The din from outside was growing in volume. The noise was corse and base and troubling to Queen Christina. At only 11am surely it was too early for the rabble to be congregating.

Still they must have their trivial tasks to do as she had her weighty and onerous obligations to perform.

Sitting down to a light breakfast of brioche and chocolate, she mulled over the tasks of the day.

A meeting with the chancellor, dinner with the King of, someplace or other.

She sighed, heavy was the crown.

The noise outside grew even louder as one of her courtiers stumbled in, his back against the shuttered doors. He was panting, disheveled. This would not do.

“I am sorry Your Highness for this intrusion”

The Queen rose quickly from her seat, upsetting the fine tableware.

“What is the meaning of this?” She commanded

“The people, Your Highness, your subjects are storming the castle.”

There were no words, the Queen simply stared back at him, dumbfounded.

“They say they have no bread to feed their children.”

Queen Christina looked down at her half eaten breakfast, unable to process what she was hearing. The impropriety of this courtier entering her chamber unannounced was too much.

The people, her people, loved her. She was their Queen, they must love her.

“No bread? Then let them, let them eat brioche” she mumbled more to herself as the sound of the baying crowd grew ever louder.