Chapter 20
Mireille had come in to call me out of bed twice but here I still lied, unwilling to think and unwilling to get up. I idly wondered what would come of this day, it was my inauguration, I was officially taking the reins of the country, but I am well aware that many already see that with or without an inauguration, I was the man ruling the nation.
The inauguration was just a chance for the entire nation to see me in such respect, a moment to be ingrained in their minds as they begin to recognize the pseudo monarch I was. It was also a moment for me to address the entire country, all through the past month all my words, actions and orders had been communicated through the news or Matthias and Luciano.
It was a moment for King and subject to meet.
But I suppose it was there-in that lied my unwillingness to move from my bed. Despite having lived nine previous lives, I'd only ruled Schelar a few times, and the feeling of a heavy boulder landing on my shoulders as I gave my inaugural speech was one I didn't want to feel.
But it was obvious I'd have to. I'd have to give that speech, look in the eyes of my citizens and promise them I'd protect, guarantee their rights and provide strong working opportunities for them all. I'd have to promise to keep them safe, their futures and their children's futures safe. I'd have to swear to be the President they needed, the one to bring about great change.
Some responsibilities just weighed heavier. Father had once said the aching responsibility of a nation is similar to that of a family. As the head, you had a duty to provide and protect no matter what and by whatever means necessary.
I suppose his outlook on citizens is what had him so beloved by the nation that would now look onto me to fill up the shoes he'd left.
I let out a sigh, finally getting up and heading to the shower.
I couldn't be unwilling. I was unwilling before, unwilling to understand, unwilling to see, unwilling to know the people out there. But it was that unwillingness that made me such a terrible leader, it was that unwillingness that had the nation uproar and takes arms against me and my apathy.
I couldn't be unwilling while I sat in such power, a power that held such responsibility. I mustn't s.h.i.+rk away from it. A terrible leader is not what the people needed and it certainly wasn't what I wanted to become.
The shower was quick but thorough, scrubbing away hard on dirt and the cowardice I felt. I dressed just as quickly in a dark suit as I always did. Donning on a professional look that s.h.i.+elds me.
Outside my room, I find the palace in moderate disarray, staff scrambling all around. They see me see them and most look my way with respect, mouthing greetings and salutes, others move on, more hurried by my appearance even.
I head out to look for Mireille, I wasn't exactly involved in the planning of the event given I had much more pressing matters
I shake the thought out, if I really was terribly late it would be Matthias or more pressingly, Luciano that would have knocked on my door to drag me out of bed.
It wasn't difficult finding her, despite all the hurried staff making the place look like chaos, she could be found right outside my office by her desk, where she almost always was.
The dark-haired brunette looked a little more primed and pressed today, I observed as she rose at my approach.
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"Good morning, Mister Fatah." She greets, her eyes paying rampant attention to me as I stop right in front of her desk.
"Good morning, Mireille," I wave a bright smile her way, squinting as I do, "You wouldn't happen to know where I'm supposed to be right now would you?" I make a show of this, leaning in and whispering lightly to her.
A school-girl giggle escapes her lips and I remember the times we shared lessons with my mother.
"Luciano is tightening security around the centre, he's been doing so since dawn, performing drills as well, testing the set formations he made days ago. I heard him discussing with Matthias and a few generals about something that happened yesterday."
It's hard to miss the concern in her voice, her eyes place on me firmly. Whatever happened yesterday to spook Luciano, it had to do with me.
I looked to her, silently nodding, recognizing her warning. Still, I dismissed it as she handed me a schedule of the inauguration event. Even though Luciano l.u.s.ts painfully after more and more power, he should have realized that beside me would be the closest he'd get to the Presidents seat.
And then even he wasn't deranged enough to try a coup during my inauguration. In truth, I'm not sure I'd mind if he did. I'd be able to spin the supreme leader, chosen by G.o.d in heaven thing much easier after people see me put down a squad of men with nothing but my mind.
Oh, wait…I hadn't tested pain infliction for multiple targets…s.h.i.+t.
One by one then.
I thank Mireille and head downstairs where a convoy is waiting for me. I swiftly get in, wanting to be at the convention centre as soon as possible. On the itinerary, Mireille gave me it mentioned that the event started truly once I got there and so I hurried my drivers along, no need cruising on emptied streets.
On arriving there and pa.s.sing through a secure entrance, I quickly realized that my inauguration would be unlike any other, and not in a particularly good way. Most of the people in attendance were ordinary working-cla.s.s citizens and a few deep-pocketed investors like the now-deceased Mister Ralefy. This ordinarily would be enough but it did reinforce the fact that Schelar has long been in seclusion as the only other Heads of State aside from myself were the Presidents of Namibia and Comoros.
All other African nations 'politely declined'. Their loss, Schelar was going through magnificent changes their countries would never r4ealized for decades to come, changes I would ensure.
Luciano levelled me with a strong gaze as if to say 'Finally' I smirked at him and went on to mingle a bit with my esteemed guests who were all gathered curiously around the Russian Amba.s.sador. With a smirk, I quickly decide to make good use of this.
"Ahh! Mister Amba.s.sador, good to see you, it's good to see you!" I smoothly jump in shaking his hands, ending whatever conversation they were having. I look to them and flash a smile.
The President of Namibia and Comoros. Familiar faces from all the times I'd sought asylum in their country.
They mutter greetings over the drinks they held in hand. The President of Comoros was a short stout, humble-looking man. A great contrast to the fat and grandeur that reeked off of the President of Namibia. I made sure to stand close by the Amba.s.sador, shameful as it was, he was the biggest diplomatic weapon I had.
Schelar's new ties to Russia was untested, but it was news, good news for me and a hard pill for all those profiting off the back of Schelar's poverty.
"President Fatah I believe?" Comoros stretches his hand out for a shake and I oblige.
"Yes, pleased to meet you again."
"Again?" Namibia jumps in.
"Ah, Yes, my father and I visited quite a number of times during…hards.h.i.+ps" it was obvious I implied the civil war that brought about the birth of the country I was being inaugurated to rule. A sensitive matter, one no one was hesitant to drop.
We toss a few more words between ourselves and it is almost hard to ignore the constant look the President of Namibia was giving me, it was obvious he couldn't quite fathom my age. As the fifty-something year old he was, I hadn't much doubt that he had children around my age. I could understand his struggle a bit.
And soon, Matthias comes whispering into my ear about how it's time. I give him a nod and shake the hands of my guests once again as they too move to their seats.
I follow Matthias and Luciano outside; they don't take me all the way but there are soldiers littered all over the place. I step into the light and the Presidential Anthem begins plays as I walk in tandem with some uniformed men.
The crowd is wild in awe. I look to them, to their faces and I smile.
Today would be the beginning. The day their lives all change