Queen Zezanna

Queen Zezanna - Chapter 7

Nobles. Greedy, power hungry bastards. I don't really want to be stuck in a room with them for hours, but my advisors have left me with no choice. We will open up with a large lunch with all of them, then move on to the meet and greet. After I've talked to all of them, we will have an announcement to thank them all for coming, and then ask them to leave.

My advisors are well aware of how I feel about the nobles. They keep reminding me to be nice. I've seen how nobles acted with my father, and I've heard the stories of what happens between them and the commoners. I refuse to let them throw their weight around.

"We'll see what happens." I shrug, as Brokk once again reminds me that I need to be civil.

My workers have been working hard to make sure that the castle is flawless. My chefs have also been hard at work to make sure that the lunch goes smoothly.

"I was going to assign Rosth to the doors, but he seems to have disappeared." Brokk sighs. "Where the hell could he have gone?"

"Doesn't matter. If he's gone, just assign someone else." I shrug.

"Of course." He nods his head. "I'll be sure to look into this matter thoroughly, but until I can get to that, I must focus on the task at hand."

Hopefully Rosth stays far away from the event.

The day of the event comes, and Emma helps me pick out my outfit. She also swings by the advisors' rooms to make sure their outfits are acceptable, as well. After deeming them worthy, she stops by my room with Heroth.

"I have an important matter to discuss after the meet and greet. If you will meet me back here once you finish with the nobles, we can figure this all out." Heroth tells me.

"Fine." I sigh. "I would much rather talk to you than those stuck up nobles, anyhow."

"Suck it up. You're our queen. You'll be doing plenty that you don't like, and you need to remember to keep the well being of our nation above anything else. That includes making sure that while these nobles aren't allowed to push everyone around, we do need to make some concessions to keep them on our side. It's always better to have an ally than an enemy."

"I know." I tell him.

"Good. Then let's try to enjoy ourselves tonight."

Easier said than done.

He leaves with Emma. After he does, a roach lands near me. I stare at it as it transforms into Rosth.

"Here to serve, m'lady." They bow to me.

"Are you out of your mind? What are you doing here?"

"Making sure you stay safe, of course. That is my duty as a knight, right?"

"Have you had a change of heart?" I ask.

"My mind is as rough as the stormiest of seas. I'm still processing things, but I do believe that I am getting closer to an answer. After today, I will be waiting for you at my hideout. Whenever you have some time to spare, please do visit me. I would prefer that you come alone, but something tells me that Emmaline will not allow that."

"If you try anything, you will die." I warn them.

"Most likely. I still have much to think about. Anyhow, shall we get this event started? It is almost lunchtime, and it would be rude of you to be late to your own event."

They're right. I let them escort me to the dining room. Brokk looks furious, but keeps to himself as Rosth holds my chair out for me. He stands near the door with two other guards as the rest of the nobles finish pouring in.