The Questions Begin

Anastasia stopped her pacing and turned to look Duke Phillip straight in the eye. "Am I to assume that the Duke is instating a coo. Or is he oblivious to the Prince's role in all of this?" Anastasia's face had completely fallen, and the tips of her ears were beginning to burn bright red with anger.

"We cannot be sure yet, your Majesty."

"We need to become sure, and quickly. It could very well be that the Prince is coming to provide a war statement in person. If not that, it is probable that he has an ultimatum of sorts. I will not be caught of guard!" Anastasia masked her fear with anger. In truth, she didn't know what she would do if Prince Taren came declaring war. Surely he would not be so stupid. If that was his intent, he would be trapped by the Queen's forces and potentially harmed. However, he was not King. His father was the King and the one with the authority to wage war. Surely he was smart enough not to send his only son and heir into the lion's den.

"Nor would I expect you to be okay with being caught off guard. "

Anastasia sighed as she struggled to regain composure. She had to make a plan. Unfortunately, the Spring Season began in a week. That did not give her a lot of time to prepare. In addition, it was the year of blossoming for the spring season. The year of blossoming meant that Anastasia was in full bloom and would essentially be forced to marry. This year Anastasia would be presented electives from each high ranking family in the Court. From those, she would choose a husband. Since she herself had so little time in a day to choose perspective suitors, it seemed an affective tradition to keep, but considering that Prince Taren was traveling to Karitha as an elective, she began to have her doubts.

"Who all knows of this recent development?" Anastasia raised her eyebrows in and tilted her head to the side, waiting as patiently as she could for the answer.

"No one. I was the first person to intercept the messenger. I came without second thought to you."

Anastasia thought for several long moments. She was allowing her emotions to rule her thoughts in the present, and that was no way to rule. She knew that the best course of action would be to call a meeting with her advisors to explain the events of the day and prepare for what was to come. That would be easier said then done, considering that no one knew what the Prince of Dreterra or the Duke was planning. As far as Anastasia could remember, no one had even been in close contact with the Kingdom of Dreterra since the centennial peace celebration five years before hand. What had changed?

Anastasia kept culling over all the possibilities in her mind. However, she knew she would need help. She turned first towards Duke Phillip and uttered a few words of gratitude before turning towards the Lady-in-Waiting, and giving her instructions.

"Lady Lydia, if you will have each of my Advisors made aware of the situation. Tell them that there is to be a meeting after breakfast at 9. Furthermore, tell my aids I will be late for the meeting concerning the Spring Festival. Before doing that, tell my maids I need to change."

"Of course your Majesty." The girl curtsied before looking inquisitively at the Duke and Queen, wondering if she should leave the two, or stay until he was gone. Her inner inquisition was soon answered by Anastasia.

"Duke Phillip. If you would be so gracious as to join my advisors and I after you have had your breakfast. I am sure that your input would be invaluable to the situation since you were the one who was last in contact with Duke Algear. Please bring the letter and any other recollections or letters who have that may have hinted at Duke Algear's and the Crown Prince of Dreterra's actions."

"As her Majesty suggests, I will do." The Duke said with a deep bow.

"Good. Now leave me to prepare for my day. I have a feeling it will be a tiring one."

Anastasia watched as both the Duke and Lady-in-Waiting bowed for a final time before exiting. She sighed as she sat back in her spot, trying her best to gain composure. The last thing she needed was a war. Her people had enough problems as it was. How could she expect them to survive a war that would take their husbands, brothers and sons. Not to mention the decrease in crops. In addition, the funds would have to shift towards the war efforts and would create a delay on important projects such as schools and job opportunities. So much would change if a war was waged.

The peace of her little garden seemed shattered by the cruel world that had decided to intrude this morning. Even the sun deemed the day to much to deal with, and allowed it's beautiful rays to be covered by clouds, slowly casting a dark haze on the sky. The air began to grow thick with humidity, and soon she had no doubt the sky would show its sympathies for Karthia and its Queen's predicament.

Anastasia sighed as she rose to walk inside with brows furrowed in thought. An entire kingdom awaited her, and she could neither hide nor run from it. Instead, she embraced it with warm open arms and a maternal instinct. She was ready to fight for her kingdom, in which ever way she must. Today, that meant adorning her queenly garb, eating what little her stomach could keep down, and doing what she did best, ruling her kingdom.