The Crown of Wilted Gold.

10

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ONE MONTH LATER.
"Do you wish for the palace flowers to be changed? your excellency," Ivanna asked, Irisa turned to her trying to balance herself, she felt slightly heavier, and she had opted for simpler gowns in the past month but it was still heavily decorated. She shook her head tiredly.

"I think they are still fresh, I hope the halls are clean, and staff is felled?" she asked rubbing her face full of acne, Nancy helped her quietly toward another part of her office, where another set of scrolls was.

"Your Excellency, your court is waiting, you have been holding off the meeting for long," Nancy said again, making her restless. Irisa shook her head, "I have no time to see them, Nancy, you have to take care of them for me, I am weaker by the day."

"M'lady you are sick, you need rest, not more work," she tried to remove the scroll from Irisa's hands. Irisa sighed and rubbed her eyes, "This is important information the ministers have submitted Nancy, you should help me sort them out instead of discouraging me from work, one month without the new Emperor is causing discourse among the court. I cannot let such a thing occur."

"You need a physician, your excellency, not work! You have worked tirelessly to ensure to smooth running of the country, the palace and the court. You have done a wonderful job and the Emperor would be proud."

Irisa scoffed, "Proud? Aaron is fighting a war Nancy, I do not think he would have time to think about me," she said shaking her head.

"Do not say that your Excellency, the Emperor has shown you time and time again that he loves you, I do not think he goes a minute without thinking about you."

"Well, I thank you for the reminder of hid love Nacny, my bones are aching and I feel like I will vomit everything I have had."

"Do not do that, your excellency! You ate little and you cannot throw it up!"

"I do not feel so well," she touched her head, Nancy helped her to take a sit. "My lady, you need to go back to bed, I will tell the ladies from the noble family that you are unwell, you will see them when you are better."

"No Nancy, I think I will see them now, I have held off the meeting for too long now, I do not want them to feel as though their Empress is disregarding them."

"But..." Irisa shook her head, "help me up," Nancy took her hand. They walked out of the office and a maid that was sitting opposite them stood at her feet.

"Your excellency," the girl that was around Nancy's age bowed. Irisa nodded at her, and a guard followed after them as they approached the tea room which was smaller than most rooms in the palace.

The guard announced the entry of the Empress and everyone stops to their feet and bowed in respect as she entered their midst, she held Nwncy's hand tightly, giving them a stiff smile.

"Your excellency," a girl said, smiling, she was glad that the Empress finally agreed to meet them.

"I am sorry for my late arrival and my lack of response to you," the ladies shook their heads.

"We understand your excellency, taking up the work as the sole ruler of the state while his majesty is off protecting that state is a big task. We are surprised that you are here, seeing as there is a lot more work to do."

"It's not that much anymore, it is nothing I have not taken care of, I appreciate you all for making an appearance, I do not want this to be the first official meeting, I know you all are here already so I want to discuss a few things with you.

First, this is my lady-in-waiting, Lady Nancy of Hasten, I have given her this title and prestige and in my absence she will act in my place and on my behalf, you will be seeing her more than you will see me for now, and hope you will all accord her the same respect that you accord me."