04-19-2021, 07:17 AM
Throne Room, Palace of Flowers
April 17th
"You're saying....I need to do what?" Empress Calhualyana said, looking down from her throne at the three people in front of her.
Xiuhcatli, the calpixqui (steward) of the Imperial Household, coughed nervously, before continuing. "We humbly suggest, your Majesty, that you should take a husband. Soon, if possible."
The Empress sighed. "I don't want a husband. I have my male amusements, and they serve their purpose just fine. Why would I want the annoyance of having to manage a relationship on top of all the other issues I must contend with?"
Prime Minister Toquihu gave a wry smile in response. "Admittedly, relationships and marriages can be difficult at times. However, the people will expect you to eventually marry, and sire an heir. We asked them to support a hereditary monarchy, and so they have. But now, they expect us to keep our end of that bargain."
Coaneca, the Minister of Information and the man responsible for Calhualyana's growing propaganda program, nodded at that. "I must also add, your Majesty, that your taking on a husband and having an heir will greatly improve my messaging. We're already positioning you as the mother of the Empire - what better way to cement that impression by bringing the future heir to the Obsidian Throne into the world?" As Calhualyana raised an eyebrow, Coaneca continued. "In fact, the more children you have, the better for both our future monarchy and our messaging."
"Don't push your luck, Coaneca. I haven't even decided that I want the one child, much less a pack of them." The Empress sighed again, standing up. "I suppose there are other reasons you have for this need for me to breed?"
"Having an heir secures the future for both your dynastic line, and for your vision for the Empire. It also helps us to ensure that no descendant of Topilpopoca's line, such as Texōccoatl or the half-breed Tonauac, ever has a chance to make a claim to the Obsidian Throne," Toquihu replied.
"I thought we settled that particular question when Yauhmi abdicated to become the leader of her fake country. No one from her line has any claim to this throne any longer." Calhualyana turned to her steward. "Is that not so, Xiuhcatli?"
"Technically, yes, your Majesty. But as long as Texōccoatl and his son remain alive, they are a threat regardless. Also, we cannot discount the possibility that Texōccoatl could still have more children. It would indeed be best for us to secure your claim to the throne - and that of your line - as quickly as possible," Xiuhcatli demurred.
"Oh, very well," Calhualyana sighed once more, stepping down from the throne as the others moved out of her way. "Xiuhcatli, begin finding suitable candidates to serve as a husband. Make sure they are individuals worthy of my time, and the privilege of fathering the future rulers of this Empire, if you please. And make sure they are well aware that their role is to sire a child and occupy a chair next to my throne - not to usurp my role." The Empress strode out of the Throne Room, as the others nodded. Once the Empress was gone, Toquihu looked at Xiuhcatli. "I presume you will begin within the ranks of ASI or the Army?"
"Yes....but the other armed services would do as well....someone who looks good in a uniform, is healthy and strong, not too old...." Xiuhcatli murmured, already taking notes.
"Yes, do make sure you pick people suitably photogenic, intelligent and capable of stringing coherent sentences together for the public, if you please. Let's not make my job any harder than it already is," Coaneca said in a dry tone as the three men began walking out.
April 17th
"You're saying....I need to do what?" Empress Calhualyana said, looking down from her throne at the three people in front of her.
Xiuhcatli, the calpixqui (steward) of the Imperial Household, coughed nervously, before continuing. "We humbly suggest, your Majesty, that you should take a husband. Soon, if possible."
The Empress sighed. "I don't want a husband. I have my male amusements, and they serve their purpose just fine. Why would I want the annoyance of having to manage a relationship on top of all the other issues I must contend with?"
Prime Minister Toquihu gave a wry smile in response. "Admittedly, relationships and marriages can be difficult at times. However, the people will expect you to eventually marry, and sire an heir. We asked them to support a hereditary monarchy, and so they have. But now, they expect us to keep our end of that bargain."
Coaneca, the Minister of Information and the man responsible for Calhualyana's growing propaganda program, nodded at that. "I must also add, your Majesty, that your taking on a husband and having an heir will greatly improve my messaging. We're already positioning you as the mother of the Empire - what better way to cement that impression by bringing the future heir to the Obsidian Throne into the world?" As Calhualyana raised an eyebrow, Coaneca continued. "In fact, the more children you have, the better for both our future monarchy and our messaging."
"Don't push your luck, Coaneca. I haven't even decided that I want the one child, much less a pack of them." The Empress sighed again, standing up. "I suppose there are other reasons you have for this need for me to breed?"
"Having an heir secures the future for both your dynastic line, and for your vision for the Empire. It also helps us to ensure that no descendant of Topilpopoca's line, such as Texōccoatl or the half-breed Tonauac, ever has a chance to make a claim to the Obsidian Throne," Toquihu replied.
"I thought we settled that particular question when Yauhmi abdicated to become the leader of her fake country. No one from her line has any claim to this throne any longer." Calhualyana turned to her steward. "Is that not so, Xiuhcatli?"
"Technically, yes, your Majesty. But as long as Texōccoatl and his son remain alive, they are a threat regardless. Also, we cannot discount the possibility that Texōccoatl could still have more children. It would indeed be best for us to secure your claim to the throne - and that of your line - as quickly as possible," Xiuhcatli demurred.
"Oh, very well," Calhualyana sighed once more, stepping down from the throne as the others moved out of her way. "Xiuhcatli, begin finding suitable candidates to serve as a husband. Make sure they are individuals worthy of my time, and the privilege of fathering the future rulers of this Empire, if you please. And make sure they are well aware that their role is to sire a child and occupy a chair next to my throne - not to usurp my role." The Empress strode out of the Throne Room, as the others nodded. Once the Empress was gone, Toquihu looked at Xiuhcatli. "I presume you will begin within the ranks of ASI or the Army?"
"Yes....but the other armed services would do as well....someone who looks good in a uniform, is healthy and strong, not too old...." Xiuhcatli murmured, already taking notes.
"Yes, do make sure you pick people suitably photogenic, intelligent and capable of stringing coherent sentences together for the public, if you please. Let's not make my job any harder than it already is," Coaneca said in a dry tone as the three men began walking out.
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