675-07-27 - Matters of Faith and Rule
Matters of Faith and Rule | |||||||
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Summary: Lady Adara is asked to meet with one of the Fourth for a sensitive matter. | |||||||
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The young beauty is sitting behind the table. Her fingers are nervously dancing on the edge of it.
She is wearing her long pale gown through which perfect forms of her body can be easily seen. The image of Onimoria, who is one of the Fourth now is waiting for lady Adara to show up. The other woman was invite for a private conversation.
It isn't a very long wait until Lady Adara shows up dressed in a simple pale gown the hugs her curves but is otherwise modest. Her guard and handmaid left outside the door for privacy.
"Good," Nimoria's soft voice speaks, "You showed up. Please,take a seat... We need to discuss quite a delicate matter..."
Adara takes her assigned seat at the table and asks, "Proceed, please." in a soft, casual tone.
"As you know, we, the Fourth are almost always beside the Queen," the young woman inhales deeply. She looks really concerned and maybe even a bit lost, "I saw how the Queen trusted you. That is why I am sure, that she won't be displeased with me if I tell..." Another inhale follows, before Nimoria can proceed, "It looks like the Patron Onimoria changed her will... The Queen lost her child." Nimoria raises her gaze and fixes it on Adara, whispering, "Sadly, we fear that the time of the Queen came too... She is... asleep now and we do not know if she will wake up. Though, I hope you understand, that we shouldn't spread such knowledge publicly too much? As a Mistress of whispers, I hope you will be able just to spread some rumors, that the Queen is not well, but nothing too dangerous hapened?"
Then the young pale belle frowns a bit, "I heard that the Queen made princess Madalyn the heir again... That means, that she is the leader of our Kingdom now. I hope, you understand, that she is jot ready? That is why, I believe, it is our task to let her imagine, that she is leading our nation, but we would guide her?"
Adara listens silently then at the end nods and says, "After the rumors about blood I suspected she might have lost the child. A tragedy indeed, for both the Isles and our Queen as a woman and mother. I believe I could draft announcements or the like claiming to be from the Queen and that she has retired to her quarters to rest and things of that nature. Men are unlikely to pry too deeply into matters of women with child, and women would likely understand and send only well wishes." Taking a breath and her voice growing a bit more serious, "As to the Princess, I agree she's not ready, she thinks too much of her desires then those of the Isles. Unfortunately I doubt anyone would be able to truly 'guide' her. Unless one is skilled enough to council the Princess to make her think she came up with the proper course of action on her own, instead of being told, I doubt we would have much luck. I understand the Ring of Onimoria grants the Queen access to the Patrons themselves, though I freely admit I am not an overly faithful woman. I believe in the Patrons and honor them as best I can, but such matters are far beyond my grasp of understanding. I cannot think of any way, or anyone that could truly influence the Princess to the right courses of actions."
"The ring of Onimori stays on oir Queen's finher till her last breath... The Queen trusted you, lady Adara. That is why the Fourth trusts in you,"Nimkria leans to take Adara's ha d if possible, "You will bring the true information to our Princess. I know, that the Queen and you talked about a trusted friend for Madalyn, but she will be in the need of a mother. So, it will be you. You will tell the princess, that it is just a matter of time, when the Queen will die and now she has to grow up... You will become her new mother... Somehow."
Adara allows her hand to be taken and says, "What Princess Madalyn isn't aware of is that 'friend' is one of my Whispers. She is meant to report to myself and the Queen about anything the Princess does that could be... Problematic. The Princess had similar complaints of me as the Queen, that I was lecturing and such things. I do not know how well I will be of assistance with the princess. Not to mention, to my continued regret, I missed nearly a decade of my daughters lives. I am not overly familiar with the problems of one so young. I am willing to try but I don't know how much help I will be in helping her to grow up. I will inform her about how quickly it draws near she will rise to Queen. Perhaps that will help in determining how much she will mature or how well she will accept advice from those more experienced."
"Of course... Lets hope that the shadow of death will help her to grow up," sighs Nimoria, "She will have her first task as soon as possible. We do not have time to wait any longer. As you know, our last mistress of coins died. Now we need a new one and there are a few candidates, who think, that they are worth of such position. So, help the young princess to call her first Queen's council meeting. I know that our Admiral and Marshal are busy and won't be able ro attend. However, the dutchess Debrah Kiari is around, you and the Fourth... Princess herswlf and a Mistress of Common affairs... It will be the majority of the Queen's Council, if we will habe to vote."
