I make my way down the staircase slowly so everyone in the throne room has time to admire my gown. A large black satin dress, with red rubies strategically placed in a way that each time I take a step one of the gems catches the sunlight. And to top it all off my newest crown, made of pure black gold with the most lovely rubies set into it to match my dress. I finally reach my throne and wave to my loyal subjects before taking a seat.

“Welcome people of Kiserek! Being that of the gracious queen I am, I have aloud you into my palace so you can share your troubles and I might help you should the issue be worth my time. After all running a kingdom is no simple task.” I sigh and point to a peasant girl holding a baby wrapped in rags. “You there, what is your problem young lady. Step forward and ask for my grace!” The girl stumbles toward me and ungraciously bows- which is very unladylike might I add. Not that her outfit was any less ghastly, a muddied up dress with an even dirtier apron tied around her waist.

“Um thank you, your majesty. My little brother here, he has conceived an illness and I can not afford any medication.”

“Ah well I’ll help just because I’m so very selfless.” I huff, tossing the girl a sack of gold coins. Maybe she should learn to be a seamstress, if she wasn’t so lazy she’d already have money.

“Thank you so much, your majesty! Oh thank you thank you!”

“Mhm, next! You there, boy with the manure on his face! You may approach.” Three scraggly boys came forward.

“Which one of us, your majesty?” The tallest one croaked.

“The one in the middle there.” I wave away the other two, “Come, come.”

“We’re starving, your majesty.”

“Oh, well darling there’s a simple solution there, eat. Next!” The people had formed a line now and a woman and a man stepped forward.

“Your majesty, we are starving as well. Our whole town is.”

“Did I not just give you a solution? If you’ve come here today just to tell me your stomach is grumbling, you need to leave.” Almost entire crowd dissipated, most just lining the walls-probably marveling at my palace, leaving just one scraggly little boy, maybe sixteen left in line, with a small girl probably ten standing behind him. “You may come forward.”

“Your crown is made of the people’s bones and hunger!” He shouted and a few guards stepped toward him, spears pointed.

“I think you’ve been mistaken, my crown is made purely of black gold and rubies, bones were last season.” I giggle, fixing the crown on my head in case he didn’t see. “Also, I don’t like your tone, take him away. And the girl.” The guards seize the two and drag them away, I wait until the girls sobs are to far away to hear then turn back to my people. “Let this be an example, now you may be excused.”