Princess Iris
CHAPTER 32

I find myself in a large mansion tending to one visitor to another. Most of them came with gifts. I don't think I have received this many visitors before but I find it very entertaining. Mothers come with gifts of beautiful linens and apparel, and the men come bearing gifts of their kills and services. The young ones put up a show for me. I don't think I have laughed this much in a long time. I thought my people will not accept me for disappearing and locking myself in the castle but no, they just missed me and I was happy to know that because I missed them too.

It just started to get dark and everyone started returning home. Veronica is instructing the guards where the gifts should go. As usual, the linens and apparel will go to the orphanage and the kills are to be shared among the guards. I stand from my chair and walk to the window. I look past the trees and I notice the rocky hills. Father forbids anyone from climbing those hills because of how unstable the rocks are. People who climbed those hills are known to have fallen to their death. The rocks are always falling off into the sea.

"Your Highness."

I turn to Duke Rowland

"The two extra coaches from the castle have arrived. They are already headed out to distribute the gifts but the linens are too much and have no other space to carry the excess," Duke Rowland says.

"It's fine Your Grace, I have already instructed my head maids to have the excesses put in the second coach I came with. The maids in the palace will love them," I say.

"Of course, Your highness."

"Father, father."

Just then a man enters the solar, he smells like the sea, his hair and his clothes look damp and his shoes look tired.

"Father what is going on? The streets are filled with so many people. Did something happen while I was away? The man asks.

He looks from his father to me. when he sees me, he takes a step back and bows.

"Your Highness," he says bowing.

"Your Highness, this is my son, Richard, the new Duke of Joventen," Duke Rowland says.

"Of course, I remember you. We used to play hide and go seek by the river bank whenever my mother was visiting the orphanage homes. We were little back then," I say. "I am surprised Her Highness still remembers," Duke Richard says.

"Of course, I do. If I remembered correctly whenever you lost to my sister you would always cry," I say.

I watch him laugh shyly as he scratches the back of his hair. I smile warmly at him.

"So, when did you come back from overseas? If I remembered correctly, you moved over there to be with your mother," I say.

"Yes, Your Highness. I called back two years ago. His Majesty contacted me to take over Joventen because of my vast knowledge of the sea," Duke Richard says.

"Of course, and I can see you went out swimming," I say.

"No, Your Highness, I have just returned from delivering some supplies to Porthingham," Duke Richard says.

"Porthingham? I thought the pirates blocked all those routes?" I ask.

"Yes, Your Highness they did but we have a small ship on standby. While the pirates are busy attacking the big ship, I snick out with a few people and we sail off to Porthingham. It's a slow process but we are still able to make the shipment," Duke Richard says.

"How many shipments are left for us to deliver?" Duke Rowland asks.

Just then an idea hits me while Duke Rowland and his son are talking; I turn back to the window and look at the rocky hills.

"I wonder if this will work?" I say to myself.

I notice the room is suddenly quiet. I look around and the ladies and the guards have left the room.

"Duke Rowland," I call.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Tell me, how many blacksmiths do we have in the kingdom, Joventen to be precise?" I ask.

I watch him consider the question

"I believe they are more than 20 Your Highness," Duke Rowland answers.

"Are the numbers the same as Carveton?" I ask.

"Yes, they are Your Highness, more if we count the camping settlements but why is the Your Highness asking?" Duke Rowland asks

I look at the two dukes

"I wonder if I should tell them. I am the queen now so it won't matter if they found out or not," I say to myself.

"It is no longer Your Highness gentlemen, it is now Your Majesty," I say.

I watch the shock on their faces.

"The King and Queen retired last year but the title was given to me this morning," I say.

I turn to Duke Rowland.

"Your Grace, I believe you have questions but for now I want this to be kept quiet. When this has been made public my father will explain everything to you," I say. "Of course, Your Majesty," Duke Rowland says with a bow.

"Duke Richard, I will be working personally with you. But before that, how long will it take you to gather all the blacksmiths in the kingdom?" I ask "Three days Your Majesty," Duke Richard replies.

"Gather as much as you can, I need you to come with them to the castle seven days from now," I say.

"Of course, Your Majesty but if you don't mind me asking, why do you need these many blacksmiths?" Duke Richard asks.

"I have a plan on how we can deliver our shipments successfully. But for now, I need to talk with my father," I say.

"Your Highness"

I turn to Bridgette who is at the door.

"We are ready to leave," Bridgette says.

"Of course," I say walking to the door.

I turn to the two dukes behind me.

"Duke Richard I will be seeing you in a week," I say.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will make all the necessary arrangements as you requested," he says.

"Before I meet the blacksmiths, I want you to stop by the palace tomorrow morning. We have a lot to discuss," I say.

"Very well Your Majesty," Duke Richard says.

"Duke Rowland, thank you for a lovely evening," I say.

"Of Course, Your Majesty," Duke Rowland says with a bow.

I bid them farewell as I make a slow journey back to the castle.