"Can you answer the exact question I asked the minister here?"
"Yes I can." she answered.
"As of last month, over 23% of our workforce has been lost to illness and the required recovery time. This has resulted in a significant decline in productivity, which in turn has severely impacted both our tax revenue and supply chain. To counter this, the court has expended vast sums – millions of gold coins – on medical treatments, emergency food aid, and military resources to maintain order. However, these measures are neither sustainable nor scalable in the long term. The epidemic continues to spread, and the economic damage grows daily."
Her gaze swept over the assembly, ensuring she held the attention of every minister present. "The plasma infusion treatment, while not a panacea, offers a significant reduction in both the duration and severity of the illness. By expediting recovery times, fewer people will require prolonged medical care, and the workforce can return to their duties much sooner. Within the next year, we can expect a 57% reduction in medical costs alone, while workforce productivity could increase by up to 30% within months of treatment distribution."
"But the distribution and manufacture costs will be a problem. Who will you deal with that?" John asked.
"I acknowledge that the cost of manufacture and distribution will still be considerable. However, these expenses are manageable. By utilizing local healers and existing infrastructure, we can minimize additional overhead costs. Also, the vials are light and easy to move around distances. The per-person cost of the treatment is less than half of what the kingdom is currently spending on emergency measures as of now. Furthermore, in the long term, this treatment will provide the kingdom with the opportunity to reinvest those savings into other matters of significance: the bolstering of our military forces, infrastructure, and trade."
She gestured to a final graph she had prepared, showing the projected savings over the next five years. "By implementing this treatment, the kingdom stands to save an estimated three million gold coins in the next year alone. That figure will increase as the workforce stabilizes. The initial investment will pay for itself within two years, after which the kingdom will begin to see ongoing savings and, eventually, sustained economic growth."
The room was utterly silent as Mey concluded her presentation. She was doing well. Seeing that John's expression softened, and he offered her a proud grin. "Excellent work, Doctor," he said, before turning back to Minister Golkar. "Minister, I hope you see why she was called here now. I suggest you take a seat and remain silent for the rest of this session."
"No, that won't be the case." The king, who had been silent throughout the exchange, now spoke with a commanding tone that filled the hall. "Minister Golkar, to think that the doctor here has a better financial plan over a treatment than most of the ones you came up with, even though finance is not her field of expertise, is baffling. She is dealing with matters she doesn't have to; presentation of a financial plan today was your job."
The king's voice rang out like thunder, silencing any further opposition. "You will leave my court at once, Minister. I demand that you send for your father, who saw fit to appoint trash like you in his place. I will make sure your family is held accountable." Golkar was swiftly escorted from the hall, screaming and asking to be forgiven, his disgrace was evident for all to see.
"Now, Doctor," the king continued, "I expect you to provide a detailed explanation of your plan and explain why your work presides over the recent treatment methods we had for the epidemic."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I shall do as you command," Mey replied obediently, bowing.
"I warn you – should anyone utter another word of dissent regarding her place here, they will be treated with the same disdain as Minister Golkar." A chill ran through the hall as the king's words lingered. He glanced around at the ministers who had dared to whisper insolent words before. "A woman in court? Really? What grand excuse to conceal your own insecurity and incompetence. Have you forgotten the time Duchess Elizabeth Aliaster ruled in my stead and saved this kingdom from ruin? Do you dare disrespect the person invited into this court, the royal court of Ceracuse?"
The room remained hushed. No one spoke. After a while Mey was asked to continue. She started to explain the effectiveness of the treatment, which was originally the essence of her presentation. She completed her briefings, addressing every query with precision and expertise. By the end, most of the court had been convinced of the merit of her work, and most importantly, His Majesty. Her proposal was approved. There was no reason not to approve it.
John remained standing by the podium the whole time instead of taking his appointed seat. She was so thankful for that gesture. As she was escorted out of the hall to the sound of polite applause, she felt bitterswee