The Council

"You came to my house, early in the morning, to tell me the meeting is two hours away!" I growled, earning uneasy glances from his guards. I balled up my fist, as the Prince shrugged his shoulders. Surprisingly, Elias's face looked very punchable at the moment.

We waited for another car to pull up since it was not permitted for the Prince to share his ride unless it was his bodyguards. 'Safety measures,' they said. What could a young girl do, to the Prince?

When the SUV arrived, two of my guards rode in my vehicle, as it drove to the castle. 'I can't believe that I'm meeting the King, and I have to speak before the council.' I groaned to myself and watched cars pass us, on the highway.

"Miss, are you alright?" Gerald looked worriedly at the young duchess. He wasn't scared that she couldn't handle herself, it was just that she was going into high water. It sounded like the Prince requested an audience with the council and the King.

"I'm fine. I was just not prepared to see the King." She looked at the man, then turned out the window. Ten minutes of silence filled the SUV, and then the magnificent castle was seen from the highway.

"Miss, place this cloak on, you know how the Paparazzi is." I took the proffered cloak and buttoned it, pulling up the hood. Turing my focus back on the stone structure, it was four times the size of our estate, with four towers at each corner. A wall formed around it, and the only way to access it was the drawbridge.

"This is my first time being here. I can't imagine how much walking there has to be done, to get around." Gerald chuckled at the Duchess's amazement. Pulled up to the drawbridge, the line of four cars, paused and patiently waited for the bridge to lower.

Once they were inside the gate, the cars pulled around the massive dragon water fountain, in the roundabout. The guards stepped out and helped the esteem guests. The Prince waited for Lady Willow, as she gracefully stepped out of the car.

"Your Highness, the meeting starts in an hour. Must I ask why you brought a woman at a time like this?" Elias looked at the older man, with a clouded look. Stepping forward to the men, I tugged at the hood, covering my face.

"This is the daughter of Duke Willow." Elias started, as he stood straighter, gave me an encouraging smile. "She has come as a citizen to listen to the meeting with me." He finished with a smirk, as the assistant looked down ashamed.

"I'm sorry, Duchess. It's just rare for visitors to come to the castle." The man spoke, looking toward the Prince. "How about a tour through the castle?" I perked up at the word, 'tour'. Elias looked in my direction again, and I nodded.

"A tour sounds amazing." I replied, and Elias swiveled around and walked to the grand doors of the castle. Picking up bunches of my dress, I followed quickly behind him. With his fast strides, I had to lightly run to keep in the respected distance. Slowing down, I paused to catch my breath, and to look at the portrait, finally pulling down my hood.

"You're already tired?" He chuckled as he looked at the portrait with sad eyes. It was the family portrait, the King, Queen, two grown sons, and a young daughter. The Queen was holding Elias, who looked rather charming.

The older boys that died in a car crash, looked striking to the King, with brown hair, green eyes, and a firm jawline. The daughter had baby features, she looked elegant and sweet, and she had the same features as her mother, blue eyes with dirty blond hair.

"Your Highness, I just wanted to look at the portrait." I glared at him, and he chuckled again.

"Fine, I'll walk at an easier pace, for the lady." Turning away from the portrait, I stared at the young boy, who had a frown on his face. 'He has come a little way, he still is arrogant, but he's changed in my presence. Maybe beating some sense into him, was a good option.'

"Prince Elias, are you ready for the meeting?" Turning away from me, I watched him take a step away from me. "You didn't answer." I crossed my arms and glared at his back. He let out a sign, facing me with a stern look, and I tilted my head in concern.

"Duchess, I think you're a little nosy. However, I'll know when the time comes." His hands trembled, and it took me everything not to reach out and steady it.

For the remaining hour, we toured the rooms around the throne room, just looking into random places. When called to the throne room, we watched proceeding about trade deals, observing some of the ambassadors from other countries.

Father stood there and assisted the King, who looked pleased that his son arrived, however, they both looked shocked to see me. There were many harsh glances in my direction by the council members, and I just raised my eyebrows daring them to question.

"The council would like to bring some matter to His Majesty." Eight people made their way to the King, bowing in respect. The leader took a step forward and spoke in a clear, loud voice.

"Your Majesty, crime rates still increase, and business is suffering. The high class is suffering the most since there is a high rate of robbery. What do you plan on doing, to solve these problems, Your Majesty?" The leader, had a pointed nose and a smirk as he saw the King think hard of his words.

I scoffed at the mention of the high class, this man thought the high class was suffering. How delusional.

When Elias stood up, this grabbed the attention immediately. I stood up with him, and we walked upon the carpet, where we both bowed to the King, and the whole room was shocked that a lady was actually on the red carpet.

"Lady Rebecca Willow, Daughter of Duke Willow and Duchess Willow. Prince Elias Flames." My father announced our names and I lifted my eyes. The King's eyes locked with mine and it canceled all the buzzing sounds in the room, including the comments on how a woman was going to speak.

"Your Majesty, If I may?" I asked and he waved his hand, silencing the room. Elias backed away, I panicked slightly but, instantly regained my courage. He nodded and I looked to the council leader, who sneered.

"I have a suggestion about solving the high crime rates. It is not the high class that suffers the high crime rates, however the working class. It's their businesses that are bring robbed and it's their families that are in danger." I glared at a council member as he made a move to interrupt.

"I say that you can send more soldiers to patrol the streets, day and night. Yes, I am aware that there will be a need for soldiers, so pull a list of names that need to serve their time. And for the businesses, you should pay them for their troubles. At least until the crime rates decrease-" cough, the leader looked down on the child.

"Who says the King shall listen to a woman, much less a child." He paused as he let the words sink in. There were mutters around the room. "It's normal, that crime is high. What do you mean to pay the business that is suffering? Our high class is suffering because they can't do business properly." He paused and I took that moment, to stifle his pride.

"You're right why should a King listen to this ideal? However, as a citizen of the Country of Belfare, I have a right to come to His Majesty. And Councillor, is it not the working class that grows our economy?

"For our country to prosper, our businesses should be protected and have trust in the government. Don't you think?" I asked the question and the Councillor opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water.

Turning back to the King, Father stood there with a proud look in his eyes. "Lady Willow, I understand your plan. I will think more about it. Prince Elias, would you like to add more to the lady's words?" Elias looked at me with a proud look in his eyes, and he smiled lightly.

"No, Your Majesty. She has spoken the words that were to be spoken. All I ask is that you think quickly, for the working class is indeed suffering." He bowed then came to stand next to the lady. She stood tall, with her back straight. Her hair was perfectly placed, and her dress sparkled with the jewels on her neck and wrists.

"Then, there will be a new bill. For the Prince has seen the damage of our economy. Pull twenty percent from the young men who need to serve their time. Then give one grand to each of our businesses that are in the suffering areas." The council members' jaws dropped, as they looked at their King.

"Sire, is this the plan?" The Councillor bowed his head, as he glared at the youngster who moved the King, with her words. Although they were true, the Councillor had the King under his hand, until the Prince brought his intelligent witness.

"Leave and go write the bill. For I have a few words to say to these two citizens." The council left with gloomy faces, and they all glared at the young lady. She was indeed, very intelligent, as she came prepared.