Grounder 3 was sitting on his favorite chaise lounge eating grapes when Jaques Necker ran up to him in a hurry. He grumbled to himself. Necker never brought him good news. He was always such a downer. Grounder 3 didn't like people that made him sad, or threatened his opulent lifestyle.
"Your highness the nation's debt is not going to fix itself unless if we do something drastic. The famine is relentless as is the people's anger." Jaques announced avoiding the king's eye.
King Grounder didn't like where this was going, "What do you suggest then?" The response was definitely going to make him sad and threaten his opulent lifestyle.
"You must tax the First and Second Estate." Monsieur Necker declared.
Taxing the clergy and the nobles? There was no way Grounder 3 could do that. Sure they only made up 3% of the population. They owned all of the land too but land equals power. If the king knew one thing, it was that you had to keep the power happy to keep them at bay. "Absolutely not!"
"Your highness. The people are on the brink of battle. You must do something if you want to keep your head let alone the throne. For the love of our dear Father in Heaven tax the First and Second Estate. It will fix everything!" Jacques protested, agitated by the king's ignorance.
The king shook his head vigorously almost knocking the crown off his head, "There must be another way. I shall call a meeting to discuss alternative paths to get us out of debt. And you are fired so get out of my presence."
The guards threw Jacques out of the room just as King Grounder's beautiful wife entered the throne room. Sensing there was something wrong she rushed over to her husband and massaged his tense shoulders, "what's wrong my dear?"
"I fired the financial advisor."
Queen Harper's eyes grew wide, "more bad news? I don't want to know. Instead I'll give you a piece of good news. The chef is making a wonderful roast for supper and I heard the entertainment will be sensational."
Grounder 3 felt a smile creeping on his face. His queen always knew what to say.