Chapter 30

Sitting in the carriage on the way to the Parliament Building, I look outside at the scene. Snow still clings to some places but you can tell by the way the people dress that the warmer weather will soon take over. Children run around on the side walk, their parents chiding them to be careful. It is such a peaceful scene, one you would not see in the Slums, and it makes my resolve in changing that area for the better.

"Is this your first time in a carriage?" Sky asks as he watches me, a bemused smile on his face.

"From what I remember so far, yes." Turning away from the window, I let the curtain fall and relax into the plush seat. My grandmama chuckles, handing me a cookies from the basket Ellisia packed for us while my grandfather flips through the binder.

"Your cousins and some of my friends were given a heads up for today's meeting. They are ready to support you." Closing the binder, my grandfather takes the treat from his wife, leaning in to give her a quick kiss on the cheek before taking a small bite of the cookie.

"That's a relief. If you hadn't had come yesterday, I would be a nervous wreck worrying about how this meeting will go down." I admit. For fourteen years the members of my Cabinet and the Nobles were under Juden's reign. This meant that me coming into the picture would be hard for these old fools to accept and I know there would be some, if not a lot, of resistance to the changes I want to make.

"Even if that news hadn't broadcasted you were our Little Sara, we would have instantly recognized you the moment we lay eyes on you at todays meeting." My grandmama reassures, reaching over to squeeze my hand. I smile at her, accepting her show of affection. The carriage is then filled with preparations for today's plan starting from how to introduce myself and the agenda at hand to how I will deal with certain Cabinet members that will be arrested today.

It turns out Arian had sent many spies to gather information on those the support Juden. I did not know this until this morning when he and Sky appeared at my bedroom door after I finished getting ready for the day asking to have a short meeting in my Study over breakfast. Of course my grandparents were already there waiting for us and with reassurance from Sky and I, Arian gave me the small folder with information on potential traitors and those who are confirmed traitors. Within an hour we came up with a plan and with the help of Kolten and his men, we have begun another mass arrest in secrecy. Many will be arrested after the meeting today so that when the votes are counted, theirs will be voided and hopefully thing will end in our favour.

The carriage slowly comes to a stop, the sounds of people chattering outside catching my attention. The door is opened and the driver pokes his head inside, a friendly smile on his face.

"We are here." He declares before stepping back. After setting the binder aside, my grandfather and Sky exit the carriage first, both men helping my grandmama then myself as we exit after them. Behind the Royal carriage, Mika and Alec sit on horse back scanning our surroundings. These two won the luck of the draw by drawing the two shortest straws and were chosen to accompany us in order to protect my grandparents and me. Turning to face the building I am shocked by how large it is. Being a two story building with a basement, the Parliament Building is half the size of the Palace. No other buildings are near it with it being in the center of a large nature park, giving the Cabinets and Nobles a peaceful atmosphere to wander when dealing with their stressful jobs. Mika and Alec climb down from their saddles, handing the reigns to the driver before coming to stand on either side of me and Sky.

Being as I am single and still a Princess, I will need an escort when I make a public appearance and with approval and support from the Blanchard family, Sky was nominated as my escort this morning. Instead of the usual guard uniform, he wears an exquisite navy blue suit and freshly pressed cotton dress shirt. His gun is holstered at his hip and the amethyst pin is glittering proudly on his lapel.

His outfit matches the navy A-line asymmetrical chiffon and lace dress my grandmama chose for me to wear. It is elegant and regal, paired with a silver belt, silver heals and the white gold and amethyst tiara that I cherish as one of the few items that belonged to my mother. Strapped to my thigh is my own gun, my grandmama chiding me for wanting a weapon but my grandfather agreeing that a little extra protection is a good idea.

With the driver taking care of the four horses and the carriage and our group ready to enter the building, I follow my grandparents down the large path lined with flower beds and benches with ponds and fountains in the background. I have a feeling that I will not get used to the scenery for a while with how beautiful this place is.

Poshly dressed men and women nod to my grandparents, their curious gaze landing on me until realization hits them and they bow or curtsy as I pass them. Deciding that acting like a tourist is a bad idea, I straighten my posture and keep my gaze staring ahead. I am their future Queen that has only returned twelve days ago. I need to be as regal as possible if I am to succeed.

Our group reaches the entrance in no time, the front of the building made of glass allowing in as much natural light as possible. Built ten years after the founding of Nimairene, the Parliament Building is the second oldest building in the kingdom next to the Palace, this being the hub of politics and law creation. Two men wearing military uniform open the doors for us silently, the patch on their right shoulder telling me they are Kolten's men, good. It seems he has taken control of the security of the Parliament Building without anyone being the wiser in the last five days. Nodding to the men in thanks, we enter the main hall and from there I look to my grandparents for guidance. They know this building like their own estate and with their help, our group navigates the winding halls towards the Cabinet Room. Many men and a few women are beginning to file in, making their way to their designated seats.

Being related to the Royal Family, my Grandparents will be seated to my right at the head table. As my escort, Sky will be seated behind me to the left. Mika and Alec will be left to stand directly behind him and I feel sorry knowing that they will be spending hours on their feet until we leave to go home. Although Sky will not be beside me, Kolten and Taylor will be seated to my left as General and Commander and Chief and Lieutenant-General to the Royal Nimairene Armed Forces. Their input when we reach restructuring laws for the Army will be imperative today after three days of discussing which laws to keep and which to abolish for our military.

Carefully climbing down the stairs, I follow my grandparents to the stage where the head table is set, noticing smaller tables set to the back behind specific chairs.

"For Sky and other escorts." My grandfather explains as he helps my grandmama up the stairs. Sky takes my hand, carefully helping me to climb after them and leads me to the seat of honor. A brand new Throne shines under the lights, the plush seats covered in a dark violet fabric. Running my hand along the top of it, I smile before taking my seat with Sky's help before he bows respectfully and takes his own seat. Kolten and Taylor arrive shortly after, their friendly smiles one I return as I greet them. With my seat having an advantage point, I look around the room and notice freshly placed binders in front of each seat, my own included. It seems the preparation staff managed to print everything I sent to them two days ago. Happy that I left my own binder in the carriage, I run my fingers along the smooth plastic of this new binder before opening it to the front page that holds today's agenda. We have another twenty minutes left before the start of today's meeting, giving me time to study those entering the room while pretending to read over the information once more.

"Little Sara." I grandfather whispers, catching my attention.

"Yes?" Closing the binder, I turn slightly to face him, wondering what it is he want to tell me.

"Third row the first five seats from the left. Those are your cousins. Above them on the fourth row for the first ten seats are people that will support us." He nods his head in their direction, my own eyes moving to see the people that my grandfather points out. In the first five seats of the third row sit three men and two women, their pale blue eyes and golden curls a trait of the Blanchard family. The notice my staring and nod at me and I return their greeting with a smile. The man in the middle turns to the row behind him, conversing with a middle aged man in a red suit that instantly turns to look at me, a smile blooming on his face.

"That is my son Eathan's father-in-law Count Rodrigo Kaitelle. He went to school with your mother and his family are long term friends of ours." My grandmama explains, leaning closer to grandfather and me. I smile back at Count Kaitelle, getting a sense of familiarity with him. If my family trusts him, then I trust him as well. My grandparents begin to take turns pointing out our allies in this meeting after I motion for Kolten, Taylor and Sky to come closer. I can tell those finding their seats are watching us, wondering what the six of us are discussing, but we keep our voices low.

Finally the doors to the Cabinet Room closes and everyone finds their seat. Conversations come to an end and a hushed silence settles over everyone. It's show time.