HIS Queen, HER Billionaire

THE ROYAL DUTY

CHAPTER 7

Three days later…

The parade had started. Elisha rode a horse in front of the marching entourage while Alik, the members of the council, and the military men walked behind her.

People waved their flags and their hands to honor the Queen.

The parade was part of the Kingdom's activity at every start of a quarter to ensure that the people were assured that the Queen and the monarchy were always behind them. Elisha had been doing it for the past two years. It was a good monarchical activity —traditional and conventional. However, she wanted to change it in the future.

The worthless grandstanding was unnecessary in her opinion; she wanted a more direct approach to assure the people feel the support of the Monarchy without magnifying the difference between the royals and ordinary citizens. Unfortunately, the elders refused her earlier proposals. Nevertheless, she intends to find a way to seek their approval soon. She wouldn't stop until she significantly lessened the grandstanding activities.

This time only she and Alik attended the activity. Elik was too young to appreciate this, and Prince Emmanuel, the Queen's brother, could not be allowed to participate in any activity due to his health. He was getting better but still not fit enough for outdoor activities that could strain his heart.

As part of his duty as the Duke and the Queen's consort, Alik was obligated to attend the said activity. It was Alik's first time joining a kingdom activity after their marriage. Unfortunately for him, he had to march with the rest and walk the stretch of 20 kilometers, more or less.

Elisha caught a glimpse of him and saw his eyebrows furrowed and his jaw locked. He was definitely pissed. Not only did he have to walk the long stretch, but he also had to wear a heavy Giorginian formal double-breasted jacket with a heavy sword on his side.

Knowing him, the frown on Alik’s face was due to his discomfort at wearing such clothing despite how aristocratic and elegant he presented himself. He was a devastatingly handsome man, she thought, despite the displeasure written on his face. He was born to be a monarch—a nobleman through and through. Elisha smirked.

Who could fault Alik for wearing a uniform or any other piece of clothing? He had an aura that was uniquely his, which was unmatched by any other man she knew. He even looked good without any clothes on his body. His nakedness is a piece of art in itself. Elisha giggled unintentionally and subconsciously.

The large crowd had lined up behind the barricade, which consisted of ordinary people and nobles. When they reached the center of the plaza, the Queen was allowed to go near and shake hands with the crowd. She got down from her horse and approached the crowd. It was one of the rare occasions when people could hold the hand of the Queen. Some gave her flowers or scrolls or letters or mementos.

When she turned, she saw Alik at her back. When their eyes met, there was unspoken awareness between the two of them. She naughtily thought of a way to erase the frown on his face. She signaled to make him move closer to her.

She whispered when Alik bent down. His right ear near her lips. “Later...allow me to strip the uniform off of your sexy body...will that be alright?.” As she expected, Alik’s face lit up, and a crescent form adorned his lips, which made him look more attractive; then, he chuckled lightly. Elisha successfully changed the mood of her husband.

He gently touched her nose. Such a simple, amorous display of affection did not escape the crowd. They cheered more for the Queen and the Duke.

After they shook hands with the crowd, they went back to the palace; Elisha on her horse while Alik marched with the others behind her, enduring the rest of the stretch on foot.

They shared snacks prepared in the palace kitchen when they arrived. The ELDERS did not march with them for the obvious reason --they were old and such strenuous activity was not good for their health, but they joined them during the small gathering with the Council members.

“Your highness, it was another successful activity.” The head of the elders approached Elisha.

“Yes, it is. However, I am still determined to make it an annual or semi-annual celebration instead of quarterly. Could you please find a way to do so?” She appealed.

“Ma’am, with due respect, it is one of those times people are looking forward to meeting you and the members of the royal family.” It had been their tradition; changing it was not easy.

“Perhaps we could find a way to make it more meaningful? One that the people would benefit more, instead of a chance to hold the Queen's hand? Let’s think of a more economically beneficial activity instead of grandstanding antics. My priorities lie in making their lives better, and I am sure we can find a way. Hence, even if we reduce the celebration to an annual activity, they get more in terms of benefits. Let’s think about that direction. Benefits instead of celebrations.” Elisha insisted.

“In that case, we will try to include the issue in one of the meeting agendas. Let our Advisory Council decide. Ma’am.” The elder proposed, neither denying nor agreeing with her. He would let the advisory council look into it.

“Kindly include me in that meeting. I want to explain the beneficial element of the change I am proposing.” Elisha insisted she couldn’t allow them to discuss it among themselves. She needed to intervene.

The elder nodded in the absence of appropriate words to utter. More and more, the Queen was getting involved, and the changes she wanted for the Kingdom were never made before. However, they were also aware that most of her propositions significantly improved the lives of people.

After Elisha's talk with some of the elders, she circulated among the COUNCIL members; unlike the ELDERS, who were bulky grey-haired men, the COUNCIL members were composed of the younger and more vigorous generation of noble and educated men.

The elders and the council were two layers of approving bodies that validate and approve decrees for the Kingdom. The Queen could always bypass the advisory body; however, Elisha preferred the consultative approach, and she wouldn’t want to offend or render anyone in her kingdom useless.

She was very young and inexperienced when she was crowned; those men— her Advisory Council, protected and guided her. Nevertheless, she wanted change to happen in her kingdom. Although their protocols, decrees, and rules were good, some of them were obsolete— it was a very traditional and conventional monarchical type of leadership that would gravely suffer in the years to come.

The couple wanted some protocols modernized —a new style, a new direction to keep up with present time living for the good of their Kingdom. The changes they wanted to make could mark a new era for the monarchy, but it has to happen gradually. Teaching old dogs new tricks was never easy.

When the Advisory Council started to vacate the place, Alik walked towards the side of Elisha.

A wicked grin was on his lips. He cleared his throat and murmured, “Ahem. I could probably claim the promise of the Queen to undress her Duke?”

She laughed softly and said, “Your memory is so sharp!”

“Ha! How can I forget the promise that made me smile over the shitty task of complying with your tradition on foot? Have you tried walking that long? I don't think so--” Alik grumbled in a modulated voice.

“That was good exercise. Don’t you think so?” She queried with an innocent smile on her face.

“I know of a better exercise than walking that long in a cumbersome outfit.” Alik bleated, disgusted.

She giggled and said, “That’s what you get when you’ve decided to marry someone with a crown. I told you not to marry me. You didn’t listen to me, therefore don't complain.” Elisha teased.

“Shut up, wife!" He sneered. "It’s the end of your duty as a Queen. Now... you are serving your King!” Alik teased her back. No one could hear them as they talked in a very soft tone while they walked towards their chamber.

As always, no one among the servants was allowed to enter the Queen’s chamber for the rest of the night. Elisha fulfilled her promise to undress her Duke. Gently teasing him as each piece of clothing was taken off of his body to expose his awesome nakedness —and fulfilling her duty as his wife.