As aggravated as he acquired with paperwork, Luca wouldn’t rule like Nikoli had. They’d finalized a location for the brand new palace, and a military of prepared labor was working across the clock. All crucial repairs had been made to the outdated palace, and Luca had opened it to the refugees who’d misplaced their houses and livelihoods. The destroyed dungeons had been sealed off, however the remainder of the palace was liveable, and the halls hummed with hopeful power as folks went about their days.

He hadn’t seen the brand new palace’s website for just a few days, however as of the progress report he’d learn that morning, giant sections of the muse had been laid. Tunneling by means of the mountain to construct the decrease ranges with out weakening the bedrock took time, persistence, and an skilled crew of engineers, architects, and others who understood the challenges much better than he did.

After the design had been accepted, Luca was astonished by how rapidly work was progressing. He shouldn’t have been. They’d a whole lot of inhumanly sturdy, devoted employees who had been proud to be a part of the challenge and expert witches from world wide pouring their abilities into the work.

Luca had been proper to maintain the location of Nikoli’s rampage intact. It had been a Therian stronghold and a logo of their historical past and heritage for hundreds of years. Nonetheless, it additionally represented the risks of corruption from inside. He counted the times till he by no means needed to endure one other stressed evening in its haunted halls.

After the coronation, Luca gathered the clans’ monarchs and dukes for the official royal proclamation that slavery would now not be tolerated within the empire. Most had deserted the observe centuries in the past, however others had been irritated, and a small quantity had been outraged. Nonetheless, he’d issued the edict and made it regulation.

He’d instructed Viktorija to make sure that the decree was enforced. She was flourishing as the final of his army forces, so Luca entrusted the duty to her. Lots of the individuals who’d lived as slaves within the palace had returned after Nikoli’s loss of life, and most had taken up their earlier duties since they’d few choices. The palace wanted servants to function, and Luca demanded they be handled with the respect they deserved. He’d spent days figuring out the main points, and he was excited to ship the information.

He’d gathered the previous slaves, the servants who’d returned to the palace, and the visiting servants within the throne room for the announcement. They filed in, excited that their king had summoned them. Some had been scared, however he couldn’t blame them, given latest historical past. He must earn their belief.

Luca turned to the witch he’d requested to assist with this assembly. “Are you prepared?”

She nodded. “Sure, Your Majesty. It is going to document the entire thing like a digital camera, and I’ll distribute it to clans world wide.”

“Glorious. Thanks. Let’s get began.”

Luca turned to the gang. “Thanks for coming. I’ve essential information to share with all of you. A royal edict abolishing slavery was issued after the coronation, but it surely’s taken time to ascertain a brand new system. I apologize for the delay.”

A stout lady with brief, curly hair stepped ahead. “Everybody has elected me to talk with you, Your Majesty. My title is Vanya.”

Luca waved her ahead, smiling. “Please, Vanya. I need to hear what it’s a must to say earlier than persevering with.”

She seemed astonished however shuffled to the middle of the room and stopped in entrance of the throne. “Thanks, Sire. If it’s all the identical, we’d like to listen to you first.”

Luca nodded. “As you would like.” He raised his voice so the gang may hear him.

“You might be all free. That has been the case for just a few weeks, however we haven’t modified sufficient to offer your new standing which means. As we speak, we accomplished a brand new employment and fee system, in addition to a plan that can assist you safe correct housing and supply alternate employment if you happen to now not want to serve the empire. For individuals who want to keep, I’m creating the official designation, ‘Servant of the Empire.’ It comes with quite a lot of advantages in addition to fee on your labor and a retirement pension.”

Excited murmurs unfold by means of the gang, and Luca’s temper lifted. The tedious conferences had been value it. An thought occurred to Luca, and he filed it for a extra applicable time.

“I’ve all the time had nice respect and appreciation for the servants within the palace, and way back, I promised my pricey buddy I’d in the future declare all slaves free. She appears to be tied up, however she is going to communicate to you quickly.

“It’s my nice pleasure to make good on my phrase. I acknowledge that the empire can’t exist with out you. You’re those getting your arms soiled, and I would like to specific my profound gratitude for all you do. I’ve instituted new guidelines of conduct, and it’s now a punishable offense to abuse any servant. You deserve honest therapy, and also you shall have it.”

The room erupted in applause and cheers. A number of folks wept, and Luca wasn’t even completed. He allowed them to have a good time for just a few moments earlier than he motioned for quiet. He was thrilled they had been pleased with the adjustments, but it surely nonetheless made him unhappy. He’d barely achieved greater than safe primary human rights and honest employment for them. It was nothing in comparison with what they deserved.

“Shall I proceed?” he requested, smiling on the many pleased faces.

“All servants within the empire will obtain honest wages for his or her work, together with room and board or transportation when applicable. You’re to have scheduled mealtimes, in addition to actual breaks, and your shifts could also be not more than ten hours per day. You should have a minimal of in the future off every week, and my choice is 2.”

This announcement led to these gathered gazing at one another in astonishment and muttering earlier than turning their disbelieving faces to Luca.

“Forgive me, Your Highness, however how is that potential? How will something get achieved?” Vanya requested.

Luca grinned. “I’m glad you requested. I lived among the many people throughout my exile, and I discovered just a few issues from them. They handle their workdays by creating schedules with three work shifts of eight hours every. I anticipate you every to decide on the shift you favor. Maybe Vanya and Ivanna can work collectively to make sure that we have now sufficient employees on every shift. Sometimes, a few of you might need to work shifts you don’t like. Sadly, we’ll face some obstacles as we transition to this new system, however we’ll discover methods to make it work.”

“We have to talk about the dwelling preparations you talked about, Sire. Many people are crammed into the present servants’ quarters, and there isn’t sufficient area.”

Luca’s forehead furrowed. “Please take over the visitor quarters instantly. I’m deeply sorry nobody gave you permission to take action already.”

He cleared his throat. “Asking folks to offer their all whereas giving nothing in return will fail. In return on your service, I provide a house for you and your households and a consultant on my advisory council. The brand new palace will embody employees residences, and any who serve there will likely be welcome to take up residence with their households. The decrease ranges of the palace are being established as a type of metropolis.”

Luca gestured across the room. “This place carries a darkish historical past for a lot of and was the scene of unimaginable tragedy for us all. I can’t stay right here, but when sufficient of you might be prepared to clean away the reminiscences, we are able to make it one thing new. One thing extra. I need to convert your complete palace, apart from this room, which is able to grow to be a memorial, right into a metropolis for our folks, with everlasting portals that may help you work in or go to quite a few areas. You deserve a protected, snug residence, a decent occupation, and the gratitude of your folks.”

Tears shimmered in Vanya’s eyes, and her voice was thick when she spoke. “I feel I communicate for all of us once I say we settle for, Your Majesty.”

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