The broken queen

23

****

"Your Excellency," Dominic bowed, he smiled softly at her, Irisa had helped them immensely and he would forever be grateful for it. He just wished that Emperor Aaron was there to see the union.

They had signed the peace treaties, and news had travelled far and wide that Silkon Valley and Kaley were not in war anymore after almost thirty years.

"King Dominic, congratulations once more," she returned the smile.

Pearl walked toward her with a word and pulled her into a hug; she was so relieved and glad that everything was settled and that she was not punished. She didn't know Irisa but she went out of her way to help her. Irisa blinked, she was surprised, but she soon leaned into the hug, happy that at least one of them was happy.

"Thank you," Pearl muttered into her ears. Irisa moved away, she smiled at him and nodded.

Pearl walked back to the side of her husband, they bowed, and soon Dominic helped her into the waiting carriage; he nodded at Irisa before getting in.

"Your Excellency," Irisa turned back to find Viron and Eli, they knelt and bowed formally. She had not seen them in a long time, and she was sure they were in Harriton with some sort of news. She hoped that it was news about her husband.

"Arisa," Irisa commanded. They stood back up. The look on their eyes didn't seem good.

Nancy was beside her lady; she had seen their expression, too, and she wondered what had happened this time. It has been about a week and a half since Irisa had announced to the court the union between Silkon Valley and Kaley.

The country had wildly criticised her and she knew that her decision would not be like but she made it anyway. Pearl deserved to live; she had no family to support her, and Irisa abandoned her, which would make no better than Agnes.

"What has happened? Why are you in the palace?"

Eli glanced at Viron, he looked worried, he didn't know how to start.

"The Prime Minister sent a letter that we intercepted to the court of common people, he wants the people to vote for your impeachment."

Irisa staggered, and Nancy blinked. It seemed like their troubles were never-ending. No matter what she did, she would face another trouble.

The Court of Common People worked side by side with the Royal Court in Kaley, they were headed by a people appointed official, who walked with the Ministry of Justice.

The Court of Common People was established to help maintain checks and balances between the official and the Royal family. The Court of Common People usually did not interfere with Royal affairs except in extreme cases. The last time time such letter was sent was over a century ago. The Prime Minister meant business if he had sent that letter. She would get a copy of the letter submitted to the Palace and she would have to answer in a trial.

She didn't think that the Prime Minister would go through that route because the official knew that if she was removed, there was a potential that it would open the gateway for the people to start a witch hunt on the Court Ministers.

The Prime Minister was not stupid, he knew that if he did this, it could hunt him and the rest of the Officials, so he had a plan, she needed to find a solution, quick and fast. Irisa started walking back into the Palace, from the side door, Viron and Eli followed her.

"What do you think I should do?" Irisa asked, while Nancy helped her up the stairs to another side of office wing of the palace.

Irisa felt like everyday on the throne would be the last, if she thought that she had escaped a problem, another one would rise, it felt like no matter what, there was no winning for her.