Sam turned and looked at Edgar questioningly. What was he talking about...
"Excellent idea." said the king, "In that case, the prince should vote first."
Sam knew that prince Edgar's vote would affect the ministers' votes as most of them wanted to be in favor with him. She thought Edgar was helping her in this manner. As everyone looked on Edgar said, "I shall vote against the princess's demand."
*******************
"How dare he..." Sam complained to her sister one evening. Princess Nataliya and herself were sitting in the latter's chamber drinking tea. The change in seasons had forced everyone to change into winter clothes. Princess Nataliya was clad in a white gown with a purple fur coat and looked beautiful as usual. Sam was in a navy blue suit with a white woolen coat.
"Prince Edgar must have his reasons. After all he...he is concerned about you." said Nataliya trying to console Sam. Nataliya knew that Sam had been avoiding the prince for the last few days.
"You know how embarrassing it was for me...Not even a single person voted in my favour...all thanks to him..." Sam sighed. She did not understand why Edgar would stand against her decision. Iglesius would have made a perfect candidate for the post of her official advisor. He was well-read and had the experience of a lifetime.
"This Iglesius, are you sure you can trust him? After all, to deceive his own king..is not a pardonable matter."
"You have studied the history of all our neighboring kingdoms, haven't you? You know very well what the previous king of Gregoy was like. Iglesius made himself a traitor for the greater good, I think it is very honorable, whatever he did."
Nataliya saw that her sister was upset and tried to change the topic "I heard your commandant is getting married?"
Sam blinked for a moment, What! Commandant Astor was getting married? Then she remembered that she had another commandant. Her sister was obviously talking about Luke Nirono.
"He became a commandant solely for the sake of getting married, I am not sure whether he'll be of any use to me in the future." Said Sam recollecting.
"Whatever the case may be, if you attend the wedding you can enter the good books of minister Nirono," said Nataliya.
Sam considered her sister's advice. It was true that she needed minister Nirono's support in court to pass a better budget for her army. But if it looked like prince Edgar was withdrawing his support, she'll face the same situation she faced in court the other day. Sam racked her brain trying to figure a way out.
"I guess I'll attend the wedding. I heard many scholars will be attending, maybe I'll find myself a good advisor there," said Sam resting her face on the table. "Natalie..will you not attend the wedding with me?"
"I've had my fair share of weddings and funerals while you were a pirate in the sea. Now it's time for you to represent the royal family and share my burdens," said Nataliya stroking her sister's head.
Sam looked at Nataliya with some curiosity, "Natalie...Do you want to go to the sea?"
Nataliya was surprised, "Why? Are you planning to run away again?"
"I am not talking about me, I am talking about you, I have never thought about it before, because you have always been the good and obedient princess,.... but have you ever wanted to leave the country and see the world?"
"Let us not talk about impossible things Sam..."
"Sorry for bringing it up." said Sam.
They both sat in silence for a minute before Nataliya stood up and ordered a maid to bring in the dresses she had prepared for her sister. Sam tried on some of them before choosing one for the wedding.
Nataliya patted Sam's head saying, "No matter how much you hate some of the ministers, you should not make a scene at somebody's wedding okay?"
"I understand. I won't be reckless," said Sam grinning.