Josephine

𝓔𝓹𝓲𝓼𝓸𝓭𝓮 92: 𝓐 𝓥𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓖𝓻𝓮𝓮𝓷 𝓕𝓾𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓮

January 15, 1996

The freshly printed bill was slid in front of me on my desk. This is a landmark moment in American history. I was about to begin the process of taking our nation off from using fossil fuels to natural resources. The process would be slow and would take a long time to complete.

"Your majesty, are you ready to sign this bill?" Lord Maxwell asked as video cameras were aimed at me.

"Yes... Yes I am..."

"Excellent!"

He slid over a feathered quill, the one I still used to sign orders. Though I didn't write consistently with it, I still used it to sign my name for a unique signature. I picked up the quill, dipped the tip in the boiling ink and tapped the pot. I took a deep breath and signed my name and the room erupted in applause. I held up the document for the cameras to see and I smiled.

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I stepped up to a podium, where dozens of reporters were waiting to barrage me with questions about the new economic initiative or about any other subject they desired.

"Your majesty! Your majesty!" They called out.

"Oh my! One at a time please!" I responded.

I skimmed my gloved hand over the crowd.

"Let's go with... you sir!" I pointed to a middle aged man near the front.

"Thank you madam, my name is Kyle Kirkland from the New York Times. Obviously this new initiative you signed yesterday is not meant to be completed quickly, how long will it take?"

I cleared my throat, "Around thirty five years, until 2030. By then I hope that we will be using more natural power sources, stopped using petroleum products entirely and are firmly in the future,"

Kirkland nodded and jotted these notes down.

"So then how will this initiative be organized?"

"Into five year plans. Each plan will seek to achieve a certain goal. Whether that is the discontinuation of oil trade, energy independence or the reorganization of the electrical grid,"

"That is all your majesty," Kirkland stated.

The reporters started shouting and vying against each other for my attention. These imbeciles are animals, savage animals.

"You!"

"Anne Westin from the Boston Herald your majesty. My first question is how do you intend to replace the lost power from coal, as it is a major industry?"

"Good question Miss Westin. Nuclear plants will be built across the Empire to begin producing nuclear energy. Wind farms will also be constructed. Coal will still be mined, as we do have plentiful of it, but it will be for exports only,"

She smiled and took notes.

"Next question: How has the royal family been recently? You and your family have been rather quiet as of recently..."

"My family has been splendid, thank you for asking!" I beamed.

It was mostly true. Except for a couple shenanigans involving Hamilton, everything had been mostly peaceful in the palace. Mattéo was recovering from his injuries well enough, Junior has been blowing us all away with her studies. Hamilton was well... being Hamilton.

"Thank you your majesty,"

Once again the reporters began badgering and squabbling. I waved my hand and selected one at random.