( Astheria, Somewhere In Australia.)
The official Royal assistant watched as the Empress finished her morning jog with her trainer and walked over. At a rate which scared Elva, Natalia bounced back faster than she expected after her grandmother’s death.
The person she knew died the moment those autopsy reports came out. Everything changed.
Everything about her changed.
The months after her coronation were the toughest for everyone working at the palace, including Elva. The Empress started self defense classes and paid total awareness to everything she ate, down to the things she touched! She shut everyone out, even her best friend.
It scared Elva to see the opposite side of someone she loved and worried for. She couldn’t dare to mention anything that had to do with Arian De’ Argent, else it’ld have been her and not the unlucky maid getting scolded for serving cold water instead of lukewarm water.
She sighed.
Elva passed the Empress a white towel and picked her work tablet.
“Empress, you have a cabinet meeting with the ministers in thirty minutes.”
“About?” Her voice was curt.
“It’s concerning the adjustments you made a…” She nodded and walked away.
It was the usual so Elva wasn’t bothered.
The hundreds of hectares that made up the palace grounds were swarming with armed guards. Countless changes had been made but Elva felt the changes within the Empress was slowly becoming permanent.
Half an hour later, they walked into the Royal conference hall where about sixty ministers sat. The Queen looked domineering in the crimson blazers, white official dress and matching heels she wore. Everyone stood up and bowed deeply in submission till she stalked to her seat at the edge of the table and sat.
She spared them a slight nod then the meeting started.
“Shall we begin?” They sat down. Water and coffee was immediately placed by her side as Elva stood up to pass her laptop.
The prime minister who sat at the opposite end of the conference table spoke into the mic placed before him.
“Empress Alexis, I’m pleased to report that the permission you gave to specialize and privatize certain industries has allowed the influx of foreign investments and yielded enormous profits so far. Millions of Astheria citizens are quite pleased with the development.” He reported and Natalia nodded with a blank look.
“The reduction in the hefty taxes imposed on the low income earners and the seeming balance in the taxation system have made the locals much more stable in finance. But as much as it’s good on their part…” He gave a pause and looked at her.
“We all know such magnanimity won’t hold for long. Right here at the capital city, the increasing population demands a possible rethink of your decision. According to the statistics the finance cabinet made, you’ll be forced to double the previous tax rate a few years from now.” The large projector showed all the graphs and charts.
“And in your opinion, what would be the possible solution?” Natalia asked calmly. The finance minister spoke next.
“Empress, restoration of the previous tax rate would be a good start. If for some reason, the current growth rate of the economy is jeopardised, a deliberate inflation might be warranted later on.”
“If it goes on, it’ld affect the budget eventually and we, the ministers, would be the first at the receiving end.” Another put in.
Soon, the ministers began murmuring. Natalia casually raised a hand and they kept shut instantly.
“So I believe it’s a unanimous decision to burden the citizens so it won’t affect us in the probable future?” She asked. They maintained the silence.
“Correct me, but as leaders aren’t we supposed to bear the heat of leadership at the expense of our personal gains?” They remained mute.
“My decision still stands.” She finalised. They were quiet but majority had disapproving looks.
“As you noted prime minister, there’s an increase in investments and in the progress of the economy in all sectors. So the revenue incurred should be more than sufficient to supplement the future budget. All there is to do right now is to make sure the growth rate keeps above average.
“If there are still disapprovals, a reduction in every minister’s miscellaneous allowance and other not too necessary funds of the royal cabinet in general, for the good of the Empire will be granted. The billions generated will go a long way in funding the treasury. I’m sure you’ld all agree with me.” She went through her laptop.
The finance minister and a handful of others nodded in approval. But Elva almost laughed at the vicious glares the rest silently threw her way.
“If that settles it. The next thing on the agenda?” She ordered. The minister for information spoke up.
“The subject concerns you, Empress.” Natalia gazed up and relaxed on her chair, looking as cool as ice.
