If You Can Keep It
A Short Fantasy Novel
Make sure you’ve read Chapters I and II, Chapters III and IV, Chapters V and VI, Chapters VII and VIII, and Chapters IX and X.
Chapter XI
Catalina had sent the servants to bed, and she and Regus were in their bedchamber – the only time of day when they could talk alone together. She was sitting on the bed with her legs crossed and he was pacing back and forth.
“I don’t like it,” Regus finally said. “It’s making me more and more uncomfortable. I don’t like what I’m having to do.”
“I hope you don’t show such weak will in the Senate,” replied Catalina.
“I don’t. You are the only one who hears any of my worries.”
“Good. Let it remain so. Get them out here, in private, so that you can pursue the course you are embarked upon with resolution during the day.”
“I’m worried Catus is right.”
“That old fool,” said Catalina. “I have never understood why he was your friend.”
Regus stopped and turned around to look at her. “Because I admire him,” he said. “I wanted to be like him when I first entered the Senate. He has such conviction and he never wavers. He has no one to confide in, but he can stand alone against the entire Senate. And he was always so firm in pursuing what he believes is right for the Republic. I have come to see that perhaps he is wrong. I… I do think you are right that what we are doing is the right course for the Republic. And I have never thought his prickly, stubborn nature was doing him any favors. The way to accomplish legislation is to make people your friends, not to push them away.”
“Rigidity in clinging to the past is no virtue,” said Catalina.
Regus held up his hand and half-turned his head away. “Please,” he said. “I won’t hear anything against him.”
“Still?” implored Catalina. “Even after all this time? Even after what he has said about you?”
“Still,” replied Regus. “Besides, I am not so sure he is not right about me. I am beginning to worry that he is. Am I simply pursuing my own interest? Am I deluding myself that my interest is the interest of the Republic?”
“You let him live in your head,” said Catalina.
“It bothers me that he thinks I am tempted by power,” said Regus. “I have always believed power was a means to an end. I still believe I am doing what is right for the Republic. I really do. I know Cornelius is a bad man and I know that I have done nothing wrong.”
“Well then,” said Catalina, tossing her head. “You have your answer then. You are doing what is best and Catus is a fool.”
Regus was staring at his feet and when he spoke his voice was soft and quiet. “But he isn’t entirely wrong,” he said. “I have always been an ambitious man. You know that.”
“Why do you think I married you?” asked Catalina, raising her eyebrows. Regus glanced up at her. He smiled, but looked back at the ground again.
“For my looks and my money, no doubt,” he said.
“But I already have both of those.”
Regus laughed. He paused and when he spoke again, his voice had gone back to being soft. “I have always believed that greatness could be used for good. Of course I wanted to be great. I’ve always wanted to be a great man. You know that. But I wanted to do what was right, too. I don’t want to be corrupted. I want to be great and to use my greatness for the greater glory of the Republic of Uiria.”
Catalina watched him carefully. When she saw her opportunity, she whispered, “If you desire to do good, you can never do wrong. That will always guide you.”
“Thank you.”
“The Republic needs you. It needs a great leader right now.”
“I… I think you are correct. As you so always are. I won’t waver. We will continue our plan.”
“Good,” whispered his wife. “Come. Let us rest. The hour is late and you will have much to do tomorrow.”
Regus obeyed. He snuffed the candles and went to bed.