HIS Queen, HER Billionaire

SUPPORT FOR EACH OTHER

CHAPTER 6

The next morning…

“Phoebe. What is it you want to discuss with me?” Elisha looked at Phoebe as her face crumpled while she tried to signal her to follow first into another room before entering the reception area where she was supposed to meet some elders.

“Shh! Follow me first. Please, please.” Phoebe silently pleaded with her.

Without saying a word, she followed her to a room, and Phoebe hurriedly closed it.

“This came from a reliable source. Last night, some of the council members were discussing a travel assignment for the Duke. They will propose it in the next assembly. He will be gone for months,” Phoebe disclosed.

“Alone? Or will I be included on those trips?” Those trips had something to do with Kingdom representation. In the past, they didn’t permit her to attend those state visits. She wondered why suddenly they wanted Alik to attend functions in her name.

“Perhaps they realized how powerful and brilliant the Duke is? They might also bide time and want him out of the Kingdom while they do something with the records if they have something to hide.” Phoebe mumbled her opinion.

Elisha shook her head. “I wouldn’t agree with that. In the end, it will still be my decision they need to follow.”

“Sure, but they would probably try to convince you. They could be very convincing, you know. They might be a little intimidated by the Duke.” Phoebe twitched her eyebrows.

“Alik was aware of that. I know what to do as well. Is there anything else?” Elisha asked. Her mood changed, and her eyebrows furrowed. It was her problem from the past. The council and the elders were able to manipulate her since she was all alone. It was hard for her to put together so many things about the Kingdom due to her inexperience. But now, Alik could help her understand what's going on and help her make the best decision.

Although Alik wouldn’t move unless she asked, respecting her judgment, it was just too much for her to understand yet; therefore, she needed him to validate her decisions.

“They were also planning not to give him the Head of the Finance Department position.” Phoebe blurted out and pursed her lips.

Elisha sighed deeply. “It was decided, and I have already signed the appointment document. They can no longer change it.” She was expecting this as well. The Finance Department holds the budget of the entire Kingdom, and the head would have the authority over which ones to prioritize.

“Oh? But they could still try. Apparently, they were setting the bed of thorns for him. But the Duke would know how to handle them. Right?" she paused to catch her breath and said, "They perhaps realized how powerful the two positions the Duke asked from the start. It’s not that he wanted it, but he didn't have a choice then. He needed to head two departments whether he liked it or not. He just chose the positions he's more familiar with.” Phoebe validates.

“True. Let’s not worry about those in the meantime. I'm confident Alik will know how to handle them." she sighed and then asked, "Is there any talk about Elik’s investiture?”

Phoebe shook her head.“I have not heard anything about it. You talked with the head of the elders, right?”

“Yes! They will discuss it next week. If there is nothing else, I should go first. It’s about time.” Elisha remarked, looking at the watch on her wrist.

“Aye, aye. After you, my Queen.” Phoebe said. It was their schedule every morning. Phoebe stood as her personal assistant--her eyes and ears. Everything regarding the Queen and her family was her obligation.

Elisha walked out of the room elegantly and proceeded to the receiving room to meet some elders. She immediately took the seat assigned to her after instructing the four elderly people to take their seats as well.

After the exchange of pleasantries, the elder head spoke…

“Ma’am, you will be very busy in the coming months. The announcement of your engagement and eventual wedding draws attention to the neighboring kingdom. There were several state visits you were invited to.” The elder opened the conversation. He paused and then continued, “You will be busy, but we can delegate, perhaps, the state visits to the Duke in your place?” He queried, looking at her reaction intently.

Without any emotions, Elisha responded. “I appreciate your concern, but the Duke will attend functions if he has to accompany me. In this case, the Duke would decline the request. Firstly, he has to attend numerous functions in his assigned departments. Secondly, he reiterated from the beginning that he would only attend the state visits to accompany the Queen.” She explained clearly, denying the proposition straight away.

“However, ma’am, isn't it beneficial for the Duke to represent the Kingdom? He has experience of talking with various state officials.” Another elder asked.

“I do not see any personal benefit of attending those for the Duke. Besides all the investments needed by the Kingdom, the Duke guaranteed that he would personally attend to them." They had restricted his business outside of the Kingdom. However, inside the Kingdom, he should be free to invest as much as he wants... "Meeting all those aristocrats would mean nothing to him. Perhaps it was the other way around...they would want to get together with him for the potential investments he might infuse into those countries.” Elisha explained honestly and frankly.

“We understand, Ma’am,” the elder nodded. The Queen was turning everything around. They couldn't question her decisions now. It was true that they had restricted the Duke from owning businesses or a business outside of the Kingdom.

“Therefore, you should avoid any future proposition for the Duke to leave on his own. Are we clear about this matter?” She reiterated. Looking at each one of the elders in front of her.

“Aye! Ma’am.” The head bowed.

Another elder asked, “Ma’am, regarding the department, the Duke asked to be placed under his management. We thought that both departments were rather difficult. Is there a possibility he would be willing to take some other departments?” he queried.

