Have you ever wondered if storytelling could save the world?
Before you roll your eyes at me for the preposterous thing I say, I must tell you they can. But you’re right, stories might not change everything on their own; they’re only a good start. Where do you think money came from? Trees? Last I checked, a sheet of paper is worth less than a dollar.
That’s right, money started off as a story, not an objective reality.
Welcome to the Backbone series, where I analyze how stories affect our subconscious and how they might, or might not, challenge our very own ideas about life.
W H A T I S A F F A I R E R O Y A L E ?
If you haven’t read this book—or other romances involving royalty— I will command you to leave this post and read the spoiler-free review of this book here. Because I say so.
Otherwise, be a rebel and continue.
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When Brie, the Princess Brie, opens her eyes in her hospital bed, the first thought she has is that she doesn’t recognize her lifetime doctor, nor the hospital itself, or the Princedom in Cordina—much less herself. It turns out she has lost every inch of her memory, and every inch of the people responsible.
Because finding culprits is justice’s favorite pastime, Brie’s father enlists an American to protect his daughter of the mysterious menace that now haunts his family, despite it sounding like the worst idea politics-wise.
The man’s name: Reeve MacGee.
A man with no quells with prohibition on so many levels.
The next thing we know is that the secretary, the only character described as bland from the get-go, was the criminal mind of the whole affair. Determined to get her criminal boyfriend out of jail, she plans a second kidnapping but ends up getting caught and tried. As is the Minister of State, of course.
Then the story ends and shows us how much of a happy family the main characters make, and how romantic it all is.
But why is it that we are attracted to these kinds of stories? To the lush, the handsome, and the grand?
And why is it that we shouldn’t?
Let me try to explain.
When the whole world seems to be getting word of the issues concerning monarchies, and when Explained has released an episode titled ‘Royalty’ on its third season, it hardly makes me want to write about all of this. Then I conclude there are people who might not watch the show or know it exists, and I find a renewed energy to write. If you by chance prefer videos to blog posts, that's the episode for you!
So yes, here it is, my analysis of Affaire Royale and the hype of being a princess.
Let’s start from the beginning.
There is absolutely no question that we love monarchies. There is something to them that’s alluring to us, that engages us; it might be the castles, the jewelry, the clothing, or it might be the grand celebrations, parades, or the constant traveling. When living in a world that reveres money, royalty seems to take the top place in the pyramid. Not only because they amass wealth and extravagance, but because their lifestyle seems to be as stress-free as can be. Especially in modern times when monarchies do not engage in political matters, but simply exist for show. And to be a symbol of the rich and powerful, of course.
Not to mention the fact that they vouch to help the world through indispensable charities. Making them look like missionaries sent by the benevolence of god himself.
In essence, monarchy resembles everything related to a Fairy-tale world. The kings and queens, the castles, and the romance… It doesn’t get better than this. Especially when Disney has made sure to make us remember them as good guys.
In other words, we love royalty because we have been shown how good it is, and how good it can be.
And it should be as good as we’ve seen, right? Or at least, close to it?
…Well, no.
Try as we have, narratives tend to hide one thing. The exact story of how they got to where they are.
When kings and queens first took the liberty to rule over others, they sustained their power came from the divine. Making their will, a will directly issued by god. Thus, their constant need for coin was seen as the one and only law. Monarchies got their wealth from squeezing poor peasants and waging blood-thirsty wars. War that brought colonies, and more peasants, that, in turn, brought more money into the equation. All in a repeating cycle that benefitted from slavery.
The price of royalty was that: a discourse that argued how the ends justified the means. If wealth is a consequence of blood and unpaid labor, then so be it.
…And, even so, monarchies still exist today. Why?
The answer is simple. Because the power of a good narrative can’t be paralleled. Because the importance lies on what we say it was, and not on what truly is. Because the power rests on who our idols become, and on the secrets we keep. Royalty exists because they don’t want to relinquish power and because they have found the perfect strategy to do so:
Stories.
And that is what Affaire Royale is. A book filled with those fantasies we have been told to have, and those lies we are told to believe.
If you have doubts, I will try to convince you.
The land where Brie and her family lives is a ‘land of dreams’:
“…he was in this little fairy-tale country where the air was seductively soft and the sea was blue and close.”
The wealth is evident:
“She saw the hall, wide and stunning with its frescoed ceiling and polished floor, and a gracious sweep of stairs leading up and up, to what she didn’t yet know.”
Their kindness abounds:
“You’re the president for the Aid to the Handicapped Children Organization. The AHC is Cordina’s largest charity. You are also a spokesperson for the International Red Cross. In addition, you’re deeply involved with the Fine Arts Center.”
And when there are things to hide, nothing is as important as keeping a secret. Especially from criminals that uncover them, and especially from the world itself:
“This one demanded the release of four prisoners in exchange for you. (…) Two of them are set for execution. Espionage. (…) It took the matter out of your father’s hands. Money was one thing, releasing prisoners another.”
Sure, in this case, secrets aren’t about the dark past of Cordina—or are they? — but the argument still stands. If monarchies were ever transparent, espionage wouldn`t be a problem, uncovering truths wouldn’t be a problem. Thieves would be after money or fame, not secrets.
Because there’s always something dark going underneath the surface.
In any case, Brie is an exemplary princess that continually vouches for the goodness of her family through her charity projects, and who lives comfortably under the mantle of inherited wealth. Wealth her family couldn’t have amassed without someone’s—or a vast amount of someones—sacrifice.
In the end, she is a girl who has it all, and a girl we all wish we were.
In the end, this story was:
Just for fun.
L a s t t h o u g h t s
This being my very first romance novel, I was prepared for some instances of discomfort; especially because it is known for romance novels to glorify abuse. I was never ready for what I saw, though. It had something to do with abuse, yes, but not the kind of abuse I was prepared for.
Thinking back, I guess I would have adored this type of novel when I was younger. The narratives that fleshed it out would’ve completely gone over my head, and I would’ve finished the book with a sense of accomplishment. Being a princess that had everything never gave me the wrong idea.
Years have passed, and things have changed.
Reading this romance novel felt like going to that embellished past; to a younger me, a more naïve me, that didn’t think past an entertaining story. But now I know, and now you know. Monarchy hides a history of unruly stuff no one should’ve been a part of in the first place.
So no, I don’t think this book can change the world. Not one bit.
If you want to explore how the elements of the story (characters, plot, writing and theme) work together, click here.
If I missed something—or if I interpreted it differently to you— feel free to post it in the comments! I am biased by my own experiences and I can see a few things only, not the whole Truth, if that exists.
If you’re interested in reading the book and form your own conclusions, buy it here.
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With nothing else to say, thank you!
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