The sky was mild blue. The nascent sun spread an orange-yellow shade across the vault of heaven. Wispy white clouds floated mid air like froth on water.
Rincy fastened her sword onto her belt.
"No more excuses, no more compromises and no more sympathies." she promised.
Within a minute of calling, Cynthia was at Rincy's door.
"Please come in Cynthia" said Rincy.
Cynthia walked in and curtsied, holding her head low.
"Of what use, may this servant be to the Queen?"she asked, still holding her head low.
Rincy walked up to her, and lifted her chin, so that their eyes met.
"Your respect must be in your heart. No need to look down. It's only the guilty who do that."
Cynthia smiled pleasantly.
"Now coming to the point. You are a faithful worker here. I need you to do me a favour."
"Just command,Your Grace", she said
"I need you to keep a close eye on Portria Jaccob. Track her phone calls, her whereabouts, everything. I need you to alert me every time she meets someone. It happens that when a tree falls in a forest, it does make a sound. I need to find her truth and this needs to be done carefully. Cause Portria isn't a vacuous woman. Can you do this?" asked Rincy.
"Yes, Your Grace." nodded Cynthia.
"Thank you. You may leave now."
Cynthia walked out of Rincy's room and went right, to the kitchen.
Theodon stood at the left end of the hallway, grinning from ear to ear.
"Smart move." he thought.
Rincy came out, and saw Theodon.
"Schedule." she demanded.
"First, we attend the Cabinet meet, that was being postponed for a while now. We have your sword-master to meet. And after lunch, the rest of the day is to be spent at the Royal Library." he announced.
"Very well. Let's head to the meet."
"It has been quiet unfortunate, that we've needed to keep this meeting on hold for a while. But now, there shan't be further delays." began Rincy.
"Let's begin with your introductions."
Rincy sat down at the head of the long table for seven. Surrounding her were five cabinet ministers and Theodon.
"Theodon Matilda, in-charge of Internal affairs of the cabinet, and hand to the Queen. Fours years experience, in the Council's affairs."
"Renee Duke, in-charge of Home affairs. Seven years experience in the Council's affairs and two years at the Cabinet."
"Aaidan Cruze, in-charge of Transportation and Communication. Twelve years of experience at the council, and five at the cabinet."
"Syon Leer, in-charge of Finance, seven years of experience at the Cabinet."
Rincy's eyes widened."Seven years at the cabinet? Didn't you serve the Council before?" she asked.
"It would have been an honour, Your Grace." he said and smiled.
"Something's fishy!"thought Rincy, as she made a mental note to check on Syon Leer.
"Fae Matney, Minister of Corporate Affairs, six years of experience at the Council."
Rincy smiled at her pleasantly. A feeling of warmth radiated from her. She felt familiar, yet unfamiliar.
"Lann Grey, Minister of Defence and Head Commander in Chief of the Army. Fourteen years experience at the Council, and two at the Cabinet."
Rincy glanced at everyone, once again. She tried to recall their names, but it would take time.
"It's great. You all are much more experienced and qualified than me. I hope to bring out your potentials, so as to serve the throne, and the country of Westerhall." she said, and glared at Theodon.
Theodon pulled out a file from the shelf and placed it on Rincy's desk.
Rincy opened it carefully.
"What is this Theodon?" she asked.
"The paperwork that you'll need to sign today."
" What paperwork?" she asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
The ministers at the cabinet giggled.
Rincy glared at them, and they put on a serious facade.
"I need you to explain to me." she emphasized.
"Your Grace, we need your signature to pass on some deals, and sanction some money for various sectors. They were put on hold due to your absence." Saying so, he opened pages and handed her a pen.
" I will go through it."
" We have little time. These deals are essential, and have already been delayed. More over, they have been happening since Late Queen Raechel's reign..." began Aaidan Cruz.
" I will still go through them. I have a schedule set up for all of you. We shall meet the day after, with detailed reports from last month. I shall personally monitor each field." commanded Rincy.
Renee Duke frowned and glared at Theodon.
"Is there a problem Renee?" asked Rincy.
"Not big enough to require your attention" she taunted.
Rincy glared at her, uneasily.She dismissed the meeting, and was about to leave, when Lann Grey walked up to her.
"Your Grace, you're as old as the number of years we have served the throne. It would be pleasant, to have you sit on the throne, and watch us do the job. A newly hatched chick is better off in her nest, than trying to fly in the wild sky" he scoffed at her.
"I appreciate your concern for me, Lann Grey. But I have my own ways." she smiled sheepishly.
"Theodon, please arrange for a legal change in command from Sir Lann Grey to the Queen. Hence forth, it will be the Queen who will be the sole Head Commander in Chief to the Royal army." she declared, as Theodon watched on.
Lann Grey was out of his wits.
"This won't be a clever decision, my Queen" he snorted.
"I'll make sure it is no less than perfect" saying so, she walked out of the room.
© Srinidhi Iyengar
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