Chapter 76 - Royal (Part 4)

  The intimate moment was interrupted by the arrival of the new head maid, Luxana's dies-in-waiting, and several maids pushing orrolleys den with delicacies. They entered with practiced efficy, closing the heavy doors behind them with a soft thud.

  The head maid and dies-in-waiting advao stand before Luxana's desk, their postures perfe their deference. Meanwhile, Lily settled herself on the plush sofa trally pced between the desk and the door. The serving maids moved with silent grace, arranging an array of sweet and savory treats on the low table before Lily, the steam from the freshly brewed tea curling invitingly in the air.

  "Your Majesty," the head maid excimed, exeg a low, respectful bow.

  "Your Majesty," she tinued as she straightened, her voice clear and steady, "I am Elenor Hania, neoio oversee the royal household. It is my greatest honor to serve Your Majesty and to ehe impeccable funing of your paces. I pledge my unwavering loyalty and absolute discretion. Every fiber of my being is dedicated to upholding the dignity and grace befitting your illustrin."

  Luxana's response was a dreamy smile, apanied by a slight, regal nod of approval. When she spoke, her voice carried the weight of turies of royal authority, yet held a note of warmth that captivated all present.

  "leased by your dedication, Elenor Hania," Luxana begaone measured and melodious. "Your role is pivotal in the new era we shall usher in. Now, my trusted circle," she tinued, her gaze sweeping over the assembled women, "we embark on a grand endeavor. The sing of our paces is not merely a ge of staff, but a renewal of the very spirit of n."

  Isabel watched with rapt attention, eager to learn her role as Luxana's new fidante and right hand. Lily, ever the colorful presence, sipped her tea with theatrical appreciation, her eyes never leaving Luxana as if watg the most enthralling py.

  "YEAH, That's ma girl! Go the shit outta these pces!" Lily excimed suddenly, leaping to her feet with youthful energy, her free hand thrust triumphantly into the air.

  The outburst startled a ugh from Luxana, a sound of pure, urained joy that she quickly tried to stifle behind her hand. Isabel joined in, their shared mirth filling the study with warmth.

  Elenor and the other servants stood in awe, captivated by this rare glimpse of their young Queen's lighter side. The melodious ughter, though brief, seemed to make the very air shimmer with delight.

  posing herself with regal poise, Luxana tinued, a hint of amusement still c her tone, "Your enthusiasm is noted and appreciated, mother. Now, let us proceed with the task at hand." Her voice took on a more anding timbre as she outlined her pns.

  "We decree the following: A prehensive list of all current servants across ht paces - Helia, Amoria, Vinar, Yuria, Konira, Astara, Alora, and Amara - shall be prepared forthwith. Each loyal servant shall receive fair pensation for their service to the . Izara, Ivara, Daliya, Ny, Esper, Fiona, Charlotte, Marliene, Haeyln, and Freya," she addressed her dies-in-waiting, each straightening at the sound of her name, "you are tasked with the sele of new pace maids for all eight residences. Princess Isabel and I shall personally oversee the final evaluations. This is a task of utmost importance, for these individuals will shape the very atmosphere of our royal dwellings."

  The room hummed with a sense of purpose, eaa uanding the significe of the role she would py in this graructuring. Just as Luxana was about to delve into further details, a sharp sound cut through the air.

  *Knoock*

  The ued interruptio everyone in the room frozen, w what new development awaited their young queen. Luxana's eyes narrowed slightly, her posture straightening as she prepared to face whatever challenge or opportunity might lie beyond those doors.

  "Your Majesty, the Military ander, Dyn Keifer, and his ente have arrived," a knight announced from outside, his voial and respectful.

  "Let them in," Luxana anded, her voice resonating with regal authority.

  The heavy doors swung open, revealing the Military ander and his team. They strode purposefully across the room, the maids gracefully stepping aside to clear their path. As they approached Luxana's desk, the ander spoke.

  "Greetings, Your Majesty. Dyn Keifer at your service," he announced, bowing low alongside his rades.

  "Rise and attend to my words," Luxana decred, her tone brooking nument. With swift, decisive movements, she retrieved a map of the kingdom from her desk drawer, unfurling it across the polished surface.

