“This is something I will leave you to discuss among yourselves while I take a recess. When I return, I will take your votes.”
The Queen then stood up and the guards positioned themselves at either side of her. Vanessa then clapped and all the members stood up. She then clapped again and they all made their swift and profound bow to the troubled and irritable Monarch.
Before leaving, the Queen lashed out again at her anxious and homesick maid, “Veronica! Do I have to say it?! Ensure my garments are in place! Then get to your position! Five paces in front, as always, and lead us out. Move!”
The maid gasped. “Oh! Yes, at once, Your Majesty!” She then scuttled hurriedly over from the large, gold-rimmed, glass green table, to attend to the Queen.
Vanessa couldn’t help feeling sorry for her, but she was determined to give her that extra, thorough coaching. It would be a sad thing to lose her after such a long and happy friendship.
As the royal escort began to leave, Veronica started to feel more and more uneasy and a little miserable. She let her head drop down as she looked gloomily at the floor while slowly leading the procession out of the R.S.U. Meeting Room.
“Come on Veronica!” snapped the Queen. “Straighten your shoulders, tilt your head up and move faster!”
She immediately did as instructed. “Ah, my apologies, Your Majesty!”
Vanessa made sure all the fairies under her leadership remained in place, standing to attention and facing forward. That palpable tension and suspense was still hanging in the air. But with Vanessa, professionalism was everything. No looking about, and no exchanging glances or whispers until the Queen and her escort had left the room. While on duty, no form of misconduct whatsoever would be tolerated under Vanessa, and they all knew it.
They watched patiently and solemnly as the Queen finally disappeared through the great double doors of the colossal room.
Vanessa then cautiously looked around at them. They looked back at her in silence and with several shocked and dismayed expressions.
Vanessa knew it was time for her to break the silence. “Well? You may all speak freely, but I don’t want any of you talking over anyone else. You are not blabbering, ego-driven humans. No improper behaviour, whether or not Her Majesty is among us. It that clear?
Some of them began nodding.
“I said, is that clear?!” she shouted.
“Yes, my Lady! Yes, Lady Vanessa!” they all burst out.
“Good. Now, let’s get a move on. Who wishes to speak first? Mm? Say what is on your mind. That is why you are here. Do not feel like you have to agree with what the Queen proposes. She has asked for your feedback and you will each give it in full honesty.”
She continued to look around at them until one of them named, Beautalinlaca, but more commonly called ‘Beauty’ for short, felt ready to speak.
She briefly cleared her throat and said, “So, obviously, she is our Queen, but, um… Well… Okay, I’ll tell you what. You see, the thing is, my Lady…”
“Come on, Beauty. You must stop fumbling about like that and stumbling over your words. You are a Fairy Palace Official – a Royal Spokesperson, operating in the highest governmental body. Not a teenage girl from the Lower World. Start again.”
Beauty flushed a little, struggling to cope with the pressure. She then began again, this time making more effort, “I was shocked at first by Her Majesty’s proposal. I’ll admit that…”
But she then paused again for a moment while tightly pressing her lower lip between her teeth, determined to overcome the pressure she was feeling.
“Don’t do that,” said Vanessa abruptly. She then began waving her index finger at her and shaking her head.
“Hum? What, my Lady?”
“Stop biting your lip like that. I know you are feeling nervous but you must control yourself better. Have I not just told you to act more professionally?
“Oh, yes. Sorry, my Lady. Uh… Okay. Where was I? Oh yes. Anyway, after some reflection, I am now of the opinion that it is good for at least some fairies to connect physically with the Lower World, even though it can be dangerous. Princess Stephanie is very important since she is next in line for the Throne. We should probably just vote yes to what the Queen proposes and have a competent fairy or two, sent down there to bring her home. Just offer her all kinds of good things and tell her she’s being foolish to stay there. Or ‘silly’ as I believe they say in the Lower World. She is probably pretty earthly by now but wait till she sees what a proper and magnificent fairy really looks like!”
