King Vendelin de Liancourt
Welcome to the world of Magical Maths! Illénie is a Royal Mathematicians who designs new magical devices. When the king notices her and drags her into deadly court politics, it becomes harder for her to hide her chronic pain in a world that looks down on disabilities. Come read about her struggle!
Introduction to the story | Illénie (upcoming) | Novel upcoming
Introduction to the story | Illénie (upcoming) | Novel upcoming
Table of Contents
Children
His Majesty, King Vendelin de Liancourt's official biography
As we celebrate the 10th year on the throne of His Majesty, let us look back on his history and his numerous accomplishments!
An unlikely background
Childhood and its impact
Our story starts 46 years ago in a small village in the north of Milara. There, His Majesty was born from the Liancourts, a family of minor clerks. Unfortunately, the border troubles of the time with Aquatio while short-lived where enough to see all of his relatives killed when His Majesty was a mere teenager. This childhood spent in poverty might shock our younger Readers, but do not mistake this for weakness! For indeed, this made His Majesty gain a deep-seated ambition, a craving for honours, and an iron will to work hard and succeed that few can compete with. While His Majesty has now reached the top of society, this past has left its mark and still manifests in a love for luxury that's illustrated by what many have called magpie-tendencies to obtain and accumulate treasures. His Majesty is also known for his love of anything sensual, from delicate perfume and high cuisine to very soft clothes in colourful colours. In any case, you can always be sure that he's showcasing the best of what Milara has to offer, as befit our king!
Our story starts 46 years ago in a small village in the north of Milara. There, His Majesty was born from the Liancourts, a family of minor clerks. Unfortunately, the border troubles of the time with Aquatio while short-lived where enough to see all of his relatives killed when His Majesty was a mere teenager. This childhood spent in poverty might shock our younger Readers, but do not mistake this for weakness! For indeed, this made His Majesty gain a deep-seated ambition, a craving for honours, and an iron will to work hard and succeed that few can compete with. While His Majesty has now reached the top of society, this past has left its mark and still manifests in a love for luxury that's illustrated by what many have called magpie-tendencies to obtain and accumulate treasures. His Majesty is also known for his love of anything sensual, from delicate perfume and high cuisine to very soft clothes in colourful colours. In any case, you can always be sure that he's showcasing the best of what Milara has to offer, as befit our king!
A mathematician
His Majesty is very unusual for a Milaran king in not having been a duellers or soldier before his ascension, but instead a mathematician. Our youngest Readers will have grown up used to this fact, but let me tell you it was a huge shock to all of us at the time! From early on in his childhood, His Majesty has shown high aptitude for mathematics, allowing him to earn a series of scholarships to study at the best Milaran schools. His mastery obtained, his career was lightning-fast, and before long he had joined the prestigious Institution of Royal Mathematicians.
His Majesty is very unusual for a Milaran king in not having been a duellers or soldier before his ascension, but instead a mathematician. Our youngest Readers will have grown up used to this fact, but let me tell you it was a huge shock to all of us at the time! From early on in his childhood, His Majesty has shown high aptitude for mathematics, allowing him to earn a series of scholarships to study at the best Milaran schools. His mastery obtained, his career was lightning-fast, and before long he had joined the prestigious Institution of Royal Mathematicians.
What kind of mathematician was His Majesty?
While reports of his time in the Institution are scant, we've all seen how amazing His Majesty is in the Duelling Arena! From this, and I'm sure, Dear Reader, that you will agree with us, we can only conclude that he's one of those legendary mathematicians who are absolute genius and who can do instant complex calculations in their head to create a new device by the snap of their fingers right in the middle of a duel! He's also demonstrated a mind boggling amount of creativity and is a true polymath, mastering at genius level all branches of mathematics and of many other fields.
While reports of his time in the Institution are scant, we've all seen how amazing His Majesty is in the Duelling Arena! From this, and I'm sure, Dear Reader, that you will agree with us, we can only conclude that he's one of those legendary mathematicians who are absolute genius and who can do instant complex calculations in their head to create a new device by the snap of their fingers right in the middle of a duel! He's also demonstrated a mind boggling amount of creativity and is a true polymath, mastering at genius level all branches of mathematics and of many other fields.
Clippable devices
Of particular note, during his years at the Institution, His Majesty played a small role in the development of the mathematics behind clippable devices, working on the tricky bits making it so that when two cubes are clipped together, they automatically adjust to each other's magic without any additional modifications. Of course, there is no need to remind you, Dear Reader, of how this invention has revolutionised Milaran society! If you still don't own your own cube, be sure to check our feature on clippable devices and to let yourself be converted to this wonder! His Majesty's role in this ensured that his name would be written in all history books, and this would have been enough for most individuals. But His Majesty obviously had stronger ambitions...
