People lined up along the streets when the royal guards made an announcement that the palace had opened the reserves to distribute food and meat to the poor upon the return of the queen.
Under Abby’s instructions, Alan made sure to spread the word that the queen was representing both the king and herself for this cause, as she hoped for them to pray to the Moon Goddess, so that the baby in her stomach would grow healthily.
However, what they didn’t expect was for the queen to actually take the opportunity to make her first official appearance on this occasion. And she even came out dressed almost similar to them, until even her maids couldn’t understand her actions. They couldn’t help but express these doubts when this repeated for the next two days as well.
“My Queen, why are you dressed like a commoner? You are the queen of this kingdom.” Reyna’s tone indicated how disarming it was for her to see Abby like this.
Today, their queen was wearing a simple long gown in the color of powder blue that flowed past her ankles, with little to none accessories on her body. Apart from a pair of pearl studs and a matching chain with a pearl pendant, she was only wearing a simple brooch, which was designed to look like the royal insignia, on the left lapel of her outer royal robe.
Abby could tell Alyssa shared the same opinion as Reyna when she silently stood beside her with this disapproving gaze in her eyes. But she didn’t think there was anything wrong with her choice. “Weren’t I also a commoner before your king found me?” Abby smiled when neither of the girls refuted her. “I know what I’m doing.”
She didn’t want to put on airs when she was aiming to get close to the people, so from her attire to her actions, everything had to be modest. She wanted both their respect and trust, so she needed to make them realize she could understand all their sufferings.
Sitting on a high horse and restricting herself with all the rules would not help her achieve her goal. Since she decided to take action personally, she would do it perfectly, only then would she be able to negate all the ‘painstaking’ efforts of Arthur.
Moreover, if she were to don extravagant dresses and heavy jewelry, she would be restricting her own movements greatly. On the other hand, this simple dress would allow her to breathe freely while walking in the streets. Her chosen attire was completely practical for the occasion.
As such, without making any active effort, Abby managed to slowly turn around the people’s opinion, when she persisted with her promise by continuing to distribute food without fail everyday, covering one street at a time.
She even made Nadia follow her around this time, just in case, she encountered small children and really old people that fell sick because of the famine, because their healing ability would’t be that efficient to let them go through such harsh times unscathed.
The royal healer brought her assistants and disciples to help treat the poor children who couldn’t afford it. This was really thoughtful of her. Still, two types of arguments echoed in the streets, though.
“I thought she would stop after the first day, but she was out in the streets almost everyday.”
“It’s just a few days, we still don’t know how long she can endure the harsh sun and wind.”
But, Abby didn’t let either the praises or disses get to her head, as she continued to do her part with devotion, after all, she wasn’t lying when she said all of this was to seek the Moon Goddess’ blessings. However, the second group of people, who still looked at her with skepticism, found themselves eating their words when a small incident happened.
It was the seventh day, and about half of the population saw Abby up close. Just like everyday, the queen proceeded to hand the prepared portion of meat and grains to people one by one, when a woman fainted near her feet.
Abby hurried to pull the fallen woman into her arms, not caring about her safety or image as she called for Nadia who was checking on a weak old woman just feet away from her.
“See, what’s wrong with her.” Abby told the royal healer as she carefully cradled the woman’s head that was bleeding now. She didn’t even care that her dress was stained with dirt and blood as she felt genuinely bad for the woman.
A few people gathered around them as a man and four small children knelt beside Abby and the woman with worry evident on their faces. It was clear they were anxious for the woman in Abby’s arms. “She is pregnant,” Nadia announced as soon as she was done checking her pulse and the man started tearing up.
Apparently, the woman didn’t realize she was pregnant yet. When the drought started and they had limited food, she started to prioritize her mate and her four small children, cutting down on her own nutrition. Otherwise, it was impossible for shifters to faint like this, because they were clearly strong. This was also the reason Abby was so flustered, because if there wasn’t a really great reason, shifters wouldn’t fall sick.
“Take her inside.” Abby told the man, who seemed to be the woman’s mate, and then turned to the royal healer. “Nadia, leave a capable disciple of yours to take care of her.”
After following her order, Nadia and the others quickly checked on her, almost fussing over when the girl resolutely refused them. “I’m fine, let’s continue.”
The way she handled the situation
moved the people. If it were the daughters of any high ranking officials in this capital city, they
t even have bothered toet
and check on a commoner, let alone trying to do their best to help them.
“She is really down to earth.” A woman said, as she recalled how the queen smiled at her while giving her the ration. The girl’s smile, though subtle, was pure, and she carried herself gracefully.
“She is also very compassionate. It was not just an act.” Another middle-aged man couldn’t help but point out, as if to call out the people, who had been expressing doubts over her intentions. This time, though, there weren’t any voices that rose to refute these people, as they all turned back to their houses seeing that the queen’s little entourage go further and further out of their sight.
With this, everyone started to look at
Abby in a new light, as they all
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eye, it
thought she wouldn’t be able to continue this farce for more than two days, but in the blink of an had already been two weeks and more than three fourth of the population received the queen’s grace.
Every grain that made it from the royal reserves to the poor people’s houses was personally handed over by the queen, which really lifted their spirits as they genuinely blessed her with happy hearts. Everyone’s mouth was filled with praise for her and this only meant one thing; an outcome that upset Arthur greatly.
Focusing on gaining people’s trust and support proved to be even more practical than fighting Arthur head on. Abby was very happy with her choice.
Because, with the change of tides, the former king realized if he tried to continue dragging her name through the mud, it would only backfire on himself.