After saying this, she looked around to see the reactions of the others. Many of them seemed to approve of what she said.
“Okay, Beauty. Thank you for sharing your thoughts,” said Vanessa. “Now, who else wishes to weigh in here?”
Elora-Brightgaze of Maracynthiavale, who was older and wiser than most of the others said, “I also believe that a yes vote makes the most sense. How else will we bring the Princess home? It will be challenging for any fairy to descend to the Lower World, but we cannot just leave everything to Raymond Ashford. She isn’t cooperating with him. We need to step in. We just need to make sure that the new teachers who are appointed to the S.Q.D. of Shorniavale are as sharp and expertly trained as were those of the past. And even more so. We need experts on the Lower World as it is today. Not how it was either before or during Earth’s Seventh Century when the Act of Suppression came into force.”
Many other members began nodding in approval at this and one said, “Yes. We must do what we can. I intend to vote in favour of the Queen’s proposal.”
Vanessa continued looking carefully around at each of the members. She then said, “Well? Are there any no voters here? Come on. Speak up if you disagree. This is a delicate and very important issue.”
One of them named Philatheen, swallowed hard and said, “I’m afraid I feel I must vote no.”
Everyone in the room stared at her as she looked about in random directions and began fighting back anxiety and even tears.
Rosemajenta Shell-Borne, who was the youngest and known to be outspoken at times, looked at her indignantly and said, “Wait. Is that just because you are afraid to go there yourself?! Wow! What kind of fairy are you?!”
“No!” Philatheen burst out, still trying not to cry. “It’s because I don’t want anyone else getting hurt! Let Princess Stephanie reach out when she’s ready! It’s too early to risk the well-being of other fairies! And what do you know of Princess Stephanie and the Lower World anyway, Rose? Mm?! I think the word to describe you in relation to your knowledge of current affairs is ‘pathetic,’ and I say that for your own good! Get wiser!”
“Okay! Fine! I was only asking! But we all seem to be agreed on a yes vote so far, which means you are like the annoying fly on the born-day cake! Or whatever those stupid humans call it – birthday cake. We don’t have flies here, and if we had birthday cakes, well, the average cake would need some seventeen-hundred candles on it, but you get my point.”
“Quiet Rose!” snapped Vanessa.
But Rose continued, “Philatheen? You represent earthly flies, I think. And I’ll be very honest with you… Everyone now thinks you are a coward!”
At that, Philatheen burst into pitiful tears. “Oh! Do you and the others really think that about me?”
“Shhh! Silence!” shouted Vanessa. “This is hopeless! Will you people ever learn to act professionally?!”
She then sighed despondently at the thought that, compared to humans, the vast majority of fairies were embarrassingly childlike and naïve, even those who served in high-up governmental positions. The innocence level among fairies was off the charts compared to mankind. It seemed like most, if not all fairies in the R.S.U. really had no idea of what they were dealing with when it came to the Lower World.
Vanessa then turned to one of the three males who were present and said, “Justin? What about you?”
But Justin wasn’t listening at all. He had been completely distracted the entire time and kept secretly sneaking longing looks at the beautiful Savannah Silverstone of Lavenders Dale, the shiest and quietest of them all.
Vanessa then shouted at him, “Justin-Aldenwise! Did you hear me?!”
He suddenly looked at her and said, “What is it, my Lady?”
“Tell us what you are going to vote! And explain to us your views on this matter!”
After a rather indifferent silence, he finally said in a bit of a mumble, “I don’t know. But I’ll vote for whatever Savannah Silverstone votes for. Is that okay with you, my Lady?”
“What?! That’s ridiculous! I’m tired of so much incompetence! You are forthwith expelled from the Royal Spokespersons Unit on the grounds of romantic entanglement with a coworker – one who is causing you to neglect your duty and whom you are allowing to control your political decisions.”
