From Prisoner to Princess

Chapter 29

Letting out a sigh of relief, I close the binder and scan the crowd. The laws that I found to be suppressing the commoners of my Kingdom took the longest to go through like I thought would happen and I am glad I set them to be discussed after lunch when many would be complacent and drowsy after eating their fill of food. Thorin Blackhawk was right the last time he and I talked. To make a man complacent, feed them a grand meal.

“Remember, you have a thirty-day grace period before the first laws go into effect. Please get your affairs in order and be an example for the people of Nimairene.” I remind everyone as they stand and stretch, their bodies not used to sitting on their semi-comfortable seats. Kolten catches my attention as he stands, his face a blank mask as he calls everyone’s attention onto him. Keeping my own emotions in check, I sit straighter in my chair as he takes a deep breath.

“Ladies and gentlemen.” His voice echoes around the room, silencing the conversations that buzzed in the air.

“As you were told earlier today, Juden was a Traitor to the Crown and murdered countless innocent people including our late King and Queen.” Sky moves closer to stand behind me, his hand ready to draw his gun if need be as Kian and Alec move to stand behind my Grandparents, ready to protect them at a moment's notice as discussed before we departed the Palace.

“That being said, we have learned that he was not alone and has help.” On cue, the doors to the room are thrown open and men in our Army uniform come pouring in with guns held ready to shoot. The room erupts into screams and panic, but the ones who expressed being one hundred percent behind me calmly return to their seat as if nothing is happening at all.

“Today we made a mass arrest on many Noble houses and Cabinet members that helped to conspire with the Traitor in the first Rebellion fourteen years ago. Now all that is left is to arrest those in attendance today.” With the room secured by Guards standing at either end of each row, another group of Soldiers walk in and calmly make their way to specific people. I watch as Marquas Hanz tries but fails to fight off two of the Guards, his slightly pudgy body being tackled to the ground before he is cuffed and hauled away. It sinks in that everyone has been tricked, that there was a second reason for this meeting and many willingly step forward to accept their fate. All that they ask is that we perform a thorough inspection and release those innocent in their family.

I know better than to make promises in front of a room of people and instead stay quiet, allowing Kolten and Taylor to do their jobs. Those who realize they are innocent copy what my cousins and our allies did, taking a seat and waiting things out. It must have clicked that I already knew who to target today as I nodded my approval at their actions and promised them that I would answer any questions they had once all the arrests had been made.

Amongst these people are a few who opposed me, their whispered conversations wondering if I would punish them for voting against me. I say nothing, not wanting to distract the Army unit, and decide to address this when the room has cleared and it is just those that attended the meeting remaining.

The mass arrest takes another thirty minutes to complete and with confirmation from Kolten that all those placed under arrest are waiting in a secured room for me to address them as one and that Taylor is guarding them, I finally place my focus on those waiting patiently for me to explain what just happened.

“First, let me apologize for the secrecy.” I begin once the doors have closed once again, Sky taking Kolten’s seat as he had left to oversee the care of our new prisoners.

“This meeting was originally supposed to be one to address the unfair laws created by Juden but unfortunately it was brought to my attention that many of those in this room were also his supporters and helped his coup in taking the Throne from my family fourteen years ago.”

“Are we suspected of this as well?” Baroness Olivia asks, cutting me off. Someone chastises her for interrupting me and being rude, but I quickly reassure everyone that it is okay to interrupt me if the question benefits everyone, getting a confused look.

“So you’re not mad Liv cut you off?” A man to the right asks, his curly orange hair and beer belly two features I notice right away.

“No. It is human nature to be worried and that’s what Baroness Olivia is, worried.” I reassure him, watching as a sigh of relief escapes everyone before me. I chuckle at their reaction but instinct tells me Juden struck fear into these poor people.

“I will say you all were investigated but it was confirmed you were just and lawful people, always being exemplary examples to those around you and I thank you for this. I promise you that none of you are in harm's way as long as you follow the laws we write together.” Answering the Baroness’ question, she thanks me, her eyes becoming misty with unshed tears.