Of particular note, during his years at the Institution, His Majesty played a small role in the development of the mathematics behind clippable devices, working on the tricky bits making it so that when two cubes are clipped together, they automatically adjust to each other's magic without any additional modifications. Of course, there is no need to remind you, Dear Reader, of how this invention has revolutionised Milaran society! If you still don't own your own cube, be sure to check our feature on clippable devices and to let yourself be converted to this wonder! His Majesty's role in this ensured that his name would be written in all history books, and this would have been enough for most individuals. But His Majesty obviously had stronger ambitions...
His Royal Challenge
It's not surprising that such a genius would chaff at being ruled by people who are clearly so inferior to himself! Therefore issuing his own Royal Challenge was an obvious next step. Even more obvious was the fact that he would win—at least to those who knew him, which wasn't a lot of people at the time, resulting in most of us actually being very shocked!
It's not surprising that such a genius would chaff at being ruled by people who are clearly so inferior to himself! Therefore issuing his own Royal Challenge was an obvious next step. Even more obvious was the fact that he would win—at least to those who knew him, which wasn't a lot of people at the time, resulting in most of us actually being very shocked!
Royal accomplishments
Once we had all recovered from the shock, it didn't take us and the rest of Milara very long to fall in love with His Majesty. And you will agree with us, Dear Reader: no one can beat His Majesty in raw charisma and charm!
Mathematics
His Majesty's first order of business once on the throne was obviously related to his beloved mathematics: he made an amendement to the Royal Mathematicians' Charter to take direct control of the Institution as its director and to offer them additional privileges. These included an exclusive access to the Royal Court for all senior royal mathematicians, and even the building of a physical bridge linking the Royal Palace to the Royal Mathematicians' Headquarters! He then proceeded to fund many new mathematical projects throughout the country, from titanic architecture to abstract art, and going through the creation of many new cubes for mass production so as to ensure the widening of the applications of clippable devices. His Majesty's latest public project is a huge set of canalizations for water desalination and transport. Be sure to check its last newsletter!
His Majesty's first order of business once on the throne was obviously related to his beloved mathematics: he made an amendement to the Royal Mathematicians' Charter to take direct control of the Institution as its director and to offer them additional privileges. These included an exclusive access to the Royal Court for all senior royal mathematicians, and even the building of a physical bridge linking the Royal Palace to the Royal Mathematicians' Headquarters! He then proceeded to fund many new mathematical projects throughout the country, from titanic architecture to abstract art, and going through the creation of many new cubes for mass production so as to ensure the widening of the applications of clippable devices. His Majesty's latest public project is a huge set of canalizations for water desalination and transport. Be sure to check its last newsletter!
Royal Council
Beyond these, His Majesty has tragically not been able to enact many new laws, and certainly nothing truly revolutionary or controversial. Indeed, a constant of his reign has been his intense rivalry with Councilman de Crancé and, through him, with most of the Royal Council, which seriously limits his royal power. Our Dear Readers will of course feel torn between these two powerful men, as de Crancé is a hero of the last Aquatirian War and another beloved figure of Milara. How can we be asked to choose a side? And how come they cannot get on when they are both so wonderful? Many say this enmity comes from the fact that His Majesty reminds de Crancé a little too much of himself in his own youth....
Beyond these, His Majesty has tragically not been able to enact many new laws, and certainly nothing truly revolutionary or controversial. Indeed, a constant of his reign has been his intense rivalry with Councilman de Crancé and, through him, with most of the Royal Council, which seriously limits his royal power. Our Dear Readers will of course feel torn between these two powerful men, as de Crancé is a hero of the last Aquatirian War and another beloved figure of Milara. How can we be asked to choose a side? And how come they cannot get on when they are both so wonderful? Many say this enmity comes from the fact that His Majesty reminds de Crancé a little too much of himself in his own youth....
Broken chance for change
Last year, finally, a solution was in sight! I'm sure, Dear Reader, that just like us you were holding your breath when Champion Dueller Verteuil was about to get his 10th win in the Classic Duelling Championship and to become eligible to join the Royal Council! With the rumours of his close relationships with His Majesty, circumstances at court were about to change for sure! But it was then that the most outrageous betrayal occurred: the scandal of Verteuil's potion-cheating exploded during the final of the championship and disqualified him. If you're not au fait of the latest development in this drama, be sure to check the Official Gazette of Lernée's Duelling Arena!
Last year, finally, a solution was in sight! I'm sure, Dear Reader, that just like us you were holding your breath when Champion Dueller Verteuil was about to get his 10th win in the Classic Duelling Championship and to become eligible to join the Royal Council! With the rumours of his close relationships with His Majesty, circumstances at court were about to change for sure! But it was then that the most outrageous betrayal occurred: the scandal of Verteuil's potion-cheating exploded during the final of the championship and disqualified him. If you're not au fait of the latest development in this drama, be sure to check the Official Gazette of Lernée's Duelling Arena!
