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"For the last years, we have been experiencing a widespread famine beset by the Lucelence Empire. What could have been the cause?" Urduja says in a stony expression. "It is because of drought from other farm areas. Our subjects have nothing to eat. Thus, experiencing famine for a very long time. Our subjects hope and have been asked for the empire's aid whose voices hadn't been heard because the imperial court isn't listening to them." She looks at where the imperial court sits by and catches them having an unpleasant expression. They look offended by her statement.
"What makes you think that this is an effective plan, Empress Urduja?" General Leowine Cosimo, one of the members of military officials, asks politely.
"How come that this will be a great help in the long-term period?" Earl Randolf Darwin, one of the members of the imperial court, asks, slightly bewildered. Urduja turns at him, seeing the respectable man she hoped to be.
Urduja exchanges her glance to General Leowine and Earl Randolf before she clears her throat. "Aiding our subjects is a good investment. It is also a good long-term effect. Investing in food security can improve empire security. Thus, as hunger is the hindrance to our developing economy in our empire, if we do not do something, it will drive them to violent conflict and migrating to another empire." She notices in the account records before that due to hunger, some of their subjects are migrating to other empires. "If we strengthen our food system, we also provide work opportunities, especially for our young people."
She explains the advantages of spending the donated funds to solve the famine. She tells them what they can miss if they do not donate the funds to resolve the main empire problem.
"In this way, once the famine has been dissipated, in the near future, we can have more imperial scholars and imperial knights. This is a win-win outcome for both imperial and military courts," she says as she finishes her speech. No one dares to speak as they weigh the benefits they will get once this has been approved and implemented. Urduja looks at Alistair who is silently staring at her. "Emperor, reconsider separating the donated funds. I can assure you victory for the economy of the Lucelence Empire."
Urduja clasps her hands as Alistair remains silent, darting his eyes at the provided documents she made for each individual here in this room. Nervous, she turns at the members of both courts.
"Any questions I must entertain while waiting for the verdict of Emperor Alistair?" Urduja asks as she finally takes a deep breath.
"No need to ask them, Empress."
Urduja's heart goes rampage with the anticipation sparks by Alistair. "You… have already decided?" she confirms.
Alistair nods. He looks one more time at the documents and rereads them before he raises his head to look at her. "You are right. We must take action for the main crisis of the Lucelence Empire. I have decided to implement the bestowing of donated funds for this crisis." He stands up. His cold demeanor revolves around the room, not any noble or military official will dare to speak against the words of the emperor. "Since you have thought of this, you will be the one who will handle this case, Empress Urduja."
"Of course. You can count on me," Urduja says in a firm voice. On her inside, she is already squealing that she managed to have Alistair's approval despite that he didn't like her. It is a good thing that Alistair sets aside his personal issue against Urduja.
"I want no objections to this one. Any complication that may result from this, Urduja will take responsibility for it since she is in charge of distributing the donated funds." Alistair takes the documents and bestows them to Maximus. "Meeting adjourned," he announces.
Urduja blinks and snaps back as soon as she hears that Alistair adjourned the meeting. She stands up and immediately leaves the conference room to follow Alistair. She cusses under her breath seeing him going far away so she has no choice but to lift her heavy skirt, place the documents in between her armpits and run towards him.
"Alistair!" she calls.
Alistair and Maximus turn their heads to see Urduja running to them with a surprised expression. Alistair creases his forehead seeing how she saunters the hallway by running.
"That's very unladylike that you have to run at me, Empress," Alistair says with a frown as soon as she halts in front of them.
Urduja inhales and exhales before she shrugs her shoulders. "Who cares? My reputation is at the lowest point so I might as well grab it," she says nonchalantly.
Maximus glances at Emperor Alistair with a surprised expression. He is anxious as to what the emperor will say next from Empress Urduja's remark. Then he simply scrutinizes Her Imperial Majesty. She sounds like she doesn't even care even if she is acting unladylike.
'It's as if she already accepts that no one will like her anymore because of how His Imperial Majesty treats Empress Urduja,' Maximus says in his mind.
"What do you want and you must bother me again?" There is an irritation that lingers in his tone.
Urduja draws out a confident smile before she flattens her skirt. "I have a proposal." She takes the documents which are under her armpit. Then she bestows it to Alistair but Alistair does not take it from her hand. Frowning, she turns at Maximus and bestows it to him.
Hesitant, Maximus politely bows and takes the proposal letter. Then he starts to read it.
"What proposal is this again, Urduja? If this is about the donated funds—"
"It's not about that," Urduja butts in. "If only you read my proposal letter instead you ignore it," Urduja explains with an arching eyebrow.
Alistair hisses and shakes his head in disapproval. But he turns his head at Maximus when he hears him gasp.
"What is it?" he asks. His baritone voice sends shivers down to Urduja's spine.
Maximus gapes at Emperor Alistair, wide-eyed. He inhales sharply before he decides to hand the emperor the proposal letter of Empress Urduja.
With Alistair's stoic expression, Urduja patiently waits, clasping her hands. "I am going to make your former Elite Knights, Diamond Moon Knights, be the Empress's Elite Knights, Alistair." Alistair raises his head to meet the purple-eyed empress of his after he reads the proposal letter. Urduja smiles as soon as she meets the blue-eyed emperor. "Also," she pauses, which causes Alistair to arch his eyebrow. "I will grant Gertrude Ray the title of 'Empress's Shield' and she will be my personal knight," Urduja declares confidently.