Chapter 31

Standing from my throne, I take a deep breath to steady my nerves before addressing the room. I have practiced this all morning with my grandparents, I know I must be the one to start the proceedings first with an introduction.

"Good morning Cabinet members and Nobility." I begin, feeling all eyes focus on me.

"I am Princess Allisara Nimair, heir to the Nimairene throne, and I have called this meeting today to discuss the creation and abolishing of laws." My voice is clear and strong, carrying around the semi-circle room. I can hear the slight whispers as some open their binders, shock written on their face. It is rare for laws to be abolished, or so my grandmama told me. I can see why many would be shocked.

"I know this is so sudden with my return only happening twelve days before, but you all watched the news. I am the rightful heir and now I am undoing all the damaged that Juden Trilavantas caused while I was in hiding for my own safety. To prove to you all that the laws he created were In his favor, I have a short video to play." Nodding to the guard to the right of the stage, I take my seat as the screens above me turn on and Juden's confession plays for all to see. Hiding my hands under the table, I clench my fists to calm the rage that builds just from hearing his voice. I know the Kingdom deserves to watch his public execution, but part of me wished I had killed him in that interrogation room after his confession.

The video ends and the room is filled with many discussing this revelation. I can hear some individual words but with over one hundred people in this room, everyone's voices merge together into on cacophony of sounds.

"Silence!" My grandfather yells from his seat, the room quickly becoming so quiet that I can hear someone accidentally drop their pen.

"We have all be played by that bastard for fourteen years. Because of him my family believed our granddaughter was dead. If he had had his way, she would have been murdered alongside her parents and paternal family." He continues, his voice shaking with anger. Reaching towards him, I take my grandfather's hand in mine and give it a squeeze, letting my presence reassure him that I am here. That all the pain him and the Blanchard family faced has come to an end.

"We all know that many laws were created in the last fourteen years, laws that I believe are unfair and unjust to the people of Nimairene." I voice once I am sure that grandfather has calmed down.

"So with all of your help, I wish to discuss them in great detail and as we decide how to change or abolish them completely. My hope for the end of this meeting is to come out with a stronger law system for the people of Nimairene be they residents of the slums or provinces, to the Nobility and Politicians that help maintain the law of the Kingdom." My words seem to calm the anxious faces of many, but I notice a few that keep looking to one another. Tapping my binder five times – a signal we came up with – I confirm with Kolten that these four men and one women are indeed confirmed Traitors. Good. The best way to catch a rat is to smoke them out, and this meeting is the perfect place for it.

"If I may, your highness." A woman with black hair cut into a pixie style raises her hand and stands, her pale green dress making her stand out amongst the males that wore dark suits.

"You may, Miss..."

"Baroness Olivia Kenzington. This is only my fourth meeting your highness." Nodding my head, I allow Baroness Olivia to speak as she is the first brave soul to stand out when others are too cowardice to ask.

"What brought about the need to change?" She asks, her tone even and steady.

"What brought about the need for change was my first day back in my Palace with Juden threatened me, stating my throne was his. I had a gut feeling that there was more to this interaction and I was correct when I read the laws passed in the last fourteen years." Taking a breath to collect my thoughts for a brief second, I hold up the binder for all to see.

"Many laws were created in his and his men's favor and as we all know, once a law has been in circulation for twenty years, it will take another ten to change it." Baroness Olivia nods, stating that she accepts my answer and is excited for change. Many also voice their favor for change and I inwardly fist bump the air. The first step in the long journey is a success.

"Are their any other questions?" I ask, placing the binder in front of me, watching for any signs of hesitation from those in attendance. One man raises his hand before I motion for him to stand.

"Cabinet member Marquas Hanz, your highness." Marquas introduces himself.

"When do you expect to begin the process for these changes?" He asks before sitting down again.

"As soon as possible. There are many that I have noticed can be abolished or changed within the next month, but there are many that will take some time to implement. My goal is to have everything changed within the next two years." The room grows louder with mummers from those discussing my answer. I manage to hear some stating they are relived that there is a bit of a grace period and can get their affairs in order, while others voice their concern that two years might be too soon.

