It was Dawn already and has usual, there were lots of crows from a far. Isobel stood up from the bed, massaging her neck, her body felt numb, she barely had a good night sleep. Thoughts on how she would address the council kept her awake. It was her first day as queen, she couldn't afford to make a mistake, not only would Mark scold her again but the Minister's would look down on her. Those thoughts never left her mind. " You can do this Isobel, remember this you are now the new queen so you have to do it right you can't afford to mess up". Though she was encouraging herself, her mind still fear she would mess up.
" Yes you are right you can't afford to mess up" the strong voice from behind made Isobel scream in fear.
" Don't sneak up on me Mark! how on earth did you get here" based on the looks of things Mark didn't seem to have came through the door because Isobel was staring at the door all through, so how did he get in, Isobel wondered.
" I have been here for a while, watching you sleep like a dog".
" What! me sleep! I was wide awake the whole time, wasn't I? Isobel asked to herself confusedly.
" Really, so tell me did you notice when the maids came in to remove your shoes" Isobel looked at him confused and then look at her legs which had no shoes on it.
She remembered after she left them with annoyance she went straight back to the party where she had anything but fun. Watching everyone eat with manner while been quiet. It felt like she was attending a funeral. Everyone was talking but their voice was heard. Since her birth she hasn't seen a party this boring where everyone is seem to careful with their words while the ladies where busy competing on who look best.
Isobel felt like she would die of boredom, nothing annoyed her greatly like the dancers who where brought to perform. Isobel wasn't sure if they where dancing or just playing around. Though the people seemed excited with their performance but it was nothing impressive to Isobel because she has seen performance way impressive than that.
Isobel drank her wine continually as she watch them.
" My queen we are so happy with the celebration, Aias seemed to have put a lot of effort in this" one of the guest said as Isobel stared in disgust at Aias who was feeling so proud of his accomplishment.
" Well my queen this is such a great way of relaxing because from tomorrow we will start with the government affairs and as the new queen, you will have a lot of work to do, so that's why we are going to enjoy the moment" everyone laughed except Isobel, her eyes widened, she tried not to look so scared but her body wasn't cooperating.
" Please enjoy the party, excuse me" Isobel said as she walked away. She could hear the sudden whispers of the guest but she couldn't care less. At that moment, she really felt like running to Mark for advice but then again, she remembered she was mad at him. She went straight in her room, fell on the bed, thinking about how it would be the next day.
Isobel was almost certain she didn't fall asleep but seeing the the shoe wasn't on her legs anymore, someone must have removed it, so she might have fell asleep after all, Isobel thought to herself.
" Well get prepared today you will be facing the council members, they will throw many issues to you but you mustn't get scared or try to solve the issues immediately. All you need to do is listen then after the meeting we would discuss how you need to answer them or solve the issues in the next meeting".
Isobel signed in deep, she couldn't help but feel relieve that she don't necessarily need to give them a solution to the problem immediately.
Mark was just about to leave when the maids came in with clothes for her. Isobel was so fed up with those heavy clothes but she doesn't have a choice.
She watched Mark leave before giving the maids a go ahead to help her get ready.
Isobel felt her heart beating louder the closer she gets to the palace hall, the guards front of the door opened it. Though the door was opened, Isobel still felt hesitant to go in. Her heart beat was just too fast, she felt her legs too heavy to move as she slowly walked in.
" Greet the great queen Tessa" Isobel wasn't sure who shouted that but the whole council members stood up immediately before bowing down".
She walked straight to the throne. Till she raised her hands giving them order of rise, no one dared raised their heads.
"My queen today is your first day on the throne, So we welcome you" Isobel smiled in appreciation.
" My queen we have a lot of unsettled issues on ground, so many projects which we have not completed but worse than all that is the food situation in the kingdom". Isobel looked at him confusedly.
"Yes my queen, after prince Achilles left the party, news was sent to us that the chaali kingdom would increase the price of food stuff and my queen if that happens we won't be able to afford it" a minister said.
"Well then, we would get food supply from another kingdom". Isobel studied their reaction carefully, they where all murmuring amongst themselves, which made Isobel wondered if she said the right thing.
" My queen we can't do that, because all the nearby kingdom put together won't be able to supply us enough food and if we choose to go any further in search of food, the transportation would even cost more than chaali kingdom offer, please tell us my queen what should we do".
Isobel watched them speechlessly, even mark seem not to have found a solution yet.
" That's an issue, so if I don't buy any food how long can the one's in our storage survive us, minister of food". Aias has been the minister of food for years.
" My queen the food can last for only 3 months after that there will be great famine in the kingdom".
" So what advise do you have on the situation", the ministers murmured within themselves for a while.
" My queen" Aias came forward. " My queen I have a very good idea, if we can increase the taxes of the people then we will have enough money to buy food for the people". Aias had barely completed his words when a minister from behind stopped him.
" My queen we can't do that, the people are already suffering, if we increase the tax, it will affect them a lot".
"So minister of health, do you have a better idea" Aias said with a mischievous smile, the minister of health clenched his teeth while looking at Aias with anger, he felt like throwing a tantrum but on the other hand, he had no other idea.
Isobel thought hard but she couldn't come up with a better idea. The people are already suffering and the last thing she wants was to add to the people problem. "No matter what, I won't increase the tax of the people" Isobel said to her self.
" I have heard your thoughts my people, I will tell you my decision in our next meeting and if you have any more complain write it as a memorial and send it".
Isobel Left them speechless, as they confusedly stare at themselves.