An armed soldier arrives

Lord Richard had barely finished reading out today's business before a clamor and some shouting arose from the entrance to the Throne Room.

"Unhand me dogs! I have a message for your Queen!" A man shouts and pushes his way past your guards and they pull back and give him room. He is a soldier. That is obvious. His clothing and equipment mark him as a trained Itherian Captain. He continues stepping towards you, a smug look on his face when you see it.

Uh oh. Your heart sinks.

The coat of arms displayed on his shoulder is one that is familiar to you...and one that hasn't been seen within these halls for a long time. The Duchy of Opheal.

It has not been seen for a long time, because most of the land that duchy consists of is held by The Crown...was held by The Crown.

During The Succession War, Count Mace Ansell of Aldergrove, a county on the southern most shore of Itheria proved himself to be quite skilled on the battlefield. Despite being a relatively small province, Aldergrove had access to wealth and trade from the sea and he hired a large mercenary **** to take a large swath of land for himself. Growing up, it was rare for you to pass a month without hearing some maneuver, or victor that he performed. Purely by his own ambition, he acquired enough power and prestige to usurp the title of Duke of Opheal. A title typically held by close family members to the Royal Family...Although your dynasty has not been large enough to entail granting it out to any of your family members in recent memory.

By the end of the war, roughly a quarter of the entire kingdom was held within his influence and Duke Mace acquired one of the most powerful titles in the realm. One that was right on your doorstep and he wasn't too happy when the war was called to an end. Obviously he wasn't at your coronation either.

The soldier saunters up until he's directly ahead of you. Briefly, you shoot a glance at your mother who also has a look of worry on her face before you sit up and address this man. "Good morning soldier. What is it you wish to speak with me about?"

He crosses his arms and doesn't even bow. "I'm here to deliver an Ultimatum from My Liege Duke Mace of Opheal."

Sir Peter glowers and puts his hand on the pommel of his sword, "It is customary to bow before your Queen before speaking."

You motion your hand at him to relax, "I don't want a fight here. So what is this 'ultimatum' "

The soldier nods, "My Liege has concluded that Queen Kaitlyn Dresin is in fact not a legitimate heir to the throne and-"

"You bastard! She is a legitimate heir to King Bryce!" Your eyes glance over at your mother who is quivering with rage. It's no surprise. This man and through him Duke Mace has just called her a liar about her affair with the late King Bryce. By calling you "Kaitlyn Dresin" and using your mother's family name for yours. They are directly protesting your claim to the throne.

The soldier glares at your mother, "Says who? The Council where you and your father held sway? No, My Liege believes that legitimizing Kaitlyn as the daughter of King Bryce was a cover up of your illicit activities."

"Why You..." If you thought your mother was angry before, then the expression she held now was sheer rage. You were angry too, of course. This man had no right to come in and question your legitimacy, but your education has taught you not to make such embarrassing outbursts.

You **** your anger down, but you're sure that even your voice was quivering with rage, "Sir Peter. Please escort my mother out of the Throne Room before she embarrasses herself."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Sir Peter engages your mother and she briefly resists, but eventually allows herself to be escorted out.

After she leaves, you turn back to the smug soldier and give him a curt nod, "Continue."

The man clears his throat and continues "As I was saying, My Liege demands that you step down as Queen of Itheria. You neither have the right to rule by blood, nor do you have the right by might. If you do not abdicate the throne by tomorrow at noon. My Liege will raise his troops and **** you to abdicate."

Your expression remains dark. Certainly part of you wants to punish this man before you for his words, but he is technically a diplomat and protected by law. You clench your teeth, "If that's all...Go home and tell Duke Mace that I have no intentions to abdicate and if he makes such demands again. He will be punished."

"Then I'll take my leave and deliver your message." The man nods and leaves the throne room.

Finally you relax. You didn't realize how tense you had become until you nearly slouch in your chair. Only then do you realize that the throne room is silent and all eyes are on you. This requires a private meeting with your council to decide what the next course of action is. You stand and survey the room briefly, "Court will be ended early today for a private council meeting. Thank you"

You hear your mother shouting at Sir Peter and the rest of the council long before you enter the room. As you step in you see your mother pacing around the small meeting room waving her arms around and as soon as you enter, you become the target for her frustrations "Kait! Why did you throw me out of the throne room! I was about to give that rude man such a telling!"

You purse your lips irritably and respond, "That's exactly what he wanted you to do. That's why. He wanted you to say something in a fit of rage and embarrass us in open court."

Your mother tries to think of a come back, but decides to move on to the task at hand and would still rather pace than sit, "I say we take the armies out and put Duke Mace in his place. It's been a long time coming."

"Duke Mace isn't an idiot. His target is Queen Kaitlyn and going on the offensive would not only guarantee war, but leave The Capital nearly defenseless." The voice comes from your spymaster, Akina who slipped in without anyone noticing. Despite being nearly forty, she still has quite the skill at being unnoticed.

You sit, "So what do you suggest?"

She shrugs, "I'm not a military woman, but I don't think we should ignore any threat. The worst thing we could do is be unprepared. If nothing happens, then we'll be safe and if something happens, then we'll be ready."

Sir Peter who sits near the door and ready to intercept anyone entering the room turns to Akina, "A military strike powerful enough to threaten The Capital would take nearly a week to prepare. Has there been any inclination of that?"

She leans back in her chair "Nothing that my spies have reported, but he could have the troops hidden or prepared. It's very difficult to say."

"Then I say we wait and see. If there is signs of mobilization, then we can act. Until then I don't see a reason to stir the pot...so to speak." Sir Peter closes his eyes and offers his final opinion.

Lord Richard taps a finger on the table. "I agree. There's no reason to cause panic of another civil war if one isn't imminent. We could send a message to all the loyal vassals of the realm, but such a show of might may spook Duke Mace into acting. Personally I feel that this is all posturing. He wants to remain relevant within the realm and doesn't want to just fall in line quietly."

You turn to your final adviser, Lady Vessa. She sighs, "I'm not a military person...I'm not a diplomat, or a spy. However, I agree with Akina. She has yet to provide me with bad advice."

No surprise, the friendship between Vessa and Akina is well known. However, now you have a problem. Two people on your council suggest preparing for a war. Your Court Mage and Spymaster. However, Your Marshal and Chancellor suggest that such an action would be too hasty. Your Mother just wants to burn Duke Mace at the stake. It seems that the final decision is going to be up to you...