My adored queen

14

"Thank you for agreeing to receive me immediately and not making me wait," the cardinal said in the same worldly manner. I remembered that I almost made him wait, falling out of reality in thoughts about furnishing the chambers, but, thank heavens for the timely return of reason. After all, a woman remains a woman even if she is a queen, but it's so nice when you're praised.

"My doors are always open to Your Grace," and I hurried to win his support. If Mastermal, with all his power and strength, stands with me, the nobles won't dare to go against me. Before, when I was only the king's niece, the attitude towards me was different. Now I need to strengthen our friendship with the spiritual mentor by showing humility and courtesy.

"Thank you, milady," he nodded, smiling at the corners of his lips. "And now, if you allow, I would like to talk to you without unnecessary formality."

"I would like you to call me Annie, as before. I remain your student."

After thinking for a moment, the cardinal looked up at me with his black eyes and smiled:

"You really are very similar to your uncle. In private, he also didn't tolerate these pompous addresses, but ruled wisely and majestically. I hope you will succeed as well," a moment later, the man's face became serious again. "I will support you, Annie, and I will support you until you break the word you gave to the memory of the late monarch. And I am sure that you will never betray your oath, and therefore, I will always be by your side."

He paused for a moment, as if giving me the opportunity to thank him, although he was actually making sure I understood everything. The cardinal never rattled off: slowness and moderation of speech have long been his constant companions.

"I highly appreciate you and your support; it gives me confidence," I said absolutely sincerely and didn't lie even a bit.

"I know, Annie. It's worth saying: I'm glad you accepted the kingdom. It will be better for everyone. The coronation will take place in a month, and by then, you must master all the intricacies of state webs; in other words, you must learn to be a queen. I know there's little time, but we can't delay and leave Lantonia without a monarch. No matter how powerful my authority is, the absence of a king and the presence of an heir whom no one knows as a statesman will worry the people. They may rebel, and the queen dowager Clarissa will not miss such an opportunity."

"We will do everything as required by laws and orders," I promised.

Despite the fact that I wasn't strong in discussing the matters that awaited us, the cardinal's support instilled energy and confidence in me. Therefore, when His Grace wished to end our conversation, I knew exactly where to start.

First of all, I gathered all the royal servants before me. Uncle always said that the system works thanks to the right people, so every commander has to gather their team around them. I wasn't going to arrange a total replacement yet, because the people loyal to me could be counted on one hand, so I had to get to know those who were there better. I also called members of my family, namely my mother and aunt Palmira. They promised to help? It's time to fulfill the promise.

"Where should everyone come, milady? To the office?" asked the lackey, whom I immediately ordered to inform everyone about the audience with my highness. Highness... What a strange word. As if there is lowness. If I became a highness, then Robert, who was demoted from crown prince to simple prince, will be His Lowness. Well, reforms are good. And it will sound funny. Oh, I'm going off track. To the office? No, orders must be public.

"To the hall," I said confidently and immediately clarified: "On the second floor in front of the royal wing. And tell everyone who is nearby. We need to involuntarily inform the whole palace, especially among the servants. And so that the queen dowager's maid hears."

"As you command, milady," a moment later, the lackey disappeared from the office, heading to carry out the order. Well, let's see what happens...

Half an hour later, with all my almost royal majesty (it's worth noting that my majesty didn't change or grow: I remained as I was), I went to the appointed place, hoping that everyone had enough time to come, as assured by the same lackey whose name I didn't know. I stopped in the corridor, looking from afar at the chaos that was happening in the hall. Those I invited were indeed there, and around them was a crowd of interested people who pretended to be busy with something. Three maids were wiping non-existent dust from the armor of a warrior-guard statue. A whole group was arranging flowers in a vase. About ten men were fiddling with tapestries, fixing something. And others were lurking in the background, trying to blend in with the interior. Carlia, the queen dowager's maid, also flashed among others, so it was definitely a full gathering. We can begin...

I gestured to the lackey to announce me, so that my appearance would be spectacular. At least I'm really good at this.

"Attention! Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Annie!" the loud voice rang out. I smiled to myself and, proudly straightening my shoulders, walked forward, ignoring the numerous servants who bowed. At least I pretended not to notice them. I stopped right in front of my mother, who stood first in line. Like every loving daughter, I wanted to reward my family with privileges and titles, but as a queen, I had to be guided by reason, not feelings. The ruler's parents automatically become the main people in the kingdom, and we are far from laurels. First, we have to work. So, first, let the family welcome the new responsibilities. However, I don't think that such a majestic woman as Ileria Wilson can be afraid of troubles. A princess of the blood, after all.

I looked around at the audience with a discerning eye. Next to my mother stood her younger sister Palmira, then a short but agile man – the late monarch's personal servant, secretary, and assistant Kert Manner, his "right hand" and chief representative of the monarch's will, and for the time being, while Lantonia is without a current ruler, he will conduct all affairs. Next was a slender, passionate brunette with a cute upturned nose – the palace manager Vitelia Narion, and next to her – her three assistants Jules, Jean, and Jeanne. Then there were two head chefs: a tall, broad-shouldered man named Hazar, who was the one who fed the royal family deliciously, and his complete opposite – a short, stocky Alex, who served in the kitchen that fed the numerous palace servants. There were also lackeys and chambermaids, some of whom still served me, and therefore were considered trustworthy.

"So, everyone is probably wondering why I gathered you here," as someone who grew up as the daughter of a princess of the blood, I knew how to speak in public. Maybe I didn't really like it, but I knew how. However, a queen is not a marchioness, so I will have to work hard on myself. Later. "The coronation will take place in a month, and I want everything to go perfectly. We can't delay for a minute; we must start preparing immediately. I will ask my beautiful mother, Her Grace Duchess Ileria, to take over the entire organization," I met my mother's eyes for a moment, catching a wave of her joy: she probably longed to manage the palace, and she wouldn't trust anyone else to prepare my coronation. I had the same opinion and also had no reason to trust others. "I want a big charity to be held in my name in honor of the coronation, to feed the poor, I want tables with food and drinks to be set up in every market, and people can come and feast. Let there be a celebration everywhere. My dear aunt, Her Grace Duchess Palmira, will be responsible for organizing the festivities for the people. You can both take any servants you want to help. Dear chefs, I will ask you to prepare luxurious banquet tables. I know there's little time, but if everything goes well... no, not like that. When everything goes well, you will be rewarded. Kert, you were a loyal assistant to His Majesty; I hope you will serve me faithfully and help me take over the kingdom, integrating into its political life. And here is my first order: this month, let all the servants and the army receive a bonus. I will prepare a written order, and you will pass it on to the chief treasurer and settle everything. Vitelia, as someone who knows about order, I will ask you to organize the work of the servants in the royal chambers. In addition, I introduce you all to my personal chambermaid Lucenia, she is now my main assistant, so treat her with respect. Any questions?"

Frankly, I hoped there wouldn't be any, otherwise I would have to improvise. Luckily, everyone understood everything. I even envied them, because I still don't understand anything. Just think: in just a month, I will wake up as a queen!

"Excellent. Vitelia, please follow me. I will tell you what I want, and you will make sure that the servants arrange everything exactly like that."