A Rogue Countess.

Court has continued on for a few hours with little of interest being brought up. However, your eyes migrate to a small group of people that have nervously shuffled through the door. Their clothes mark them as members of the lower class, peasants or serfs. However, they too, if their need is great enough may petition the king. Therefore what they have to say must be fairly important.

You sit up, "The people who just came in. Step forward."

There's a bit of surprise and anxiety as they get called out. However they shuffle forward and kneel before their king. The man in front, a burly man with a balding head speaks up for the group, "Your Majesty! Please you have to help us.

You lean back a little, "Speak what's on your mind."

He looks forward at you, a pleading look in his eyes, "We come from Luxem, Your Majesty. The Countess...She-She's gone mad. " You recognize the name. The County of Luxem lies just outside the crown's lands and just a few days from the capital. The county is ruled by one of your vassals, Countess Marissa Loon. She's a few years older than you and was married just last year to a promising noble from a minor family. The House of Loon has been around for a long time and while not a particularly powerful family, they've always been respected among the circle of nobility. Now that you think about it, it was considered odd that she wasn't at your coronation considering how close she lives.

The man continues, "I have the greatest respect for my liege-lady, but over the last month or so she's started to act strangely. She's raised the taxes and have been bleeding the farmers dry of their food. Her men raid her own villages for food and gold, because most of us have stashes hidden away in our houses for troubled times. Please, Your Majesty! She's taking everything from us!"

Count Erwyn, your chancellor steps forward. "Your Majesty, If i may?" You nod your head to give him consent to speak, "We cannot interfere with how one of our subjects manages her estates. It breaches the feudal contract. However, we may draft a letter expressing disapproval and condemnation for her actions and warn her that The Crown may not support her in such matters. But if she's truly gone mad, then nothing we say will be able to dissuade her. Letters are free though and that is my recommended course of action."

You think for a moment. "I could also pay her a visit. It's possible that seeing her king and hearing from him personally may dissuade her from erratic actions."

"That may be, Your Majesty, but if she truly has gone mad. She may not listen to you, or worse she may try to harm you. I can't suggest putting yourself at risk like that."

"Hmm..." You ponder what to do.