The Princess and The Advisors

Chapter 2 The Proxy

Arcadia awake with the sound of the chirping birds, it's almost noon. She see Sverre still sleeping soundly beside her. Both of them really need the sleep, yesterday is very exhausting.

Arcadia went to the door to check where she found Blaive guards is there. Advisor Blaive is the head of the kingdom military, the guards he deployed is the units from his own private guards, meaning he didn't trust any guard for now including the King's aide. Arcadia didn't see Garon and Sordus since yesterday and she understand why, it's just a predicament that need to be done.

"Can you ask the maid to bring food to the room?" Arcadia ask one of the guards, which the guards quickly do.

Arcadia sit on the table while waiting for the food. She look at Sverre while thinking hard. Her brother is on a dangerous situation now, he is the next king even if he's still 7 years old.

A knock can be heard and Arcadia stand up to take the food. She's surprised to find Oudinet at the door with the food.

"I'm very sorry to disturb you, Princess. I brought some food for you and the prince," Arcadia can see the maids bringing the food, it's a feast.

"I'm really thankful for your care. If you will please enjoy the food inside with me," Arcadia smile.

"It would be an honour for me, Princess."

Advisor Oudinet is the one that is trusted by the King to run the castle. He organize and decide all the affair in the castle. From food to decoration, from clothes to the maids, Oudinet is known for his good taste in fashion and his likeable personality.

"The food is delicious as always," Arcadia just finish the grape dessert. Oudinet prepare all the prince and her favourite food.

"From now on, the food for you and the prince will be prepared personally by me,"Oudinet smiled meaningfully.

"Is the situation that bad?" Arcadia bite her lips.

"You are a smart girl, Princess, I think we both know how grave it is," Oudinet smiled understandingly.

"I messed up big time, aren't I," Arcadia sighed.

"Princess, your parents has just passed away, it's understandable that you didn't know what's best for a situation like that."

"I don't know what I should do, what if I messed up again," Arcadia showed a worried expression.

"Princess, we, the council are ready to help you, we are on your side," Oudinet hold Arcadia hand soothingly, assuring her.

"Thank you, it means a lot to me," Arcadia smiled thankfully.

***

The mourning last for a week. The kingdom grieve for the great loss. Arcadia was told at the last mourning day, they will hold a meeting with the Royal Family and the Council. Prince Sverre is not included because he's too little to understand about the meeting.

Arcadia look at herself in the mirror. She deliberately choose a red attire to give a fierce look, they must know she's recuperating fine for she know this day is not gonna be an easy day. It's a day she fight for her and her brother's life.

Arcadia arrived in the throne room and all the people there bowed to her. Duke Orm, his wife and his two children are already there, including the five advisors, the 2 King's consort, Consort Celles and Consort Ula, and Doctor Doran.

"Today is the first day after we suffered a great loss," Gervais open the meeting,"Doctor Doran here has brought his examination results. Would you please enlighten us on what you have found?"

"Yes, thank you Advisor Gervais. From my examination I conclude that Rask kill the queen and king." The crowd murmured,"Rask first victim is Queen Alexandra. King Titus realized what happened and try to help the queen but unfortunately in his fight with Rask both are dead. Rask is killed by his own sword and the King suffered a fatal injury in the neck artery that caused his death."

"Thank you, Doctor Doran for the splendid examination," Gervais continue,"Rask and his family will receive punishment for killing a royal family."

"On what motive?" All the people look at Arcadia surprised,"On what motive that Rask kill the queen and the king?"

"I'm afraid nobody would know that Princess, since all the party involved is all dead," Doran explained,"It's also confused me on why Rask, of all people would do that, but examination only give facts. I'm sorry I cannot give you the answer."

Arcadia bite her lips, frustrated. She cannot accept this explanation, she can't understand anything, it didn't make sense.

"There is another more important matter beside the motive, Princess," Gervais continued,"It's about the crown prince. As he's still too little to run the kingdom, we need a proxy until his coming of age."

"Yes, we do," Arcadia take a deep breath,"Do you have someone in mind?"

"You, Princess," Gervais smiled meaningfully. Arcadia stunned."The Council decide that you are the best candidate for the proxy."

Arcadia looked at Gervais unblinking. Did she hear it right? They want her on the throne until her brother is ready. They ignore her a week ago and now they want her on the throne?

"Isn't my uncle, Duke Orm a more fitting candidate?"

"You are mistaken, my dear," Duke Orm looked at her lovingly,"You are more fitting to be the role."

"In fact, Duke Orm himself is the one that's suggesting you to the Council," Gervais explain it.

