Damion's POV
I invited Rahua to the council, I wanted her to see the progress I had made, I wanted her to see that I have become somone that can protect her.
"It will take a while until we manage to sustain ourselves and break the previous market transactions. All the factors have indicated to the success." Ceaser says.
"How long will that be, do you expect our houses to support the kingdom alone until then? " Lord Baril says, he is known as someone who can tell apart from imitation and from real deal, no one can pass something that is counterfeit through him. People say he has a good eyes for business because of that.
"We have made plans that only for 6 months we will have to support the kingdom. We have made an effort to make sure once the everything that we set, once it start to show it's fruits, every house of this kingdom will not face any difficulties and that includes yours as well Lord Baril. " I say trying to sound calm and collected.
"Even if you say 6 months that's a prediction taking in consideration that every factor goes well, but there's nothing more unpredictable than tomorrow. " Lord Cleaver says, his tone mocking.
Everyone started to nod, as if they haven't used up all the money with less probabilities of success for their projects or even commemorations. Their lavish lifes and their bad businesses bring "only the best products" to our kingdom brought us to this situation, but this is something I can't say, that would make my father look incompetent.
I could see Rahua's face, she looked composed in opposition to me, I felt anger and frustration, listening to their objections and reasons.
In the middle of the discussion, I could see Rahua raising her hand. There she was no hesitation, the same fierce look she always had whenever we discussed something she seemed passionate about.
She waited for the ones talking to give her turn, but they ignore her. That infuriated me, I didn't care how they disregard me, but the idea of them disrespecting Rahua makes my blood boil.
Before I could act, there was a bang on the table. Everyone turn to look in Rahua's direction, Ceaser had smacked the table, with his cold demeanor, his voice sounded ruthless.
"The future Queen wants to have a turn." I felt shame, I should have been the one to say those words. I wanted to smack my inability to do step forward faster.
Rahua clears her throat, speaking loud and clear as if she was used to do this.
"I understand the concerns raised by some council members regarding the farming project," her voice steady and firm "But let us not forget that this project holds the potential to provide sustenance and prosperity to our people. It is an opportunity to uplift the most vulnerable communities and bring hope to those who have been overlooked for far too long."
I could see her confidence as she continues "Yes, there are risks involved, but every endeavor worth pursuing carries risks. It is the duty of the crown to assess those risks and mitigate them, not to shy away from progress, and make problems. You have done your job well presenting your concerns, what is needed now is solutions to those problems. Damion has worked tirelessly to ensure the success of this project. Isn't our responsibility to support him, to trust him?"
The council members exchange glances, some appearing thoughtful, while others remain skeptical. I felt like a amazed child, I felt like she used to make me feel whenever we had our discussion.
However I am no longer that child, I have grown and that's what I will show her.
"I implore you, council members, to consider the broader impact of this project. Think of the lives that could be changed, the opportunities that could be created. Let us not be blinded by petty differences and personal agendas. " I say. They looked surprised by comment.
"As the future King of this kingdom, I vow to not let any harm come over anyone in this kingdom and make this kingdom once again bursting with prosperity. I will fight for the betterment of our people. I hope you can find it within yourselves to do the same."
Silence fills the room, tension hanging heavy in the air. And then, slowly but surely, the council members begin to show signs of agreement. They nod, murmurs of approval floating through the chamber. I could see my father smile at me.
"My son has grown to be a man, I feared to be. Mistakes can be made but from that there's always growth." My father says, his voice calm and collected.
I exchange a glance with Rahua, a smile playing on my lips. With her words and support, we have gained the support of the council. It is a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.
As the meeting comes to an end, the council members filter out of the chamber, their attitudes much different than when they first entered. I feel a sense of accomplishment, a fulfillment of my duty as a future King.
I take her hand in mine, I was so grateful to have met someone like her . "Thank you,"I say softly. "I couldn't have done it without you."