  Her ruby eyes sed the map ily before she poiion along the border. "ander Keifer, we farest here. Our intelligence suggests a surge in irregur crossings and potential security threats. This situation demands immediate attention."

  Luxana's firaced a path along the border as she tinued, "We shall implement a three-pronged approach. First, increase our border patrol presence, but with a focus on humanitarian aid and processing. We need order, not chaos."

  She paused, ensuring she had the full attention of all present. "Sed, establish temporary processiers here and here," she indicated twic locations. "These will allow for swift, humane handling of asylum seekers and migrants."

  "Finally," Luxana's voice took on a tone of utmost gravity, "we must address the root causes. Initiate diplomatic els with our neighbors. We aim to create joint eiitiatives and security cooperation to stabilize the region."

  ander Keifer nodded, clearly impressed by the young queen's grasp of the situation. "Your Majesty, your strategy is sound. We shall begin implementation immediately."

  "Excellent," Luxana replied. "I expect daily reports on your progress. Remember, oal is to secure our borders while upholding our values of passion and justice. Dismissed."

  As the military ti bowed and turo leave, the energy in the room alpable. Luxana's decisive leadership had turned a potential crisis into an opportunity for positive ge, showg her ability to bance security s with humanitarian siderations.

  As the Military ander and his ente departed, a palpable sense of awe settled over the room. The assembled maids, servants, and Luxana's close oood in stunned sileheir mouths agape at their young queen's swift and decisive handling of the border u. Luxana, who had asded to the throne mere ho, had already demonstrated a level of leadership and strategic a that left even the most seasoned courtiers impressed.

  *Knoock*

  "Your Majesty," came a voice from outside, "the execution grounds are prepared, and the popuce has begun to gather."

  Luxana's expression hardened, her ruby eyes glinting with determination. "Very well," she decred, her voice carrying the weight of royal authority. "Let us proceed."

  -The Crimson Square; Royal Execution Grounds-

  The night air was thick with tension as Luxana arrived at the newly christened Crimson Square. Torches flickered ominously, casting long shadows across the cobblestones. At the ter of the square stood a raised ptform, upon which a grand throne had been pced, fnked by several imposing guillotines.

  Luxana asded the steps, her bd crimson gown rustling softly. She took her seat ohrone, her posture regal and unyielding. Isabel and Lily Furia stood tht, while her advisors and guards positiohemselves around the ptform.

  The crowd, a sea of faces illuminated by torchlight, fell silent as Luxana raised her hand. Her voice, clear and anding, cut through the night air:

  "People of Domino, we stand at the threshold of a new era. An era of justice, of order, and of prosperity. Before us stand those who sought to plunge our kingdom into chaos, who dared to disrupt the sacred rites of the Hunting grounds. Their as threatened not just our traditions, but the very fabric of our society."

  She paused, her ruby eyes sing the crowd. The prisoners, ed and guarded by stern-faced knights, were led to the foot of the ptform.

  "Let their fate serve as a reminder and a warning," Luxana tinued, her voice taking on a steely edge. "In our kingdom, as have sequences. Justice will be swift and absolute."

  With a regal nod, Luxana gave the signal. The executioners, cloaked in bck, stepped forward. One by ohe spirators were led to the guillotihe crowd held its collective breath as the first bde fell with a siing thud.

  The executions proceeded methodically. Some prisoners faced their end with dignity, others with pleas for mercy that echoed unanswered across the square. As each bde fell, a palpable shift could be felt in the crowd. Fear mingled with a growing sense of awe and respect for their young queen's unwavering resolve.

  As the st body was removed from the ptform, Luxana rose from her throne, her figure silhouetted against the torchlight. "Let this night mark the beginning of a neter in our history. A chapter where the rule of w prevails, where the i are protected, and where those who would threaten our peace face the full force of justice."

  The crowd erupted into cheers, their earlier apprehension giving way to a fervent show of support. Cries of "Long live Queen Luxana!" echoed through the night, reverberating off the buildings surrounding the square.

