The Royal Spare (COMPLETED)

30- Of A Regency Under Threat

The loud, anxious and over-lapping conversation of the privy council in the throne room could be heard from the other side of the heavy doors were we stood. I hated going to meetings with those men who have nothing to report but problems and concerns that they can't seem to find solutions to no matter how petty they were. How can they be called counselors to the King when they can't decide on such things? Most of them were given that honor with no qualifications other than their nobilities. Only a few of them made sense to be royal advisers one of them being Gali and Aidan's father Marquis Gerardo.

No wonder Nikolai has been so busy and stressed. They probably inundated him with so many problems. Over the past three days since he's been King Regent, my brother has only seen our father once. I knew because I spent as much time as I could with the King and if I couldn't, I sent Cora or Lady Marian to keep him company. That one occasion was last night and it only lasted for a minute. He checked on Papa while I was reading him his favorite poem in his sleep. Nikolai barely spoke a word when he looked at our father then gave me a hug before going straight to his study to do more work.

If my brother didn't call for me to the throne room, if I wasn't worried that those nobles were putting too much pressure on him and if I didn't know he needed my help, I wouldn't even be there.

When I entered the room, the conversations immediately stopped. Nikolai was sitting on the throne on an elevated platform but his shoulders seemed to hang lower like the entire weight of the world has been placed there. His eyebrows were scrunched. It could just be me but my brother seemed to have aged ten years over the past days. A layer of ungroomed beard has grown on his usually clean-shaven face, dark rings have formed under his eyes and his skin looked as dry as a desert.

"You called for me, Your Majesty?" I said as I curtsied in front of him. Formalities of course were required in the presence of the council.

"Princess Maiena..." Nikolai sighed. "Finally. My angel has arrived." He smiled but there was no joy in that smile. He looked too tired for that.

I smirked mirthlessly. "What seems to be the trouble, Your Majesty?"

"What isn't in trouble?'" He sighed heavily. "Everything seems to be in chaos, here in the kingdom and out."

"I don't understand. You're speaking in riddles, brother." I frowned.

"Allow me to explain, Your Highness." Lord Gerardo bowed as he approached me.

"Please, kind Sir." I replied as I faced him.

"Ever since the news of the King being ill broke, there has been some civil unrest. Some factions doubted the Crown Prince's ability to rule the kingdom and with Her Highness still unmarried, the entire monarchy is in question." Lord Gerardo explained.

I knew what he was implying. I didn't like it at all but I understood.

"Your Highness, we are a small but very wealthy kingdom, other kingdoms are looking to take advantage of that. Our forces although highly-skilled are still outnumbered. There is no way for us to survive under such threats." He continued.

"Threats? You mean an invasion?" I gasped.

"Yes, Your Highness." He answered.

"From whom?" I asked.

"According to our Intelligence, at least three countries have been plotting against Reidonia."

"But they can't do that. The King will be alright." I said. "Everything will be alright."

"Three weeks is a long time, Maiena. We are a Kingless kingdom for three weeks. Do you think those who wish to invade us will not take advantage of this weakness?" Nikolai asked.