Storm's Rapture | Storms Series: Book 1 (This is a Co-Write)

Chapter 93: Rosanna

AN: No Piarari Key needed this time. Be sure to drop some comments as you read. Enjoy!

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Two days after Cyris' departure, I was sitting on my throne in the throne room. The good news was my throne was finally finished. It was made of black marble just like Cyris' was and the armrests were shaped like wolf heads. There was a dark red cushion on the seat of the throne to make it more comfortable. The back of the throne had vines carved in it, making it look elegant and beautiful. It was perfect and I was grateful that I had a seat of my own in the throne room.

But with good news came bad news. The bad news was that I was currently faced with a Court meeting. Thankfully it was the Court and not the Council today, however, the Council meeting wasn't too far behind. I would have to deal with those ignorant Lords at the start of next week, and I was not looking forward to it.

But I knew I needed to face both the Court and Council. It was the only way I could ensure that my plans for a relief fund for the war went through. Cyris and I had discussed helping the people of Espor recover from the war and he was on board with the idea. I just needed to put it into action. This was important to me and I knew that even though he wasn't here, Cyris was in favour of the idea, and that gave me courage as I sat on my throne with my crown on my head.

Unfortunately for me, the Lords and Ladies of the Court weren't so keen on the idea. I'd just finished presenting the idea to them, needing them to get on board and donate some of their wealth to the cause, but they all looked skeptical.

"A relief fund?!" one of the nobles exclaimed.

"Yes, a relief fund..." I explained. "The people of Espor have suffered through the Trillium's reign and from what I've seen and heard, many were forced to give up far too much during the Trillium's tyranny. I hope to ease their suffering with this relief fund and help them get back some of what they lost. But I ask that you all commit some of your wealth to the cause."

The nobles huffed, then whispered amongst each other. Based on their faces, most of them were still opposed.

"What exactly do you propose?" a noble inquired. "What help are you asking for?"

"Five percent of your funds will be donated to the relief fund in order to provide new homes, food, and other goods to those worst affected by the Trillium's reign," I told them.

Several women gasped loudly and scowled before turning to their husbands. The men spoke to themselves, making snide remarks, some of them loud enough for me to hear. Their reactions left a bitter taste in my mouth.

"We are the wealthy few...don't we have an obligation to help those in need?" I asked, trying to appeal to their humanity. "We certainly have the means to do so."

"Queen Rosanna, surely there's another way to help these people? Some other accommodation you could provide?" a man expressed.

"There is, and soldiers are already assisting in providing some basic housing needs for the worst affected areas," I told the Court. "It's not enough. You all have the means to live well and enough food on your tables. Why can't you open your checkbooks for the less fortunate?! Do any of you even know what it's like to go hungry or not have a safe place to sleep?!"

Everyone stayed quiet, but they looked at each other with confused faces.

"You forget that I was born an Aster and as such, my family was brutally murdered by the Trillium," I said shakily. "As a result, I grew up not knowing my true heritage...separated from my brother. I even spent some time on the run without shelter and little food. I fought in a war by the King's side while the two of us ran...sleeping in tents...fighting Trillium guards...eating what little we could because I cared! I know exactly what the people of Espor have gone through! And I'm not even asking you to go through any of that! All I'm asking...is for you all to show a little compassion, but you can't even seem to do that...and yet you all claim to love Espor and care for the people who live in the cities you preside over."

The women of the Court whispered in their husbands ears, and the men grumbled. This went on for a few moments until everyone fell silent again.

"My Queen, are you certain that the King—?" another noble spoke out.

"The King isn't here, My Lord," I cut in. "I've been placed in charge in his absence. His Majesty agrees with my idea and sees the value in it. If a pregnant woman can fight in a war and spend several nights sleeping in a tent with little food, then why can't you open your checkbooks for those less fortunate than yourselves? Where's your humanity?!"

The room of nobles broke into a whisper again, some of the nobles even spoke louder than a whisper. But I was getting annoyed with this back and forth. I was ready for an answer.

"What say, you all?" I asked the court. My question silenced them all, but they still looked around at one another. I felt the disappointment creep into the back of my mind, but suddenly one of the nobles said something.

"You asked for our help, and our support—the Helmes family will stand with you," he bowed and his wife curtsied.

"Your kindness is greatly appreciated, My Lord," I told him. "Anyone else? Or are the Helmes the only compassionate and humane family present?!" I was getting sick and tired of trying to get these nobles to open their checkbooks, but I needed to do this for the people of Espor.

"The Williams family will stand with you, My Queen," a noble stated. Then he bowed and his wife curtsied after him.

One by one, all of the nobles pledged their allegiance to helping me with the relief fund, until the entire room was bowing before me. My heart soared with joy as I watched the people...my people heed to my words. It felt invigorating to know that I'd done something for Espor...something good.

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AN: Be sure to drop some comments and vote!