The Princess and The Advisors

Chapter 6 Clue(less)

Arcadia decide to rest for two days. Other reason is she cannot bring herself to deal with Tristan yet. She works and eat from her chambers and decide to focus on paperwork.

There is some proposal on executing Rask family for treason but Arcadia hasn't sign it. She won't cause she know Rask is innocent. Tomorrow there is a meeting with the ministers and she know they will press her on this matter.

Arcadia sighed, she don't know how she can postpone the punishment without a valid reason. She's running out of time. Arcadia slump herself on the chair, her head feels so full so she decided to check on her horse condition.

Arcadia go to the stable followed by two guards. When she arrives noone is at the stable and the guards are standing outside. Arcadia look at Lurd, her horse, the horse is laying down and she can see bandages on the horse thigh. She bow down and give it a pet earning a satisfied neigh.

"I'm glad you're okay, Lurd," Arcadia murmuring while giving a gentle pet on the horse neck.

"Are you sure this horse is for me?" Arcadia look at his father in excitement.

"He's yours, as long as you can ride him," Titus smirked.

Arcadia is 12 years old when his father take her to see Lurd. Lurd is a gift from Thuya. Thuya is famous for their horse breed and Lurd is a sight to be seen at. It's a blue eyes white stallion of a rare breed ride by the Thuya royals. A friendship gift for King Titus.

"But they meant to give this for you," Arcadia look confused.

"Like I said, if you can ride him. The horse is not tamed yet," Titus look at Arcadia meaningfully.

"You're on," Arcadia smugly reply.

Arcadia learned things as she is prepared to be a ruler and Titus never limit her on what she wants to learn, one of it is horse riding, though Queen Alexandra is not very fond of that one thing. She thinks it's dangerous for Arcadia.

So they sneak out.

There's a small lake house not far from the castle. It's an old building but maintained as the royal family sometimes use it for private times when they want to have a break from government affairs. So it's the perfect place for the taming process. Arcadia went there almost everyday trying to ride Lurd. If King Titus is not available, Sordus or Garon would accompany her.

It takes two weeks for Arcadia to tame Lurd and Queen Alexandra didn't realize anything amiss about it. She didn't even realize Lurd is still wild when it was given to Malis.

Not even your mother know about this.

It hit Arcadia suddenly. Could it be?

She quickly get up and ask the guards to prepare a horse, she's going to go to the lake house.

The guards prepare three horses and they ride to the lake house. It's about half an hour ride.

Arcadia look at the lake househouse when they finally arrive, it's just like she remembered. She walk inside while the guards stand guard in the front. The place is clean as the maids are cleaning it regularly. She scan the house try to find something amiss venturing it room to room.

Arcadia vision fall to the royal painting of King Titus and Queen Alexandra. She look at the painting with a longing feeling. She look around at the room, her father must have hide the journal somewhere, the maids come regularly to clean.

Arcadia look around but she can't seem to find something odd. She sighed and suddenly found herself contradicting again. She badly need the journal, she can't grasp anything yet and she didn't even know if she will ever find the journal. She throw herself on the bed again looking at the painting.

"Father, what should I do?" Arcadia bit her lips and look at the ceiling. She close her eyes try to think about other secrets that might be a clue and fall asleep.

***

"Sister," A voice wake Arcadia up, she look at her right side and found Sverre on the side of the bed.

"Hey," Arcadia smile,"Why are you here?"

"They said you're at the lake house," Sverre look at his sister and climb up onto the bed, laying next to Arcadia,"Did you miss them?"

"Always."

"Me too," Sverre bury his head to her sister chest. Arcadia hug Sverre back.

"Promise me that you won't leave me alone."

Arcadia put Sverre chin up so now they look at each other,"Sverre, is something wrong?"

Sverre shake his head.

"Sverre, what is it?"

Sverre didn't answer and just bury his face again in Arcadia embrace.

"Sverre, please tell me what's wrong?"

"I just had a nightmare."

"Want to tell me about it? Remember what mother said, bad dreams will be gone if you tell a soul."

"I don't think this one will."

"It's just a dream, Sverre."

"Is it really a dream if it comes over and over again?"

Arcadia stunned. She let go and look at Sverre deep in his blue eyes.

"What do you mean?"

"I keep having the same dream," Sverre whispered as if he's afraid someone might heard.

Arcadia look at Sverre. Sverre has a strange power since little. Arcadia saw this for the first time when Sverre was five. He makes a dancing fireball to entertain her. Arcadia make Sverre swore to never show his power to anyone else but her, not even to their parents. She ponder if Sverre power is evolving.

"Tell me about this dream," Arcadia face turn serious.

"I saw Sordus stab you with a sword."

"What?" Arcadia is shocked.

