The sky began to wake up and birds were chirping. Abbi slowly rubbed her sleep away from her eyes and sat up on the bed. She propped herself up on her left arm and, looked down to her left side to find Lilly was still fast asleep. Abbi quietly got out of bed and tiptoed to the bathroom. The cold wooden floor woke her up more as she tried not to be too noisy gathering her new set of clothes from an old pine dresser. Abbi tiptoed from the dresser to the bathroom quietly closing the door, once she heard the soft click Abbi turned on the shower. She waited until the steam filled the tiny bathroom before removing her clothes and getting into the shower. She let out a long sigh as the hot water ran down her body, slowly taking away her aches and pains. Her poor body was covered in purple and blue bruises from all the abuse she endured for years, and scars covered her body from the lashes she received over the years. She let out a sigh while the tension slowly erased from her mind, body, and soul. Abbi reflected on the events of last night and the scary tone Lilly used and the indifferent look on her friend's face.
"What does the future hold?" Abbi thought outloud her new Queen planned an entire coup d'etat to overthrow her husband.. She'd have the kingdom's support in doing so but afterwords..... Does she plan to just leave? Taking the only other heir to the throne with her? What about the Kingdom? What about it's people? Abbi needed answers from Lilly and fast. Her little family and home were already at steak! Abbi continued to ponder over her thoughts and enjoy the hot water a little while longer, during this time Lilly was getting up and, getting dressed for the day. She brushed her hair and rubbed her swollen aching stomach. She could tell the child was strong and growing pretty quickly inside her. The aches spread from her stomach to her lower back making it's way to her hips and upper back. She let out a sigh and made herself some tea to calm her nerves. "What are your plans after the evasion? Abbi asked sternly, standing behind an unsuspecting Lilly. Lilly turned to face her friend and before she could answer Abbi spoke. "I have family here and this is my home....Will you just abandon us after the blood has been shed? What of the heir currently residing in your stomach? What will you do?"
Lilly stood there in brief silence, she wasn't sure if she already had this talk or if she even thought of it. There was so much going on and, her days were all running together that she wasn't sure anymore. She took a sigh and sipped her green tea. "What else? I'm Queen of this Country even after he dies.... Plus weather I like it or not, I'm baring his heir.... I can't just go back home and leave an entire Country behind.... No unfortunately this is my prison for the next 18 years at the least." Lilly replied slightly bitter Abbi sighed with relief "I'm glad you're not just going to leave us behind and fend for ourselves.... What's your plan after the King falls?" Abbi asked still keeping her stern look. "Raise the finances in every home, that way people aren't working for penny's, lower taxes completely. Give more lands to the farmers and increase they're pay, give them bonus's anytime their crops are great and get better boats for the fisherman. Make it to where they have better equipment. While also giving bonus's depending on the hall." Lilly replied with no signs of hesitating.
Lilly sighed still seeing Abbi wasn't fully content. "This Country has had it's share of blood shed, the current King wiped out his own family and slaughtered all the Lord's in this realm. To add insult to injury, he's gone after his own people and raised taxes so high that it's impossible to live, people are barley getting change for the work they are doing. So getting the people on my side won't be an issue." Lilly said looking Abbi in her eyes. "What else do you plan to do?" Abbi asked. "I plan to rebuild Vailtest and make it to where the houses are livable again and businesses can reopen. Fix the streets and crumbled buildings. I plan to get trades going and seek out allies." Lilly finished. Abbi looked relieved to see that her Queen had a good grasp of the situation with some basic solutions. "You'll be my right hand, so I'm counting on you Abbi.... Do your best." Lilly said as she walked across the room and slowly sat at the edge of the bed. Abbi stood their shocked at first and then smiled "I'll do my best Queen Lilly." Abbi replied and courtsied to her. "What should we do for breakfast?" Abbi asked "Not sure." Lilly replied sipping her tea.
The sky began to grow a dark grey as the winds picked up, green leaves and healthy tree branches snap and fly in the wind. The rolling thunder echoed and, the rain shot down from the sky. "The weather turned ugly quick, the waves are getting high." Abbi said worried. "Yes and, I see some fisherman out there on the rough waters, why don't they call it quits and return home?" Lilly asked also worried herself. "Because they can't afford too M'lady, they have families to feed." Abbie replied. "Just another reason for Zeal to fall....Then they won't ever have to worry about risking their lives again." Lilly replied. The power flickered in the palace a few times before giving out. The girls lit candles enough to see their general surroundings. Zeal was yelling through the palace down below them, apparent;y a rumor started that Lilly ran off. He demanded a search party. "Do you think we should stop them?" Abbi asked, "No, this buys us time and he'll be non the wiser during the attack." Lilly said with a smile. "What about the men?" Abbi asked full of worry... "They'll be fine, they won't leave until the weather lifts up." Lilly replied.
"I wonder how the Maybelle's fleet is holding up?" Lilly thought out loud. "I'm sure they're fine. Maybelle is the most experienced navigators." Abbi replied with a smile. Lilly and Abbi curled under some covers and spent their day reading while other's in the palace were running around doing their part during the storm. When night fell the storm got stronger, knocking signs, small tree's and other objects down. The wind made a frightening sound through the cracks of the palace and the drafty windows. "Abbi remind me after Zeal falls to update this palace." Lilly spoke softly. "Yes ma'am." Abbi replied.