We were deeply hurt by this revelation, and if you're a regular follower of the Duelling Arena, you will share our pain, Dear Reader. His Majesty undoubtedly did too. The only silver lining to this event was that at least His Majesty's image has not suffered, as the constant duelling challenges he's been facing and the tight controls surrounding them has him above any suspicions.
Royal challenges
Indeed, since his ascension to the throne, His Majesty has been facing an unusually high number of challenges compared to his predecessors. What could possibly cause this? I'm sure, Dear Reader, that you will agree with us that it's not his lack of popularity! And he's certainly dispatching all of them with brio, so no challengers can think they stand an honest chance! Some Lernéens think they have an explanation: "See, everyone simply sees how much His Majesty enjoy duelling," M. Jameux, owner of the Jameux jewellery on Royal Road told us earnestly. "People just want to indulge him!" To learn more about this intriguing theory, please read our feature about His Majesty's last challenger!
Indeed, since his ascension to the throne, His Majesty has been facing an unusually high number of challenges compared to his predecessors. What could possibly cause this? I'm sure, Dear Reader, that you will agree with us that it's not his lack of popularity! And he's certainly dispatching all of them with brio, so no challengers can think they stand an honest chance! Some Lernéens think they have an explanation: "See, everyone simply sees how much His Majesty enjoy duelling," M. Jameux, owner of the Jameux jewellery on Royal Road told us earnestly. "People just want to indulge him!" To learn more about this intriguing theory, please read our feature about His Majesty's last challenger!
Character and personal life
Character
So what can we actually conclude regarding His Majesty's true character? Over the past 10 years, he has shown himself to be a discreet and reserved person. Some do not hesitate to even call him arrogant, haughty and cold. Judgmental even! And for sure, His Majesty cannot stand incompetence and rudeness, although he does not blame anyone for being lesser than him so long as they recognise their limitations and their place in the social order. However, Dear Reader, you will agree with us that calling those his predominant qualities is very uncharitable! Instead, many would mention how being in his very presence is inspirational and push you to do your best and to vie for his attention and respect! Even better:, His Majesty is a very skilled negotiator and a very pragmatical person, accepting contrary arguments and even going so far as to occasionally changing his mind! Useful though rare qualities in a politician...
So what can we actually conclude regarding His Majesty's true character? Over the past 10 years, he has shown himself to be a discreet and reserved person. Some do not hesitate to even call him arrogant, haughty and cold. Judgmental even! And for sure, His Majesty cannot stand incompetence and rudeness, although he does not blame anyone for being lesser than him so long as they recognise their limitations and their place in the social order. However, Dear Reader, you will agree with us that calling those his predominant qualities is very uncharitable! Instead, many would mention how being in his very presence is inspirational and push you to do your best and to vie for his attention and respect! Even better:, His Majesty is a very skilled negotiator and a very pragmatical person, accepting contrary arguments and even going so far as to occasionally changing his mind! Useful though rare qualities in a politician...
Friendships
Getting to the real questions here, starting with who does His Majesty really value?Raymond Sèze, His Majesty's secretary, remains also his closest confident and undoubtedly friend. An influential man it pays to know if you wish to accomplish anything in the political realm!
Verteuil was also among His Majesty's friend, but the recent scandal is sure to have cool His Majesty's feeling for him.
Like we've already mentioned, His Majesty is very close to his Royal Mathematicians and loves to play with mathematics and design devices with them. However despite the warm feelings, no close friendships are known there.
In fact, it appears that very few would dare call themselves close to His Majesty. Despite his charisma and generosity, His Majesty is obviously not a very trustful person. Which is a shame, because...
Getting to the real questions here, starting with who does His Majesty really value?
Gifts
...as a pendent to his magpie tendencies, His Majesty has a very cute habit of gifting elaborate devices to his favourites! Designed by himself and his mathematicians, this is certainly making everyone ready to kill to join their number!
...as a pendent to his magpie tendencies, His Majesty has a very cute habit of gifting elaborate devices to his favourites! Designed by himself and his mathematicians, this is certainly making everyone ready to kill to join their number!
Romance
And finally, what we're all waiting to know! Who will eventually ge to share His Majesty's life and become his Consort? Unfortunately, there are still no news to report on this subject, to the undoubtedly despair of most of Milara... But rejoice Dear Reader, for this means that you still have a chance!
And finally, what we're all waiting to know! Who will eventually ge to share His Majesty's life and become his Consort? Unfortunately, there are still no news to report on this subject, to the undoubtedly despair of most of Milara... But rejoice Dear Reader, for this means that you still have a chance!
Current work
His Majesty is currently working hard on a super secret scheme with His Royal Mathematicians. This means that we have little to report in terms of current work, but we cannot wait to learn what new amazing devices they will come up with together! Aquatio better prepare!
So Dear Reader, write and tell us, what do you think His Majesty is plotting?
Comments