Smiling, I made way towards my seat beside Reagan. I could feel eyes on me the entire time. I didn't appreciate unnecessary attention on me but as at this time, it was worth it because I was making a statement. I wouldn't be living under anyone's rule. I've been doing that for the past twenty years of my life and it was time I forged my own path.
Marina eyed me with disdain as I lowered myself to my seat beside Reagan. I offered a small smile in return which seemed to grate on her nerves but she couldn't do anything about it because of the assembly going on, I do have a feeling we were going to be having a discussion about it later.
"What are you doing?"
I turned only to find Reagan gazing down at me with narrowed eyes. "Attending the morning assembly my lord."
"I'm not_" Reagan hissed out before he noticed his voice getting louder, "I'm not asking what you are doing here, I'm asking what you plan on doing?"
I stared back up at him with a look of mock innocence. "I have no idea what you mean my lord."
Reagan looked like he was about to say more but he didn't get the chance because one of the people we were going to be attending to immediately entered. Reagan gave me a look that says this wasn't over but I just smiled at him sweetly before I turned in my seat just as a nobleman, Lord Cromwell rose up to speak.
"As stated earlier," Lord Cromwell started, "We have begun a new month and things still haven't been improving in the western provinces. The farmers are struggling, trade routes remain unsafe and the people are going restless. It doesn't help taxes are being increased every months despite their hardships. If we don't intervene, I fear the unrest will escalate into rebellion." His voice was steady but carried a thread of frustration. He looked at Reagan with an expectant look in his eyes but it was Marina who spoke.
"The rebellion isn't anything new." She drawled, inspecting her nails as if she was bored with the matter. "Besides, there isn't much that can be done about the tax issue or the growing unrest in the provinces. They like to complain about something all the time. It's what peasants do, they complain, they rebel and then they fall in line again once we remind them who holds the power."
I gripped the armrest of my chair hard as I sat down bristling with rage at what she just said but I didn't say anything, choosing to hold my tongue instead.
"With all due respect my lady, these are not mere complaints." Lord Cromwell said his voice still laced with frustration, "The people's crops have failed for two seasons, their trade routes are plagued by bandits and now their taxes have been increased again? The people are desperate my lady and what do you all think happens when the people are desperate?"
"A rebellion." I spoke softly under my breath but I think everyone heard me because all eyes were back on me.
Lord Cromwell nodded his head, his gray eyes holding the tiniest bit of gratitude. "You are right my lady, a rebellion and that is the last thing we need."
Reagan leaned forward in his seat looking composed as ever. "A rebellion you say, well do you have any solutions Lord Cromwell, because I see them in all what you've mentioned only warnings."
"Yes but if we…" Lord Cromwell opened his mouth to speak but Reagan beat him to it.
"I do hope you are not going to suggest lowering taxes because that would risk undermining the crown's authority." Reagan said leaning back in his seat, "And there is not enough troops to guard their roads, there is barely enough to guard the kingdom as it is. So the way I see it, there's nothing we can do except…"
"What if we do both?" I asked interrupting Reagan.
All eyes instantly fell on me and some of the noblemen narrowed their gaze at me and I knew why they were looking at me like that. I had just interrupted a man when speaking and not just any man but the lord of the house, my husband.
Reagan's brows arched up, curiosity flickering in his dark gaze. "Continue."
Taking a deep breath, I opened my mouth to speak. "What if I get the king to lower the taxes temporarily, not as a show of weakness but a simply as a demonstration of the crown's willingness to listen. I could also speak to my brother to offer incentives for local militias to protect the trade routes. Empower the people to be part of their solution."
Marina sighed heavily from where she was sitting. "That's your plan? Going to run to daddy dearest to do everything for you?" She asked and a chuckle went round the room except from Lord Cromwell and Reagan.
"It's still better than doing nothing." I argued even though I was bristling with humiliation.
Reagan studied me warily, "It could work but who do you suggest to oversee this endeavor?"
"I will." I said firmly, my voice unwavering.
The room was quiet for a moment, the silence almost deafening when all of a sudden Marina let out a sharp laughter, as if I had just shared a joke and some of the nobles joined in too causing my cheeks to heat in embarrassment.
"You want to oversee this endeavor? You, a sheltered princess with no experience in diplomacy or governance? We are doomed!" She said still laughing.
I fisted my hands tightly as I turned to look at her. "Which is what makes me the best person for this job. The people need someone who isn't weighed down by the cynicism of this court. Someone who can speak to the people not as a superior but as an ally and I am that person."
"You do know there is too much risk involved in this if you fail?" Reagan asked his lips twitching and I couldn't tell if it was from amusement or irritation.
"I won't." I replied meeting his gaze with steady determination, "I won't fail."
For a moment, the room held its breath, the tension between us palpable. Finally, Marina leaned back a faint smile playing on her lips. "Very well then, I will listen to you under one condition."
I arched a brow up wondering what it might be, "What is it?"
"Miguel will be the one to manage the western provinces_"
"What?" I gasped interrupting her, "The_"
Marina slammed the table hard, "I am not finished yet!" She said while shooting me a cutting glare, "Miguel will be the one in charge and Reagan will accompany to your father's kingdom and listen to what you have to say, is that understood?"
"But_"
Reagan pressed my hand down, giving me a warning look before he turned to look at his mother. "Understood mother."
Marina seemed pleased at that, "Good and believe that concludes the assembly."
"Indeed it does." Reagan agreed, his tone brisk, "I've got other pressing matters that need attending to in my study." Reagan said standing up from his seat and the rest of the noblemen stood up, waiting as he left the room before they followed after.
I made a move to take my exit too, my mind racing with plans for the western provinces but just as I reached the doorway, a sharp voice stopped me in my tracks.
"We need to talk!"
I turned only to meet Marina standing a few steps away with a sly smirk on her face that made my stomach tighten. Her tone was light but there was this glint in her eyes, one that carried a challenge, and one I doubted would end well for me.