“Get out!” I roared. The civilian in front of me was the focus of my rage. “Get him out of my sight! Now!” The armored guards obeyed their orders, guiding him out of the throne room by his arms.

I could feel my blood boiling under my skin. The anger consuming me. He doesn’t know anything about me. Who do these nobels think they are? I am Queen! I fought for them! I sacrificed everything to overthrow my father and it is not enough. I need to get out of here.

Nostrils flared I stormed out of the throne room, retreating to the royal bedchamber to calm down. As I slammed the door behind me I rested my back on the smooth wood placing my hand on the cool metal knob for balance. I could feel my heart beat pounding in my chest like it wanted to jump free from my chest cavity. With my opposing hand I place it beneath my collar bone. Breathe in… Breathe out…

I kept breathing until I felt the blood in my veins slow to their normal flow. When my eyes reopened I saw that the room was filled with flowers and gifts. My rage must have blinded me from noticing till now. The smell of roses, violets, and peonies made themselves present as I walked through the array of objects left for me. The presents were not the only thing that changed.

As I requested, Alva replaced all the furniture and decor that my father left behind. I didn’t want anything that the previous king or any of his whores touched left for me to gaze upon.

The new oak bed was beautiful. The tan polished wood was engraved with Xosta markings of vines and leaves, mixed with a few desert flowers. To match were a pair of end tables, a vanity, and a small dining table with wine and two empty goblets. As I admire the new furniture I am reminded of the bloodshed, and the joy of killing my father on this very floor. ‘The people will never accept a queen without a king’...

His final words will not stop repeating in my head. Is this the ghost of King Thybaut? Is this his revenge from beyond the grave?

“There you are!” Alva’s voice yanked me from my unrealistic thoughts. “I've been looking everywhere for you. What happened?”

“Nothing” I mumbled. I kept my back to her, not wanting Alva to see the rage slightly lingering in my eyes.

“That is not what I heard… You yelled at him? Now the nobles have more to fuel their cause! What were you thinking?”

I clenched my fist, tiring to contain my composure. “He said I need to marry. I refuse to take orders from any noble no matter what their status. I never planned to marry, and being queen doesn’t change that.”

Alva sighed, “Sit down. We need to talk further.” Her tone told me she thought differently about my problem. But she is practically the only one to help guide me though issues like this. I owe it to her to listen. As I took a seat in one of the lounge chairs, Alva poured us each a glass of wine, placing it on a table between us. “We have yet to discuss the finances of the Kingdom.” Alva takes a large sip of wine, as if hoping to give her courage. “King Thybaut used nearly all the gold and silver pieces saved in the royal treasury pretty early on in his reign. Forcing him to tax his people at a high rate to make up for the deficate.”

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“I am aware. Why are you telling me this?” Alva pushes my untouched wine glass towards me. “Please drink. Would make me feel better if you had a bit of alcohol in your system for what I have to say next.”

Her panic started to alarm me, what is so bad that she is struggling to tell me? “Spit it out Alva!”

She gripped to her skirt tightly and swallowed hard. “Taxing the people was not enough. After years of high taxes, people ran out of coin to give and started to accumulate debt of their own. So King Thybaut made a deal with the nobles. They would help keep the Kingdom afloat, and in exchange the crown would grant them leniency to certain laws, and powers in parliament.”

“What exactly are you saying?” Alva looked me in the eye, and I could see the fear in her gaze. “You are queen in name only. The nobles are the ones who control Xosta.”

As Alva’s words set in, I realized that she was right. I should have taken that drink before hearing what she had to say.

“Anything else you would like to mention? How long have you known?” I could feel the anger swelling inside me once again.

“I've known since before we met.” The shame in her voice caused me no sympathy, but sparked more rage. I stood up and walked a few steps away from her in an effort to control my temper, but I could feel my will power hanging on by a thread. “I am so sorry.” Alva pleaded “The nobles have become unpredictable, and I didn’t want to burden you before you were sworn into the crown.”

“Well, next time a problem comes to your attention I am to be notified immediately. Or I can find a new advisor. Understand?” I could tell my stren tone struck a chord with her as she nodded in submission. “Leave me. I need some time to think.”

“Of course your Majesty. Before I go I have this for you.” Alva held up a folded parchment with a wax seal. “You received a letter from Theora.” Carefully she placed it on the table, and bowed, taking her leave. “Goodnight your majesty.”

When I was finally alone with my thoughts, the quiet set in. Everything that I worked for was suddenly taken from me. The gifts and flora around me suddenly seem empty. Meaningless. These are merely a means to gain my favor, so that I will stay in line for the nobles as their ‘royal face’. Feeling despair creeping in, I lunged for the letter in the hopes of good news.

Dear Sister,

Congratulations! You are queen of Xosta, and I couldn’t be more proud of you for this momentous accomplishment. I know how hard it was to get to this point, and I want you to know that I have no regrets about surrendering my crown to you. Things in Theora have been going extremely well! We have been slowly rebuilding from the damages of war, and the people are overjoyed at their princesses' return. Arie has been in good health. Doctors say the baby is as well. We are remiss that we both could not make it to the ceremony. We didn’t want to risk traveling with the baby and are still getting settled in our new home. You are going to make an amazing queen, and while there may be some difficult decisions along the way I know that you will always put your people first.

Sincerely,

Galleren

As I stared at my brother's letter feeling the parchment between my fingers, I pondered on his words of encouragement. I have come this far. I will not let the nobles take away my right to rule, and the right of the people to have a leader in power who puts them first.

Reclaiming my chair I replaced the letter with my goblet. In order to take back my power, the debt between the nobles and the crown needs to be whipped away. Whether I like it or not, marriage to a wealthy member of royalty would be the fastest and most logical answer to my predicament. And with that realization, I took my wine glass and drank every last drop.