Glass Crown

She was the first-born Princess, Leccamaradel Emma Araish.

Though such a title held little meaning in today's world. She was no more than an 'honorary guest' at the royal palace. Her former military title as Chieftain had been reduced to a mere honorary role. She held no power, no influence. Such a state was pitiful for a member of the royal family of the Kingdom of Yondel.

Each step token on the grounds of the royal palace served a reminder of the life she had once held. Sure, she was still pampered by all those around her, but it was never the same as it formerly once was.

The words of maids, butlers, and members of the Royal Guard filled the palace. Yet she paid no mind. Though stripped of her power, being a Princess still had obligations to both the royal court and the people of her kingdom.

With her black dress comfortably hugging her body, and her heels making audible sounds against the marble floors, Leccamaradel walked at a normal pace to her next destination for the day. Under the careful watch of an older butler, she continued to her destination, which was the royal vault and its accompanying offices where the economic elite would figure out how to adjust the governmental budget.

Approaching a wooden door at the end of the long hallway, Leccamaradel paused before knocking on the door. An audible "thud" came from inside the room, and moments later the door swiftly opened. Her eyes furrowed at the man before her; all chubby, but with a sharp calculating gaze, Vise Count Porodale Mororcos served under the king as his financial advisor.

"Vise Count Mororcos, pardon me for the intrusion." Leccamaradel said in a professional manner as she curtsied.

The Vise Count looked upon Leccamaradel which made her uncomfortable, yet he made no move as he let out a long and exasperated sigh as he stepped away from the door, "Princess Araish, what might you be visiting me for?"

Withdrawing a small scroll from her belt, Leccamaradel presented it as she announced her intentions, "I am here in place of the king to speak about how funds will be distributed to the military."

Mororcos took a glance around the Princess before nodding his head and turning to enter the office he now occupied. "Fine" He said, "Be it as it may."

Entering the room, the Princess took her time looking around. To the left a large wooden fixture held several shelves of neatly and properly aligned books. On the right, a large table with different manuscripts, orders, and mostly accountant-based documents laid spread out in an unorderly fashion.

"Pardon me." She said softly and with a slight smile.

With the Vice Count impatiently waiting, Leccamaradel quietly walked over to the table he was waiting at. Noticing two cups and a pitcher of tea waiting on the table, it was clear that this meeting would be longer than both expected.

"Now, your highness... I believe the report I gave to both the King and the Grand Harbinger. Tell me, what is it that is wrong with how the funds will be distributed?" Mororcos questioned putting the Princess on the spot.

Not yielding to the Vise Count, she answered firmly without pause, "The King and the Grand Harbinger best believe that the funds should be reallocated to the rearmament of our legions. The King in particular believes that further development and research of flint technology should be put on hold or possibly outright canceled due to the mage divisions that have grown in size as of late."

"That man is a fool." Vise Count Mororcos said aloud as he pinched the bridge of his nose, "He is a fool for believing that we will survive this next war without the proper tools necessary to win. Our enemies have already employed such technologies, yet here we are putting all of our hope into several divisions of conscripts who will leave once their allotted time has expired."

"He also mentioned that further use of mercenaries and adventurers should be considered and that a portion of the funds should be directed to improving such groups."

The Vice Count snapped as he suddenly bolted from his chair. He breathed heavily as he paced around the room at an unusual pace, "He-he believes that this kingdom will survive? With all his stupid decisions, its no wonder that the military has fallen into shambles, and that our allies have slowly distanced themselves from us!" An idea suddenly sprang into Mororcos head as he returned to his seat, "You know what? If he wants to destroy what the former king built, then he shall do so! Just don't be surprised when "he" and his "men" come knocking on our walls!"

A crawling sensation made its way around the Princess's foot, yet she made move to remove such a sensation, hell at this point her face betrayed no emotion to what she was feeling.

"Vise Count, although I value your opinion, the recommendation I have made is nothing more than a royal order that has come from the King himself." She spoke directly and without emotion, "It would be in the best interests of both yourself and your family if you follow such orders."

"What blasphemy has the king taught you dear Lecca?" The Vise Count whispered as he sat back down in his seat with a cold sweat running down the side of his face, "Fine. Julius, come here!"

A younger man came out of an adjacent room with a stack of papers in his hands. Seeing who was in the room, the boy quickly placed the papers aside and brushed his golden hair momentarily before showing a short bow.

"Ah! Princess Airish! I did not expect you to be here." He said nervously.

"Please raise your head." Lecca said in a comforting manner as she adjusted herself in her seat.

With a light red-hue on his face, the boy no older than seventeen years old obliged and stood up straight. "What brings you to such a place Princess?" He asked in a kind manner as he tilted his head and scratched the back of his head.

Before the Vice Count could answer, Lecca cut him off as she provided her own, "I am simply here to assist you both in deciding the new budget for the military." She said with a soft smile on her face.

"I see..." Julius answered in an uncertain tone as warmth ran through his body. "Then I will be glad to provide my services." He proclaimed as he pulled up a spare chair and brought himself to sit with the Vice Count.

A small smile grew on Lecca's face as continued to press her burning question that had been laying at the back of her mind even before she arrived at the office, "Julius, may I propose a question to you."

As if he were enchanted by every word she spoke, the naïve boy nodded his head attentively giving her the opportunity to speak while the Vice Count watched in confusion. "Then tell me; how much of yourself do you devote to the throne and all members of the royal family."

Putting up a salute and speaking loud and proud, Julius answered the question with all his might, "I not only devote myself to the honor of the throne, but if any member of the royal family were to ask something of me, I would gladly give all of my ability to the cause!"

Surprised at the proclamation, and in awe at the bright look on the boy's face, all Lecca could do was provide was a satisfactory nod which made the boy glow red in the face. Raising from her seat, Lecca excused herself as she walked to the exit of the room.

The Vice Count suddenly sprung from his chair and followed the Princess as he spouted out questions as to why she was now leaving.

All Lecca could say in a strained voice was, "Please keep to yourself Vice Count Mororcos, it has kept you alive for this long, so why bother stopping?"

Absolutely appalled by the response he gained; the Vice Count turned around.

An image was burned into his mind as he watched Julius's face morph into something completely unrecognizable.