Everyone gasped. Poor Justin! Surely Vanessa wouldn’t really insist on such a drastic move?! He had been in the unit for so long. He had been there at so many meetings as decisions were made regarding trade with other Provinces, the new border of Maracynthiavale, the supplying of weapons to the mermaids of the Trans-Keldervalian Ocean and the North Quarter Ocean that took up a whole quarter of the realm, and the delegation of power to the newest Sea Rulers of those underwater worlds.
“Expelled, my Lady?” he said in a surprised tone.
“Yes, Justin-Aldenwise. I think it is for the best, at least for the time being.”
“Oh…”
Everyone watched in dismay as Vanessa pointed towards the exit. “You should leave.”
Savannah looked up but dared not say anything after noticing the authoritative posture and tone of Vanessa, and the determined look in her eyes.
Justin then bowed and said, “As you wish, my Lady. It was becoming rather tedious working here alongside the likes of Miss Silverstone but never being able to bond with her in the way I would like to. Savannah? Now that I am leaving, I would like you to know that I um… Well… I love you.”
There was silence. Savannah covered her face in the long flowy sleaves of her large green dress with its silver suds, gold trimmings and its display of small red gemstones that hung from her shoulders and from the white collar that covered her neck. At least now, if she really wanted him, she wouldn’t have to keep resisting his approaches. He had lost his employment for her and everyone could see it.
She finally said tearfully to Vanessa, “Please move on with the meeting, my Lady.”
For Justin, getting expelled after such a long time in service was something he would have to process during some time to himself but he felt somewhat happy and at peace as he slowly walked out of the R.S.U. Meeting Room in his scarlet tunic and black cloak, his blond curls hanging behind him. There he was, hoping against hope that he had won the heart of Savannah, the timid, sweet-eyed beauty from Lavenders Dale.
Several times, he had secretly tried to kiss her, both during and after work hours, but while she never reported him, she was always insistent on abiding by the rules of the unit and persistently refused to let him become intimately involved with her. As for her parents, neither of them approved of him. They thought he was much too rough, boisterous and wild for the likes of her. They often referred to him as, yaroniea koobla keeta, which is a common form of insult to higher world males, and means ‘lower world boy.’
As Justin made for the exit, Vanessa said, “We are grateful for your past services, Justin. Take some time. It is not impossible that you could be hired again in the future. Now. Who’s next?”
She then sighed with frustration and added, “Look! There’s far too much emotion and tears going on here. Earth would be laughing itself stupid at us. Come on now! All of you! Let’s make this feel more like the Queen’s R.S.U. and less like a Lower World playgroup! Savannah? You’re up next. How about you dry those eyes, hold yourself straight and give us some input here?”
“Not now, my Lady. Sorry. A little later if you don’t mind.”
“Please, Savannah. You are still an R.S.U. member and you we understand your situation. But do your best here. We want to hear what you have to say.”
Savannah sniffled. “Oh… Okay, my Lady. Well, um… I intend to vote yes and that is because I feel for the Queen so much and the loss of her daughter. I also fear what might happen to the power she holds over our kind if Princess Stephanie does not fulfil her destiny and become the next Monarch. The power to rule efficiently in the future is something that is bestowed on her alone, as we surely all know. We must repeal the Act of Suppression and allow the S.Q.D. of Shorniavale to be reopened.”
“Thank you, Savannah,” said Vanessa and then turned to Talrania who was the interpreter for Vonlivia. “And what does our mermaid attendant think of all this, Talrania? What will she vote?”
Talrania was crouched down by the thick glass under which Vonlivia was now slowly swimming in small circles once again. Talrania had been taking notes while Vonlivia was communicating to her in the ever-challenging, bubble-blowing language of Mermaidian.
“Yes. I can read out what she said, my Lady.”
“Proceed.”
