"Everyone settle down! The king has arrived!" A low class elder suddenly spoke.

Silence suddenly enveloped the while courtroom.

They all quickly settled in their various segregated spots in the court room.

The eldership was divided into three parts so the courtroom was also segregated into three parts.

There were; The high class elders, the immediate elders and the low class elders.

An high elder was one that was closer to the king.

They were elder the king had appointed by himself who could make inputs in the court. They were second only to the king so they received equivalent respect.

The next class of elders were the immediate class elders.

They were appointed as second in commands to the high elders. They were appointed by the high elders themselves. so they were accorded respect also but not as much as the high elders.

The next were the low class elders.

They were at the bottom of the elder chain. They basically wormed their way into the court through one means or the other so people did not really respect them. They got all the benefits awarded to an elder but they were not respected.

The king entered the room with his back straight and gallant. All the elders rose up and bowed their head in reverence.

He did not pay kind to then and just proceeded to his throne. Once he was seated did he allow then to sit down.

Today, the king had called for an urgent meeting amongst his elders earlier when he heard from his royal adviser that something dire had happened to the kingdom.

"What is the urgent matter elder? Why did you prompt me to hold an urgent meeting? Also, what did you mean by the kingdom is in dire situations?" The king questioned immediately they had all settled down.

"The kingdom is currently lacking funds as well as manpower and we are facing risk of being annexed." The highest elder reported with a panicked look on his face.

Immediately, an uproar broke out in the court as everyone began to panic.

King Jacob's heart dropped immediately as he stared at that elder in horror.

Oh my Heavens! How did this happen?

Everyone in the room knew the consequences if the kingdom was annexed by another.

As a kingdom was somewhat like a pack, even if they were swallowed up by another kingdom, they would most probably not be accepted and would be treated less than slaves.

Wolves were naturally territorial and protective animals so they would not easily accept others even though they were spoils of war.

The first few year will be bad for everyone in the kingdom no matter their previous position.

The only people who might not suffer as much were probably the children and old people but if they were annexed by a brutal and ruthless kingdom, even the age would not be taken into mind before one becomes a slave.

Women would be sold to either brothels or be forced to be servants to earn their place in society.

These were rough times where only the strong remained on top.

"How did this happen? I thought we were managing? What changed? How did it reach this extent?" The king fired questions after questions with a solemn look.

"It was also not like this earlier. As you all know, we have deteriorated non-stop over the years with no way out. At least earlier we could still manage but it all changed due to the recent war. The supplies are running out and the farmlands have been destroyed by war. I estimate that by the end of the year, we will totally run our of supplies and we will have no choice but to move on to our reserves." The elder explained.

The hearts of everyone in the room had frozen in fear a long time ago.

"Does anyone have any plausible solutions? If you do please suggest them. If your solution can work, you will be rewarded generously" The king stated urgently.

No one spoke up as they did not have an idea how to move on from this situation.

When King Jacob saw that they did not respond he sighed in frustration at their uselessness

What was the point of appointing so many elders when they are good for nothing? What a total east if resources.

"Since you cannot come up with anything, I'll give you two days to come up with something. If you cannot by then, I'll look for new and more responsible elders. The court is adjourned" King Jacob threatened before he stood up and walked out without giving then any room for rebuttal.

Once he was far away from the room, chaos ensued and everyone broke out in murmurs.

The highest elder just stared at the retreating back of the king, before his mouth widened into a smirk.

I guess I have to bring out my winning card.

How troublesome!

....

"Gurgle! Gurgle!"

"Hahaha! Bitch! I thought you were acting all high and mighty earlier. Can you not speak now? Speak up bitch!" Ella laughed maniacally as she used her boots to push Alyssa's head into the tub of water.

Anytime she felt like she would pass out, her hand was brought out of the water and she would gulp greedily for air.

"I'm.. I'm sorry! I also did not want to marry Lucas! You saw that I protested but Father did not listen to me." Alyssa stated pleadingly as she tried to get the psycho who suddenly started punishing her so brutally off her.

Ella had come to her room earlier, dragged her to the tub, filled it up, and began dunking her head in the water. She kept ranting that Alyssa did not know her place and that she did not deserve someone as good as Lucas.

Alyssa had tried to tell her that she was against the marriage but Ella refused to listen.

Ella did not listen and dunked her head again and again till she was finally satisfied.

As soon as she was released, Alyssa collapsed pathetically on the floor.

Ella just sneered and spat at her.

"Know your place slut and stay there!" She cautioned before walking out.