A Reality better than the Dream

3.- Becoming Queen - They meet again

Iris's grandfather, King Iridan, died recently in an accident, but before his death he had already appointed Iris as inheritor of his throne, because he trusted her wisdom and strength of character. So, during the mourning period she became the queen of the kingdom, despite her tears and grief. She didn't invite anyone to be present on her coronation day, because her grandfather's death was much more important for her and Lady Amary than the title she had inherited. This became the object of a widely spread gossip in her land, but also in the empire. "The new Queen did not give any significance to the habits and the formalities, she was mourning her grandfather and nothing else mattered. But a queen who cannot keep the formalities perhaps cannot govern well... perhaps she is vulnerable to her feelings...". The nobles were jealous and spoke like this behind her back, but the folk felt sympathy for her.

However, despite their gossips, she governed very successfully. Her beloved grandmother was by her side and some confidants of her grandparents who had given an oath to help her in her whole life to govern well. The queen was a calm, sweet but also a feisty person, a rare combination of characteristics. She had strong will and mind but also compassion and affection for the others. Αs a newly enthroned queen, she had not yet learned all the political complications of the world and the various hidden relationships between the kingdoms. Gradually, she began to face all this mess with the help of her grandmother and her confidants. But, anyway, she was really capable and had a clear sight of the common matters. Her grandfather had made the best choice for the throne.

Unfortunately, the time she became queen was a very dangerous one. Many signs in the empire were indicating that the barbarian tribes on the north and north-east borders should attack the empire and first the Emperor's and King Bendin's kingdoms, which had borders with them. If this powerful Emperor's kingdom was conquered, then the rest ones would be much more easily defeated by them. The barbarian's power had strangely increased quite rapidly last years and they had many weapons and capability of free movements near the borders. Of course, their weapons were lighter ones, because they had different war tactics and habits. Iris had studied in details and depth their ways in war and any kind of fights and was very cautious. She knew that they were a dangerous and unpredictable enemy.

She had discussed with her men, General Sheng and her teacher in strategies about it and was very anxious about the future.

Teacher: Iris, you are so beautiful and sweet that nobody can imagine your strategic mind. But this land has always given great warriors and you keep our epic tradition, because you have our blood.

She smiled saying "I am not a great warrior, my body is very weak, Teacher!".

But, one day, a message came to her kingdom from the emperor. The immortal world had to prepare for a probable war between the empire and the barbarians. The kings and generals of the various kingdoms of the empire would meet in the capital of this kingdom to make decisions.

She was thinking she could not avoid him anymore. Till now, disliking journeys, socializing and festivities, she had never participated in such ones neither in his kingdom nor anywhere else. So, she had kept him completely out of her life and memory, as if he had never existed. Anyway, she had nothing to fear now, because this whole thing was already buried in the deep past. She only didn't want to remember her shame and misfortune of that old time. These memories had not vanished thoroughly...

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In the emperor's palace his confidant Tangren informs him about the kings who will participate in the meeting.

Tangren: King Bendin, of the east kingdom, will not come and will send nobody in his stead! He is really completely indifferent, even about his life, after his family's loss. It's a pity for such a man. Also, the king Ater from south will not come, because he is... far away from the barbarians and because... he is a coward!