"I will get him... How dare he treat me this way?.. I have beheaded more men for less, and he is no different. I will take his kingdom, if not by marriage, then be force." I said out loud as I stomped down the Tower stairs from James' rooms, and out to the main hall before heading back to banquet hall.
I pass through the heavy doors that lead to the corridor. 'Maybe we need to increase our raids on the border to emphasize my control.' Without waiting to think it through, I command, "Increase the raids on the northern border, and increase the amount of bandits we use. I want to strike terror in them."
I waited a few minutes to let it sink in, everyone is frozen still. I looked around myself in astonishment, still no one moved, not even to blink. Unable to take it anymore, I take another step forward. "MOVE," I shout, stomping my foot down on the hard stone, and everyone takes to flight. 'Absolutely nothing is more infuriating than minions that stare at you. What next...'
Out of the corner of my eye, I see the general of the pantaloons cautiously approaching me. As if I was a hurt animal, he carefully bowed and replied, "My Queen, we will have to move troops from the west to cover for the current raids. May I suggest we hire this out."
Outraged at the thought that we couldn't do the simple thing, I started to stomp and move down the hall. Stopping in my tracks, I turn to my right. "And why don't we have enough? We are at war!" I screamed my response. I looked out at everyone in front of me, again everyone was frozen. Frustrated, I yell again, " Why are we not drafting? Where is Bias? Why are you not MOVING!?"
Once again, everyone scurries around like trained mice. Out of nowhere, a tall lengthy man in his mid 30's appears before. He is dressed in battle armor from head to toe, at his belt, hangs my seal. I watch him approach me in military stride, bend to a knee, and bow at my feet. In a deep baritone voice, he says," You called for me, Your Majesty. "
Before Su Bias rises, the general whispers to him what I have asked. He bows to the general, and proceeds to answer my questions. In a calm, but authoritative tone, he answers, "Your Majesty, the draft has been lifted due to no more men and boys of age to draft in the Western Cities. We are working on starting to draft from the Eastern Province, but the ones we are drafting are still not trained yet. We need a few more months to be ready. "
Listening to him explain this relaxes my temper. I begin to continue my way down the hall. Letting out a well needed sigh, I continued to listen.
Not really knowing how to respond, I decided to nod in agreement. "Ok out source it. Raise the taxes in the Eastern Province to pay for it. Now that is enough business, I have a banquet to attend. Shall we?" Just as quickly as they all appeared, everyone disappeared before my eyes.
I stuck out my hand, and like gravity, a primped and manicured hand took it to escort me down the rest of the corridor. I didn't have to look, I knew he would be there. He is always there. Even in times I don't think I do, he is there. Happiness slowly represses my anger from before as we make our way down the hall. I don't know how he does it, but everytime my pet is here this happens.
As we reach the banquet hall, he continued to escort me to my table at the head of the room. To my right, I placed a second yet smaller table and chair identical to mine. This was for James, of course, but that was a formality. I started the raids so I could get the salt mines on the outermost boarders to the north, and this was their solution. A marriage that neither of us want. What am I going to do with a husband that thinks he can rules me? Well they will get what they want... a dead king and me ruling his kingdom as compensation.
'I will marry him, take his lands, and send him off to be killed in war... No that is too nice. I will lock him in that tower til he dies. Yeah that's it.' I thought to myself as the line continued.
I watch as my escort kneels beside me at my feet like a pet, as I take my seat. He is a boy like man, with soft features. I dressed him to always match me, as he is the perfect accessory to anything I ware.
'I don't need a man to rule.' I said to myself as I plaster a smile on my face and greet my guests as they enter. I watch as they came in a single file to be announced as they passed the large double doors to the hall.
About 45 minutes later, James arrived to the banquet hall, still in the attire that I last saw him in his room with a few adjustments. Just the sight of him was making my temper flare. As much as I wanted to storm off, I knew that this was a turning point for this husband to be. This was the night he formally will announce the engagement and be under my control. After tonight, there was very little he could do to back out of this.
I watched as James came to the big double doors, stopped to be announced, and was escorted to the small table that I provided to show his relationship to me. Before he seated, I watched as he fell to his knees, and acknowledged me with a deep bow. I left him there for a few moments til I waved him to go sit.
As he rose, I watched as his eyes fell on my pet. He stared at him as he made his was and finally sat down. I reached down and acknowledged my pet with a hand playing in his hair. I could feel him nessel his head into me to encourage more. I looked up to see James staring at him still. 'Hmmm... I wander... Could he recognize him? This one has been different than the first, but he is not the same.'
"James, do you like? Maybe we can find you one too." I stated while still petting my pet. "I call him Thom."