Some Euphorion cavalry followed by a royal carriage and a brown carriage passing through a street of Pearl Gate City. Although there were no rules for welcoming the king when he entered the city, but so many people gathered at the side of the street to greet him or just to see him even if it was just a glance, some of them were seen waving their hands at him. He only replied them with a slight smile.
The king's convoy entered a tall golden-white gate that have 'City Hall' sign in front of it, through a neatly arranged courtyard to the entrance of an elegant white mansion.
The carriage door opened, a servant procured a short staircase at the carriage's door. He descended from his carriage, in front of him, Major Bernard and some officials had stood up to greet him in front of the city hall entrance.
Major Bernard and the others bowed to him."Your Majesty, welcome to Pearl Gate City."
He answered them with a slight nod.
Shortly Cley and Claire approached them after getting off their carriage."Uncle Bernard!" shouted Claire while immediately running towards Mayor Bernard and hugging him.
Major Bernard welcomed her with a happy smile and returned her hug. "Claire!" then he released his arms and looked at her."Look at you. You're getting more and more like a lady."
Cley followed her from behind with elegant steps, then he bowed to Major Bernard."We haven't seen each other in a long time. How are you, mayor?" then he turned his gaze to Claire."Claire, watch your manners." he said while he imitating Chancellor Allan tone.
Major Bernard turned to Cley."Cley, you have turned into a fine man now."
Claire looked at Cley in annoyance."No, he's just pretending."
"I'm not pretending." said Cley in a formal voice, but then he hugged Major Bernard with a big smile on his face."Uncle Bernard, I miss you." he said in a spoiled tone.
He only smiled at them, Major Bernard always looked after them since they were little, especially after Claire and Cley's parents died. So, they had considered him as their own grandfather.
Major Bernard turned his gaze to him."Your Majesty, forgive our impudence. How about we talk inside?" he said as he invited him to enter.
He simply nodded and entered the City hall. Major Bernard stood side by side with him as they walked down the corridor to the meeting room, with others officials and guards tailed behind them.
"I'm glad to see you has arrived safely." Major Bernard said.
He nodded again and immediately got down to business."How is the city lately?"
"Very good, your idea to build a small booth in the market and rent it to traders, has received a good response. Now all of the booths are fully loaded, we still continue to add booths to meet their demands and also developing new markets near the gate to the Lucian Garden. "answered Major Bernard.
"It's good to hear that."
With Pearl Gate City become the largest trading city on Andromeda Continent. He faces a new problem, the city is disorganized with traders who casually open their shops at the side of the street, sometimes in front of other people's houses. As the result, there were often some quarrels between the residents and traders which affected the city security.
A year ago, he ordered to make small booths and gather them at a market. For traders who want to rent it, they can come to the city hall, they will provide the rent for free for the first three months and take the rent with a lightweight profit-sharing system. One trader can only get one booth, if someone cheats they will be prohibited from selling again from the city. This idea succeeded in making the city neat again and reduce the quarrels significantly also increasing revenue for the kingdom.
'Since this idea works well, I can apply it to other trading cities.'
They entered the meeting room and sat on the sofa. The servants immediately poured the tea into their cups."Have you prepared your report?" he asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Major Bernard replied, then he gestured to one of his assistants to hand it over.
He took the report and turned his gaze back to Major Bernard, Claire and Cley."You haven't meet each other for a long time, it's better for you to spend more time together. We can discuss this report tomorrow."
After hearing his words, Cley and Claire quickly answered him."Yes, Your Majesty." they said as a board smile appeared on their face, then they quickly bowed and pulled Major Bernard who hasn't had time say a word yet."Your Majesty, I'll take my leave." said Major Bernard as he continued to be pulled out by them.
He just simply nodded.
He looked to the door as they left the room.'Both of you always remind me of my childhood... I hope you will always be happy forever.' then he turned his eyes back to the report on his hand.