Adara nods and says, "I will do what I can. How effective it proves to be we shall see I suppose. I have a concern of my own as well, though there isn't much to report on until I have more information. In light of the Queen's deteriorating condition part of the concern is the Prince Nathan. It may prove to be another of concern, but as part of the Council I will bring it up if there proves to be a need for it. Even if the Princess does mature if my concerns prove true it might be more then she is ready for. I am hoping my concerns are unfounded however."
Nimoria's eyebrows jump up a bit curious, "Isn't the prince Nathan her only one son, who is worth Queen's trust? What concerns do you have about him?"
Adara says, "Some things I heard from a few guards about a possible 'nightly visitor'. I told them to keep a better watch and to inform me of any additional findings, and that only myself or the Queen is to change those instructions. Given the Queen's condition, I suppose that order wold come from the Four 'speaking on the Queen's behalf'. Again it is my hope it is unfounded, but I will keep you informed as I learn more."
"Yes, of course..." Nimoria drawls, "Even if princess Madalyn will become official leader, the Queen is still alive and the Fourth will speak in her behalf on the most important decisions. After all, princess Madalyn does not become the Queen. She as the heir will have to handle common Kingdom's matters while the Queen is... resting... So, yes. If you will learn something more... Let me know. Is that all of your concerns, lady Adara? I would like to visit the Queen..."
ADara nods and says, "I will begin drafting messages for the criers. They would sound more official coming from them, and they believe it is the words of the Queen instead of myself to alleviate the concerns of the public. I will submit the messages to the Four for approval before sending them out to the Criers to make sure they do not reveal anything the Four wishes to keep secret. There s another concern, perhaps a bit early but even so, the Princess it seems will be Queen before long. The issue of her marriage is still iin the air so to speak. Are you aware of any suggestions or considerations from the Queen before the unfortunate circumstances?"
"Well, I still hope for a miracle..." Nimoria sighs, "That our Queen will... live. Before she was pregnant with Lotingus' child... The woman mentioned, that she is concidering a possibility to change the law. She thought, that Madalyn will never be a good Queen. She was disappointed, that Patron didn't gave her another daughter... So, she wanted to announce the peince Jerrick as the heir and that his daughter would become his heir. So, it would be just temporary change... But... I am not sure how people would look into auch decision..."
Adara says, "If I am honest, I would not look favorably on a king for the Isles. My time as emissary to the other kingdoms I saw kingdoms ruled by a king, if we grant power to a king it is my belief a queen will never rule the Isles again. I do not have a better suggestion myself, but I am among those who would not like a man ruling the Isles." in a calm, but serious tone.
"I agree with you... That is why, I believe, that we should work on betrothal of the Queen's sons. The Fourth will do anything to keep the Queen alive, even if she won't be able to raise from her bed. We need time... I think, that the best option would be to make the daughter of the Queen's son the heir. She will be the gtandchild of the Queen after all... Maybe the young princess Madalyn won't be too much happy with all the duties, which she will have to face and won't want to be the Queen herself..."
Adara nods and says, "I believe she doesn't want to be now, though I could be wrong. I agree a granddaughter would be preferable as things currently stand."
"Very good, that we see things the same way..." Nimoria smiles, "After all, thenlaw says,thatbif the Queen is too young to rule, the Kingdom will be lead by the Fourth and the Queen's council. So, we covered everything, I believe..." Her smile widens, "Dutchess Debrah Kiari will be sent to meet the King of Two Rivers and start new negotiations. The princess Luanda Brais should be betrothed to the Prince Jerrick. All girls born to the pair will be in the line of succession of our Kingdom. The Prince Zephan will have to be betrothed to someone of the royal kine of the Kingdom of Estoria. I personally do not like their laws of succession and they are strangers for me, but prince Zephan is not a good boy too..." Nimoria chuckles quietly, "And you mentioned about some troubles with prince Nathan... Well... You Lready investigate the story, so I leave it for you to find a wife for him from our kingdom. Whatever that man done, we will have to keep it in silence and hide all the conciquences of his night's visitor if there will be any conaiquences." The woman stands up, "Now I really should go. If you will have some more concerns, we can meet tomorrow. The Queen's health is my main task now..."
Adara nods and says, "I will see what I can about Prince Nathan. I have some experience with the other Kingdoms from my travels, but there is nothing I learned that isn't in my reports I wrote up upon my return. Sometimes remembering everything is a blessing, others a curse." She then stands and nods respectfully and says, "I won't keep you further." and prepares to follow the Nimoria out of the room, allowing the Fourth to lead the way.