The Gossip, the Pressure and the Treasury
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Crown Prince Rayzenn's Personal Office,
The Western Wing of the Imperial Castle,
Capital City of Tronder,
Kingdom of Velicia,
Fair Morning,
The Ninth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
"I just wanted to warn you, if you have intentions of marrying her, please do reconsider. I have been there and I know it is not a good decision, your Highness", Duke Cryspus Lemiron said regarding Charlene, his ex-fiancée, as though he was the wiser.
"Provided I come to that decision, yes, I will consider your opinion", the dark haired royal nodded.
"Did you know why I had originally broken my engagement with her?" the Duke asked, as though he was most concerned.
"I reckon that is what you are here to tell me?" The Prince raised a brow as his eyes met his guest's.
"Indeed I am", Cryspus said, leaning forward, and looking rather serious. "She has a good many male companions who gave her romantic attention. Although I counted them lightly to simply be her friends, it seemed like they had more affiliations past merely that.
Every time she disliked a decision I made, she would name some man from her companions and accuse me of how much better they were.
Then, I began hearing news from many around that she was close enough to Head Knight Erion and Baron Sean that she was seen with them late at night and that the knight had even been to her bed chamber after a drink at the pub.
All my confrontations with her have ended with her accusing me of distrusting and my arguments were rendered futile. So I decided once and for all that I would no more be on my knees before her and broke the engagement."
There was an honest amount of passion and hurt in the man's voice and Prince Rayzenn listened ardently to all that the man poured to him.
He was not willing to make judgements, for it was the first ill report about Miss Charlene that he was hearing and it was quite obvious that it was from a man that could not hold a relationship with her. Thus, he was bound to disrupt any other prospects that she would receive.
"I understand that you had to bear much hurt during the time you were engaged", Prince Rayzenn nodded, knitting his fingers and resting his mouth against his thumbs.
"Well, I am only complaining because I am suffering the impact of having been engaged to her even now", the man said, looking rather frustrated.
Prince Rayzenn reckoned that it could be the secretive visits the rumours mentioned. "What's the issue?" he asked.
"She's going about spreading tales that I've been infidel to my beautiful wife, by trying to visit her for pleasures. I did not imagine she would stoop so low and try to break my family. I can't imagine the impact of my Lucia hearing these rumours", Duke Cryspus Lemiron went on, like he was about to commit a murder.
The royal heir nodded, listening to all the things the man was pouring. Then, he asked, "How do you know she was the one spreading them?"
"Well, isn't it obvious? Who else would gain from making my married life more miserable? I know Charlene well and I sense her touch behind this fiasco!" the scarlet haired man yelled.
"And who did you hear it from?" the Prince asked, folding his arms on the table.
"My trusted butler. It seems word of it spread in the taverns last night. Or at least that's what I've heard. Who knows how much more she's been up to before this?" the man rambled, breathing hard from tension.
"I understand. But we have no direct evidence that she is the one who begun. After all, what business would a lady of society have in the tavern at night?" the royal man said.
"I am sorry for the outbreak, Sire", the man collected his calm. "I just wanted you to be warned in your decisions towards marriage. After all, the people are largely speaking of your interests in Charlene. And since I have been a victim to the situation, I thought you should be fairly informed", Duke Cryspus said.
"Yes, thank you for the concerns. I will have your opinions duly consulted", the Prince nodded.
"Yes, Sire. I also heard the scribes were involved in drafting a new law for the tribute officers of a section of the Kingdom?" the scarlet haired man started.
"Yes. The villages of the west are struggling with debt and I thought it would be a worthy decision to ease their share for a while. After all, the season has been unkind to their business. So perhaps, some subsidies can be granted until the people can get back on their feet", Rayzenn replied.
"Ah that is a grand decision. But how will the Imperial Castle maintain the treasury with a drop in the funds?" the guest asked, leaning forward curiously.
"Well, stealing from the people money that they do not is not going to make a king rich. And besides, the Imperial Castle has a lavish source of fund now and does not depend on the tributes", the heir to the throne said, sounding sophisticated.
"And what is that, your majesty?" the man asked.
"Well, not all information is for the people, is it now, Duke Lemiron?" the Prince smiled, before rising to his feet and extending a hand.
His guest, in response, rose up as well and took the man's hand, shaking it firm.
Then, the men walked out the Private Office of the Crown Prince, discussing matters of business. Just then, there was a familiar female voice ringing at the Central Halls and Rayzenn could feel his companion tense up as he muttered, "Charlene is here?"
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