AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, I feel the same, which is why I have to give this advice,” he replied, and I nodded for him to go on. “Let him hang himself, sir. He’s already on shaky ground. No matter what he says, take it as if it were a child speaking, and brush it off.”
“You sound like my mother, Balduin.” I frowned.
“The Queen Mother is a wise woman,” he shot back, making me snicker.
“I have heard your advice, and I shall take it to heart. But you of all people know, I am not good at doing nothing.”
He inhaled and sighed deeply. “Yes, sir, I know. I am already preparing myself as well.”
I tried not to laugh outrightly. “Thank you, Balduin. You may send him in.”
He bowed his head before taking one step back and then turning to go to the door. Sighing, I tried to roll my shoulders, attempting to release the tension in them. I felt like I was preparing to get into a boxing ring.
When the doors opened again after a few moments, Parsworth entered formally and said, “Prime Minister Hermenegild for you, sir.”
I nodded, and as he exited, the tall, quaffed, blond-haired, shaven, square-jawed man entered dressed in his very best Sunday suit and carrying his black cane.
He walked toward me, and, like a soldier, he placed his hand over his heart, bowing. “Your Majesty.”
“Mr. Hermenegild, as of my coronation, you are my very first prime minister. I congratulate you on your effort thus far and continue to ask that you form a government in my name, for the good and glory of Ersovia,” I said, outstretching my hand for a handshake, which he took upon lifting his head.
“It will be my honor, sir. As it was my honor to serve your father before you,” he replied.
I nodded for him to take the chair opposite me. “Please sit.”
“Your speech today at the exchange of the guard was brilliant, sir,” he said as he crossed one leg over the other and leaned over to his right. “Very moving and yet strong and firm.”
“That is good to hear,” I said, eyeing him carefully. And for some reason, even though he acted properly, I still couldn’t find it in myself to relax. I did not trust him in the slightest.
“Sir, I know in the past we have had disparities on how we believed the country should be governed.”
Disparities was an understatement. “Yes, I do hope we will work together better in the future.”
“And we shall, so long as we both have an understanding.”
“And that is?”
“You are King, above the fray of most political matters. As your prime minister, I will keep you aware of the general goings-on, as well as do my best to make sure nothing ever rises to such severity that it needs your attention. So you may enjoy your life as you wish.”
So, the understanding was, do not bother with any politics and live a carefree life.
“If only such a thing were truly possible, Prime Minister.” I sat back in my chair. “However, you and I both know being King is political even when not being political. After all, my father gave you such free rein, and that even was seen as a statement.”
“Yes, but it was a statement of support. And that is all a prime minister needs. After all, you yourself have asked I make a government in your name. And I have very great plans for this government and our people.”
I bit my cheek. Our people? Or my people? “Is that so?”
“It is. As you know, we passed the Nationalism Reform Act—”
“The people still seem divided on that. I believe there were protests twice this month.”
“Law is law. They will adjust.” He nodded. “And now, with the coming winter, I don’t believe we will have to worry about those squabbles any longer.”
“And by the spring?”
“The reforms will have begun in April. Which brings me to something else,” he said, and I just knew I wasn’t going to like it. “The queen.”
I bloody knew it.
