The Paladin (The King Eternal Monarch AU)

The Flagstone

The first day back at the Palace, James noticed that it was seriously understaffed. The ladies at court were wives of the aristocracy but most of them had left court in droves. It had been too stressful to serve under King Edward.

The Queen herself had sent the rest packing. She had informed the Paladins that it was better to start again from zero. To hear it was one thing. To see the Palace with only three court ladies was jaw-dropping. He was so used to bumping into a dozen of them. They seemed to move in packs. Like wolves.

James pitied Bryan. Even though Bryan was mostly South's friend, the Comptroller of the Royal Household had been flooded with constant requests over the fortnight to serve at court. After hours drinking at the Palace quarters had Bryan almost crying from the stress.

Apparently the Ladies Michelle, Amelia and Emily had been briefed about the Queen's reservations. Therefore, James was surprised afterwards when he heard about the series of interviews and background screenings that all applicants had to go through.

Many applicants dropped out thinking that the interviews were an affront to their aristocratic status. Therefore, a lot of common Corean women made it through instead. It signalled an end to the entitlement of aristocrats.

Commoners were added value - they could give the Queen a better account of what was needed for the country than the aristocratic ladies could. James knew without even asking that Elizabeth liked that.

With the Comptroller's Office blazing the way, word got to the other departments in the Palace about the Queen's desire to change the old ways of appointments and get fresh, talented blood in. West had daily meetings with bureau heads every single day until he got his way.

James enjoyed watching the squirming Bureau Heads. They had plenty of excuses but after a few heads rolled, the rest quickly fell in line.

West, being one of the top sharpshooters at the army told James over drinks at the quarters that it was a pity that he could only fire them when he really wanted to fire AT them.

"Bloodthirsty, aren't you?" James smirked as he knocked back a shot.

"After five years under Edward, I think I've been infected," West drawled.

Drinks at the Paladin's quarters was something new too. On the first night back in the Palace, South invited them all over to his quarters for drinks. The next night, West offered up his place instead. By the time he had offered his own quarters up for after hours drinking, they were all beginning to forge a bond of some sort.

Of course God forbid nothing like emotions and feelings were discussed. Out of the blue, James found out that he had things to do other than work. It felt like cadet training all over again. Fun and a lot of showing off.

Showing off sucked when he was on the receiving end. James hated tennis. Even as they were recuperating, East did not show mercy. No one wanted to try hand-to-hand combat with him either.

South showed off constantly at James' own pool table and at martial arts. Outright pissing on his territory. West beat them all constantly at the firing range.

So James took particular pleasure in thrashing them in water and during sword play. However, the men studiously avoided the Queen whenever she found them in the armoury, looking for old weapons to try out. She wanted to test the weapons out herself.

The Paladins were all resolute in denying her even though the Queen pouted and pleaded with them to let her try. James found it the hardest to resist her pouting - he had zero defence against it. West always fell next and South came tumbling right after a dazzling smile.