà un mauvais mari...
Eleanor le regarde faire les cent pas quelques instants avant de répondre.
ELEANOR
Les mauvais pères ne passent généralement pas leur temps à se demander s'ils seront de mauvais pères. Ça veut dire quelque chose.
NAPOLÉON
Laura m'a dit exactement la même chose.
ELEANOR
C'est une femme intelligente.
NAPOLÉON
Elle l'est vraiment.
ELEANOR
C'est bien là tout le problème, n'est-ce pas ?
NAPOLÉON
Oui... Aujourd'hui je ne peux pas l'aimer au grand jour. Je ne peux pas construire une vie avec elle... Et le plus absurde, c'est que je suis Empereur, l'un des hommes les plus puissants d'Europesim !
ELEANOR
Malheureusement pour nous, le pouvoir et la liberté ne sont pas la même chose. Les gens regardent nos vies en croyant que le privilège nous protège du malheur, alors qu'en réalité il ne fait que rendre notre malheur public.
NAPOLÉON
Exactement. Je ne sais même plus ce que je suis censé faire. Laura ne cesse de me repousser alors... peut-être devrais-je simplement abandonner. Elle ne m'a même pas souhaité mon anniversaire aujourd'hui.
ELEANOR
Déjà, ne pas souhaiter son anniversaire à quelqu'un, c'est psychologiquement monstrueux. Donc évidemment... je suis entièrement de son côté.
NAPOLÉON
Merci pour toute cette compassion.
ELEANOR
Moi ivre, c'est la version la plus brillante de mon intellect. Tu devrais t'estimer heureux.
Louis éclate de rire.
ELEANOR
Mais plus sérieusement... et peut-être parce que je parle aussi de ma propre bêtise...
Elle hésite un instant.
ELEANOR
Je ne crois pas que tu doives renoncer à elle. En revanche... tu dois te demander si l'aimer vaut la peine de devenir seul partout ailleurs.
NAPOLÉON
Comment peut-on le savoir ?
ELEANOR
Je crois que... tu le sais lorsque aimer quelqu'un commence à te faire disparaître du reste de ta propre vie.
Elle évite son regard.
ELEANOR
Tu réorganises toute ton existence pour grappiller quelques minutes avec cette personne. Tu attends ses appels. Ses messages. Le moindre signe d'attention. Et, sans même t'en rendre compte... cela finit par devenir suffisant pour continuer à vivre.
Elle laisse échapper un rire amer.
ELEANOR
Dit à voix haute... c'est profondément pathétique.
NAPOLÉON
J'imagine que les gens équilibrés ne passent pas leurs soirées cachés dans un jardin à attendre qu'une seule personne leur réponde.
ELEANOR
Ou ne boivent pas six coupes de champagne qu'ils détestent avant de vomir dans les massifs de fleurs...
Louis les désigne tous les deux du doigt.
NAPOLÉON
Nous sommes totalement perdus, Eleanor.
Elle éclate de rire.
ELEANOR
Complètement perdus. On devrait écrire un opéra sur nous.
NAPOLÉON
Très bien... Il ne nous reste plus qu'à persévérer... et conquérir.
ELEANOR
Voilà qui est très Simpartiste.
NAPOLÉON
Et toi ? Que vas-tu faire ?
Eleanor soupire.
ELEANOR
Pas grand-chose. Je suis coincée dans cet enfer. Je souffre en silence puisque personne ne savait même qu'Elliott existait... Enfin, sauf Ophélie. Sans compter les humiliations quotidiennes que je subis entre ma mère et ma petite sœur, Margaux...
NAPOLÉON
Tu n'es pas l'héritière. Pourquoi ne pars-tu pas ? Tu pourrais prendre un appartement ailleurs en Thornolie.
ELEANOR
Là-dehors... ils me détestent. Les tabloïds me harcèlent presque tous les jours. Au moins, ici... je sais où sont les couteaux.
NAPOLÉON
Oui. Mais à force de vivre entourée de couteaux... ils ne deviennent pas moins dangereux parce qu'on les connaît. Tu seras toujours la bienvenue en Francesim.
ELEANOR
Quoi ? Tu m'hébergerais en Francesim si je m'enfuyais en pleine nuit comme une fugitive ?
NAPOLÉON
Pourquoi pas ? Ce serait avec plaisir.
Eleanor tourne lentement la tête vers lui, stupéfaite.
Elle reste silencieuse un long moment.
ELEANOR
Tu... tu ferais vraiment ça ? Pour moi ?
NAPOLÉON
Bien sûr. Personne ne devrait avoir l'impression d'être prisonnier partout où il va.
ELEANOR
Tu pourrais te rasseoir ? Mon moi ivre commence à avoir le mal de mer à force de te voir faire les cent pas.
