The Queen of Stones

Chapter 11

Reaching the meeting room door, I wait for my breathing to normalize and check my dress, making sure that everything is still in place.

The council members are already placed in their seats when I walk in. I can notice Ernest Van Coren nervously looking around as if he is trying to make a decision based on the other members. Eventually, he stands up and quickly bows, being so fast that if I wasn't looking, I would probably have missed it.

However, the other nobles don't follow his lead. Sebastian Coldwell stares at the table in front of him, clearly trying to avoid my eyes. Allerick Grinald seems highly focused in a particular folder placed before him, reading through it while completely ignoring the fact that I was in the room. Alastair Bonavich, on the other hand, is the only one looking straight into my eyes, but not in a cordial way. He has his head up and a provoking smile on his face, making sure to tell me with his glare that this was a battle he is very confident that he is going to win.

I shiver. However, I know that I cannot let him notice my fear, so I put on a small charming smile on my face and head to my chair at the head of the table.

"Must I remind you all that I am the only one who can summon meeting? If you have something of great urgency to discuss with me, you can find me in my office during working hours," I say once I stetted in my seat. "Anyways, what is this about?"

"I am sorry, Your Majesty." Coldwell's voice is strong and serious like always, but he still can't face me. "But an old document has come to our knowledge just a few hours ago."

Grinald hands me the folder he was going through, looking in my eyes for the first time. I have never seen him so calm. Inside the folder, lay a document named "Steinmor and the Hereditary". I freeze. I know what is coming. It is known that the population could request to see Steinmor if they needed proof that their ruler is meant to reign. I should have prepared for this. I let myself believe that just because measures like this were never taken before, it wouldn't happen to me. Now, it is too late. If they could get half the population to sign a document demanding me to show it, it would be game over for me.

My mind tries to plot a strategy to overcome this situation. However, the fear of losing my throne clouds my brain, blocking all of the political knowledge I have gathered during my life.

"And what is this document about?" I say putting the document, along with the folder, back on the table. I need time, time to think so, my best option right now is to stall.

"It is about heirs," says Coldwell.

I furrow my eyebrows and narrow my eyes. I take back the old paper and start to read it. The document is about how the monarch must provide an heir within three years after their coronation or they could be removed from the throne. It talked about the divine right to rule given by Steinmor, because, apparently, if Steinmor wanted you on the throne, it would give you an heir.

"Allow me to summarize it for you." Bonavich opens his mouth for the first time, the words coming out of him like a threat. "It says that you are no longer the queen".

"This is ridiculous." I throw the document on the table. They think they can get rid of me with the fact that I have not barred a child yet. I try to keep my composure, giving a gentle nod with my head, and placing my hands in my lap. However, I can tell that they have noticed my irritation by the dazed looks on their faces. "My father only had me, his heir, after twelve years of ruling."

"Well, apparently, his council members didn't pay attention to this rule," Grinald says.

"You were his council members." The anger is already showing up in my voice, this needs to be over.