*King Alexander*
King Alexander was stumped. And when he looked to advisors for some possible insight, maybe a different point of view, he met with the same expression. They seemed just as perplexed. Everyone at the table seemed to be at a loss for words.
Everyone, that is, except the very Prince Nicoli. He seemed completely unbothered. But Alexander had a suspicion as to why that might have been. Despite the very reason Nicoli was supposed to be here to learn, the boy was not paying attention.
No, Alexander watched his son. His son was most definitely not paying attention as he watched him.
Nicoli sat next to his father with a book in front of him. But he was not reading it. Instead, Nicolli was drawing bear doodles over the pages.
I pity his tutors. Alexander grimaced. Those poor tutors tried their best, but it could only go so far. Nicoli still had no interest in learning. Instead, he seemed to prefer daydreaming over anything.
It's either that or writing another letter. Alexander shifted at the thought. Another letter upon the countless others in the years. All of which have gone unanswered till now.
But Alexander shelved the dark thought to look back at the present.
"Are you sure about this?"Alexander went back to his advisors.
"Your majesty, we have reported. The Bulgeons are moving up the coastline."
"Hmm." Alexander furrowed his brows. In the corner of his eye, he could see Nicoli. He was drawing another bear. The situation didn't dawn on him as it did for everyone else. He was still young.
"And these reports say they are acting strange?"
"They are settling, sire."
"Settling?" Alexander perked up. "What do you mean? They are doing more than ransacking?"
"Tents are up. But houses are being built, Your Majesty."
"Are you telling me these pirates are suddenly playing house?" Alexander couldn't hide his doubt.
"Your majesty, we know how it sounds, but it's been reported."
"Pirates?"Nicoli popped up with interest."The Bulgeons are pirates?" Nicoli grew wide-eyed. The word had him curious. His curiosity made Alexander smile.
"Is that all you heard?"Alexander rubbed Nicoli's head. Nicoli yelped and pulled away.
"Stop!" Nicoli pouted. He did not seem keen on having his hair touched.
"Aye, then pay attention," Alexander kept his smirk but glanced back at the report. It said as much as what they told him. But he had hoped to hear otherwise.
But it seems they are meant to stay. Alexander flipped the papers. Something caught his eye, and he stopped.
"Their chief has changed?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. His name is Amul. We think he may be the cause for this change-"
"Gah! I'm bored." Nicoli blurted.
"Your Royal Highness!?" The advisors choked. They coughed at the sudden interruption. Each nervously glanced over at the king. Would he be mad?
But King Alexander, to their relief, just laughed. He kept laughing until Nicoli shrugged. He looked around the table before looking back.
"All this talking, aren't you bored, papa?"
Alexander had to bite back a smile. He admired Nicoli for his honesty. He could remember himself being the same back then.
My poor father must have put up with a lot from me too. Alexander could see himself in Nicoli. He would make the same interruptions and cause problems.
But where he could find Nicoli similar, it was time he be taught that this was not the time to play. Nicoli didn't need a friend. It was time to be firm.
"Nicoli, A king needs to listen to such things. He can not pick and choose based on what bores him." Alexander tapped the table. "That's why you're here. You need to be accustomed to these political discussions. So even though I hate to say it, pay attention."
Here Alexander flicked Nicoli's forehead.
"And no more interruptions, agreed?"
"Ow," Nicoli flinched back and scowled. His dark expression only made Alexander laugh. The boy's stubborn nature was just as endearing to him. He gestured to rub his forehead but Nicoli scooted farther away.
Again, Alexander had to laugh.
That's enough teasing, now. Alexander decided. The boy would listen now. So he turned back to the table.
"Gentlemen, I want to know everything about this chief, Amul. How many wives and children he has? Anything. Something is going on here. We need to see the bigger picture to understand his motives. I want to know what I am dealing with."
"Ah!" Nicoli cried out and slapped the table."I can't take it anymore."
Nicoli closed the book and climbed out of his chair. His hand grabbed up his pencils.
"I'm going." Nicoli meant to walk.
"Oh really?"Alexander was ready and caught him by the top of his head. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he had Nicoli turn back to look up at him.
"And where are you going?" Alexander sounded calm. However, his advisors squirmed at the table. They knew that expression he was making.
Scary. They all thought. Alexander was mad but smiling. It was the worst time of anger.
Nicoli, however, didn't seem bothered at all.
"I'm going." Nicoli voiced again.
"Your Royal Highness?"The table looked at each other in worry. They couldn't believe the prince would be so bold as to leave.
But Nicoli seemed to smile then. As if he had a perfect excuse or a trick up his sleeve.
"I'm going to write a letter." Nicoli lifted away his hand.
"A letter?"Alexander lightened at the prospect. "To Ana?"
"Uh-huh," Nicoli nodded and puffed his chest as if already winning.
"Ah, well, best get to it then, eh?" Alexander had to shake his head and laugh. He had to admit he was impressed. The boy was good.
"Your majesty?" His advisors, however, seemed to be in a whirlwind. The complete 180 of Alexander's mood left his advisors spinning. They looked at each other stunned.
Alexander, meanwhile, took the chance for one more rustle. His big hand fluffed up Nicoil's brown curls. They stuck up in all directions after.
"Bah!" Nicoli scrunched his face as if to say he hated it. But Alexander could hear him also giggle. It only made him move faster to set Nicoli to start laughing loudly.
"No! I'm going!" Nicoli pushed him off finally. But his laugh had been infectious, and Alexander was laughing too. It was hard to relent the mirth. Nicoli moved to smooth down the fluffy mess.
"Than get, you rascal." Alexander leaned back with a satisfied grin.
"Goodbye, papa," Nicoli carried his things out of the room.
King Alexander waited until he was gone before returning to the meeting. Then, his smile dropped, and he was serious.
"Gentelmen, I want the Bulgeons tracked. Immediate reports will be given if there are signs of advancement past the southern fields."
"Your majesty? Are we under the same suspicions?" Johan finally voiced. Alexander nodded to him.
He looked back to the report. It was thick. And there was talk of Nochten's territories being involved. So the Bulgeons were active in more than just his empire.
Ana…Alexander couldn't help but be worried. She was still young to have to deal with such a thing as foreign invaders. He didn't want this to go to any father for her sake.
"Let us hope we are wrong."
But Alexander could feel his apprehension not unfounded.