A National Embarrassment

The following takes place following: Travers' Undoing

At Widdlington Town Hall, a closed-door meeting is underway between members of the Masters Council: Master Devlin—who has returned to his normal form thanks to the liberated Dr Fraser and Dr Reddington—Master Roger Wyndam-Pryce, Supreme Court Justice Whoosel, and Electoral Board member Sandra Wilson. The meeting follows the secret house arrest of Emperor Travers, as the council scrambles to manage the fallout and restore stability.

Judge Whoosel: Well, this is a fucking disaster. This maniac should be locked away for 700 years. And you're telling me he wasn't even elected?

Ms Wilson: In a nutshell, sir. He was appointed mayor by default—no contest, so no election.

Judge Whoosel: And how the hell was he able to declare himself emperor of these lands?

Ms Wilson: We… we don’t know, sir. It just happened.

Judge Whoosel: This is fucking terrific. Does the public know about his arrest?

Roger: There might be rumours, but no. We’ve kept it tightly contained. That said, the public is very aware that Travers has gone completely mad.

Ms Wilson: We may have a solution. We force Travers to abdicate. Let him hand over power to someone the public actually respects. And we pardon him.

Judge Whoosel: And why the hell would we pardon him?

Master Devlin: Because Travers is a slimy lawyer, and he’ll play the victim. If he goes down, he’ll drag the entire Electoral Board and Supreme Court with him. He’ll claim he wasn’t fit for the job, that he was coerced, whatever suits his narrative. The public and press will want blood, and they’ll turn it on the Waldonian authorities. It’ll be a national embarrassment—set public confidence in Waldonian politics back by 70 years.

Judge Whoosel: This is a completely unforgivable mess Ms Wilson. I will be expecting you to tender your resignation effective immediately.

Ms Wilson: But sir I… Yes your honour 😔

Judge Whoosel: So... do you have someone in mind to take over?

Master Devlin: ...

****

A few days later...

At Emperor Travers' request, Mayuri Travers, Master Wesley Wyndam-Pryce, and Professor Willibald Woolley arrive at the Imperial Hall, high in the Citadel. Mayuri carries a mallard with a bandaged wing. Also present are Master Devlin and Mr Konrad, standing at Travers' side.

Travers: Ah, welcome, my friends — and to you, soon-to-be-Ex Mrs Travers. Is that a duck?

Mayuri: Yes. His name is Wilfred. I found him in the park this morning. Poor thing has a crippled wing.

Travers: Oh... well, I’m sure in your hands, he’ll be right as reign soon enough. In fact, the duck should be the national animal! Write that down, Mr Konrad!

Mr Konrad scribbles something reluctantly.

Travers: Now, to business. I’ve been thinking. A leader must set a good example. And, as all of you here know, I have not set one lately. Things got... a little out of turn, and for that, I humbly apologise. It's not easy to admit, but I had a sickness for a while. But now I’m back—better than ever.

That said, as a national treasure, I hold myself to the highest standard, and I fell short. So, with a heavy heart, I’ve decided to abdicate the throne. No, no—don’t try and talk me out of it. It’s for the best. Frankly, I don’t even know why I wanted to become a ruler in the first place. I’m much more suited to being the scrappy underdog. Which is why I’m reopening my legal practice—to dedicate myself to tireless public service, for the good of all—

Master Devlin loudly clears his throat.

Travers: Oh. Right, anyway. So that, of course, leaves a vacancy. I need to know the empire will live on and want therefore I want to leave it in capable hands...

He turns to Professor Woolley.

Travers: Professor, as the resident expert on the Waldonian Empire, am I correct in thinking that my wife here, Mrs Travers, is to become Empress?

Professor Woolley: Uh, yes, Your Excellency... but not for another 500 years.

Mayuri: 😮

Travers: Well, I don’t know much about timelines or fancy ideas. I’m just a regular old national treasure. And my thinking is: there’s no time like the present.

Therefore, as my final official act as Emperor of the Holy Waldonian Empire, by the power vested in me by the almighty Ed, I hereby proclaim that henceforth, you, my dear ex-wife, shall be known as Kaiserin Mayuri von Walverschmidt—the second ruler of the Waldonian Empire.

Mayuri’s jaw hits the floor. Master Devlin and Wesley exchange a glance.

Travers: Congratulations, young lady. It couldn’t have gone to a better, kinder, more fair-minded person. I know my legacy will be in good hands. I know you can never fully forgive me for how I treated you, but I hope... this makes up for some of it... So, I’ll be making a public announcement this evening — the last of my Traverscast appearances, and will officially step down at the end of the week. That is all. Thank you, my friends.

He stands solemnly.

Travers: And Ed bless Waldonia.

Season Finale

The Waldoverse Continues in Travers: Rock Bottom