The King is a Woman (Crepusculum)

Chapter 1: The Monarch

1636 (7th Month)
4th Year of Dominato XIII's Reign

Helki's movements were fast yet deliberate as she carefully slipped Kanaise's robes. Once the sixth layer was added, she carefully placed the golden crown on top of Her Majesty's head. She noticed how the monarch's skin glistened against the sun's rays. Her skin was smooth, and her long, wavy golden hair was tied up in a neat bun. Helki made sure everything was in its proper place, and the maidservants around them saw that Helki's actions matched her years of experience attending to the monarch.

"Helki, call all the officials. Today I shall issue a new decree." Her decisiveness always made Helki feel in awe and proud that she followed her through thick and thin. Her loyalty towards her was never uttered, but she would die for Kanaise, and they both knew that.

Darsh reclined gracefully in the background, his hand propped beneath his chin, carefully observing Kanaise. Every movement of hers, he followed with his probing eyes. His loose robe draped elegantly over his tawny chest. His tousled hair gave him a slightly disheveled look, but it only added to his charm. The pride that radiated from Helki was mirrored in Darsh's face. Both felt proud serving her,

Just in different ways.

"Ah and," Kanaise turned her back, only to see Darsh sitting pretty like he owned the bed. She got irritated for a second, yet her emotions quickly shifted when Darsh shoot back a sly smile, tapping the space beside him as if telling her to come back and indulge once again. If she only was looking in front of the mirror, she knew her cheeks turned red. "Ah, what was I saying? And also, that guy, assign two male pages that would serve him. Bathe him and have the chefs cook him a local meal."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"No," Kanaise uttered as the new maid approached her. "Helki would help me with the bathing and clothing."

She looked around, and she noticed a lot of maidservants. The royal coffers are already in a dire state experiencing one calamity after another, and yet somehow her royal father could still afford to provide hundreds of maids. She had mentioned it once to him before, yet he thought it crazy that the royal family would cut down servants. Although she respected and loved him as a father, as a ruler, he was not one to be looked up to.

"Helki, come, unfasten my robes."

"Aye, My Lady—" Helki held back herself. "My Lord," she corrected herself and came forth. Sometimes, she would still forget.

"I expect everyone to be fully adapted to this new policy after a week or so. By then, punishments would be issued if they are to commit the same mistake. Understood?"

"Yes, My Lord."

"Today is such a day to remember, I felt like I stood there in the court for a whole day. Call the Royal Historian, Sir Magmos. I shall talk to him and settle a few things."

"Yes, My Lord."

"I have noticed that there are a lot of servants we can manage to let go. Issue this decree, all the maidservants past the age of 50 can now go home and retire, they would be fully compensated monthly for their loyalty and past services, so they can help to manage the households with wives and daughters, considering the current situation of males declining. But still, the compensation would just be half of their supposed allowance, and we would be able to save a few from it. I beckon there would be 10 percent less. Then, cut down a hundred more young ladies. Let them flourish elsewhere. Then, let us see if we can manage after that, and let us reduce it even further."