“The entire Empire wants confidence and assurance…”
“Be more specific.” She was blunt. They shared brief glances again hearing the chill hidden beneath her voice.
“It’s customary for every reigning Royal to have a strong bond with either a ruler of another Empire or with someone of unquestionable power to enhance supreme rulership.”
“I still do not understand, Minister Murdoch.” She pointed icily.
Of course she did!
Elva could feel the dark aura starting to seep out of her. The helpless minister had just mentioned a sensitive topic that privately burned her soul.
“A marriage union. Every ruler before you got married before coronation to ensure the continuity of the family’s lineage. The late Queen, may her soul find eternal rest, failed to get you betrothed after the death of the past Emperor, your father. In the case of any…” He uncomfortably cleared his throat. “… misfortunes, the citizens want to be assured that their well being is secured.”
Natalia who’d been silent with an emotionless face; “Are you indirectly implying I’m not qualified to rule?”
No one uttered a single word.
Yeah, it was that bad. She had everyone under control and submission. They moved uncomfortably in their seats.
“Be yourselves.” She beautifully smiled out of the blues, which felt creepy. “You’re free to leave your ministerial positions if you think so. The doors are wide open.”
Immediately, the conference doors swung open but they glued their butts to their seats, trying to hide their dissatisfaction.
When no one bent an inch further;
“I thought so. If that’s all? Good day, ministers.” She concluded and stood up. They scrambled to their feet and bowed as she gracefully walked out with her entourage…
***
( Beverly Hills, California. )
Consumed by the darkness in the room, a frail body lingered on the floor at a corner, trying the first number on his contact list for the four thousandth time that day. He placed it on speaker mode as it rang away. But like the rest… it went straight to voicemail.
Arian De’ Argent weakly threw it away and leaned on the wall. It’d been months she left and months his spirit broke. It’d been days he’d locked himself up and broke his room key in the keyhole to prevent anyone from disturbing. He couldn’t recall the last time he ate or drank.
He sat in total darkness, after turning his room into a dump yard. He couldn’t remember the last time he saw another human being. He could hear his mother crying behind his door and the feet of his friends moving around in panic but nothing moved him.
His throat hurt and burned. He had a migraine headache and his temperature was out of normal range. But it still couldn’t stop the tears falling at their will.
He lost the reason to live and stop a forced marriage. He lost the strength to survive and let self hate consume him. His back slipped from the wall to his side. He couldn’t move a muscle. His parched lungs wheezed out a cough which made his broken heart wince in pain.
Arian shivered uncontrollably but couldn’t hug himself. He knew he was dying but couldn’t care less.
He was already dead without her.
Mom Rose tried but nothing changed. It only made his pain worse. He was so useless and idiotic. He couldn’t save his first love. The thoughts slowly sunk him into a stage of depression that was hard to survive. He felt like dying.
No.
He wanted to die, to vanish out of existence.
Suddenly, Arian’s long lashes fluttered around weakly. A familiar ringtone was playing. He shut them back to focus on the sound.
It was his!
He looked up and saw the phone he tossed away a few meters ahead. It was really ringing!
‘Natalia.’ His heart whispered like a melody. It must be her. She was coming back!
A glimmer of hope coursed through him as he used fifteen seconds to sit his body upright. He sighted his phone on a heap of messed up books.
Arian pushed himself forward until he was close. His vision blurred when he raised himself on his knees and pulled. But the effect made the phone slip and slide to the other side.
As he raised himself to try again, he slipped on something silky and bashed his head on the edge of a glass table. Immediately, a gush of warm liquid slid down Arian’s face.
Hearing the horrifying noise, someone banged heavily at his door which a cushion was wedging and tearily screamed out his name.
Everything became hazy to the young master. Even his ringtone started to fade. His consciousness was slipping away but there was only one thought in his mind.
“Please forgive me, my love.” He whispered before welcoming the endless darkness…