"If you have a problem with this, you may leave. But know that the moment you stand to leave, I will have your position removed and you will become a normal citizen." Standing from my throne, I let my voice carry over the displeased people before me. They all seem to settle with my threat, some regaining their uneasy looks again while others sit quietly, their smiles hiding their true thoughts.

"I know you all may think that I am just an immature child and your thoughts are valid. I grew up in the Slums of this city fighting every day to survive and so I know first hand just what this Kingdom needs to change for the better." Taking a deep breath, I begin to play to those who seem empathetic. If I can turn majority of the room in my favor not for the reason of being the true heir, but for growing up in horrible conditions, then the changes I want will be able to happen faster.

"I want a future where the Kingdom prospers and everyone is able to live in peace but I can't do it alone. So I ask you all today, will you help me?" With my small speech done, I wait patiently as they discus their options. Whether they like it or not, the change will happen because I will fight each and every nay sayer with all my might. It will be easier for everyone if they were with me though and not against me.

Time ticks by and as the four minute mark hits, the hushed conversations slowly come to an end before Baroness Olivia stands, a smile on her face.

"We are with you, Princess Allisara." She states before returning to her feet. Filled with relief, I smile at her before addressing the room.

"Let begin with the military laws." Returning to my seat, the meeting begins with Kolten and I taking the lead after I introduced him as my General and Commander and Chief to the Royal Nimairene Armed Forces. It is clear that many of those present do not understand the importance to the six laws we are looking to abolish and the three we wish to place as this section of today's agenda passes smoothly with majority in favor. What they do not understand is that they have agreed that only the Royal Nimairene Armed Forces is considered the one and only army of this Kingdom and that any smaller armies created and maintained in the provinces and territories managed by Nobles are considered militia and will be treated as traitors.

They may have guards that protect their estate, but that is it. Anyone one with their own armies will have to disband them or place them into the many units that will be led by those trained under Kolten. It will be easier to keep an eye on these men this way and notices will be sent next month when these laws are instated.

Our next discussion are for the laws created in favor of Nobility. This stage takes the longest as many that were created were for the benefit of the rich. The one I wanted to get rid of the most was the way Nobility were taxed in their businesses. Currently, those of higher ranked are taxed the least and I can tell that this law is the favourite amongst the men here today. I state that although their wealth is theirs, being taxed unjustly leads to their households being targets for those living in the Slums, citing my own upbringing and vaguely hinting that I watched many children of the slums steal from the businesses of these men on multiple occasions. I counter that with them being taxed fairly, we can use the money to increase the livelihood of where their businesses are located and help reduce the crimes caused. That the money will not go to fill my pockets but better the lives of everyone.

This seems to work as only a handful are apposed to abolishing this law but these people are already on our watch list with many set to be arrested by the end of this meeting. The only other benefit I find to hosting this meeting other than to abolish the laws Juden created is that unless it is a dire emergency, no one will be allowed to enter this room until we have adjourned for a lunch break or until we are done with the agenda for the day. None of those close to Juden will know their families have been arrested and assets seized as Kolten and his men have control over the security here until they too are arrested.

Two hours pass and we have finally come to an agreement on these laws. By now it is lunch time and we adjourn the meeting for a quick lunch break. The doors are opened and with the help of Kolten's soldiers, everyone is led to the luncheon where a buffet awaits us. It is there that I am greeted by my five cousins and the friends of my maternal family and we spend the short hour getting to know one another. I am happy to learn that my cousins did not name their children after my parents, wanting to leave the option for me as they had believed that without my body as proof, I was still alive. Touched by this, I find myself wiping away some stray tears and before lunch comes to an end, I promise to visit the Blanchard estate in the Zalaris as soon as I can.

Returning to the Cabinet Room, Sky informs me that Arian and Kolten's unit have finished the mass arrest, making me happy in knowing that this part of the agenda went smoothly. If all goes well, the Royal Coffers will be increasing meaning the plans to help my people will be able to happen sooner than planned. Thanking Sky for passing on the message, I move to sit in my throne ready to finish this meeting and return home.