"In the next dream I saw Garon stab you with a sword."

Arcadia look at Sverre unblinking, trying to understand what Sverre said.

"And then Alester the next dream and Blaive and Mason....."

"Sverre," Arcadia stop Sverre,"Can you tell me more in details?"

Sverre dream about Sordus stabbing Arcadia left foot and then Garon in her right foot. Alester stab her on the right hand and Blaive on her left hand. Vonlir stab her in the back and Mason stab her in the head.

Arcadia is thinking deep, this dream tries to tell Sverre something, it's not about the killing. Sverre mention that Arcadia is not bleeding or dead. The dream is continuous and becomes a full picture.

"So, the people that stab me is adding up as you continue the dream."

Sverre nodded.

"But I'm not dead or bleeding or in pain?"

Sverre shake his head.

"Sverre, I think you have a premonition."

"Premonition?"

"It's when something want to tell you something," Arcadia has difficulties explaning things, she can't even understand who or what is giving Sverre this visions. She didn't know how to explain this to 7 years old Sverre.

"What did they want to tell me?"

"I think it tells you about the people that we can trust."

"So it's not a bad dream?" Sverre eyes light up in relieve.

"Yes," Arcadia smile. She can see how Sverre expression changed from worry to relieve. "Shall we go back then?"

Sverre nodded.

"Who did you come here with?" Arcadia asked.

"Tristan, he's waiting outside." Sverre answer earn a jittery feeling inside Arcadia.

"Oh....well then, shall we?" Arcadia take Sverre hands and they walked together outside.

Tristan is chatting with her guards and the three of them bowed when they see Arcadia and Sverre coming out of the house.

"Tristan, thank you for accompanying my brother here."

"Please heed no mind to it, My Queen," Tristan nonchalantly answer without looking at Arcadia, his head is still bowing down.

"Well, shall we go back to the castle before the sun sets?"

One of the guards comes with the horse. Arcadia and Sverre is riding together. Along the way they enjoying the view while the sun sets as they arrive at the castle gate. One of the guards are tasked by accompanying Sverre to his room.

"My Queen, would you be kindly bestow upon me a little of your time?" Tristan asked Arcadia when Sverre is not present.

"Yes, let us go to my chamber then," Arcadia realize she can't avoid Tristan forever.

***

"So, what do you want to talk about?" Arcadia didn't beat around the bush as she sat on the chair.

"I'm planning to give you this," Tristan put down a stack of papers on the table,"This is Mason's report on your parents murder."

Arcadia look at Tristan surprised.

"Tomorrow you're gonna have a meeting with the ministers, I think you need this report. They will press you on punishing Rask family."

"I'm aware of that," Arcadia scans the report,"That means I need to remove Doran from his post. I can deem him unfit for the job or....just say he's in with the conspiracy."

"Doran is old but he has served the King for 30 years," Tristan is now sitting on the chair across Arcadia,"Deeming him for conspiracy is as hard as accepting the fact of Rask killing the King. Unlikely, but can happen."

"You mean I can only deem him as unfit?"

"I don't know if he's part of the conspiracy but he's doing a bad job in this case, maybe he's not as loyal as we thought. You never know how much patience a person have to reach their goal. We're lacking proof about the conspiracy but we need to start with Doran. What he wrote in his report, is not really false, he's just reliving the scene, but he's not doing a detailed check, deliberately or not, but it's an acceptable report," Tristan stop himself and look at Arcadia, realizing he's blabbering now.

"Go on," Arcadia is amused but what Tristan said has given her some insight.

"Deeming Doran with conspiracy can make the culprit more aware. Just by making Rask not a murderer anymore will alert them. We need to do this carefully," Tristan look at Arcadia,"I'm ashamed that I can't find who's responsible yet."

"You don't have the clue? Or there's too many suspects?"

"Both," Tristan sighed,"But if you want to clean Rask name and save Rask family, you have to do this."

"I understand," Arcadia look at the report in her hand, she need to study this further,"Will the Council be present tomorrow for the meeting?"

"We will," Tristan answer somehow give her a peace of mind, the Council presence will give her confidence.

"Thank you,"Arcadia smile with relieve.

***

All the ministers are already present in the throne room when Arcadia arrive. This is the first meeting with the new Queen. Arcadia look at the Councils chair, all of them present except for Vonlir. Vonlir has never attend meetings since her father reign.

"Long live the Queen," All the room is bowing as Arcadia sits on the throne.

Arcadia gesture them to stand,"This will be the first meetings, shall we start then?"

"My Queen, our first proposition is to give Rask family the punishment they deserve," One of the minister spoke.

"Before that there's a matter that need to be discussed first," Arcadia gesture the guard to open the door and Doran appear bringing his reports.

