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It all started with a casual conversation in the Aub’s office in Alexandria.
“Eventually, I’d like to decentralize the power currently concentrated in the Aub, you see.”
At this remark from the Aub of Alexandria, Rozemyne, everyone in the room—starting with Ferdinand and her retainers—came to a dead halt.
“What on earth are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about the Separation of Powers. It’s a problem that all the authority of a duchy is concentrated solely in the Aub. Let’s see... for example, back in Ehrenfest, if Lady Veronica had been the Aub herself, wouldn't she have been truly unstoppable?”
“Hmph. Likely so. That is precisely why those who are to become Aub must receive an education befitting the station.”
“I understand that, but people change, don't they? I believe there needs to be a deterrent for those cases where an Aub happens to fall into corruption or evil.”
“I see. To me, it simply looks as though you are trying to offload the Aub’s hectic workload onto others to lighten your own burden.”
“Er... you’re as sharp as ever, Lord Ferdinand. Typical.”
“Naturally. However... a ‘Separation of Powers,’ is it? It may be worth considering.”
“As an Aub, there are times when one must judge criminals by the law, right? If I were ever forced to pass judgment on a child, I am certain I would end up giving them an overly lenient sentence.”
“You do have a tendency to over-empathize with others.”
“I’m convinced I lack the aptitude for judging people.”
“True. Even if you managed to keep up appearances in the moment, it is plain to see you would simply waste away from the mental strain. So, what is the mechanism of this 'Separation of Powers' you're imagining?”
“Essentially, the Aub decides the annual budget and the laws, and based on those, the Giebes and high-ranking nobles carry out the business of the duchy. Perhaps eventually, we could even have a system where the Aub is chosen from among the Giebes. The institution run by the Aub would have the right to dismiss Giebes, and conversely, the institution run by the Giebes would have the right to dismiss the Aub. That way, they can keep each other in check.”
“Even so, wouldn't power still be heavily concentrated in the Aub? Being able to decide laws and budgets still grants a massive advantage. Ah, I see—you would create an institution to monitor the Aub there? That completes the three branches?”
“Exactly. A Court. The Court monitors the Aub, but if that Court passes an outrageously unjust verdict against the Aub, the Aub has the power to dismiss the judge.”
“A three-way deadlock, then. However, if this were to be realized, it would be in the far distant future. For the time being, the heads of those three institutions would likely need to be members of the Archduke family.”
“Sigh... I figured it would be a long way off. I was hoping to reduce my workload and take it easy.”
“Furthermore, Alexandria is hailed as the Land of the Goddess. No one but you could possibly be the Aub.”
“Regarding that, I intend to reign merely as the Symbol of Alexandria.”
“I have absolutely no idea what you mean by that.”
“It means I won't be involved in Alexandria's politics at all; I'll just perform my duties as the Head Librarian. Aside from that... well, I suppose my job would be to offer prayers every day for the sake of Alexandria's citizens.”
“Good grief. Keep those delusions to yourself.”
The conversation ended there, but the retainers listening did not think this was mere idle fantasy.
Until now, Archduke candidates who weren't chosen as the Aub were relegated to supporting roles as collateral branches of the family. However, if this Separation of Powers were established, even those who didn't become Aub would occupy one of the vital pillars of the duchy. This presented a huge merit for the retainers of those candidates as well, opening up numerous career paths and possibilities.
Talk of the "Separation of Powers" began to spread secretly among the nobles. And thanks to the efforts of many, the Separation of Powers would eventually come to fruition in Alexandria’s future.
“Wait, hold on! The Separation of Powers is all well and good, but as the successor to the Goddess and the Symbol of Alexandria... we’re going to need heads for the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judicial branches, aren't we? I mean, I certainly like children, but doesn't this mean I have to give birth to at least four?!”
“NOOOOOOOO!” Rozemyne screamed—but after this, she went on to have a whole lot of them.