The Ruthless Kings Replacement Queen

Chapter Six - The Royal Advisors

Chapter Six  - The Royal Advisors

King Xavier IV Point of View

After the longest day in my living history, I have now called a meeting with all my advisors.  I must find a solution to this problem, not that I care to much about my subjects plight, but I do care about having to deal with the throbbing headache, shoulder ache, and back ache from sitting so long on the throne, wearing the heavy crown, listening to all of these complaints not to mention the burn in my arm from holding out the Spector to each person before they can approach me.

I sit and ponder on Holdens advice to me earlier, will this give him too much power? will my people love him more than me because he is giving out my money to them? However, I have to admit it is a solution to alleviate the problems.

Again, I sit, holding out the Spector, as each advisor arrives, and touches it before taking their seats around the table.

“Lords, I have gathered you here today for your learned advice, on a pressing matter that is causing your king some discomfort” I announce.

All the advisors sit and wait for me to continue; however, I am in no mood to explain to them.

“Lord Chancellor and Chief Advisor, inform those present of the predicament and your advice to me”

I sat in relative boredom as Holden explained, when he came to the part of wearing the robe the whole table gasped.

Lord Reme, was the eldest, he had been chief advisor to my father, and was around 68 years of age, a man of wisdom and sense spoke up first.

“Your Majesty, I understand fully your predicament, and why the Lord Chancellor has given you this advice.  I feel this would be a good solution to your problem, however, I would not recommend that he wears the blue robes of your majesty, as this would be mis construed by your people that he has the same power as the King” 

Mumbles around the table told me they all agreed with Casper’s concerns.

“Not if the King would sign over a letter of authority, stating that I am there in his place, sent to them personally, this would make the subjects aware that it is only because of you, your Majesty, and I am but a tool to do your bidding” Holden suggested, bowing his head in reverence to me.

“But to wear a royal robe, is too far, it has never been done before, I would beg your majesty find a different solution” Lord Ambrose stated, whilst glaring at Holden.

There was always bad blood between the two, Ambrose thought Holden and upstart, and power hungry, he disliked his ambitions, feeling he had progressed to quickly in my favour.  Not that he would voice that to me directly, but it was evident that was what he thought.

“If I may your majesty, I agree with Lord Ambrose, that the Royal robe should only be worn by the King, however, what if a new robe, were to be made, a green one, with less adornments than ones worn by you my king, but still with much opulence to command respect from all who wear it” Lord Daniel offered.

I thought about that, it would give Holden the appearance of being of importance to the crown, without giving him power to match my own, making him a trusted servant of the crown, and along with my scroll it would be evident that the blessings were coming from me via him.

“I agree your majesty, let there be a new robe made in honour of Holdens new position, but one that reflects his elevated status, but is not as grand as the ones used by the King or the Royal household” Ambrose agreed,

After much debate, it was settled, Holden would tour the realm to announce his elevated position and would take funds to those who pledged allegiance to me, giving everyone enough coin to purchase food for the next half a year, in time for the new harvest to arrive, he would have a new robe made for him, and that would be handed down forth with to each new Lord Chancellor starting a new tradition.  

“Then this is my decree, Lord Chancellor, you will start your tour in three weeks, after the new robe is made to my satisfaction, you may all leave” I ordered.

Each advisor bowed and walked backwards through the open doors, leaving my presence, and I then retired to my bed chamber, exhausted from the day’s events.

I called to my servant, to have him bring food to me, I have no intentions of sitting on ceremony in the royal dining hall this night, I will eat, and sleep alone, to ease my headaches.

As I climb into my bed, my thoughts drift to the young girl from this morning, I am pleased she is to be presented as a candidate to be my Queen, and I will inform Enoch he is to give me weekly updates on her progress. I drift off to sleep, with her in my mind, and a small smile adorns my royal face.

Esperanza’s Point of view

I walk into the large dining hall to see more food laid on the table than I have ever seen in my life.  There are plates of cold meats, chicken, beef, lamb, even pork and ham, trays of cooked vegetables including long green beans, Carrots glazed with honey, roasted parsnips, spinach, broccoli and cauliflowers in a cheese sauce, roasted leeks, and red cabbage. There were also other foods I had never seen before, that were orange in colour that one of the lady’s called a butternut squash.  Along the side was large bowls filled with mashed potatoes and trays of roasted potatoes, with many different sauces in bowls to accompany the food.

At the rear of the room stood a long sideboard which had many sweet pastries and cakes, along with bowls of fruit.

Lord Enoch approached me

“Esperanza, you may eat anything you wish, but I would recommend only a small amount of the rich food and meat, your delicate stomach is not accustomed to these foods and it may cause pain for you until you become accustomed to such delights”

I bowed and thanked him for his advice. I took the plate that was handed to me by one of the maids and proceeded to make my way around the table, taking a small portion of everything that took my eye, my mouth watering at the prospect of tasting such delights. As I looked around the room,  I noted that I had half the amount of the other ladies, but this was more than I had ever eaten before, and I do not think I could eat more than what I had placed upon my plate.

I bowed my head, to say grace inside my mind, as nobody seemed to want to wait to pray and thank Eloah for his abundant blessing, then slowly began to taste the food. 

I took small bites, my taste buds exploding in delight at the different flavours, causing me to moan in pleasure. Soon I was full, to bursting point, but there was still over a quarter of my food left on my plate.  I looked around to see that many of the others had left half eaten food, not caring that they had not finished what they had placed upon their plate. I was torn, because I was so full, but I did not want to cause offence by leaving anything on my plate, nor did I want to waste food when many went hungry.  Noting my dilemma Lord Enoch approached me.