“Well, essentially, Vonlivia thinks that a no vote is the best course of action here. She says that we fairies are only fooling ourselves in thinking that we can repeal the Act of Suppression without consequences, and open an entire school at Shorniavale in order to keep going down to the Lower World. She also says that the Queen’s proposal comes from a place of maternal affliction and we have a duty not to let her emotions, which are clouding her judgment, to end up clouding our own. We have a duty to prevent the Queen from acting irrationally. What Vonlivia proposes instead, is to introduce a new Act altogether. One which will allow a volunteer to be assigned to a Hermit Mentor; a Mentor who will hopefully be sufficiently qualified to train a fairy to descend to the Lower World and resist its um… you know… modern-day dark pull. Preferably, a young fairy should be sent, since older and more powerful ones tend to be more liable to corruption – something that could come with terrible consequences. She says that there should also be two Approval Processes and that the first of these ‘approvals’ should come from a new Unit of Scholars who must study the um… present-day Lower World as meticulously as possible. She then says that the ‘Second Approval’ should come from the proposed Mentor who will actually carry out the training of the Volunteer. In this way, it will still be forbidden for the average fairy to go to Earth and so we will, as she puts it, ‘remain protected as a species.’ But with the new proposal, there is still hope that someone exceptional may come along and be trained up vigorously to face a mission to the Lower World and contact Princess Stephanie in person. She then concludes by saying that the use of certain powers that the future Higher World Agent or ‘Volunteer’ will either already possess or be trained to use, may serve as a useful aid in changing the heart of Her Majesty’s daughter.”
“Wow… Is that everything?” said Vanessa.
“Yes, my Lady.”
“Very good. Okay, Talrania. Well done for getting all that information from her. I now want you to go and tell Vonlivia that I am proud of her and that I personally am in complete agreement with her and I fully endorse the alternative recommendations she has put forward. I believe we should all vote no and try to get the Queen to accept these new proposals instead of her original ones.”
All the other members looked around at one another and there was a strong sense in the room that they were all beginning to agree with Vonlivia and Vanessa. Although it might well give much displeasure to the Queen, who mostly likely believed they would all vote yes to her original proposals, they should probably vote no after all and present to her the new plan for her consideration.
But they all knew that the Queen wouldn’t take lightly to being contradicted by the entire unit. And besides, she was also sure to realise that Justin was absent. Vanessa had expelled him without even speaking a word to Her Majesty beforehand. Justin had been a longstanding member of the R.S.U.
Enlightening and entertaining in all aspects. Very fine written story that stirs the imagination and captures the mind of the reader. The pictures help to embolden the story, and the characters are unique and well thought out. My granddaughter enjoyed me reading this and is interested in hearing more about the Queen. A great post. Thank you.
Thanks Walter. Very nice to hear your thoughts and about your granddaughter enjoying the story:)
This passage does a great job of showcasing the tension and dynamics within the fairy council. Veronica’s vulnerability contrasts with the strict professionalism demanded by Vanessa, adding depth to their roles. The political strife and divided opinions make the fairy realm feel both fantastical and relatable. Overall, the story beautifully blends elements of fantasy and political drama, making it an engaging and thought-provoking read.
This post is incredibly engaging and immersive, offering a unique glimpse into the intricate world of fairies and their governance. The author’s attention to detail and ability to craft complex characters and relationships are truly impressive. The political intrigue and tension within the Royal Spokespersons Unit are palpable, making it easy to become invested in the story. I appreciate the exploration of themes such as professionalism, loyalty, and the challenges of decision-making in a high-stakes environment. The writing style is descriptive and evocative, making it easy to visualize the characters and settings. Overall, this post is a compelling read that leaves me eager to learn more about the world and characters presented.
Hi Cyril, many thanks. Yes, the main characters that you will hear more about are Vanessa Lumingale and Veronica Garlandwood. And also, the Queen of course. They are in capital Province which is Alpheabrook. But other provinces are represented by the other members in the story. The other provinces have different features and cultures from each other. For example, Alpheabrook is city-like, wealthy and upper-class. Its citizens are more richly dressed and tend to wear shoes. But Garlandwood and Lavenders Dale are more woodland based provinces. More classical types of fairies dwell in those lands. Maracynthiavale is rich in natural resources and alchemy is common there. And so on.
