Damion's POV
I arrive at Palace, I call out for Loyd, he had been waiting for my call until this late, I could swear he was behind my door, of how quickly he answered my call.
"Your Highness. Do you wish your dinner to be served? " He asked.
" I wish, for you to bring me all the Palace and the kingdom expenses reports, I wish to have all of it at moment. I don't care who you have to wake up, or bring but I need everything now. "
The truth had been hidden from me for far too long, and it was time for me to learn what was behind all the economic decisions. My position as the future king has to be backed not only by power but also with knowledge.
"Yes, your Highness I will prepare everything." He bowed and promptly left to fulfil my request.
*
It was days until I finished analysing everything, all the things done since my father and his council of advisors had taken over the kingdom. His indulgence and greed a had brought the kingdom into a spiraling debt. The kingdom for the last 45 years had not built any wealth or produced any income to support itself. I was shocked with such incompetence.
As I entered the council chambers, the room went silent, the advisors glancing at one another.
"Damion? What brings you here, the council and I are having a meeting. " My father said, his voice filled with surprise. I wasn't sure if my father was as oblivious as me or as guilty as those man sitting at the council table.
"The young Prince, must be curious about the kingdom affairs, however is too early for you to attend such meetings without a chaperone, who can explain everything that is going on." One of the members spoke his voice and tone filled with confidence and a little of disdain.
I remain calm and silent, observing everyone's face of contempt, looking down on me. I was indeed very oblivious to everything around me. The more I thought about it the more angry I became, I am still young and I still know so little.
But I refuse to let their dismissive attitude deter me. Ceaser arrives just in time, I had informed him before hand of my research and everything that I had learned. With a collected and determined expression, I adress to the council." My chaperone has arrived, however he is here to witness what I am about to say.
I may be young, but I am not blind," I say, my voice firm and steady. "For far too long, the affairs of this kingdom have been mishandled, and it is time for that to change."
The council members exchange uneasy glances, their masks of arrogance slipping away as they realize that their secrets can no longer be hidden.
"I have spent days analyzing the financial state of our kingdom," I continue, my gaze piercing through each member. "And what I have discovered is a gross mismanagement of resources, a lack of accountability, and an unchecked greed that has left our kingdom teetering on the edge of collapse." I study my Father expression, he remains unfazed, as if he already knew everything that was happening.
"Young Prince, you have no right to speak to us in such a manner!" one of them exclaims, attempting to maintain their authority.
"I may not have the experience or the years of leadership that you do, but I have something far more valuable - a commitment to the welfare of our people," I state firmly. "And it is my duty, as the future king, to ensure that our kingdom thrives and prospers."
I hear a loud bang on the table, my Father rises, his face red with anger."Damion!!" He yells, "That's enough!"
Silence hangs heavily in the air. The council members exchange nervous glances, their arrogance now replaced by uncertainty. It is clear that they did not expect such defiance from me, their puppet prince.
"No father, is not enough is just the beginning. If you intend for me to be next King, there's a lot that I plan to change. I have come to right the wrongs that have been done in name of our Kingdom," I spoke, my voice filled with determination.
The council members exchanged nervous glances, unsure of how to respond. It was clear that they had not expected me to confront them so directly, so boldly. But there was no turning back now.
"You know nothing of what you speak of, boy! As your King I demand you to stop getting involved in what does not concerns you."
"It does not concern me? The welfare of the people of the kingdom does not concern me? Do you expect me to remain silent when all of kingdom wealth has been depleted out of the vault. " I couldn't contain my disappointment and anger.
"All of you ordered our farmers to stop producing, even when we could do sustain ourselves, farms and farmers sit iddle, you forbid them to farm, burn the land if they disobey...
How do you intend to feed the people once there is no more gold, no more silver, no more pins in your vaults?"
My anger was getting the best of me I was venting all my frustrations, how can my father be so blind to the state of our kingdom, to the suffering of our people?
"You may be my father, but you have failed as a leader," I say, my voice laced with disappointment. "Your indulgence and greed have brought our kingdom to the brink of ruin. How could you let this happen?"
The council members shift uncomfortably in their seats, their eyes darting between my father and me, unsure of how to respond to our heated exchange.
"Leave! ALL OF YOU BUNCH! I want to speak to my idiot son. " They all jumped out of their sits with fear they left. Ceaser also left, after making sure I was okay.
My father's face contorts with anger as they leave, he comes closer to me. "You dare to speak to me in such a manner, boy? I am your king and your father. Show me the respect I deserve! Do you think I have not prepared for such situation? " He says full of confidence. " Even if my vaults are empty, I can always marry you to another kingdom and ensure Arrentela wealth."
Is this the extent of his disregard for his own son, for our kingdom? To use my future and happiness as a bargaining chip?
"No, father," I say, my voice steady but filled with disappointment. "I will not be traded like a piece of property for your own gain. This kingdom deserves better than that, and so do I."
My father's eyes narrow with anger, his face turning red again. "You defy me, my own blood? However is already settled, there is nothing you can do now. Your bride arrives in a few days."
"I told you, I will not marry someone that I don't love, or care about. Even if is to fix a mistake that you and your council made."
He scoffs, dismissing my words with a wave of his hand. "You are nothing more than a dreamer, Damion. But dreams cannot sustain a kingdom. You will see that soon enough. Love is not everything, it can't do anything for you." He say with his voice now more calmer.
"Prepare yourself to receive your future bride, she will arrive in a matter of days, there is nothing you can do about, you will marry her, and save the kingdom. You might as well do an effort to love her, if love is what you want." He say in a soft voice.
"Father I will not yield, I will not love her, I already...." I intend to tell him about Rahua before I could he interromps me.
My father's face contort his frustration was evident. "You are naïve, Damion. Love is not a priority in matters of state. Sacrifices must be made, even if it means sacrificing your personal desires."
I stand my ground, refusing to back down. "I understand the importance of sacrifices, Father. I will save our Kingdom any other way."
My father's features soften slightly, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face. "And what if there is no other option, Damion? What if this is the only way to ensure the prosperity of our kingdom?"
Silence hangs heavy in the room as my father and I stare at each other, the tension palpable. Finally, he releases a heavy sigh.
"I choose a good one for you, she is beautiful, you will definitely fall in love, If you don't want to marry her, do whatever you want but don't blame me when you fail to save the kingdom." he says, his voice laced with a mix of resignation and doubt.
With those words, my father turns and exits the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.