“You have eaten well child, do not force yourself to eat more if your stomach is full” he smiled, and I placed the plate down onto the table.

I sat patiently waiting for the others to finish their foods, as they gouged on the cakes and sweat pastries.

I had wanted to try them, but I felt already pain begin to grip my stomach.

Lord Enoch arrived by my side; a slice of cake wrapped in a cloth napkin. 

“Child, you may take this to your bed chamber, and eat when you wish” He smiled.

“Thank you, my Lord” I bowed my head in respect.

“Lord Enoch, can we take more cake into our bed chambers?” one of the wealthier ladies shouted across.

I felt him stiffen at her request and lack of basic manners, then he turned towards her.

“No, you may not, and never shout to me again, you will speak when spoken to Lady Cassandra” His voice cold, and firm, in complete contrast to how he spoke with me.

The Lady Cassandra pouted, and stomped her foot, “What is so special about her” she complained loudly to another girl, who scurried away from her, not wanting to vex the Lord Enoch.

After some time had passed,  we all retired to our bed chambers, where Alya was waiting for me, she bowed as I entered, then gave me the biggest smile.

“I have cake Alya” I showed her.

Alya’s eyes widened, as she looked at the contents of the napkin.

“My Lady, there is no food allowed in the bed chambers” she whispered

“My Lord Enoch gave me special permission” I smiled back at her.

Nodding Alya smiled

“You have gain favour My Lady, and between you and me, I am glad, because some of the maids have told me a lot of the ladies are hard work and demanding, thinking they are already Queen” she giggled.

“Would you like some of the Cake before you get me ready” I asked

“My Lady, that would be against protocol” she whispered, looking around the room to make sure nobody was inside.

“There is only you and I here, so who would know, and as you are my maid, do I not get to command you to help me eat it.” I grinned

Alya, quickly drew the thick drapes at the window, and locked the door, then headed over giggling softly, as we split the cake between us.

Finished our contraband, Alya poured the hot water into the bowl, then stripped my dress off, as I stood embarrassed and naked before her, she took the cloth and began to wash my body, before patting me dry, then proceed to wash my face with another cloth.

“My Lady, have you ever seen a tooth cleaning device before?” she asked

I shook my head, as Alya picked up a thin long wooden handle with a small brush on the end, then proceeded to add some liquid to it.

“This is to brush your teeth, it cleans out the food, and makes your mouth smell nice” she informed me.

“Smile My lady” she grinned at me

As I smiled Arya gently brushed my teeth, and when she had finished, my mouth felt fresh and so clean, it was almost heavenly.

“New studies by the royal beautifiers have said to do this twice a day helps to stop the rot and need for the wooden teeth to be given” Alya informed me proudly before pulling my nightgown over my head, and then tucking me into the big soft bed.

“I will attend you in the morning, before breakfast My Lady” she smiled, before bowing and taking her leave.

As I lay on the soft mattress and pillows, my stomach began to cramp, pain washing over me, as I had to hurry to the water closet, I groaned knowing that I would not be able to empty this myself, and that poor Alya would have to do it tomorrow and I face flushed with embarrassment.

Finished I washed my private area again with the cloth provided, and headed back to bed, the pain subsiding a little.  I fell into a sleep, only to be woken again by the griping pains, and ran again to the chamber pot. 

When morning arrived, Arya knocked and entered.

“Good Morning, My Lady” she shouted cheerfully

“Good morning Alya” I whispered, tired from being up all night with my stomach.

“Are you okay My Lady” she asked her voice laced with concern

“Yes and No, I am sorry Alya, I had the runny tummy last night after all that food” I confessed.

“How do you feel now, should I fetch the physician”

“No, I am a lot better, but I feel embarrassed that I could not empty the chamber pot and you have to do it” I confessed

Alya smiled sweetly and shook her head.

“Please my Lady, it is no problem, I will sort it for you, do not concern yourself. In truth my Lady, I would rather empty a hundred such chamber pots than deal with the Lady Cassandra, her maid informed me she is complaining about everyone and everything, and has deliberately stomped on her maids’ foot an number of times, when she could not getting her own way.” she smiled.

I rose from my bed, and Alya undressed me, washing my body carefully, then placed one of the thick white robes I had seen yesterday around me.

“Today you will see the physician, then start on the beauty treatments, so you will be in your robe till lunch time, when the first of your dresses will arrive from the Royal seamstresses” She grinned at me.

I wondered if everyone will be in just robes, or only me, but I trusted Alya, so did not question this further.

We walked to the dining hall, and thankfully all the other ladies were also dressed in only the thick robes, as they piled their plates high with all kinds of meats and fruits.  I took only a small amount of meat, not wanting to upset my already tender stomach further, along with an apple and orange then sat down to begin to eat my breakfast.

The Lady Cassandra sat next to me, her face a mask of jealous rage.

“You have my room, there has been a mistake, I am a famous beauty from a high standing family, you are nothing but a peasant girl, and you will be removed shortly when my beautifier rectifies the issue” she growled at me.

I did not comment, after all, I truly believe there has been some mistake over my accommodation myself.

“I am talking to you” she continued

“My Lady, if indeed there has been a mistake, I will gladly give up the room, but until then I beg you would leave me in peace” my voice soft yet somehow strong with authority.

“You will not please the king, look at you, you cannot even eat properly, you are skin and bone and do not have the breeding to be queen, you are nothing but a joke, and everyone knows it” she continued.

“Except me, Lady Cassandra, and through me the King” Lord Enoch announced as he entered the dining hall

“Now ladies, make your way to the main beautifying area, and take a seat, the physician is here to see each of you” He announced, as we all trailed off behind him.