"Now, I have determined what the major problems facing our kingdom are. All other problems stem from these roots I believe," Wendell said addressing the Council.
He ran over the short list and waited for objections.
"Majesty, concerning the laws," a young Councilman said anxiously, "are you suggesting that we revise every law in the kingdom?"
"If it is necessary then yes. I have learned that many of our laws are needless and only create criminals. If we have to we will go through every law of every city of every county in the entire kingdom. Revisions must be made," he said sternly.
The young Councilman, Owen, paled. Obviously this was too much work for him. But the old days were over. He was going to be an active monarch and his council was going to be just as active.
"Your Highness, may I suggest forming a committee of lawyers to go through these laws. You may make a template of a law that you feel is unreasonable that they will follow. They can then come to you and present their findings," said an older Councilman with blonde hair that was going white.
"Excellent idea Lionel!" Wendell exclaimed. This was what he was going for. They were thinking. He really felt that they would get somewhere today.
"Best to put a few lawyers from each county on this committee, might need subcommittees for each county even," added another Councilman. They all nodded in agreement.
"Very good. Clerk take that down, we will begin appointing the committee next week. Send word to the law schools, they will know the best lawyers in the cities," Wendell ordered. The clerk began to write furiously.
"Next, it was entirely too easy for the trolls to attack Bean town," Wendell said somberly.
"It is clear that we must strengthen our numbers along the Troll Border. It should be easy enough to move soldiers around," he said hopefully.
"Sire there has been an increase in reports of bandits and highwaymen," Owen said sadly.
Wendell had not known this. It would be tricky to cover the whole border when soldiers were needed for the roads. A small argument broke out following Owen's statement. They lost soldiers to the Trolls and they needed to train more, how could they do this while reinforcing the border and guarding every road? How were they to build barracks along every road? How were they to afford that? The Chief Finance Councilor, Edmund, spoke up.
"Your Grace it may be cheaper to create an entirely new force to guard the roads. A highway patrol. This leaves the soldiers free to the army, and the local police to their cities. The patrol would have local branches in each city, and so there would be no need to build no new barracks. Perhaps small checkpoints, but the men would be from local villages," he said.
"Do you know how much paperwork that would entail? That would require an entirely new management system," Owen sputtered.
"Isn't that what we are here for Owen?" Edmund asked in a condescending tone. Owen had the decency to blush, but just a little.
"It's a fantastic idea. It will create jobs for many of the men who will be released from prison. And with safer roads, the mail will be faster and the paperwork will be quicker," Wendell smiled. Yes this was going really well. He could already see himself being hailed as a great king, and feeling like he deserved the praise.
"Now as to the last one, while we are not on bad terms with anybody we can never have too many friends. I'm planning on some state balls and dinners," he said. Owen perked up. He loved to plan parties. It was really his only talent. Besides Owen though, everyone else seemed to hang their heads a little.
"What's going on? Why do you all look as if I just asked you kiss frogs? They're just balls, really you can get through them," Wendell asked.
Again it was Lionel who spoke up.
"Its not that Majesty," his tone turned very diplomatic, "well… since your pardon of the wolves the 2nd Kingdom has been very distant. Our sources tell us that Queen Riding Hood is extremely angry and certainly has no intention of following your benevolent example," he finished.
Wendell paled.
"Of course! Why didn't I see it? Of course Queen Riding Hood would be offended. A wolf tried to eat her great grandmother and her grandmother! And we border the 2nd Kingdom. What a mess," he thought.
"Any ideas on how to regain the Queen's friendship?" he asked. He had no idea.
"Well," Owen said in a voice that suggested he was telling a secret, "a marriage would be a very good way to bond the two kingdoms,".
"A marriage?" Wendell blinked, "A marriage to whom? Queen Riding Hood is already married as is her younger sister,".
"Not to mention how much older they are than me," he thought.
"To the queen's niece. Her sister's daughter, the Duchess Olga," Lionel replied. That was when Wendell realized that they had all been in on it. This was, in their minds, a forgone conclusion. Maybe it was a good idea.
Wendell tried to search his memory for an Olga. He went through every lady he'd ever met. Nothing. The Queen's niece… surely I must have seen her at least once. When was the last time I was in the 2nd Kingdom? Oh yes it was for some formal affair when I was 7. What was that? Oh yes a Christening…oh no.
"Olga?! She's 11, a child! How can I be expected to marry a child, how can she be expected to marry me? That is barbaric!" he roared at the Council.
"Your Grace," said Lionel still in his diplomat voice, "You would only be betrothed to her. Then when the girl comes of age you would marry,".
Wendell was stunned. How could he even consider a child as a future wife? The very thought was disgusting. An arranged marriage was fine, but it must arranged between two adults, or at least two people of the same age.
"That will be all for today gentlemen," Wendell said abruptly. That was all he could take for today.