THE TRUE LEADER
Every one awakened very early in the morning and the first thing that came to their minds was to draw the curtains.
Nothing had changed and the weather was still the same as it had been the previous day.
The Royal household was still as busy as usual but still candle lit along with some electric lamps as well.
The Prime Minister arrived at the palace in a hurry and once again was led to the waiting room where the Queen Valerian was.
He was seated in his seat and looking at the window which was covered with some fog and ice.
He sighed in disbelief before the Prime Minister was led in.
He stood up and offered his right hand the instant that the man approached him.
"Your Royal Majesty." The Prime Minister said as he kissed Valerian's right arm.
"Mr. Prime Minister." Valerian replied with a smile and afterwards sat down again.
"The preparations have already been made and the news was delivered as his Majesty wished." The Prime Minister said.
"It is only a couple of hours to noon and there is still not much for me to do until then." Valerian said.
"I understand your Majesty and that is a little bit unfortunate though I must say the time to prepare is adequate." The Prime Minister said.
"I really need to spend some time and visit those hospitals afterwards.
I want to look into some of the community stores to see if there are still community supplies that can be donated to the people." Valerian said.
"And the expenses Your Majesty?" The Prime Minister asked.
"The Crown I trust is in full potential to handle all that until this plague has been lifted." Valerian replied.
The Prime Minister went silent for a while before he looked at Valerian once again.
"What if it is not lifted your Majesty?" The Prime Minister asked.
"It will be lifted." Valerian replied sternly confident in his own words that eventually, the Prime Minister did not say much.
"Alright then, if your Majesty says so." The Prime Minister said.
"And I appreciate your effort Mr. Prime Minister, I need you here before my address is delivered." Valerian said.
"If his Majesty wishes, then certainly, I can not come close to objecting." The Prime Minister replied.
"Then I must get ready as fast as possible." Valerian said.
"Certainly your Majesty." The Prime Minister replied.
At once Valerian stood and offered his right hand, the Prime Minister kissed it and withdrew from the waiting room.
Valerian remained there only a short while until Gerald walked in.
"Your Majesty." Gerald said as he bowed his head.
"Let's go." Valerian replied and sashayed away until he was out of the waiting room and following the walkways that led to his private chambers.
Sattinborough was busy with the servants cleaning but many paid their respect as Valerian passed and arrived into his private chamber.
Once inside, Valerian went straight to the shower and shortly afterwards, Helren also appeared in the room.
"Your Majesty." Helren said as Valerian was being fit into his snow white satin gown embelished in diamonds and pearl sequins.
"Yes Helren." Valerian replied.
"Every thing is on order." Helren said .
"Alright then, I am still getting ready but I shall be done soon, I hope the balcony has been organised well for my address." Valerian said.
"It has your Majesty." Helren replied.
"Very well, I shall be there in a moment." Valerian said.
"Alright your Majesty." Helren replied and he walked out.
Valerian was fixing his floral diamond and pearl earrings as Gerald put on the necklace around his neck.
"Eventually, the hour does not lie far from now." Gerald said.
"I think even if we did it a little bit earlier, the people wouldn't mind, after all if they must be present already, then they are eager for a solution." Valerian said.
"I agree your Majesty and I hope that you shall do splendidly well." Gerald said.
"I know I will." Valerian replied as Gerald lifted the floral diamond and pearl tiara from its stand and placed it onto Valerian's head.
"You look splendid your Majesty." Gerald said.
"Thank you Gerald." Valerian replied as he stared at his reflection in the mirror and eventually smiled.
After a while, Valerian departed from his chambers and he was escorted by a couple of servants and duchesses that stayed over at the Royal household.
The prime Minister, Helren Valerian's private secretary and Gerald did not miss out on the journey as well as they walked down the candle lit hallways.
"In a short time, they arrived at the main doors that led to the balcony and the instant that they were flung open, Valerian walked out.
It was freezing cold but Valerian had a thick white fluffy scarf to shield him and below the entire palace masses equivalent to an army of termites were gathered.
All had been murmuring for a very long while but with the presence of their stunning Queen, they seemed to be quietened down.
His charm was working its magic and all the people were convinced that an approapriate solution would be delivered immediately.
"This is the address of his Royal Majesty, our Queen to the Nation and all you that are gathered here today represent the other fellows across the land.
Listen to what his Majesty has to say pertaining to the great Winter and put into action what he shall suggest." The Prime Minister shouted.
The people murmured amongst themselves and Valerian walked forward to the end of the balcony into clearer view of the people.
The people quietened down and immediately, there were shouts from the people.
"Where is the King?" The people asked.
"Order." The Prime Minister kept on shouting until the people kept quiet.
"The King is unable to make it but I step up to you in his name." Valerian replied and the rest of the masses quietened down.
"I understand that there is a lot that must be done and primarily that there is a scourge upon our land.
I understand that families, people's health and occupations are at stake and that is something that I can not undo.
I understand that there is so much need for food and need for supplies but I can't do much.
The least that we can do to cope up with the situation is stay safe for the time being while we still can.
I know we have children amongst us, these can stay in doors to avoid contracting the called and pneumonia.
No people shall be allowed to leave their households without thick and properly warm attires.
Sledges, I advise shall be used to transport the people and goods for the time being and all public and private food stores shall be emptied to feed the people on a daily basis.
Expenses of all that shall go to the crown and taxes for the month shall be spared additionally to cover for some of thd damages.
Only the gods can lift this curse that is upon us all but the best I can do for hospitals and medical stores is to fund the transportation of pharmaceuticals and the rest of their activities.
This I hope if we willingly cooperate and do together, we shall be in position to save every person, every family, our country and our land.
Stand with me and together, let us build a sustainable future for us all." Valerian said.
The mob burst into an applause and immediately after all had been said, every thing commenced.
Valerian took time to visit the hospitals and health centres, public and private stores as well as some local households.
Eventually, one morning, every one including Valerian awoke only to draw their curtains to see the pure beams of sunshine shine through the windows once again, Victorious.
"The scourge has been lifted." All the servants in the palace said and it was not long until the streets and the capital beamed with excitement.
Valerian stood there and smiled looking at the firmament being adorned in colours of pink, purple and orange.
Tag
*******************
The Great Winter after the Queen's speech lasted only two weeks, about one million (1,000,000) cases of pneumonia had been registered throughout the country but of these, the majority were cured and only one thousand three hundred and seventy two( 1,372) perished.
In total, the great winter lasted only three months but swept across the country and was the greatest natural plague at the time in Scoln history.