Within the King's court.

One

    I awoke. A pity. All I have ever wanted to do was just not wake up. But I have duties to carry out, things I must do, people I need to please for the safety of the land and people I have inherited by my father.

I step carefully from the bed I had slept in since I was a boy and entered my wardrobe and dressed myself in the royal garb that my father once wore, and his father and so on. So much history in one garment. not that it mattered to me. I exit my lavish room that I did not deserve nor desire and traipsed down the hall. A few servants that I had known since birth accompanied me, greeting me and informing me of what needed to be done today. I sighed. I was already so exhausted, and it was barely even past prime. The very first day of my reign in my kingdom. I still feel I do not deserve such a title. To be able to hold all of this power just for myself, and for what? Who in their right mind would give a young adult that kind of power over people? I barely even excide the age of an adult. Lord, please have pity on my soul.
"Your Highness, you must read through these documents before the end of the day, it is very important that you give your opinion on these."
"Yes Sophia, all in good time." I walked off with her still trailing closely behind me.
"But sir! I don't think you understand how important these documents are-!"
"I said I'd get to them. Now, if you'd kindly excuse me, I have a meeting to attend to." She grumbled in frustration as she watched me disappear from her view.
"Your highness!" Called a distant and echoing voice from inside the council room. I heard the shuffle of rising bodies and the soft rumble of their chairs sliding on the ground.
"Please, be seated." I waved my hand at them as I sat down in the seat that used to be my father's.
"What do we have up for discussion today?"
"We have just a bit your excellency. First of all, your people want to know about their taxes."
"Yes, what about them?"
"Well, your father-as you know- had very high taxes on the people to pay for his lavish parties. What are you going to do about them? There has been talk of revolts that our military force has been hearing while on patrol."
"Cut them by 20% and repeal the sugar tax."
"Sire are you sure? will you be able to live with 20% less profits as your fa-"
"Do not speak of my father in my presence again lord Nolan. If you fail to follow, then you're work here is done, do I make myself clear?"
"Uhm, yes, yes your highness." I could see small droplets of sweat seep from his pores and begin to drip down his round face.
"And the next order of business?"
"Ah! Yes, you have yet to choose your Viceroy."
"Oh yes. Who is the youngest out of you all?"
"That would be me your highness." I swiveled my head around to lay my eyes on a man relatively close to my age.
"I see, and who are you?" I had never seen him in my life, I had been in this room several times with my father before his well-deserved downfall.
"I'm Alexandre your highness. I am the son of Sebastion, he passed just a few days before your coronation."
"I see, very well. How well do you know the job of the men surrounding you?"
"I know much Sir, my father started bringing me here so I could succeed his position after his passing."
"Hm, alright then, approach." I heard shuffling and murmuring from within the crowd. He approached slowly, weaving through the several rows of men in front of him.
"Alexandre," I stood. "I am appointing you as my Viceroy, do not disappoint me."
"Of-of course your highness!"
"You may return to your seat. Now, any other things that must be sorted out before I take my leave and dismiss you all to your homes?"
"No, your highness, I believe that was all."
"Very well, I hope you all a safe return to your families. Alexandre, follow me."
The men all stood up and began to file out of the doors, whispering to one another as they left my sight. After their leave I took mine and began to trot back to my office where I had other duties to complete. Alexandre following suit. I could tell he was nervous by the way the heels of his shoes clacked as he walked. funny really. Just a few hours ago I wasn't even worth the anxiety he was having now.
"Your highness! Please can you get this paperwork done! You can't wait any longer to complete this!" Sophia was fuming.
"Goodness, alright, I just dismissed the meeting! Give it a rest."
"Give it a rest?! Do you know how much trouble our country is in?!"
"God! Just give me the papers!" I snatched them from her hands and gave them a quick look over.
"Looks fine to me. Now, Sophia please take good care of Alexandre, teach him what he needs to do while I'm busy."
"Understood your highness." She had an angry look on her face as I returned the documents to her.
"Come, we must hurry." She twirled around and began to make her way back to her desk. Her strides long and quick, Alexandre trying desperately to keep up while not running.