Tricky Navigation

Even from their introductions, Noble could sense which of the Lords and Ladies were and were not on her side. Some of them were part of the Old Guard, while others were slightly younger.

Emira had not been foolish enough to put any of the sycophantic Hopefuls in leadership, but a few of the assistants wore the emblems that Noble had seen at the centennial event.

Gauging each member's emotional signature and reaction to her presence, Noble noted who would likely need to be replaced. Alyx was a sobering reminder that people would not go along with her just because Emira was suddenly on board with her leadership. 

But that would be a job for another day. For now, she just needed to keep her head above water and try to get a grasp on how things were run. 

Fortunately, that proved to be an easier task than the first. Emira had a hundred years to streamline the government. As monarch, her rule had been absolute, but each of her advisors had a specific job with limited responsibilities. And for the most part, the people in those roles seemed competent. 

'That's good. Just keep things moving along.' 

City building plans, military routines, and all manner of things were put before Noble for her to approve or reject. The rapid-fire questions were met with measured responses.

And there were only a few instances where Noble genuinely had no idea how to proceed. She offered to examine those matters more closely at a later time. 

Noble selected the royal colors and affirmed Theo as her General. She also named her patron god, which remained the Beast God to avoid any backlash. 

Not that the floating queen had any real preference. They were all dead anyway. 

Things were running smoothly. 

Finally, the last person at the table, a middle-aged woman in a flowing blue dress, stood to speak. 

"Advisor Asa," she reminded the new queen. "I am the Royal Secretary. Outside of these meetings, I convey your wishes to whomever you desire." 

"I appreciate that, Advisor." Noble nodded from the head of the table. 

A servant brought the woman a piece of paper and whispered in her ear. Noble raised her eyebrows. 

Asa thanked the servant and addressed the queen. "I have a few requests from the castle steward. Would you like them now or later?" 

'Let's get this over with.'

"Now is preferable." Noble smiled. 

Asa opened the paper and began to list the requests. "He asks where Queen Aunt Emira's things should be moved. Do they go to one of the other suites or shall they be packaged to go another location?" 

The room went still. Everyone wanted to know if the new queen would embrace or exile her predecessor. 

But Noble had a different worry. The missing books were likely in the royal suite. Moving things might cause them to be lost forever.

"Please tell him not to move anything just yet. I will let my aunt decide what is best for her when she is ready." The Queen felt the tension in the room lessen. 

Asa went on to the next order of business. "What about the Consort's quarters? Should the steward begin airing it out for a new resident?" 

If the other advisors were uncomfortable before, now they were mortified. Their eyes all flicked to Counsel, who colored under their stares.

Counsel banged his fist on the table. "How dare you!" 

But Asa smiled sweetly. "I am only reading the questions I was given. It was Her Majesty's desire for me to ask publicly." 

"You are trying to insult Her Majesty's honor!" Counsel rose and placed his hand on his sword. 

But Noble reached out to stop him. "It was a valid question, and I do think I will make use of the quarters. Tell the steward to open the rooms and make them ready for use." 

Counsel looked at her, astonished. "What are you saying, Your Majesty?" 

"What? Do you not think Kosi deserves his own place in the palace? It is his home as well now." Noble nodded seriously.

Counsel sat down in his seat with a satisfied grin. "Indeed, the Symncus deserves all the honor the kingdom can give for his service." 

It made sense to let the golden creature have the unused space. The room was close to the Royal Quarters since it was intended for the Monarch's spouse. Perhaps it was even connected directly by one of the many hidden doors. 

Asa's triumphant smile faded. She ducked her head submissively. "I will convey the message, Your Majesty." 

"Your Majesty is both wise and considerate," Theo said. "We thank you for giving us your time today." 

The others around the table nodded or muttered their assent, silencing anything else Asa might have asked. 

Taking the cue, Noble floated her chair backward, grabbed Council's scroll, and dipped her chin. "That will be all for today. Please bring any other concerns to Counsel, and he will make sure that I receive them." 

Sweeping out of the room, Noble waited until she was in the hall to let her face relax. She heaved a great sigh. 

"You will have to relieve the Royal Secretary. She did that just to embarrass you!" Counsel hurried up beside her with Kosi hot on his heels. 

"I know," Noble shut her eyes for a moment. "But she wanted to get a reaction out of me, and I would not give her that victory. I have seen her kind before. As soon as you find someone better suited to that post, I will replace her and move Asa to another position." 

"Another position?" Counsel furrowed his brow. 

"Keep your friends close and enemies closer. The only reason to pull that stunt was to make herself look like a martyr." Noble wrinkled her nose. 

"Alyx is already playing the victim perfectly. You don't need another," the protector understood. "So that's why you are being so warm and friendly with your aunt! To keep an eye on her." 

"Not exactly." Noble shook her head. "Emira has changed. You'll see it." 

"If you spend enough time with her, you will see she hasn't." The man was sure on this point. "I will wait until you see the light." 

"I hope we can agree on this issue soon. Perhaps you will join us for training in the morning?" The Queen offered. 

"You are even training with her? Well, good then. Find out her weaknesses if she will tell you. It cannot hurt to be prepared for the inevitable." The man touched the hilt of his sword. 

"Always be prepared. I think I have heard that motto." Noble chuckled softly.

"Was that motto what made you ready for Advisor Asa's question?" Counsel scratched his chin. 

"Maybe," Noble grinned.

"Well, it was quick thinking! My only worry was about the man who has your heart, but I suppose you will be too in love to live in separate suites." Counsel continued to stroke his chin, but his emotions spiked.

Noble's did too. A blush crept to her cheeks. "That is a reasonable assumption."

"And now that you are queen, he doesn't have to hide anymore." Counsel's eyes slowly slid her way. "When will I have the pleasure of meeting him?"

Noble blinked a few times and brought her hand to her head. The scroll in her hand dropped to the floor. Counsel scooped it up with a worried look.

"Are you alright? Was it something I said?"

"Just a little overwhelmed," Noble hedged. "I will be fine."

Noble glanced at the rolled-up page. She gasped dramatically.

"Oh! Your proposal! How could I have forgotten about it? We should look at it right now. Yes, yes we should. That is the only thing I want to talk about for the next hour, don't you? Good! Let's go!"