  As Luxana desded from the ptform, her gaze met Isabel's. Her sister's eyes were wide, a mix of shod admiration evident in her expression. Lily Furia gave a small nod of approval, a proud smile pying on her lips.

  The young queen led her retinue back towards Helia Pace, leaving behind a square stained with the blood of traitors and a popuce both awed and terrified by their new monarch's swift justice.

  -THE VERY DAY-

  -The Noble's Salon; Capital City of Domino-

  "Did you hear?" Lady Era whispered, leaning close to her panions. "Princess Luxana became queen in a single day!""Impossible!" Lord Varen scoffed. "How could a powerless princess—""It's true," interrupted tess Mira. "They say she outmaneuvered the entire court. Even the military backs her now.""But she's so young," Lady Era mused. "How will she hahe responsibilities?""Young, perhaps," Lord Varen admitted, "but I've heard she's already solved the border crisis."

  -The Servant's Quarters; Helia Pace-

  "Psst, Mara!" a young maid hissed. "Have you seen the new queen?"Mara nodded excitedly. "I caught a glimpse during the ation. She's got this... presence about her.""I heard she's already shaking things up," an older butler chimed in. "Apparently, she's reviewing all the pace staff.""Do you think we'll lose our positions?" the young maid worried."I doubt it," Mara reassured her. "They say she's fair. Just do your job well, and you'll be fine."

  -The Marketpce; Capital City of Domino-

  " you believe it?" a fruit vendor excimed to his er. "Our new queen's already making ges!""I know!" the er replied. "My cousin works in the pace. Says the queen's got pns to improve things for us on folk.""About time," grumbled an elderly woman nearby. "Let's hope she keeps her promises.""Did you hear about the executions?" another shopper whispered. "She doesn't mess around with traitors, that's for sure."

  -The Royal Court; Neighb Kingdom of Astraea-

  "This young Queen Luxana," King Orion mused, "she's certainly making waves.""Indeed, Your Majesty," his advisreed. "Our spies report she's already gained signifit popur support.""And the military?" the king inquired."Firmly behind her, it seems. She resolved a border dispute on her first day.""Iing," King Orion murmured. "We'll o watch this one closely."

  -The Tavern; Port City of Seabreak-

  "I'm telling you," a sailor slurred, "this new queen's something else!""How so?" his panion asked, sipping his ale."Heard from a pace guard. Says she's got these ruby eyes that see right through you.""Nonsense," scoffed another patron. " you'll be saying she read minds.""Well," the sailor leaned in spiratorially, "they do say she's got some unusual abilities..."

  -The Uy; Schor's Distribsp;Neighb Kingdom of Nomin-

  "Fasating development," Professor Lyra remarked to her colleagues. "A princess with no apparent power, suddenly asding to the throne.""Indeed," agreed Professor Thorne. "I'm particurly ied in her approach to governance. Did you hear about her three-prorategy for the border issue?""Yes, quite impressive," nodded Professor . "But what of her background? There are so many unanswered questions.""That's what makes this so intriguing," Lyra smiled. "We're witnessing history in the making, gentlemen."

  -The Military Barracks; Domino's Eastern Border-

  "So, what do you make of our new queen?" a young soldier asked his sergeant.The sergeant grunted. "She's got a good head on her shoulders, I'll give her that. Solved our border problem quid .""But she's so young," another soldier protested. " we really trust her to lead?""Age isn't everything," the sergeant replied. "From what I hear, she's got the ing of a seasoned general. Just you wait and see."

  -The Mert Guild; Capital City of Eldoria-

  "I heard she's pnning to reform the trade ws," a mert named Ryker whispered to his colleague, Kael. "Could be good for business.""But what about the nobles?" Kael replied. "They won't give up their privileges easily.""True," Ryker nodded. "But if anyone do it, it's this young queen. She's got the whole court in her pocket."

  -The Royal Gardens; Pace of Vinar-

  "Did you see the way she hahose nobles?" a gardener named Li whispered to her coworker, Finn. "She's got a tongue sharper than any bde.""And she's so fair," Finn added. "I heard she's increasing es.""About time," Li grumbled. "We've been underpaid for years."

  To be tinued...