Louis revient enfin s'asseoir près d'elle.
NAPOLÉON
Pardon. Je tiens rarement en place.
ELEANOR
J'avais remarqué... Tu devrais peut-être consulter pour ça.
NAPOLÉON
Qui donc ?
ELEANOR
Je ne sais pas... un psychologue quelconque qui n'aurait aucune idée de qui tu es.
NAPOLÉON
Oh non...
ELEANOR
Il faut bien que quelqu'un soigne ton anxiété... et ton complexe napoléonien, Louis.
NAPOLÉON
Qu'on m'exile plutôt sur une île, comme les Britanniques.
ELEANOR
Tu tiens vraiment à te comparer aux Britanniques ?
NAPOLÉON
Plutôt mourir.
Eleanor éclate de rire.
ELEANOR
C'est bien ce que je pensais.
Elle se calme peu à peu et, sans même s'en rendre compte, vient poser sa tête contre son épaule.
ELEANOR
Je crois que ça faisait une éternité que je n'avais pas ri comme ça...
NAPOLÉON
Je t'en prie.
Ils restent silencieux quelques instants.
NAPOLÉON
Dis-moi... comment suis-je censé expliquer à Laura que je lui ai raccroché au nez après l'avoir harcelée au téléphone pendant plusieurs jours ?
ELEANOR
Tu pourrais essayer l'honnêteté... même si, en réalité, je ne suis pas certaine qu'aucun de nous deux soit particulièrement doué pour ça.
NAPOLÉON
Je te tiendrai informée de mes progrès.
ELEANOR
Quelle confiance... Mais je veux des nouvelles même si tout tourne à la catastrophe. Au moins, ça me divertira un peu dans cet enfer. La dernière chose dont j'ai besoin, c'est de rester seule à penser à lui chaque minute de chaque journée...
NAPOLÉON
Promis.
Eleanor ferme les yeux.
ELEANOR
Bien...
Après un long silence, elle reprend d'une voix presque endormie.
ELEANOR
Tu sais... j'envie ce que tu as avec Laura.
NAPOLÉON
Pourquoi ?
ELEANOR
Parce qu'elle te connaît. Pas l'Empereur... Louis. Je n'ai pas besoin de t'expliquer à quel point c'est rare.
NAPOLÉON
Tu as raison. Elle sait toujours quoi dire... ou quoi faire pour moi.
ELEANOR
La plupart des gens nous abordent avec une idée toute faite de ce que nous sommes... de ce que nous représentons... de ce que nous pouvons leur apporter. Très peu cherchent réellement à connaître la personne qui se cache derrière tout ça. Alors je suis heureuse que tu aies trouvé cela auprès de Laura... J'aurais simplement aimé qu'Elliott reste pour être cette personne pour moi.
NAPOLÉON
Je ne sais pas ce qui s'est passé entre toi et Elliott... mais si je peux t'aider d'une quelconque manière... je le ferai.
ELEANOR
C'est gentil... mais je ne crois pas qu'il reviendra. Il a été très clair sur ce qu'il voulait.
NAPOLÉON
Un jour, j'ai envisagé d'anoblir Laura afin qu'elle puisse officiellement intégrer mon entourage. Et... lorsqu'elle l'a appris... elle a catégoriquement refusé. Je l'ai assez mal vécu sur le moment. Pour elle, un titre doit avoir un sens...
ELEANOR
Je la comprends. Surtout en tant que femme qui veut réussir par elle-même, sans passe-droit.
NAPOLÉON
Ce que je veux dire... c'est que peut-être... Elliott avait des raisons semblables à celles de Laura.
ELEANOR
Comment ça ?
NAPOLÉON
Pas parce qu'il avait cessé de t'aimer. Mais parce qu'aimer quelqu'un comme nous... finit parfois par devenir compliqué. Ou épuisant.
ELEANOR
Je veux dire... je sais bien que je suis compliquée et épuisante. Tu n'es pas obligé de me le rappeler.
NAPOLÉON
Notre charisme ne résout pas tout... malheureusement.
ELEANOR
Le tien peut-être pas. Moi, en revanche... je suis absolument délicieuse.
Elle pousse un profond soupir et referme les yeux.
ELEANOR
Je ne sais pas si je te l'ai dit aujourd'hui... enfin si, je sais très bien que non...
Elle glousse doucement.
ELEANOR
Joyeux anniversaire, Louis. Désolée d'avoir gâché la journée en vomissant près de tes chaussures.
NAPOLÉON
Merci. C'était un très beau cadeau. Une véritable révélation.
Eleanor s'endort presque aussitôt, pour la première fois depuis longtemps apaisée.
ELEANOR
Les cadeaux que je fais... sont toujours inoubliables... Merci... de m'avoir fait me sentir en sécurité.
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