"My Queen, Doran has arrived because you summon me," Doran bowed.

"Stand," Arcadia tone is stern.

"I was told that you want to ask about my reports in front of the ministers?"

"Yes, I do. I still believe Rask is not the murderer," Arcadia words makes the whole room roar.

"Silence!" Arcadia's tone surprise the people in the room and they immediately stop talking.

"Doctor Doran, can you explain what you write about the time of death?"

"I believe the Queen pass away first, then the King because of the vital injury and Rask is the last to die."

"Correct, but here in this report I believe you wrote that Rask blood is the most dry one."

"Yes, my Queen."

"Why is that? Shouldn't Rask blood and the King blood has the same dry time if they are engaged in a fight that killed both of them?"

"It could be from the previous injury, My Queen, I think the deceased Queen Alexandra manage to put up a fight before Rask stabbed her to death."

"You said that the killer is right handed."

"Indeed, My Queen."

"Did you know that Rask is left handed?"

Another uproar fills the room. Doran look at Arcadia with a shocked face.

"Few people know about this fact. Rask is a dual blade wielder and you will not know about this fact unless you're sparring with him once or twice."

"A dual blade wielder means he can use both hands, My Queen," Doran still answered back.

"Which hands will you use then as a dual blade wielder? If you are Rask," Arcadia look at Doran straight to the eye.

Doran seem hesitate but then he bowed,"I'm really sorry for this grave error, My Queen. I didn't look further to the facts."

"I think old age has taken a toll on you."

Doran look at Arcadia, surprised,"My Queen, what do you mean?"

"You have served my Father for 30 years, it's a very long time and I believe your mistake is not deliberate. But your reports has many hole in it and I don't think your report can explain what actually happen in the night of the murder," Arcadia look at Doran, the old man has likely guess what Arcadia will say next,"I hereby released you from your duties. The royal family is forever indebted to you and you will be provided a sum of money and a place in your hometown. All this need has been provided by the kingdom."

Doran bowed down,"I thank you for the generosity, My Queen."

"You may go now."

Doran stand and two guards follow him to help him preparing his things. The door is shut as Doran has left the room.

"With that discussion I hereby reject the punishment for Rask family."

"My Queen, that doesn't mean Rask is really innocent," One of the minister is sounding disapprovement.

"And you don't know if Rask is the killer either."

The whole room is silent.

"I appoint Sordus and Garon as my personal guards from now on."

"My Queen, they are Rask most loyal follower, it's not wise to appoint them as your guards," Another minister spoke with disapprovement.

"I feel more safe with them."

"Well, it's your decision, we, the ministers can only give you advice," The minister bowed,"But please consider."

"It's decided, I won't consider."

The minister look at each other and decide to speak no more.

"Anything else?"

"Well, erm, My Queen," One of the minister seem to hesitate,"It's just a suggestion for you."

"What is it?"

"Would you consider of taking a husband to help you with the royal duties?"

Arcadia just look at the minister, her expression is not showing anger or happiness.

"A husband?"

"Yes."

"Do you have someone in mind?"

"Well, without a doubt Earl Greyfuss has always been a very strong candidate. He's your cousin with the royal blood."

"Anyone else?"

"Duke Uri, Advisor Gervais grandchild." A different minister spoke a name.

Arcadia seem deep in thought,"So, I'm not fit to be a Queen?"

Arcadia reply shocked the ministers.

"We don't mean that, Your Grace."

"Oh, but you did. It's not even a month from being a Queen yet and you already told me to take a husband to help with royal duties."

"We just think you need help, that's all and it's just a suggestion."

"A good suggestion indeed," Arcadia tapped her fingers on the throne arm,"How about this, I will not take a husband until Crown Prince Sverre has become a King."

"My Queen, that could take 10-15 years."

"That's right. And anyone who dare to mention this again will be punished for treason."

Arcadia face is sour, it's apparent that she's angry. None of the people in the room dare to say more again.

***

Arcadia is back to her chambers to take off her Queen attire. She take a long sigh, it's the first meeting and she's tired. Tristan has told her that for this first meeting none of the Advisors will help her. They will stand by the side and watched, Arcadia need to handle the ministers by herself to show them that she can do this without the Council help.

Arcadia handle it nicely but she didn't know if she do it right. A husband suggestion is the one she didn't expect. King Titus never prepare a fiancee for her, he told Arcadia to pick her husband by herself, even if it's a commoner, because Titus believe in her judgement. But the way her father give the freedom, it makes her more aware and selective. She would always question the person motives and investigate their background. In the end, she can't trust anyone to be standing beside her, she always see them as a threat to Sverre. And she secretly decide that she will not marry or produce an offspring until Sverre is King.