The Made Queen

CHAPTER FOUR

I rehearsed over and over again in my head what I wanted to say to father as I walked towards his study. Every word needs to be perfect for this change to work.

Father, the Duke of Greenland, is a simple man. He follows patterns. He took whatever was given to him and followed the same path as his father and grandfather. I thought everyone had their place and role, and mine was to be queen. Sometimes I wonder if he loves me or considers me as nothing more than a commodity to the family.

We were not close in my first life. I wonder if that will change this time around. But given what I am about to do, I doubt that will be possible.

I stood in front of the door, trying to calm my beating heart. “You can do this, Daphne.”

“Shall I announce you to the Duke, Miss?” A calm voice spoke out behind me. I turned around and found Matthew, our family butler.

Matthew is a cold, capable butler. I have never seen him laugh or smile. He has never fumbled, stuttered, or failed to complete a task you give him. In my former life, when the family fell into ruin, he was quickly employed by the royal family as the king's head butler. I need to keep him in the family this time around. His talent would be useful.

“I will appreciate that. Also, I would love it if you would stick around. It may be useful to have your input.”

He raised an eyebrow at my request, but said nothing. He knocked on the door, entered, and announced me.

Father stood up with a bright fake smile on his face as soon as I walked into the study. “What brings you here today, my dear?”

I could not reply because, clearly, looking at the room…. It was a mess. Piles of papers were stacked everywhere, randomly placed on every available surface. I saw the familiar account ledger at the bottom of a pile covered in dust. Several bills were all crumpled up and thrown in a corner.

I thought I knew the depth of father's incompetence, but this right here is a whole discovery.

My plan right now looks close to impossible. I had been too optimistic. I glanced around the room. I just want to sit in a place and sob. It will take a miracle for me to figure out how much we had and how much we owed.

“My dear?” Father's concerned voice brought me out of my lamentation. I took several deep breaths, rubbing my forehead as a headache began to form.

“Father, I am concerned about the financial status of our duchy.”

“.....” Father looked short of words. I guess he was not expecting me to say such a word. He thought I was probably here to request a new dress or accessory. A bright grin took over his face, and he laughed. “You need not worry about that, sweetheart. We are doing just fine.”

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Father, who looked depressed and defeated, knelt in the street in front of our house that had been taken from us. Tears running down his face. After that, he never spoke a word to either my mother or me. He became so….. Broken.

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I shook my head to forget the bad memory of the empty look in fathers eyes that day.

“No, we’re not.” I sighed and began to explain. “Do you know you are not collecting even half of the right amount in taxes. This is because we are being robbed by our tax collectors and local government officials. The people still pay their taxes. We have no private income, other than the land we lease to farmers, and even with that, nothing is forthcoming.”

“My men would never…!” Father muttered, “They are good, honest men.”

“We have too much debt with too many merchants and stores. What are we going to do if they decide to call in all their debt? It would ruin our family,” I shouted in frustration.

“.......” Everywhere was closed off by silence and shock; no one expected me to have the conversation. I noticed Matthew had a smile of approval on his face. It gave me a little assurance. Father cleared his throat in discomfort.

“Yes me might have a…. Few debt.. But with you as future queen of this kingdom, I am certain that it will all be paid for,” so that's all he sees me as. A way out of the debt.

“We cannot hang the future of our Dutch and family on the rope on flimsy engagement with a temperamental child…”

“Daphne, be quiet now, you cannot speak about his crown prince like that,” he shouted in fear of someone listening to the conversation.

“Have you stopped to think what will happen if the royal family changes their mind on the engagement? What are we going to tell those we owe money to? I am not going to build my future on that, so I disagree with you, Father. We need to sort out our financial problems now. i stood my ground and inserted my complaint.

“I understand, dear, but I don’t see what all this has to do with you,” father asked, confused.

“You're aware that the queen keeps watch over the royal family's personal accounts. She has been teaching me to do the same.” It wasn’t a total lie; she did look over her family accounts, but she just hasn’t taught me anything.

“So I need to improve what I have been taught by her, and this is the only way I can practice. So please, father, hand over the bills and ledgers,” I pleaded earnestly.

“I don’t think it’s proper for a young lady like you to do a job like this.” Father did not look convinced about my request.

t h

“Father, don’t you want me to be a good wife to Prince Ivan? The coaxing voice I used almost made me vomit. “I have to work hard if I’m to be the best fiancée and future queen of this Kingdom”.

“.....” he was considering it, I could tell by the look on his face, but was still being a little wary. He just needs a little convincing…..

“Are you sure about this?”

“Hand over the account ledgers, father,” he jumped at how stern my voice is, and automatically reached towards the dust-covered ledger and handed it over to me.

“My dear…” Father was about to object but it was already late. I gripped the ledger to my chest, sneezing from the dust.

“Don’t be worried, father, everything is in safe hands. I will look after all our accounts, and I will help our family get back on the right track.” I gave him an assuring smile.

“Matthew, kindly set up a desk in the next room, and please move all related financial documents and records that are here as well.” I turned towards Matthew and gave my instructions.

“It would be my pleasure, miss. It will be done in an hour.” Matthew was smiling widely at me. History must be changing.

“Wait.. I..” Father called out my name, but before he would change his mind i ran out of the room shouting ‘thanks’.

Only to run into the last person I wanted to see.

Prince Ivan, My Fiance