플로리안 황제

본래 플로리안 대공은 올레이 황위에 오를 사람이 아니었다. 그의 형, 주디카엘 황제 2세에게 쌍둥이 아들 둘이 있어 후계가 확실했기 때문이다. 플로리안은 자유로이 다른 흥미를 추구했으며, 모두 황궁의 놀음판과는 별 관계없는 것들이었다. 실제로 궁정에선 대체로 그를 무시했고, 그는 그것을 맘에 들어 했다. 그 시대에 남은 기록이라고는 그가 결혼하여 외동딸을 낳았고, 딸에게 별다른 관심을 보이지 않았다는 것뿐이었다.

축복의 시대 8:77년에 백일해가 돌고 난 뒤, 계획이 바뀌었다. 주디카엘의 두 아들과 플로리안의 딸이 모두 병으로 죽고 만 것이다. 비탄에 빠진 주디카엘은 통치에 흥미를 잃었고, 시골에서 사냥이나 하며, 페렐던의 반란과 관련된 모든 문제는 고문들에게 떠넘겨 버렸다. 축복의 시대 8:84년, 주디카엘이 여우 사냥을 하던 중 낙마 사고를 당하면서 플로리안은 갑작스럽게 황위에 오르게 되었다. 저택에 소식을 가져온 슈발리에에게 그가 "있을 수 없는 일이다"라고 대답했다는 일화는 유명하다.

내성적이고 다소 별난 구석이 있던 플로리안은 자신의 가족을 만날 때 외에는 궁정에 얼굴을 거의 비추지 않았다. 그는 편안함을 위해 유행을 따르지 않았고, "더럽혀지는" 것을 매우 싫어하여 화장품이나 분을 바르는 것을 꺼리는 등, 옷을 입고 단장하는데 철저했다. 또한 플로리안은 남동생 리노와 여동생 멜리상드, 그리고 사촌들을 들이기 위해 그의 아버지 대부터 내각에서 일해 온 힘 있고 명망 있는 귀족들을 내쫓았다. 황제의 눈에 띄지 않는다는 조건 아래 용인되었던 조카들을 제외하고, 아이들은 시종의 아이라 해도 황궁을 출입할 수 없었다.

플로리안과 그의 막내 사촌 메그렌이 연인 사이였다는 소문의 진위는 확실치 않다. 그게 사실이라면, 그 관계가 비밀리에 부쳐진 것은 플로리안이 소문을 두려워해서가 아니라, 사생활이 드러나는 것을 혐오하는 그의 성격 탓이 틀림없을 것이다. 사실 그런 소문은 그가 후계를 낳아 혈통을 계승하는 것을 거부했기 때문에 퍼졌을 가능성이 크고, 그러한 실책이 내전으로 이어지리라 생각하는 이들도 적지 않았다. 메그렌과 관련된 유일한 실증은 그가 페렐던의 왕좌에 오르기 전(혹은 그의 생각으로는 망명당하기 전)에 황제와 나눈 야단스럽고 공공연한 말다툼에 관한 것뿐이다. 말인즉, 메그렌이 플로리안을 "내 사랑"이라고 불렀다는 것인데, 두 남자 모두 그 말싸움에 대해 해명하려 하지 않았다.

용의 시대 9:19년, 플로리안이 사망하면서 예측되었던 내전이 실현될 뻔했다. 명확한 후계자가 없는 상황에서, 제국을 집어삼켜버릴 듯한 악랄한 분쟁이 일어난 끝에, 황위는 리노 대공의 외동딸 셀린에게 넘어갔다.

—할런 아스카리 수사 저, 올레이의 황제들에서 발췌

 

Grand Duke Florian was not supposed to ascend to the Orlesian throne. His elder brother, Emperor Judicael II, had two twin sons and thus a very secure line. Florian was free to pursue other interests, none of which revolved around the Game. Indeed, the Imperial Court largely ignored him, and that was how he liked it. All that is recorded of that era is that he married, produced a single daughter, and afterwards showed little interest in her.

 

An outbreak of the Hundred Days Cough in 8:77 Blessed changed his plans. Both of Judicael's sons perished, as did Florian's daughter. Wracked by grief, Judicael lost interest in ruling, turning over all matters pertaining to the rebellion in Ferelden to his advisors and instead spending his time hunting in the country. When Judicael was thrown from his horse during a fox hunt in 8:84 Blessed, Florian was suddenly vaulted into the throne. Famously, his response to the chevaliers delivering the news at his estate is said to be, "This will not do at all."

 

A private and somewhat eccentric man, Florian limited his appearances at court and dealt almost exclusively with members of his own family. He was extremely particular about his habits of dress and grooming, eschewing current fashions for the sake of comfort and refusing to wear cosmetics or powders of any kind due to an intense dislike of being "dirty." Powerful and connected nobles who had served in the cabinet since his father's time were turned away in favor of his younger brother, Reynaud; his sister, Melisande; and his cousins. Children were banned from the palace, even the children of servants, with the exceptions of his nephew and nieces, who were tolerated only on the condition that they remain out of the emperor's sight.

 

Regarding suggestions that Florian and his youngest cousin, Meghren, were lovers, the truth is uncertain. If such a relationship existed, it was no doubt kept private due to Florian's aversion to public life and not from any fear of rumors. Such rumors, after all, were likely spread due to the emperor's refusal to sire another child and thus secure his line—many believed this failing would eventually lead to civil war. The only real evidence of a relationship with Meghren is a loud and very public argument the two had prior to Meghren's appointment (or exile, as he saw it) to the throne of Ferelden. Meghren is said to have called Florian "my darling," and neither man chose to explain the argument later.

 

The predictions of civil war almost came to pass upon Florian's death in 9:19 Dragon. With no clear heir, the throne eventually passed to the only daughter of Grand Duke Reynaud, Celene, after a vicious struggle that threatened to consume the empire.

 

—From The Emperors of Orlais, by Brother Harlon Ascari