She squeeze my hand, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I will always give my best to support you." She says. She leans closer and whispers. "Let them come, we will knock every unreasonable argument and step on their carcasses."
I looked at her, surprised by her words, a laugh escaped my lips, I couldn't understand how her mind works, but I was happy to try to find out for the rest of my life.
"Let's have dinner together today, I am sorry that I have been neglecting you because of..." Before I could explain myself, she smiles brightly and says.
"I would love to Damion, I have so much to talk about, and show you my progress on the etiquette lessons. You might even think I am a different person. " My heart aches, even though she is saying with a smile. I don't want her to turn into a different person.
"I would hate for you to turn different from yourself, I would rather that you stop the lessons if that's the case." I say with a serious expression.
"Ahahaha, don't worrie, I will not change that drastically, and I am talking about behaviour and not personality. " She says smiling. " But you like the way I am, just weird and quirky?" She ask blushing, suddenly shy.
"Of course." I said without hesitation, her eyes beamed. As I leaned closer to kiss her. I could hear a cough from behind me, suddenly I remembered where we were. I seem to forget everytime I am with her.
" It seems that Lady Rahua is not the only one in need of etiquette lessons. " Says Ceaser, even though his demeanor is serious, he has a hint of mischievous on his voice.
I was surprised. I couldn't help but to smile.
Rahua let's go of my hand, I couldn't help but to frown, she steps forward and makes a semi-bow to Ceaser.
"Thank you, Lord Marquess Ceaser, for giving me a chance to speak." She says shyly. I don't like how she turns shy around Ceaser.
"Please, just Ceaser is fine. "He says coldly.
No is not fine.
"I don't think, could do such think, but If is okay, I wo-would like to address you as Lord Ceaser. " She says with her voice trembling. I can't help but to frown. I search for her hand and pull her close to me. I know she used to have strange feelings for him, not giving a chance for them to flourish again.
Ceaser hooks is brows, looking at me." Fine, whatever you decide." He says bowing his head. One of the knights comes in, bowing to us, he then whispers to Ceaser hears, before leaving.
" I might have to disturb you further, I must take Damion with some business to attend. " He says pulling me from her.
"I understand." She says smiling. I leave her in the council room with Loyd and other council members that haven't left yet.
" I will see you at dinner." I tell her before leaving.
"What business do we have to attend? " I ask Ceaser, since I don't remember making any further plans today.
"It seems we caught a rabbit trying to cause trouble." He says his expression turning dark.
I immediately understood. Since the situation with Vital, I have been more careful, with the people around me. I knew there was resistance and some nobels didn't like the farming project, so we have been preparing in case of sabotage.
Both me and Ceaser knew that it wasn't going to be a smooth sailing directing the project, and we were expecting some rebellious acts.
One thing I must thank my cousin, thanks to him, now I know even the most gentle and respectful person can be hiding a terrible mind.
Thanks to my late cousin, I have learned being deceived is just a question of how little people think of you, they will always underestimate your habilities and think they are smarter than you.
I hope I have played that role well enough, so that they remain true to themselves and try to deceive me. I will slowly take all the weeds out of my kingdom.
*
As we make our way to the holding cells, I can't help but think about Rahua. Her bravery, her intelligence, her unwavering support for me. She truly is a remarkable woman, and I am grateful to have her by my side.
We arrive at the cells, and there sits the culprit, Lord Eckard, his family is part of one riches houses of this kingdom, it was somewhat surprising that he would take such a stance, he is not a young man to say that he has been decieved or influenced by others.
"May I know the reason I am being held in such way?" He looked like a wise man, but even the wisest make mistakes.
"Lord Eckard, we have caught a man hired burn the farm to the ground ?" Ceaser says, his voice sharp and cold.
"And what does that have to do with me?" He ask, I keep observing him from the darkest spot of the cell not revealing my identity.
"Well.." Ceaser was calculating cold bastard, he knew that he couldn't just accuse anyone from the interrogation of the man we caught.