“I have already signed the documents. The Duke also met him with the respective staff of those departments. To change now would be too late. Not to mention that the Duke had chosen it himself. I believe he wouldn’t choose something which he has no knowledge of. You have to trust him on this. In the future, if he asks to be relieved from the post, which I doubt. This is when we will offer him another post,” Elisha said without showing any emotion. Phoebe had been right. She silently thanked her. It allowed her to prepare herself well for the meeting.

“Would he not be interested in the Security Department?” another elder asked.

“The Duke is not a military man. I also believe security matters are handled by the General efficiently.” She has full confidence in the current general in charge of security for the entire Kingdom.

The elder bowed his head in the absence of ideas to convince the Queen.

They noticed Elisha had been getting more firm in her decisions for the past years. She was not easily persuaded by them anymore. She was beginning to rule her kingdom as she was supposed to.

“Is there anything else you would like to discuss with me?” She asked when the elders became quiet.

“Ah. Ma’am, regarding the investiture of the Prince. We will perform the ceremony at the first new moon of the month.” The elder announced.

Elisha nodded.

“Advise me on the exact date so that we can release the invitation. It does not need to be grand. We just need to proclaim the prince as the official heir to the throne.” She proposed although she doubted such a possibility. They have protocols to follow.

“It should be arranged following what was written in our book of rulership.” The elder confirmed her thoughts.

“As you deemed appropriate,” Elisha remarked. “Also, I need your copy of the book about rulership or leadership. I found some missing pages on the Queen's copy. I want to borrow the elder's copy. I will send Chef de Cabinet to get this later. I will let them compare and return it to you as soon as they complete my copy.”

“Aye! Aye! Ma’am.” the elders complied.

“If there is nothing else. I will end this meeting,” she declared and looked at them.

“Yes! Ma’am. I hope you are informed of the next formation?” Quarterly the formation was performed around the kingdom. It's a parade of the elders, the council, and the Queen's family around the town. The purpose of it was to show the monarchy's support to its people.

“Aye! The family will attend the parade,” she affirmed.

They would encounter a lot of challenges in the future, but as long as she would protect Alik and Alik would protect her, nothing would go wrong...Elisha thought.

Later that afternoon,

Phoebe entered her room. “The Grand Duke is on his way to see you, my Queen!”

“Phoebe, how many times do I have to tell you not to call me “my Queen” when you speak with me, when we are alone, especially when we are alone? I feel like a statue or saint or goddess whenever I hear that title from all the gray-haired men I encounter every day, whilst I long to be free from it whenever I talk with people I care about.” She reprimands Phoebe whenever she addresses her formally.

“But, Elisha, I have been reprimanded several times by those gray-haired men. Do you want me to be summoned and locked in the dungeon?” She scoffed and crashed herself on the couch without waiting for the Queen to invite her to sit.

“That bad, huh? Are they still mean to you?” Elisha giggled.

“That bad, huh?!” She echoed and rolled her eyes. “Of course, they were mean and will always be mean to me! You are the Queen and will always be. You need to be treated with the utmost respect, day in and day out.” Phoebe uttered irritably. She was caught between her duty and what her friend wanted.

Elisha laughed at her rants and said, “Don’t worry, I will give you the highest Order of Merit medal soon.” It was a privilege to be granted such. The highest honor the Queen could award to anyone who deserves such honor and recognition.

“Oh! Cut the crap. Convert it to cash instead.” She giggled. Elisha was more than just a Queen to her. She considered her family, her best friend, and the sister she never had. “I am pleased to know Alik was not bothered and suffocated by the position as much as I.”

“Well (scoffs), my husband was so used to... power! He won't bend on any worthless decree unless he wants to, but he knows how to play his cards well. Alik is such an exceptional creature….”

Their conversation was interrupted by a voice...

“Oh really? Am I that exceptional to the Queen?” Alik walked towards them unnoticed by both ladies.

“Always!” Elisha turned her head and found the lips of her handsome husband descending to hers.

“Oh! Was it my punishment to always be caught in the midst of the enchanting couple’s display of affection every day? How I wish I could have a Prince Charming to sweep my feet off the ground soon.” Phoebe's face and jaw dropped in awe.

The couple laughed at her expression.

“Are the nobles around here unable to notice how adorable you are?” Alik sniffed, rubbing the tip of his nose slightly with a finger, and he smirked after. Phoebe’s loveless life had been their favorite topic of teasing.

“Well...those stuffy nobles seem to be intimidated by my association with the Queen. Unless they were issued a decree to marry me, they’d rather not move an inch.” Phoebe sniggered, releasing a scornful sound from her throat.

Alik and Elisha smiled at her before they chorused, “Prepare the wording of the decree.” And they all laughed as the couple joked around issuing the decree to find Phoebe her lifetime partner.

Outside of the palace, they thought working with the royals was a privilege. A good fortune that would let them have everything they need to live a dream life. However, no one seems to pay attention to the hardship and dedication needed to fulfill the task. Over their own life, above their happiness...to serve the only person that matters...the Queen, and the throne.