"Your Majesty," Rumi combed through my hair, "what would you like to eat before morning Court?"
I shrugged.
"Something light." I was actually thinking of conferring Tsarmus Kushad the title of Commander of the Imperial Army. Nice slap to Elvin's face it would be. It would also take his attention off me since the tally would be with Tsarmus Kushad.
A dozen maids came in, each bearing several dishes. I frowned at Rumi.
"I said something light! Really!"
In the end, I left for morning court after stuffing myself full. Ao-ye was nowhere to be seen, so Hhamir and Thanos followed after my carriage instead.
"Her Majesty is entering!" the eunuchs at the door exclaimed. I walked through the open doors and up the aisle, everyone on their feet. I ascended the steps to the throne and turned around, sitting gracefully.
What was the fuss?
It was the first time I was sitting on the throne.
Geralt Laoren came and respectfully laid the schedule on my table.
I glanced at it. The ministers were to tender their memorials. Father had been discussing the idea of a training school for magic user children within the palace with the officials for a while before I had arrived. I was more interested in demoting all the commandery princesses, royal ladies and foster princes to young masters and misses of their manors.
Probably wouldn't make a lot of people happy, but did I care?
I spoke to Geralt Laoren in a low voice. Bowing, he went down the steps to stand in front of the court.
"All young masters and misses with mandates, come forward to receive the Imperial Decree!"
Most of the officials expressions turned ugly. The people concerned had no choice but to rise and approach Geralt Laoren, after bowing three times towards the throne.
"Under the hand of Her Majesty, Empress Neiman Saarhash San de Seuss, eighty ninth monarch of Canolita, I, Geralt Laoren, this day recite the decree pertaining to all young masters and misses with mandates! From this day forth, the royal mandate conferring you commandery princesses, foster princes and royal ladies is revoked! Stamped by the Seal of the Empress of Canolita, and stands not to be altered! Bow!"
On this note, Geralt Laoren glared at the young misses and young masters with a ferocious expression as he spat out the last word.
They all bowed clumsily, unable to cry out in greviance. I was looking at Elvin Kushad, who was smirking; he didn't care what became of them, and wasn't butting in. Only the tally was on his mind. Well. He was about to be surprised.
"Tsarmus Kushad, Sixteenth General of the Imperial Army, Special Adviser to Her Majesty the Empress, come forward to receive the Imperial Decree!"
Elvin Kushad started to frown. Tsarmus came forward confidently. I smirked. He didn't know what was coming either. No one did.
"Under the hand of Her Majesty, Empress Neiman Saarhash San de Seuss, eighty ninth monarch of Canolita, I, Geralt Laoren, this day recite the decree pertaining to you, Tsarmus Kushad, Sixteenth General of the Imperial Army, Special Adviser to Her Majesty! From this day forth, you are conferred the position of Commander of the Imperial Army, answering to no one but the Empress! Stamped by the Seal of the Empress of Canolita, and stands not to be altered! Kneel to receive the tally!"
A flustered Tsarmus Kushad quickly knelt and received the tally from Geralt Laoren's hands. After that, he rose and bowed towards the throne. Putting his hand over his chest, he pledged:
"On this day, the twentieth day of Her Majesty Empress Neiman's rule: I, Tsarmus Kushad solemnly pledge to serve the Empress and the citizens with my heart and soul, without care for my life, in full trust of Her Majesty's wisdom!"
"Rise, Commander Tsarmus," I said with a smile.
Elvin Kushad's bloodshot eyes were on the tally in Tsarmus' hands. I simply sneered in my mind. Serve him right!
Each of the ministers congratulated Tsarmus Kushad before presenting their memorials to me, especially the ones from the north and south factions. I still really didn't understand what the factions represented, but I knew Elvin Kushad owned the west faction. Maybe I would ask Nildan Laoren to explain them to me later. He seemed to be the one who was knowledgeable about those kind of stuff.
And that reminded me of bestowing Hhamir's father the title of fifth advisor. I wondered if it would be too much bestowals and demotions. After all, I had also demoted Elvin Kushad, if not directly
Before I could proceed, the ministers from the west faction stepped forward in one accord
"Your Majesty! Pardon our forwardness, but this has never happened in the history of Canolita! Conferring the military tally without deposing the current Commander--
I cocked my head to one side, listening to their banter. After they had all kept quiet, I beckoned to Geralt Laoren
"Yes, your Majesty?
"One more decree. The former fifth advisor is to be reinstalled,
Geralt Laoren looked curious. He hesitated
"What's wrong?" I asked. I remembered that Nildan Laoren and the others had also looked at me weirdly when I mentioned Hhamir for the first time
"The thing is... The former fifth advisor has become an hermit. No one knows where he secluded himself.
So that was it.
"What can I do for Hhamir then?" I asked Geralt Laoren's opinion, "without him, I would not have returned to Canolita,
Geralt Laoren looked thoughtful. Meanwhile, the ministers from the west faction were seething, still expecting an answer from me
"You could confer on him the mandate of marquis," Geralt Laoren finally suggested
"Is that worthy enough?
"Yes, your Majesty," he assured me
"Go ahead then," I waved my hand
Geralt Laoren went down to stand in front of the court
"Hhamir Illrerad, come forward to receive the Imperial Decree,
Hhamir stepped out and bowed three times towards the throne
"Under the Hand of Her Majesty, Empress Neiman Saarhash San de Seuss, eighty ninth monarch of Canolita, I Geralt Laoren, this day recite the decree pertaining to you, Hhamir Illrerad. From this day forth, you are conferred the title of Marquis Illrerad, and your family will inherit this marquis title for ever. Stamped by the Seal of the Empress of Canolita, and stands not to be altered! Bow!
Marquis Illrerad bowed gratefully, a happy smile plastered across his face
The west faction people were stunned witless. Huffing, they returned to their position. There. That's how to deal with folks like them.
.