“And for those who wonder if opposing me was a bad thing, it isn’t. Here we all have a voice and our voice matters. If there is a law you do not agree with, I want to hear your reason and your proposal for change. We are the people who run this Kingdom. We guide everyone to a better future and I promise that even if I have an opposing view, I will consider every word you say and bring a vote to a Cabinet meeting.” I watch as their eyes light up, and the slight fear that the arrest caused disappears in each and every one of them. The door opens and Kolten slips inside, giving me a nod. It seems everything has gone smoothly.

After reassuring everyone that nothing will happen to them, I dismiss them and watch as the room clears. There are many people I trust, like Baroness Olivia, but there are some that I still need to investigate further. I was as honest as I could be with everyone given the situation after the mass arrest but I left out the fact that some of the people among us are suspected of being acquainted with the Traitors taken away. Unfortunately telling them this would ruin the trap set to expose those who still secretly support Juden and I couldn’t have that if I wanted to make sure my Kingdom stays safe from their grasp.

“You okay Alli?” A glass is placed in front of me by Sky, his green eyes filled with worry. Kolton comes to join us now that the room is cleared, his face full of smiles. I am glad I made him my General.

“I am not sure, but I will be when we return home.” Being honest with him, I take the glass and sip on the cold water. Looking to Kolten, I ask if I can be led to the room the Traitors are being held in and with him taking the lead, our group consisting of Sky, Kian, Alec, my Grandparents and I follow behind him in the confusing hallways of the Parliament Building. It doesn’t take long for us to reach a room with the plaque “Conference Room B” written on the doors and two Soldiers standing guard. They salute us before opening the doors and allowing us entry.

Entering the conference room, I notice the noise-proofing boards along the wall, noting that this will keep what happens in this room secret from the rest of the world. I am not here to interrogate anyone, that can happen when they are transferred to either the Palace Dungeons or a High-Security Prison. Right now I am here to give them a chance at making a deal.

“I see you all have been treated well.” I greet, looking at the men and women seated on the comfortable office chairs, their hands cuffed behind their backs.

“Go to hell you stupid bitch!” Marquas Hans shouts back, his hatred clear for all to see. I ignore his little tantrum, motioning for a Soldier to gag him so that there are no other interruptions before I address why I came to see them.

“We all know that you all conspired with the Traitor, Juden Trilavantas. We also know that many of you helped with the Rebellion fourteen years ago.” I begin, satisfied to know I have everyone’s undivided attention.

“What we don’t know is who in each of your families were privy to this knowledge. As such, we are doing a thorough investigation. The innocent will be spared but those who are found guilty of conspiring with Juden will face consequences. How you co-operate going forward will determine the severity of these consequences.” Relief fills many of the men in this room, but they stay silent. Some of these men plead for me to investigate and spare their families as they were dragged away from the Cabinet room so hearing my words must be like an unanswered prayer.

“That being said, every member of your family will be stripped of their titles and their wealth will be audited. Anything not recorded through the proper channels will be seized and placed into the Royal Coffers to help with reforming the Kingdom into a stronger nation. I will not keep a single cent of it. I will also be confiscating ten percent of each of your businesses as compensation for your crimes. The rest your family can keep so that they can rebuild their lives after you have all ruined them.” With my intentions stated, I turn around and leave. It has been a long day and I finished what needed to be done. If these Traitors want to speak to me, they can do so after thinking about the choices they made for a few days.

Kolten’s voice sounds from the open doors as I walk into the hallway and he gives out orders. My Grandparents were waiting for me as they decided not to face the men and women they thought were friends of theirs. I understand their anger and hatred knowing that many of them caused the death of my mother – their daughter – so I don’t push them on this topic. Instead, I walk into my Grandmama’s open arms, accepting her warm hug as Sky and the others join us.

“You make a good Queen.” Alec praises, playfully punching my shoulder after I step away from my Grandmama’s embrace. I laugh, swatting his hand away and thanking him, telling him he makes a good Guard and that I am proud of him and Kian for how they handled themselves today.

“It was either behave for face a pissed of Sky.” Kian deadpans, causing Sky to roll his eyes as my Grandfather lets out a hearty laugh. Looking at my friend, I wonder if Sky is as scary as Kian makes him out to be. Since meeting him, he has been nothing but kind and friendly. With the Guards, he treats them like family.

My Grandmama cuts through my thoughts as she suggests we all make our way home to the Palace. It has been a long day – hell, it's been a long two weeks – and I think I need some rest now that the start of change has been set in motion.