The first hearing.

The throneroom has been redecorated to reflect the new mistress of the kingdom. The black curtains and flags of mourning have been cast aside in favor of royal white and golds. plenty of natural light streams through the windows to illuminate Princess Rosalia, regal and resplendent on the throne in the dress that _you _picked out. Throngs of people line the sides and the audience hall, whispering to each other on this first day of her reign. The nobles stand apart from the peasantry, in their own section cordoned off by their guards. You can see all the heads of the noble houses in attendance - General Tarres of the royal army, The Lady Astelia of the North, even the new Duke of Kain, the cunning powerbroker whose ambition was an open secret. Everyone was looking for some opening for their own play for power.

Standing at Rosalia's side, you can't help but feel a sneaking sense of pride. Because while they're all out there trying to look in, you're already at the center of it all. Rosalia is yours.

The bugles sound, heralding the first hearing of the day. A peasant is marched to the foot of the throne, shackled and held in place by guards. His sister tearfully explains how he was jailed and sentenced to ten years without parole for just stealing a few sacks of grain to feed his ailing wife and small children. Their farm had suffered from drought and they had little recourse since the Ministry of Coin hadn't allowed them a loan.

At this, the Minister of Coin, a fat man with gold rings on each finger, laughed derisively. "If we gave out loans to every peasant with a sob story, the royal treasury would be empty by sunset. Ignore them, your highness. There is nothing you can do to help those who can't help themselves."

Princess Rosalia glanced between the Minister of Coin and the peasant in chains, evidently transfixed by the choice facing her. It was obvious that her heart said to help the man and his family, but is that would a responsible monarch would do? "A moment of privacy, please," she said finally, and the tall curtain was drawn in front of the throne leaving you and the princess alone.

"I can't decide what to do!" she whispers to you with panic in her voice. "If I help the peasant the Minister will be terribly upset, and he's right that we can't help everyone that needs it! But if I don't, the people will think I'm cruel and dreadful. What a dilemma!"

Thankfully for her, you've been listening too, and you've already come up with an answer.