The Dream Oath

Chapter 4.4

Maria was not enthusiastic about the responsibilities of her new position. She felt guilty about banishing a man who, as far as she knew, had done nothing wrong except ignore her orders. But it could not continue. Her first council meeting did not improve her mood. Nor did Edgar's constant shadowing of her make her feel any better about it.

The council meeting had been disastrous. It had taken her an hour to force everyone to stop bickering about what should be done. She hadn't even been able to do it herself. When one of the council members stood up to shout at another across the table, she had signaled to Edgar to break it up. Edgar's armored hand on his shoulder, pressing him down into his seat had shut up the entire council.

"Thank you for your attention," Maria said into the silence. The five men at the table looked at her as if only just realizing she was there. "As you know, I will be in charge until my husband returns from his tour of the kingdom. I hope you will forgive my ignorance. I was not trained for this. Please enlighten a poor, ignorant woman on the state of the kingdom."

These men would not be bullied into submission. They might let their intentions slip if they thought she was an idiot playing at being monarch.

"Your Majesty," one councilman offered after a momentary silence. "Might your time not be better spent on domestic affairs rather than having us update you in person?"

"My lord, I can only do as my husband bids me. It would be morally wrong for me to disobey him. Unless you allow your wife to ignore your orders?"

Poorly hidden smirks emerged around the table.

"No, Majesty," the lord muttered.

"I'm sorry, I did not quite catch that."

"No, your Majesty," he repeated louder. "You bring grace and dignity to the institution of marriage."

"Thank you. I endeavor to lead by example. Please continue."