SIM:Federation Press Interview with Duke Runihuru 238201.15
"... I remember this one time that I saw Indivar standing on the edge of a cliff -- I think it was somewhere in the Manaria province... yes, it must have been, because it was just after the volcano erupted there. We were on a tour of the province to see the devastation and we were taking a breather. It was a totally uncharacteristic moment for him. I never saw him introspective and thoughtful -- none of us ever did, as far as I know. Of course, I was just one of many, so I can only tell you my perception of things. But Indivar wasn't like that. He was coy, smart, sharp-tongued, but never contemplative. I have no idea if it had to do with the volcano, but I doubt it. More than likely it had to do with the death of Kenn. Oh... I mean Prince Kenneth of Devi. It's hard to get used to talking to people who have never heard of our most important figures. Of course, they're not really important anymore, but...
"The two of them had been close around that time -- well, forever, really.
The royal families of Devi and Govinda have been forever intertwined, and
Kenneth and Indy were natural playmates as children. It made me jealous...
others too. I remember talking to Konrad about this once. I mean, you know
how it is. When two of your friends have that /thing/ you know you'll never
get. And they're not trying to flaunt it -- it's just there. Jealousy is a
natural response, because no one wants to not be a part of the circle, right?
"This wasn't that long ago. When Kenneth died, I mean. I was talking with
Konrad about Indy and Kenn before the latter died of course. That's a
tragedy of another story...
"I don't know what had brought us to this cliff or whatnot. It must have
just been somewhere we were passing by in the transports. After a while you
just have to demand some private time. Being ferried around to these events
can get awfully tiring, even if you are being pampered. It's hard to
explain to someone like you who's never had to deal with this nonsense, but
people demand so much of your /energy/. Everyone wants the bat of your eye
for just a moment to say they had it. And if you can't give it, then they
call you pompous or arrogant. It was worse for Indivar because he had so
many more demands on him than the rest of us, of course...
"Which, looking back, is just laughable. Someone like Ajani would have --
Ajani the Prince of Rania, I mean -- would have fit the role a dozen times
better than Indy. I... well, I mean, I suppose it's different talking about
this now, because we never would have said such a thing when we were on
Til'hon, but really, Indy just didn't have the head for politics. He didn't
care, and he wasn't all that concerned about his studies when he was
younger. Of course I didn't know him when he was younger except through the
official channels... that's just what I've heard. I was busy being ushered
around in my own province and being forced to slave over books for days at
a time. It wasn't until, you know, we became involved that I really saw
what he was like. And it's not a bad thing... I don't want you, or anyone
in the Federation to get this idea that Indivar's just a sloth. That's not
the case. He's just not cut out for the position his father held. What can
you say, though? That's our way. The 'dynasty.' Once you're in, you're in.
The Electors put a /family/ on the throne, and Indivar was next in line...
"We're a million miles away from there now, though, and it's probably best that Indivar doesn't have to carry that burden anymore. I haven't spoken with him since that awful bloody war, but I can only imagine that he's more than happy to sit on Betazed and languish in their care. The money will carry him as long as he needs it -- we took enough of that when we were forced off the planet -- so he'll probably find a way to spend his days laying around with some telepathic attendant who'll cater to his every whim.
"...
"It's too bad, though. As much as he's always been ... uh, Indivar ...
he's still our Emperor in name. The people of our planet will find out soon
enough what it means to be without an Emperor. They will come to loathe the
void. They'll want us back. They may even want /him/ back."
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Crown Prince Regent of the Kingdom of Govinda,
His Royal Imperial Highness Indivar Mohan
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