It had been three days since Richard and his friend Henry started to live with the royal family. Most of the people including the ministers had not taken it too well but that did not mean that he would go anywhere.
It would be the first day for him to attend a meeting in the courtroom.
"He is waiting for the right time to attack." Henry who had just gotten into his room remarked.
"There is never right time, you just have to create it and he is just like an old bear, too slow."
Done with his preparations for the day, he
headed to the courtroom. Some of the ministers had never seen him before while others knew him due to his job and a few others had seen him around the palace.
He could see the way people were looking at him. Most of them held a disapproving look while two or three people seemed to be happy that he was here, after all he carried the royal blood.
"Richard come over here." The king called and Richard did not fail to oblige. "Everyone, this is my sister's son and he will be the one to take over as the new head of ministers."
"But your highness, what if he tries to do what his mother did? I think that that position should be taken by prince George." One of the ministers commented to which he got support from the others who had the same thoughts. For the first time since he entered the courtroom, his eyes met with prince George who had a displeased look on his face.
"This is a mistake." Another minister added and his words snapped something in the king. His ego and authority was being questioned and that was one thing he hated.
"He is my nephew is a member of the royal family." King William emphasized while passing a look at everyone in the room. "I am the one who makes the decision on who will be the head of the ministers and I don't take it lightly when someone tries to question my decisions." The room was once again quiet and as a result, the king gave a satisfied smile.
"Any other matter that needs to be addressed?" The king asked while leaning back on the throne, the very same throne that was eyed by so many yet he was the one on power.
"It's about taxation. Most of the people have been complaining that they are being overtaxed your highness."
"They have been doing that for years. But if any of them try to cause unnecessary racket, get rid of them. Ungrateful peasants, we are the ones who feed them." The smile on his face had long disappeared and was replaced by a frown.
With the meeting through, everyone left apart from the king and one of the ministers. Richard was right outside trying to make a conversation with a guard while trying to eavesdrop on the king's conversation to which he was successful in. "....all the troops are ready and so is the prince." He heard the minister say. "....I hope that you will bring victory. They have a good army and it worries me if Wilson will not be able to handle them." The king not trusting his son enough to lead a war was a loophole and it would give Richard one of the rare chances to bring some people to his side.
At the time of the evening, Richard sat on a fallen log that was behind his chamber. The sunset was beautiful as it's rays brought warmth to the land of Eaghslia. It was a bliss and he liked it. Birds had started to fly back to the land and the flowers were in the process of blossoming. His hair that was usually combed was now ruffled whereby it carelessly fell on his forehead and he had also discarded the coat he had been wearing leaving him with a white shirt that was in pure contrast with his raven hair.
"I didn't know that you are also a slave of nature." It was princess Agatha who was now standing right behind him. "I didn't know that you were following me." He replied with a cool tone. Agatha who was standing behind him took some steps ahead and sat next to him while watching the vast horizon. "So, you are our cousin." Princess Agatha was relentless in making a conversation with him. She had been attracted to him the first time she saw him and when her father came with the news that they were cousins, she was really disappointed by the news.
"I didn't know that you liked me that much cousin." One of Richard's hand that was resting on his knee settled on top of her own hand which elicited a spark in her and not long after, he started to trace his fingers from her wrist to her forearm which was left bare since she wore a short sleeved dress.
When he stopped and retracted his hand back, she felt cold breeze sweeping over her skin and her mouth that had been parted was sealed. "The eager ones don't turn me on." He said with a smile while watching his cousin sister.
"We are cousins." She stated coldly. Richard's words had stung her and in as much as she tried to ignore them, she couldn't. "Are you trying to convince yourself or me, milady?" His question rewarded him with a glare.
"I will get going now." He said while getting up with the support of his hands.