Laurence headed to the Royal Lounge and took a seat in an armchair facing the window as he awaited his Page bringing his uncle. After about 10 he turned to hear the door open, his Page opened the door to let his uncle in, and then closed it behind him as he waited outside to assure they weren't disturbed. "Uncle!" Laurence smiled.
"Your Majesty" His uncle Cosimo, said as his bow sweepingly.
"Please take a seat" Laurance gestured to the sofa in front of him.
Cosimo was Laurence's mother's twin-brother, though unlike his twin-sister, Cosimo still had a thick Florentine accent. Their elder brother was the current Prince of Florentine, and the marriage had gained much wealth to fund Laurence's fathers war campaigns. "Have you come straight from council?" Cosimo asked.
"Yes" Laurance said cheerlessly, "they are almost in unanimous agreement that peace is not an option. Many, especially my cousin, want war at any cost."
"War would be very dangerous, Aquitaine may possess more men, but they are well aware of the instability here... and if threatened would use it to their advantage. In a worse case scenario their agents could assassinate key peacemakers in your council and force the country into civil war."
"Some members.... don't need such foreign help to facilitate civil war" Laurance agreed.
"The throne is yours dear Laurence" he said caringly, patting Lawrence's hand.
"It's been mine for 20 years, the Lords of the Council can't get use to not having a regency council."
"They must be forced to get use to it your Majesty... the Privy Council still acts as a regency council despite the fact it expired over 2 months ago. You must take strong action to retain your throne and to prevent civil war. You are King and the decisions rest with you as the council must respect."
"But how... how can I force them to listen"
"You're late father frequently removed members who disrespected his authority, I see that as your own solution."
"Regardless the council doesn't like my policy. I realise must listen to advice, but they advise the same whatever the situation."
"What would your policy be?"
"Peace. Castile could fall into hell at any moment, we must not pull ourselves their two with a foolish war with Mercia - one I don't believe they want." Laurence looked at his uncle smile as he continued with great confidence , "if we allied with Mercia we could bring peace to Castile and the entire continent. The momentum is with us, we must get in the driving seat"
"It's a great and ambitious vision your majesty" Cosimo knew is was ambitious, but Aquitaine was immensely powerful and he understood more than most that Mercia didn't necessarily want war.
"Is it achievable?" he asked.
"You are King, you have the ability to achieve more than you give yourself credit for.
"The council are pushing me to marry one of the Antiquan princesses, or someone from Castile. I was better thinking a Mercian Princess - or perhaps their Queen" Laurence knew the latter was incredibly controversial, and he even had his own doubts about it's achievable.
"You wish to marry Queen Mary." Cosimo said slightly startled.
"Perhaps."
"Your cousin won't like that! I'll find out from my informants in Mercia, to gage how their Royal Family might react to such a proposition."
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