49: Back on Track

True to his words, Zairo stayed. Even after I told him everything I found out, he remained by my side, even when I'm distancing myself, he stayed by me.

"Queen Patrice," Baron Tariq and the King of Holland greeted upon my arrival

"We've been stalled for a lot of while, for that I apologize." I said and sat on the chair

"You may take your time, your majesty, the plan is pressing forward in a smooth manner." Baron Tariq said

"We're moving forward in an abnormally smooth process." Zairo said and I nodded

"I can't help but agree with you, King of Arcadia." The king of Holland said

"What do you suppose is happening?" Baron Tariq asked

"Ambush, they may still be underestimating our forces." I said and the two kings nodded

"I agree, they might be planning to give us false hope and take us by surprise." King Skylark said and we nodded

"Let the forces continue take a step forward." I said and they look surprised

"Shouldn't we order them to stop for now?" Baron Tariq asked

"No, we should continue to move forward." King Skylark agreed

"What's the news with the acting general?" I asked and looked at the knights

"The puppet general," I looked at Zairo because of what he said

"The acting general is doing fine, your majesty." Sir Charles said

"Is he? He doesn't need the guidance of the kings?" I asked confusedly

Aren't they putting too much trust with the acting general? He is still inexperienced in terms of ruling and expressing his authority due to his inexperience in real life situation.

"Knight Stephen is with the acting general, your majesty." Sir Charles said

"I see, I hope to hear from him soon, tell him that." I said

"I shall relay the message, your majesty." Sir Charles bowed and left

"Now, where were we again?" I asked the gentlemen sharing the table with me

"When should we proceed to the next step?" Zairo asked

"Shouldn't we take the step forward now? Shouldn't we play along and feign ignorance to their true plan?" King of Holland asked and I took his question into consideration as it does have a point

"Mustn't we ask the opinion of our acting general as well? Taking it to the next step would expose him to greater threats." Baron Tariq said

"That is true, Baron, the acting general does have the right to decide, it is his life we're putting at stake here after all." The King of Holland agreed

"Hmm, then shall we move the meeting and wait for his arrival from the frontline?" I suggested

"Wouldn't the puppet general merely do as you told, Queen?" Zairo suddenly asked and I looked at him seriously

"He is not a mere puppet if I may remind you, King Zachary." I reminded him

"He is also a human," I added

"As you wish, let us delay to wait for the puppet." He said and I did not like the underlying sarcasm I had sensed in his statement

"Now that it has been settled, let's bring forth another issue." The King of Holland said

"Your majesties, I have found out that there had been trading of slaves." Baron Tariq said and we all looked at him

"Isn't that common?" Zairo asked and I nodded

Although I haven't encountered any issue regarding the slaves trading or anything related to slavery during my time as Queen of Astrae, I am aware that it exists. Even in our kingdom slave trading is already a common thing, although it is somehow restricted in some kingdoms, those restrictions don't necessarily forbid trading of slaves or even slavery in any way, hence, people who are sunken in debt are still forced into slavery.

"Yes, slave trade is already a common thing." King Skylark agreed

"I would like to elaborate." Baron Tariq said

"Proceed," I said and he took out a scroll and spread it on the table

"You see these red markings?" he pointed the red markings

It's the map of the continent of Eos, the very continent where are kingdoms are located.

"Those are the cities that have fallen." He said and I nodded

Védica, Donovan, Fallan, Phi, Aves, Lorca, Vies riel, Johannes

Those cities that had fallen under the ruling of the bandits and slave merchants are considered fallen cities, as they no longer abide any laws. Those cities that are governed by bandits and slave merchant are comparable to a livestock farm, we're very aware of that. We may try to reclaim the cities but the damage to its people can never be healed and as soon as news of a kingdom launching an attack to reclaim a city spread, the other cities that are not being reclaimed will face genocide at the hands of their ruler. That's why we try our best not to let any city of ours be claimed by those merciless scums as we can no longer reclaim it once it's been colonized.

"And these are the kingdoms where the slaves are being traded to and the number of slaves they get every full month." Baron Tariq pointed the numbers and my eyes widened when I saw what kingdom receives the greatest numbers of trades every full month

"Is this certain?" The King of Holland asked

Astrae's Vedica and Holland's Lorca are sending almost a hundred slaves every full month to Orpheus separately while Arcadia's Donovan is sending almost half a hundred every full month.

"Are you suggesting we reclaim our cities?" King of Arcadia asked

"Isn't that risky? We'll be putting the other cities at risk." King of Holland said and I nodded

"Indeed, but that's not my point," Baron Tariq said

"Something doesn't fit quite well," I said

"Where would Orpheus need that much slave? They just had their new ruler a couple of months prior to my coronation." I asked

"Yes, but it seems they had held court." Baron Tariq said and we exchange glances

Hold court… In simpler terms, a motion to reconsider the current ruler's appointment.

"Are they planning a large scale competition?" The King of Holland asked

"A large scale massacre…" I said in disbelief

Yes, we respect each kingdom's diverse traditions may it be in clothing, delicacies and belief, or even their basis for choosing their ruler. However, they cannot deny that those people, who are being sent as slaves and under the ruling of the bandits and slaver merchant, are still our people nevertheless, this is comparable to a large scale massacre of our own people.

"I suggest we bring this forth to the inter-kingdom council as this is an alarming matter." Baron Tariq suggested

"It's risky," Zairo said

"Yes, I agree with the king of Arcadia, bring this forth to a higher court while we're in war with another kingdom may lead to death of more of our people, people under our ruling included." The King of Holland agreed

A one is to two voting stand. If I agree with the Baron Tariq, bringing this issue to the inter-kingdom council would mean that they, the inter-kingdom council, would then request the presence of the current ruler of Astrae, which is Trinity Ezra, and it may lead to stabilizing her stand as queen. It can be used against me the moment I reclaim the throne and the possibility of a mass genocide within the other cities may happen if the news of us bringing this problem to the inter-kingdom council were to reach the knowledge of those that govern the fallen cities. However, if I am to side with the two kings, the slaves sent to Orpheus will end up getting killed at most chances but the other cities will not experience genocide and may continue living, it's a decision where I must weigh the pros and cons wisely.

"I think they are right," I agreed and sighed

"As much as it is alarming, it is dangerous for us and much dangerous for the cities if we're to bring this to the inter-kingdom council." I added

"I see, I understand, your majesties." Baron Tariq said

"Do we have another issue to discuss?" King Skylark asked and we exchanged glances

"Well then, why don't we talk about the next step?" Zairo asked

"Haven't we agreed to wait for the acting general?" I asked

"I merely suggested, Queen." He replied

"Is there a misunderstanding, King of Arcadia, Queen Patrice?" King of Holland asked and I shook my head before turning to Zairo

"Do we have any misunderstanding?" I asked him

"Of course not, my queen," he replied and I smiled

After that meeting, I went to the Silk Palace along with Zairo. The maids prepared a meal for me, it's a soup, I can already eat hard foods after days of eating nothing but congee and drinking water. I was about to start easting when I noticed Dame Maia, there's something different yet familiar with her.

"Dame Maia," I called her as I was about to start eating

"Yes, your majesty, do you need anything?" she asked with her closed fist placed on her chest as she bows down

"Join me," I said and she stood up straight with her eyes widened in surprise

"Y-your majesty, t-that's inappropriate, I – I won't dare." She shook her head frantically

"Are you rejecting my order, Dame?" I asked and she looked reluctant

"I would not dare do such insolence, your majesty." She shook her head and looked downward

"Then, have a seat," I motioned the chair and she reluctantly obliged