Arcadia looked across the room, all the people in there are looking at her, waiting for her answer.

"Fine, I will, but I need help to know what I should do," Arcadia put a brave face, earning a satisfied look from the people in the room.

"We will help you with all our abilities. Long live Queen Arcadia!" Gervais shouts, earning a follow up on the other people in the room chanting Arcadia name with the Queen title.

***

The castle is busy as Oudinet preparing the coronation ceremony in a week. They have no time to lose, they can't let a vacuum of reign too long.

Arcadia is left alone in the room after the tailors taking her measurements. She look at herself in the mirror, she will be queen in a week. She thought again of what Doran results. She knew Rask, he's the king most trusted person. She can't understand, she can't believe it even if she saw it herself. Rask loyalty is to the point that he will kill himself if he's forced to kill the king.

A knock awakes her from her thoughts,"Who is it?"

"It's Tristan," Arcadia didn't reply immediately, it's an unexpected guest,"I'm asking for permission to have an audience with you."

Arcadia is silent for awhile then stand up to open the door. Tristan is there standing with his usual expressionless face. Arcadia turn around and sit on the nearest table, Tristan followed.

"What is it that you want to discuss with me?" Arcadia knew now that courtesy wouldn't bring her anywhere with this man.

"We were interrupted last time." Arcadia realize Tristan meant the conversation in the throne room before the funeral.

"Why is my opinion matter to you? I'm just a reckless princess that isn't heard by the council," Arcadia give back a spicy remark.

"I apologize if any of my words is causing you any ill feelings. I didn't mean it that way," Tristan apologize with a sincere expression surprising Arcadia. She didn't thought this man has any other expression.

"It's fine," Arcadia suddenly feel ashamed, she's so childish.

"I hope we can start over," Tristan look at her assessing.

"I don't think Rask kill the king and queen," Arcadia blurted out her thoughts, she has keep it for a week with only Sverre knew about her opinion. She's prepared to be reprimanded for acting more with her emotions and not by facts.

"I agree," a simple word from Tristan shocked her. She thought she was crazy for thinking like that but Tristan agreeing with her is more shocking.

"You don't think I'm illogical?"

"No, I agree with you. I don't think Rask kill the king and queen."

"Why?" Arcadia look at Tristan confused.

"Why do you think that?" Tristan asked Arcadia back, a smile formed at the tip of his mouth.

"Because I know Rask would never betray my parents," Arcadia is more comfortable now, this man can accept her thoughts.

"Exactly, Rask is the last person I would think of killing the king," Tristan face turn serious,"He was killed and set up to make it look like he killed the king and the queen."

"Who do you think is the culprit?" Arcadia didn't know much about her father's enemy.

"Anyone who has interest in the throne has a motive, but....," Tristan seem hesitate,"The murder, it wasn't focused on the king, it's Queen Alexandra, her murder is personal."

"The King's consort?" Arcadia look at Tristan questioning.

"Could be, but there's no merit in it. None of the Consort had children with the King so it wouldn't benefit them. I need to look it up further."

Silent in the room, both Arcadia and Tristan are in their own thought. Arcadia realized that this matter is not as simple as she thinks, anyone could be the culprit and she need to be more aware of her surroundings.

"I will try to gather more information and you, Princess, should focus on your coronation ceremony," Tristan suddenly break the silence,"I think that's enough for now. I will take my leave," Tristan bowed and walked through the door.

Arcadia didn't say anything, this man didn't need courtesy and definitely didn't have courtesy himself. He just come and go after his purpose is fulfilled.

Tristan is at the door when suddenly he turn around and look at Arcadia, curious. "You didn't trust me a week ago, why the change of attitude?"

Arcadia is impressed, nothing seem to past this man.

"You didn't chant."

"What?" Tristan seem confused.

"You didn't chant Queen Arcadia in the room like the other people," Arcadia smile,"That time I knew you would be real with me, unlike other people."

Tristan seem shocked but the expression didn't last long,"I'm honoured with your judgement. I will take my leave."

***

Tristan walked the hall with a smirking face. Princess Arcadia is not like what he thinks, she's full of surprises. He's sure now it was the right decision to make her a proxy queen. He thinks the Princess would be offended but no, Arcadia choose to think otherwise.

Tristan see Arcadia as a naive little girl but he sometimes forget that Arcadia has been prepared to be a queen before the prince is born. Arcadia initiatively take a step back bit by bit when her brother is born.

A diamond in the rough.

Tristan realized he's still smirking and stopped himself. This will be enjoyable he thought to himself.