The next morning, Adrian stood at the doors of the council chamber, preparing himself for the meeting ahead. The events of the previous night was still on his mind—Queen Alannah's honest revelations, her burden, and the brief moment of vulnerability she'd allowed him to see.

But now, there was work to be done. He pushed open the heavy wooden doors and entered.

The council room was grand, with high arched ceilings, stained glass windows casting colorful shadows across the long, polished table. Seated around it were the key members of Zarpha's ruling council, each dressed in robes denoting their rank and responsibilities.

At the head of the table sat Queen Alannah, back in her regal pose, a far cry from the carefree woman she had been just hours earlier.

Adrian took his place beside the queen, his position as special advisor already well-established among the council.

As he settled into his chair, he could feel the weight of the room shift toward him. Some members offered nods of acknowledgement, while others cast furtive glances, with curios and suspicious expressions on their faces.

"Let's begin," Alannah announced.

The council secretary, an elderly man with a hunched back, rose from his chair and began reading out the day's agenda. Adrian listened carefully, his mind already working through the topics at hand.

The first issue discussed was a persistent one—tribute payments from one of the smaller towns on the outskirts of the kingdom.

For months, the town of Brenden had been falling behind on its payments, and there were growing concerns about whether they could be trusted to fulfill their obligations.

"The town of Brenden has delayed its tribute for the third month in a row," one of the council members, Lord Faolan, began in a deep, gravelly voice. "If we allow them to continue like this, other towns may follow suit. We need to take action."

Adrian leaned forward, considering the situation. He had heard whispers of discontent in some of the smaller towns—rumors of unrest, the rising cost of supplies, and poor harvests had spread through the kingdom.

"Perhaps sending soldiers to enforce the tribute might not be the best solution," Adrian suggested. "It could create more tension. What if we sent an envoy instead? A trusted representative to assess the situation and determine the root of their financial troubles?"

Lord Faolan shot Adrian a skeptical look, his bushy eyebrows furrowing. "An envoy?" he scoffed. "That's too soft. These towns need to be reminded of their duties, not coddled."

Adrian met his gaze evenly. "I understand your concern, Lord Faolan, but Brenden's situation could be more complex than simple refusal to pay. What if they're facing hardships? Sending troops might worsen the situation. We risk pushing them further away when diplomacy could bring them back in line."

The council murmured among themselves, some nodding in agreement while others, like Faolan, remained unconvinced. Queen Alannah listened carefully to both sides before speaking.

"I agree with Adrian," she said, her voice cutting through the chatter. "We will send an envoy to Brenden to investigate the issue and report back. If necessary, we will take stronger action, but for now, diplomacy will be our approach."

Adrian nodded in appreciation, but he noticed the way Faolan's jaw clenched, showing his displeasure. The old lord was a traditionalist, known for his hardline stance on governance. It wasn't the first time Adrian had felt his silent disapproval.

The next topic of discussion was the distribution of resources for the upcoming harvest season. There were concerns about shortages in certain regions and debates about how best to allocate supplies.

"This is where we need to show strength," another council member, Lady Estelle, chimed in. "Certain regions have been hoarding more than their fair share of grain. If we don't intervene, it will lead to even greater shortages."

Adrian didn't say anything this time, listening to what others had to say. It wasn't until Queen Alannah herself prompted him, "What do you say, Adrian? What do you suggest?"

Adrian considered the issue carefully. "If we focus on better distribution, we can prevent shortages before they become critical," he said. "But I think we should also consider incentivizing the wealthier regions to contribute more voluntarily. It may encourage cooperation without the need for force."

This time, the council seemed more receptive to his suggestion.

Several members nodded in agreement, and Alannah made a note of it. "I'll issue a decree to encourage voluntary contributions, and we will monitor the situation closely," she said.

As the meeting progressed, Adrian offered his insights where appropriate, each suggestion weighing on the council's decisions.

However, he could feel Faolan's eyes on him throughout the entire session. The older man was rigid in his ways, and it was clear that Adrian's growing influence did not sit well with him.

When the meeting finally adjourned, the council members rose from their seats, murmuring amongst themselves as they began to file out of the room. Adrian stood to leave, gave a slight nod to the queen before heading for the door.

But before he could reach the door, Faolan approached him, his face set in a grim expression.

"Adrian," Faolan said in a low but challenging voice. "A word."

Adrian paused, turning to face the older man. "Lord Faolan."

Faolan crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing. "You've been here for what? A few days? And already, you think you know what's best for Zarpha?"

Adrian met his gaze calmly. "I'm here to offer my advice, Lord Faolan. Ultimately, the decisions lie with the council and the queen."

Faolan leaned in slightly, his tone lowering further. "I don't trust you. You show up here, out of nowhere, and suddenly, you're the queen's closest advisor. I've seen your type before—men who rise too quickly, who seek power under the guise of helping."

Adrian remained composed, though he could feel the tension rising between them. "I'm here to serve the queen and the kingdom," he replied evenly. "Nothing more."

Faolan's lips curled into a sneer. "Is that so?" He glanced around the emptying room, then back at Adrian. "And where are the women you parade around with? I've heard the whispers. They say you travel with witches and temptresses. Are they part of your plan too?"

Adrian's expression hardened. "The women I travel with are my companions. They've been invaluable allies in everything I've done. But they're not your concern."

Faolan's sneer deepened. "Not my concern? Everything that happens in Zarpha is my concern. And I will be watching you, Adrian. If you think you can sway the council with your charm and clever words, think again. This kingdom has stood long before you arrived, and it will stand long after you're gone."

Adrian stepped closer, his voice dropping to match Faolan's intensity. "I'm not here to take power, Faolan. But I'll do whatever is necessary to protect this kingdom—and the queen."

The two men stood face to face for a long moment, staring at each other squarely. Finally, Faolan let out a sharp breath, straightening his robes.

"Just remember," Faolan said darkly as he turned to leave, "not everyone is as trusting as the queen."

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