The Princess and The Advisors

Chapter 3 The Queen

A week flew by so fast and the coronation day has come. The maids and the tailors are busy for the final touch of the coronation of the new queen.

The nobilities and the councils has gather in the throne room for the coronation. Gervais will be the one that enthrone the princess. They all come with their best attire and the people wait outside to see their new Queen at the royal balcony.

When the door opened all the chattering die down as Princess Arcadia get inside with a very gorgeous golden dress. Oudinet really do a good job. Arcadia look graceful and serene as she walked to the throne. The coronation ceremony went well and finish as Gervais put the crown onto Arcadia's head.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our new Queen, Queen Arcadia," Gervais announced the new title and all the people in the throne room bowed. Arcadia then walked to the Royal balcony, guided by Gervais.

The people rejoice as they see their new Queen appear at the balcony. The chanting is enough to make Arcadia felt goosebumps on her body. She smile at the people before she make the first speech.

"People of Malis," Arcadia start her speech,"Today is the rejoice of the tragedy that struck two weeks ago. The King and The Queen tragic passing will not be forgotten, for I will carry on the legacy as your new queen. I will carry this duty until The Crown Prince coming of age, therefore, I ask for your support and your loyalty, your guidance and your wisdom, your heart and your kindness. For a better Malis!"

A roar can be heard among the kingdom rejoicing the new queen speech. Arcadia smile, satisfied with the people reaction. She vow to be a good ruler for Malis, but before that, she need to find the people behind this. If she wants to assure hers and her brother safety, she need to get the people responsible for their parents death.

***

The kingdom is partying all night from commoner to nobility, only the maids and guards are still serving the people. As for the castle, they held a ball for the coronation ceremony. Arcadia sit in the throne, next to her sitting Sverre watching the dance floor. Arcadia has changed her attire, Oudinet prepare her a more simple golden dress with black lines.

"Are you bored?" Arcadia ask Sverre playfully, she shouldn't ask cause she know her brother is.

"How long is this gonna last? It's so boring," Sverre pouted.

"Be patience for another hour okay?" Arcadia pat Sverre head soothingly. Sverre smile and nodded, Sverre is not a difficult child.

"Can I privately congratulate the new queen?" Arcadia look at the owner of the voice.

"Greyfuss," Arcadia smile. Greyfuss is Orm's son, they are 3 years old apart, though they are not very close. Arcadia has been busy with her education since she's a child so she didn't have time to play with other children.

"Congratulations," Greyfuss took Arcadia hand and kiss it. They continue chatting when Tristan approach them.

"Can I have the honour of the first dance with the new queen?" Tristan nonchalantly cut the conversation which stunned both Arcadia and Greyfuss.

"Well, I think I can't reject a gentleman's offer, would you excuse me Earl Greyfuss," Arcadia stand and took Tristan hand which guide her to the dance floor. The nobles automatically make way and now only Tristan and Arcadia is in the middle of the hall. The music starts and they started dancing, both dancing gracefully that when the music stops, the whole hall clapped for the splendid performance. Arcadia and Tristan bowed to the crowd, and the next music played, followed by other people that now join Arcadia and Tristan.

"You are a very good dancer," Arcadia continue to dance with Tristan, now that they have finished the performance for the people.

"I do, I just rarely dance," Tristan smirked. Tristan is famous for his frank but cold demeanour, which makes him not likeable in the social circle. He never belong to any faction thus positioning him in a neutral position. Nobody really know what he's thinking, and although Tristan is a handsome man, he's not popular among the ladies.

"So, why are you doing this?"

"Doing what?" Tristan give Arcadia his poker face.

"You never engage in this kind of social things, you did this to make a statement," Arcadia chuckled.

Tristan looked at Arcadia, amused,"My Queen has beat me again."

"So?" Arcadia is still waiting for an answer.

"You are a woman," Tristan face now looked serious,"They will judge you differently, even with who will be your partner for the first dance."

"It's just a first dance," Arcadia furrowed her eyebrow.

"A queen first dance....they are watching, even the people responsible for your parent's death, that's why a statement must be made that The Council is standing by your side."

"And you must be the one to do this because it's an unusual behaviour coming from you."

