The Ruler's Rift

Royally Messed Up

In a week or so, renovations had been completed and Celeste had settled into her throne. She and Lucy saw each other for dates and over time the queen managed to ease her lover into the royal quarters. Weeks became a month, and with that time came further changes. A planetary tax had been ordained, and the monarch's wealth increased. She used it to repair damage done by her mother, to fund the businesses of whichever peons were brave enough to ask, and used the excess on her own sinful pleasures behind closed doors.

Lucy, who began agitated and restless, soon ran in and out of the palace on excited paws. Her creative muscle flexed for the affluent jobs which followed her work for the queen. Keeping busy aided her mood, as did Celeste's frequent pampering. She enjoyed nothing more than cuddling Lucy in the luxurious sheets of her bed, brushing her tail, bringing her gourmet foods, and making love to her. Those affections served as a wonderful break between royal duties.

All went well, so it should've been no surprise when Celeste sat upon her throne, a cold, wintery day like any other on the archaic world, and met a concerned advisor.

"Thank you, your majesty!" Sobbed a business owner. "You are kind and generous, my queen! I shall not let you down!"

The monarch smiled down at her subject. "Best of luck on your shelter. You'll rehome so many animals," she praised. "What a sweet soul you are."

Nearly leaping, the man scurried off in joy at the funding and at his new future. When he'd left, and the massive, twin doors shut with a bellowing click, Amber looked up at her niece. "You act so much nicer to everyone else. Why is that?" She asked.

"You already hate me," Celeste scoffed. She leaned back in her seat. "There's no point in acting nice to you."

"So that's your only reason for being so kind? To garner approval?"

Celeste frowned. "Problem, Amber?"

The two stared each other down until Amber relented. "Nevermind," she muttered, adjusting one of her pauldrons.

"Ooo, wise choice," Celeste snarked. "People say Violet was so smart, but I think you're the smart one, Amber. Your sister was foolish and rash!"

"We can agree on the rash part." Amber moved away from the side of the throne and went to its front. She stared up at Celeste, brown eyes full of some sort of worry - it proved difficult to place. "We don't really have time to bicker, there's...something you should probably know."

Shivers attacked Celeste's spine and twists went for her stomach. "What is it?" She asked with all the false confidence she could muster.

"The fourth galaxy in the northern quadrant..."

"Yes?"

"It's home to several planets who don't seem too keen on the tax."

"And what exactly does that mean?" Celeste growled. She wanted to slap Amber to get the point out quicker. "Are they staging rebellion?"

"No, no," Amber said, stifling a small laugh. "It's nothing that extreme, but they aren't paying."

Celeste paused. Her claws tapped upon the throne's armrest. "...at all?"

"They wrote you several letters." Amber passed scrolls and envelopes to the queen.

Hasty fingers scrambled to open the first of the bunch. It read: Your great and radiant majesty, it is with all due respect that I and the people of my world must reject your most recent ordinance. I am happy to negotiate with you on changes, but my planet cannot bear the price you ask. We find it steep, and I request an audience at your soonest convenience.