I'm not neglectful, I'm busy!!
Eventually she was calm.
And she sat in his lap, thinking.
"...I...I want to forgive the debts. All of them. Can I do that? Is that something I can do...?"
Phoenix gently pet her hair. "The empress may do anything."
She swallowed hard.
That sounded right.
"...Then...I am." She declared. She nodded. "I'll forgive the debt of anyone who dies."
Phoenix continued to gently pet her hair, pressing kisses to her forehead. "The empress can do anything...but you understand this will cause much debt for the kingdom, and...will not make you popular among the nobility. While you might gain the favor of the peasants, it could anger those in power who feel entitled to such funds from others..."
"...I want my people to have dignity and rest for their families... " She said slowly. "I'm not letting a corpse lie unclaimed and rot just so the wealthy can get richer."
She wished her voice didn't sound so weak. So fragile.