"It will be a huge impact," Tristan smile, satisfied. This is the first time Arcadia see Tristan really smiled.

The music stop and Tristan escorted her back to the throne. Sverre welcome her sister with his clapping,"That's the best I have seen."

"I got a very good partner," Arcadia smiled,"Now, you want to go back to your room?"

Sverre nod, but he looked at the floor. Arcadia knew his brother, he only do that if he want something but he won't say it cause he's afraid of making troubles.

"Hey, what is it?" Arcadia cupped Sverre cheek and put her eyes on his vision.

"Um... I might not be as good as Mr. Tristan but I want to dance with you, too," A tint of blush form on Sverre cheek. Arcadia can't help but smile,"Come then."

As Arcadia and Sverre goes down to the dance floor the nobles can't help taking a glance on the sweet moment. As Sverre tries his best with the dance they clap to give him morale.

After a few dance they decide to retire to the chamber. The party and coronation ended peacefully. Arcadia is sitting in front of a vanity, watching Sverre that fast asleep from the mirror. Tomorrow is the beginning, she will unfold this event and find the culprit.

***

The next morning Arcadia awake early, she decide to go to the King work chamber and have her breakfast there. The first thing she asked is the full report of Doctor Doran. She skimmed the report hoping to get something wrong but no matter how many times she read it, Rask is the killer.

Arcadia throw the notes in anger. She closed her eyes reminiscing the scene. No, there must be something there that is missed, proof of Rask innocence.

"I'm surprised that this is how the new queen pass the first day," Arcadia is surprised with the sudden voice. She looked at Blaive that seem to gather the notes she throw.

"You surprised me," Arcadia still trying to ease her beating heart.

"I'm sorry I didn't knock, I didn't know you are here, My Queen," Blaive apologize as he put the notes back on the table,"You didn't like the report?"

Arcadia is silent for awhile but then she decides to talk, Blaive is one of the Council, she feels like she can trust them,"I don't believe that Rask is the murderer, it's absurd." Arcadia expressed her frustration,"But I can't seem to find fault in this report."

Blaive took the notes and read it. He then point a sentence to Arcadia. The knife used to kill Queen Alexandra is hold in Rask right hand. "My Queen, Rask is left handed."

"What?" Arcadia look at Blaive unbelieveing of what she just heard.

"Rask is left handed, I know because I spar with him a few times. This is an odd thing," Blaive face now turn serious.

"The real killer must not know about Rask being left handed," Arcadia murmur."This is it, this is how I can prove Rask innocence."

"I'm afraid you're gonna need more than this, My Queen," Blaive added. Arcadia sighed, Blaive is right, she need to get the real culprit so she can fully clean Rask name.

"My Queen, why do you have that much faith on Rask?" Blaive asked her. Arcadia didn't know if he's testing her or if he's just curious.

"Five years ago, Rask took a stab for my father," Blaive face looked shocked. Arcadia know, this incident is kept by her father, the only people that know about this is her, the King and the Queen.

"Why didn't I know about this?!" Blaive is alarmed.

"Because it happened in Rask family residence," Arcadia look away outside the window.

Blaive seem to realize something," The robbery incident...."

"It's not a robbery," Arcadia now look at Blaive," Rask father try to kill the King. Rask shielded the King then stab his own father." Blaive can't hide his shock on this piece of information,"Apparently Rask is sent to be the King trusted aide, to kill him in the future, but Rask change his mind in last minute. He chose my father over his family."

"Why didn't the King tell this to the Council?" Blaive gritted his teeth.

"Because he wants to repay Rask, after that incident he knew he can trust Rask more than before, thus Rask is his closest aide since then."

"Why did Rask father want to kill the King?" Blaive furrowed his eyebrow.

"Apparently Rask family is a devout follower of King Glav," Arcadia follows.

"King Glav reign is overthrown 100 years ago on your Great Grandfather time," Blaive seem hard to believe of what he just heard.

"Well seems like his seed is still sprouting fine here," Arcadia didn't seem to care.

"We need to be more cautious then. Do you think the culprit has some connections to King Grav?"

"No," Arcadia seems sure,"This time the killing is personal."

"Personal?" Blaive didn't understand.

"My mother," Arcadia continue,"It's personal to my mother."