From Prisoner To Princess [amazon edition]

Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Marching past the long table set in the middle of the Throne Room, I carefully observe the few men that watch me with contempt in their eyes. My stride is even, my back straight and shoulders back. With my head held high, I do my best to show these men that they do not scare me. If anything, they should fear me.

I nearly faulter when a mass of curly red hair crosses my gaze and I spot a woman sitting there, her own back straight and head held high. Her picture was not on the list of names and an idea of who she must be intrigues me. Suppressing a chuckle, I make it to the temporary throne that was placed at the end of the table. The Butlers did an amazing job setting this room for the meeting.

Taking my seat, I thank Alice as she hands me a binder, Sky and Arian taking the two seats positioned on my left and right while Lia, Mia and Alice stand behind me. Max, Mika and Alec take their position with one of them standing behind Sky, Arian and me respectively. Flipping open the binder, I look at the list of names and move to the last one. Taylor Knight.

"Is it safe to assume you are Taylor Knight?" I turn to face the woman, a smile on my face as I take in her appearance. She wears the uniform of a General, the dark blue -almost black- fabric fitted to her body. Her overcoat is pressed to perfection, covering the white dress shirt underneath. Her insignia on the left shoulder states she is a Brigadier-General, the lowers rank of all Generals. Although this is a semi-formal meeting, she does not wear a beret on her head, instead it sits on the table to the left of her neatly clasped hands. The hash marks on her sleeves tells me she has been in the military for ten years, making her the youngest General at this table. I am intrigued, ready to hear how she came to this rank.

"Yes, your Highness." She answers, her voice clear and firm filled with the authoritative tone fit for her rank. I nod, deciding not to give her too much attention for now as there are more pressing matter at hand.

"Well, thank you for your service in the Royal Nimairene Armed Forces. Now, if you can all turn your attention to the binders in front of all of you, I would like to start today's meeting."

"You mean a meeting about nothing." Someone scoffs as soon as I finish speaking. Looking to the far right of the table, a man with a balding head and closely shaven beard leans back in his chair, glaring at me. Frowning, I glance at the list of Generals and nearly grinned like the Cheshire cat. He was one of Juden's men.

"General Penn Gibson, leader of my military." I call out, watching his eyes widen.

"If you have a problem with this meeting, state it now." I order, watching him slowly sit straighter in his chair.

"Oh I have a problem all right. You come in demanding a meeting when we have more pressing matters to deal with!" Slamming his fist on the table, General Gibson lets known his frustrations until his voice is nearly shouting at me. Sky and Arian move to defend me, but I stop them. I do not need them to fight my battles.

"What pressing matters do you have that is more important than meeting your Princess and soon to be Queen?" I ask, giving him a friendly smile. I need to draw him into my trap, get him to tie the noose I plan to hang him with.

"How about relief to the poor in the outer provinces. Or maintaining the borders with the Crorus Kingdom to the south of us." He continues ranting on how he had to rush here on a last minute flight due to a fight caused by the civilians where his men are stationed, how they came demanding food and medical care. Listening to him continue his rant, a few men agree with him while others stay quiet two of the younger men rolling their eyes. His rant finally ends, his yelling and screaming finally over as he takes a long sip of his water. The trap is set and now it is the final blow.