"This man, was very bad actually at trying to execute a very easy task, set a farm on fire, seems to be a pretty easy job, any dumb dumb could easily do it. It seems that his instructions were not clear enough. "
Lord Eckard's expression remained unreadable as he listened to Ceaser's words. He seemed unfazed by the implications and accusations being thrown his way.
Ceaser continued, his tone icy. "When we caught this man, we thought the person who hired him would be smart enough to cover his tracks, and not leaving any connections tied to him in case of failure. I guess this man either really underestimated us, or overestimated himself. "
I kept observing the exchange, Lord Eckard seemed to be good at concealing his emotions.
"You see Lord Eckard, the man told us everything, where they met, where they were supposed to meet afterwards. He described the man to us detail per detail."
"Did he describe me?" Lord Eckard asked with a defiance tone.
"No. He didn't, it seems he described someone else completely different, we went to meet him. It seems, this person had been approached by a young nobelman.." as Ceaser talked about the young nobelman, Lord Eckard remained silent, his jaw clenched, but I could see the fear in his eyes.
"We didn't have to interrogate the man, it seems many nobel houses use intimidation as their bargain coin. So there is no loyalty bound to them."
"As Lord Marquess, very well explained that person described a young man. I still have many years to leave but to no means am I a young man, not anymore." He tried to seem confident in his words, but there was a hint of nervousness.
Ceaser remained unfazed. " Well you certainly weren't the person described, but you son was. "
"What??" Lord Eckard unreadable expression change to a surprised one.
"After a little bit of spaking, your son told us everything. More than we asked." He had a cold tone, but he still was taunting the Lord Eckard.
The Lord Eckard was at loss for words he seemed to be caught off guard by Ceaser coldness as he described how his son was beaten into a pulp even after talking.
"What have you done to my son, did you forget who I am? How dare you... " Lord Eckard was red with anger.
"Your son committed treason against his Majesty, I am sure is justified. He confessed to everything, how he planned everything, how he gathered with other houses to stand against the Prince and his Majesty. "
"My ... My son .. he.. he wouldn't do that" Lord Eckard looked confused.
Ceaser paused, gathering papers out of his jacket. "What's even more interesting is, he gave us all the names of the people his father associates with. He is fully aware that his actions have consequences."
"I am the guilty one, my son was trying to protect me. That child is so useless, even now, I never thought he had in him. " Lord Eckard seem proud of his son, I guess he wasn't expecting his son to defend him. "Can you not hold him accountable for my doings? He is young he will carry our family name."
"We will not tolerate any sabotage or attempts to disrupt the progress of this kingdom," I say, my voice firm. Lord Eckard eyes widened when he saw me.
"Your Highness?" He asks as I show my face.
"We will make a trial for the people involved, and your son will be included, a lighter sentence may be applied because he made easier to get everyone else. " I say.
"It's seems the rumours about, your Highness being a clueless young man, are fabrication." He laughs bitterly. Unfortunately they are not completely wrong but .... Not anymore.
"You will be dealt with accordingly. You have no place in this kingdom if you cannot support its growth and prosperity." My father enters the room, Lord Eckard couldn't meet my fathers eyes, he was even more surprised that my father was also present.
As we turn to leave, Lord Eckard speaks up, his voice full of bitterness "I was just trying to protect my family's interests, our way of life. You don't understand what this project will do to us."
I stop in my tracks, turning back to face him. "I do understand. However progress is necessary for us to thrive. Is not like you would become less rich, but the power over the people, and your influence over them will be heavily reduced, you will not be in control of who will be able to afford to eat or not."
With that, we leave, leaving Lord Eckard to ponder his actions and the consequences he have brought upon him. As we make our way back to the council chamber, I can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. We are moving forward, despite the obstacles in our path.
And as I think of Rahua, waiting for me at dinner, I urge my feet to move faster so we can finally be together again.