Isabelle settled in a seat across from Julia, who smiled just as pleasantly as ever. "What does our kingdom's finances look like right now?"
"Well...The treasury isn't in the best of conditions. The previous empress was a lavish spender. Our reserves are at a fraction of what they should be."
She sighed in resignation. "And how is that situation improving?"
Julia coughed. "It is...not. Although we've established new trade routes, without trade for coin it is only alleviating the strain, rather than improving our holds...the population is not especially prosperous..."
"Hmm..." She leaned back in her chair, resting her chin in her palm thoughtfully as she considered Julia's words.
"We need money, I take it."
The woman nodded.
"How badly?" She asked, raising an eyebrow curiously.
