What to do? {Part 1}

Pretty little ringlets framed her face as the rest of her hair fell like a waterfall, cascading down her back in ripples of auburn, brown, and gold. Her skin was accented by the slightest amount of blush and a line of dark brown framed her pale blue eyes. Her heart shaped lips were brought out by the slightest hint of pink, bringing an overall youthful look to her exterior.

Her dress was rather plain, but this was used as a tactical move. She never dressed ornately when addressing pressing matters of political and national importance. It was her way of nonverbally stating that she wanted this solved quickly and efficiently, just as she dressed. That being said, nothing in the queen's wardrobe was simple. She wore layers of silken brown shirts fastened to a bodice of forest green painted with an ascending pattern of golden ivy. Her sleeves where of the same material of her skirt, and were fitted to Anastasia's arm. this way she could write without being afraid of catching her sleeve in ink. A pearl necklace hang around her throat. Her signet ring was worn on her right hands ring finger, and a simple, but detailed ivy like crown was placed firmly on her head. All in all, her routine took several maids, each working separately, but together to put the look together. However, the result was impeccable and deemed worthy of the extra work by the Queen and those who she ruled. There needed to be no doubt she was indeed someone who had wealth, and thus power.

Now dressed and surrounded by her ladies in waiting, she lead the precession down to the royal study where she was expected to be. With a hesitant sigh, she gathered her self before entering the room. Her ladies in waiting would wait in another room for her, while she dealt with her advisors.

When she opened the door, she took three seconds to observe her surroundings.

The first second was used to assemble her thoughts and create the persona she needed in order to get the necessary work accomplished. From her observations, the advisor's seemed wary of why they were called together today. That was never good. She would have to spend a significant portion of time trying to justify the importance of today's meeting before ever event getting to solving the problem facing her kingdom. Furthermore, she would have to be extra firm if she desired any action to take place after this meeting.

The second moment she allowed herself was used in observation of who had obeyed her orders to come to today's meeting.

3 of her 8 advisors were missing. She sighed. they should have arrived by now. All advisors were supposed to arrive before the queen, as to not make her wait. However, she often would have to wait as one of her advisors would find any multitude of reasons to drag out their personal life before focusing on that of the kingdom. Instead of moaning her grievances at such an occurrence having presented itself this morning, she turned her attention to those that were here.

Adelaide of Greshin was Anastasia's self appointed Head Advisor, and the only other woman in the room. She had been influential in the court when she was married to Marquess Emond of Greshin, one of Anastasia's former advisors. However, after the Marquess untimely death the Marchioness had all but lost her voice in court.

To remedy this, Anastasia had made the Marchioness her head advisor giving her back her influence and voice, while also adding a trusted ally to her side. The Marchioness now sat on the right with a light smile on her face. She herself looked like she had been ready to take on the day hours before any of the rest in the room.

The next stern face sitting next to the Marchioness that greeted Anastasia was the Advisor of Trade and Foreign Affairs. The stern face was typical of Lord Brady. Should he be any less efficient in his job, she would not tolerate his grumpiness. However, he knew what he was doing and how to put on a show for those he needed to. By night fall, and a few sips of some sort of alcohol, he was the friend of all friends. Lord Brady had been filling this position for nearly 30 years, and his history with the court kept him for the time being securely in his position.

The war lashed Advisor of Troops sat across from Lord Brady. Baron Weston had been to war and back a few times, rising in ranks till he was commander of the army. However, due to age, he had to retire from his field duties. Now, he graced Anastasia's table of advisors. He was a friendly fellow, but also one to be wary of. He knew how to kill a man in thirty different ways, but would never dare touch a harmless butterfly. Anastasia hoped he viewed her more so the butterfly.

The youngest on the team was the Advisor of the People. The people elect who represented them in the court. Although the candidates had to be approved by the queen and her advisors, it was the closest some in this room ever get to hearing the views of the people. The elected this term was a young man of the name Timothy. He held no title from birth. However, he had been bestowed one upon his arrival in court. Lord Timothy was always ambitious and wide eyed. He listened keenly to those around him, and spoke his thoughts on most subjects with passion.

The Advisor of Staff, Lord Farley, looked rather impatiently at his watch. He was a flamboyant man, who was the most fancily dressed this morning. He expected timeliness and excellence. It was these things that kept Anastasia's royal castle in order. However, it was also what made him the most difficult to work around and with.

The last person in the room sat in silence and thought. Duke Vern, who normally was not seen sitting at the table of advisors sat patiently looking on at the conversations around him. Although Anastasia knew he did not know many of those in the room, and would personally call few friends. Timothy was perhaps the closest he could consider being friendly with. The rest vexed him to a certain degree, but there he sat waiting for Anastasia as he always did.

The three advisor that cared not to show were Duke Hallaway Advisor of Treasury, Count Fevin Advisor of the Harvest and Lands, and finally the honorary Advisor of War who was not present because the position was only filled when necessary. Anastasia prayed that this meeting would not result in the position being filled, but she had to prepare herself.

The final second was used to create her plan of action. Attack where the group was weak, and fortify where strength was needed. If she didn't her enemies would. It was bound to be a long day.