What sort of a world have I stumbled onto? What has happened here, and how has it come to pass? This world has every appearance of being a paradise. And yet, this peaceful paradise has a problem at its core: its queen, for whatever reason, has ensured it cannot survive in its present form for much past this current generation.
Ordinarily, it would not be my problem. There are rules against intervening in the affairs of sovereign nations. I am not a citizen here, and I have no say in how this world governs itself. On any other world, I would simply find my way deeper into the ocean, reducing the chance of discovery. Or if the opportunity presented itself, quietly buy passage on a ship headed off-world; I am certain that for a price, I could not only secure passage off the world, but ensure that my departure did not draw the attention of planetary authorities.
And perhaps securing passage for myself and Eli is the easy answer. We leave here, just fly away from Exurstia, and leave the problem behind. We can, I am certain, find a more hospitable world, find a new home, make a new life for ourselves. Nothing prevents us from simply starting over again, in a place far beyond the reach of the queen and Exurstia.
But often, the easy answer is not the right answer. The right answer is not the easy answer. And society here is ill, just like a sick patient. I Have not yet been able to diagnose the disease; I see only symptoms that suggest the disease will become terminal if nothing changes. I do not believe the situation here has reached the point of no return, yet if the situation does not change, this culture will die.
No contact outside of marriage, no living together outside of marriage, and no marriage except by permission of the queen. Though I am not at all adverse to the idea of marrying Elicaryn, I have a problem with the idea that I should need anyone's permission except hers, and possibly the approval of her family. I am opposed to the very idea that the government should have any say in the relationship of two people, much less regulate relationships.
I must admit that I have not done much to investigate what form said royal permission might take, like a license or a permit. I can't say whether securing that permission is something as routine as a visit to the marriage bureau, filling out a form, and paying a fee... or requires an audience and an interview with Her Nibs. Is it a mere formality, enacted so that she can garner goodwill by bestowing her blessing and best wishes, or is it a tool to micromanage the lives of her subjects?
No wonder she needs an aggression control chip!