Christine stared at the woman in front of her. She wanted desperately to disregard everything Jane had said but knew that it was useless to even try to do so. Everything she had said was true, everything that had to happen was going to.

"These reports," Christine sat back in her chair. "They are reliable?"

"Very, Your Majesty." Jane confirmed. "They said that twenty troop were coming each with twenty thousand men."

"Liren only has five troops." She stood and began to walk around the room. "They could have easily defeated them with only seven or eight, but twenty? That is not just killing the troops but the people!"

"Perhaps they are testing you, Majesty."

"On what?" Her body stooped its movement to turn to the woman across the table from her.

"Your relationship with the king." Silence crept into the room for a moment.

"Damn him." Christine stomped her foot. "Damn him! Must everything be a game to him? He is willing to kill his own people to see if the king will give me troops to fight for my country!"

"What do you mean…"

"I was the only woman that ever refused him." She rolled her eyes. "He is honestly the most childish man I ever met."

"What about the mines or…"

"No," Her head shook. "They are only just a plus, but he is angry because he did not receive what he wanted."

"What are your orders, Majesty?" Jane looked around disbelievingly at the situation, there was no doubt in her mind that the womanizing, socialite Viscount would do something like this. "Because we cannot have all of Liren fight."

"The Viscount wants to test the king and I relationship." Christine rose. "Then it will be tested." She flew out of the room with Jane close on her heels. Her presence sent the servants hurrying out of her way and causing them to stare after her. She slowed to a stop when she came upon two great doors with guards on either side of them. They bowed when she neared.

"I would like to see the king." She said in a stern voice.

"I am sorry Your Majesty." One looked doubtfully at her. "But women are not allowed in the House, especially when the nobles are in a meeting."

"By whose orders?" Jane spoke up.

"The nobles and the king's." Another answered looking less sorry.

"What if I change your order?" Christine questioned.

"I take orders from the king only." The snobbish one shrugged.

"I am the queen and I will change your orders right now." She hated using her status as a reason but if he was going to act superior to herself, then she would throw that in for safekeeping.

"We take orders from the king only." He repeated and his voice was very condescending. "Leave, princess there is nothing for you behind those doors anyway."

Christine glared at the guard and then shrugged a bit before she turned to make as if she were to leave and then turned abruptly and kneed him right in the groin. She did not even bother to look at the others before bursting into the House. Every man in his seat turned to stare at the queen before them, with wide eyes and opened mouths. Well that is except for one who sat at the end with his nose buried in reports.

"You should not threaten my guards Madame." Erik kept on reading the reports; actually he had found the whole exchange amusing. Although when the guard had called her princess that made his blood boil. "They become useful in times of need."

"When I have their respect, I will." She replied.

"What is it that you needed so badly to barge in here?" He set the papers down.

"Plantne has declared war on Liren." As she spoke whispers went through out the room. "And I need troops."

"How many?" His eyes stayed on her, even though the whispers were turning into something louder.

"Enough to rid the country of twenty-thousand men and reinforcements." When Christine said that uproars came to the House as Erik stared at her for a while before doing anything.

"Enough!" He roared at the men. "I can see and hear that many of you are unhappy with this, and I ask you now to speak up, one at a time, like the gentlemen you claim to be."

"Your Majesty." Lord Benedict stood at his seat. "Liren is already in ruin. There is nothing there Plantne will gain."

"They will gain the mines." Christine flashed a look at him. "Those alone have millions perhaps even billions within their depths."

"And if those cave in?" His brows lifted.

"There is wood, among other resources in Liren." She nodded. "I just heard that some of farms are running."

"Oh sire!" Lord Benedict mocked her. "Did you hear? Some of the farms are working!"

"One farm alone feeds half of Borswan." Erik informed him.

"Majesty." An older man that Christine knew as Lord Halverson stood. "Are you really suggesting sending our men to fight for a country that is just ruins?"

"If rebuilt the country could bring in much revenue." Lord Carvie stood. "And I assume Borswan gets some."

"Borswan gets twenty four percent." Erik nodded, and Christine shot him a quick look.

"Borswan has enough money." Lord Halverson spoke.

"I assume the nobles also receive some of the funds." Lord Carvie looked to Erik for confirmation.

"Indeed." Christine answered, yes she knew that money was the reason for these men and if they wanted it to save her country so be it. The men seemed more at ease.

"How much will we get?" Lord Emerson questioned.

"More than you make now." She let herself a small smile on that remark as the men chuckled.

"Oh please!" Benedict moaned. "Sire, are you truly going to let some harlot run your country?"

Silence filled the room. The men stared in shock at what the man had just said. Some silently agreed but knew that a great penalty for calling the queen a harlot was very probable. Others wondered what the penalty would actually be but thought that no matter what; the queen deserved more respect than that even if she was out spoken, she was still young and could be taught. Christine stood, unmoving until Jane made a move for the man and stopped her before anything happened. She then looked to Erik who gave the man a subtle death glare but stood up and calmly began to walk over to him.

"Lord Benedict." Erik stated keeping his voice at calm, yet deadly level. "You have the fully liberty of expressing your views and I may respect them. However," He stopped right in front of the man and frowned at him. "If you decide to disrespect myself or my family again your punishment will be worse than death."

"That woman has made you soft." Benedict growled.

"On the contrary." He shrugged indifferently. "She has made me quite hard, unlike your own whore of a daughter that is happier with a broomstick than a king."

"Leave my daughter out of this." His eyes became lit with fire.

"That is fine Lord Benedict." The king nodded. "But do not forget who hold the deed to your life. Your are dismissed."

Without another word an infuriated Lord Benedict marched away and stopped by Christine who did not know weather to be pleased or angry by her husband's remarks, she turned to look at the lord.

"The king tries easily, princess." He hissed. "Be careful he does not tire of you."

"Lord Benedict." She said with fake happiness. "I assure you he never will tire of me, personally, but he may tire otherwise. And let me guarantee that it will not be your sadistic ideas of ruling but his own that will fill his head."

"Lord Benedict." The king commanded. "I thought I told you that you were dismissed."

With one last huff the muffled lord walked out and Erik turned to the entire noble who were staring at the boldness of king when his queen was standing right there.

"Well then gentlemen." He spoke, "Is there anyone else who would like to speak as boldly as Lord Benedict?" None spoke. "Good. Is there anyone who disagrees with sending troops to Liren?"

Again the uproar began and all Christine could do was wait.


I am the worst updater EVER! I am sooooo sorry that this is a very boring chapter, but its suppose to explain somethings that are coming up. And its quite gritty, I hope that it does not offend anyone. Although this story may become something a little more than just talk... Anyway please review so I know that you guys have not abandoned me! Please and Thank you for reading and reviewing!

EV