Hello Dominic,
What a fascinating read! The intricate dynamics between these higher world figures are captivating. It is interesting to see the balance of power and emotion play out, especially with characters like Vanessa, who clearly values professionalism, contrasted with the emotional depth of others like Philatheen and Justin.
Vonlivia’s perspective is especially intriguing, proposing a more strategic approach that considers long-term consequences over immediate action. I am curious to see how the Queen will respond to being challenged and if her maternal instincts will clash with her political authority. This world is rich with layers of politics, emotions and magic!
Cannot wait to see what happens next! Thank you for sharing this post.
Wow, this article really dives deep into the dynamics between the fairies and the Lower World! I have to say, Vanessa’s leadership style is intense, and while I get her frustration with the lack of professionalism, her quick decision to expel Justin felt a bit harsh. That whole subplot with Justin’s feelings for Savannah really added some unexpected emotion. It was almost like you could feel the tension in the room, especially with everyone torn between their duty to the Queen and their personal feelings.
Overall, I love how the article brings so much complexity to the fairy world. It’s not all just magic and light, but real conflicts and emotions at play. Great read!
Thank you Kavitha, and yes, I agree that Vanessa does come across as overly harsh. Thanks for pointing that out. Later on, she is assigned as the maid of the wayward, fallen princess, which suits her personality quite well I think. She does a better job of assisting Stephanie and trying to get her to settle into her new royal role than the likes of Veronica Garlandwood, who is not firm enough with her.
Thanks again!
I have read your story with much intrigue. It is an imaginative storyline that is entertaining and engaging. Thank you for sharing the story on this platform. I must admit I was not expecting to come across a story here, but I have learnt the importance of being imaginative and creative and sharing differently.
Thank you! Wishing you the best.
What a captivating story! The dynamic between Vanessa and the other fairies really highlights the tension and stakes of the Queen’s proposal. I was particularly drawn to the contrast between Vanessa’s strict professionalism and the emotional responses from the other fairies, especially Justin and Savannah. Do you think Vanessa’s decision to expel Justin was too harsh, or was it necessary for maintaining discipline? Also, it seems like there’s a lot at stake with Princess Stephanie’s situation – how do you think the fairies will navigate the challenges of the Lower World?
Thanks Hanna, yes, that was a bit harsh of Vanessa I suppose. On the other hand, Justin was basing an important political opinion on someone else which shows that he wasn’t taking his job seriously enough. He didn’t want to vote differently to the person he loved which of course Vanessa didn’t like at all.
Right now, it is looking like the fairies will have to find a volunteer and train him or her so that they have enough resilience to withstand the darkness and downward pull of the Lower World.
I really enjoyed how this article blended politics, emotions, and power struggles in such a high-stakes setting. The tension between following duty and navigating personal feelings is palpable, especially in Vanessa’s attempt to maintain control over the situation. I can’t help but wonder how the Queen will react when she finds out about Justin’s expulsion and the unit’s potential shift towards a “no” vote.
How do you think the Queen’s emotional state will impact her reaction to this growing opposition, especially since Vanessa is trying to introduce alternative proposals contradicting the Queen’s original plan?
Thank you very much for sharing it.
Thanks! It was good getting your thoughts here. In that situation, I’d say the Queen is likely to be a bit annoyed but may still go along with what the unit suggests.
What a great article, You have created here it is a very engaging piece for sure and i enjoy the mystical side of things.
i have a few questions for you as my mind is wondering.
How did you come across these great tails ?
Do you think that this story has a line back to a true story that this was based on or just a fairy tale ?
either way this was a great read and i truly enjoyed the story thank you for share i look forward to your reply.
Hi Shawn, Well it’s all based on an earlier work of fiction that I produced over a year ago. While it isn’t based on actual events, the messages it conveys could be considered real and relatable I think. Thank you for your comment and questions.