The Paladin (The King Eternal Monarch AU)

The Countdown

March

Elizabeth sat in her study reading through the budget and expenditure reports from the Exchequer. The kingdom was back in the black for the first time in five years but as things stood, GDP was still lower than when her father ruled the country. She knew it would take time to reach previous levels of economic growth but she was never a patient person.

She mentally made a point to ask Eugene to ramp up semiconductor production on top of cloud services. It would mean that Samsung had to build more factories and hire more skilled workers. Eugene had said that it would need shareholders approval.

In her heart, Elizabeth felt like threatening the shareholders to approve of the expansion plans. More factories and more skilled workers meant more jobs for her people. It would also attract Corean talent from overseas back to the kingdom.

She scribbled in the footnotes to negotiate with South a repatriation scheme for Coreans who had migrated overseas. If she could entice them back to the kingdom, it would be a win-win situation for Corea.

She scribbled in the margins about asking LG to increase their expenditure into R&D especially in medical devices. Corea might not have the production numbers like China did but they could spearhead innovation. Selling patents would make more money than actually making devices.

There was a knock on the study door. Elizabeth sighed. She could never be left alone long enough to dwell on something. Someone or something always needed her attention.

"Enter," she threw down her pen in exasperation. She caught it deftly before it rolled off the table.

East entered and bowed low.

"Your Majesty," his face was grim. "I'm breaking the bro code again."

She grinned. Keith kept saying that every time he had to report something North did. Most of the things he reported on was trivial and wouldn't even break any bro codes.

He had no idea how much Elizabeth treasured the little anecdotes about North. The things James did for her behind the scenes was wearing down her resolve to stay away from him little by little.

"What is it this time?"

"It's your family. They've been found."

"Why was I not informed?"

"He doesn't want you to see them like this."

"Like what?"

"They found an oil drum in Ilsan about thirty minutes ago."

"Just one?"

"Yes."

"I want to be there."

"Yes, your Majesty."

East spoke through one of his ear pieces.

"The car will be ready in five minutes."

Elizabeth grabbed her coat. It was spring and still chilly outside. Together, they ran out to the entrance of the Palace.

To her surprise, the car did not drive in the direction of Ilsan but to the National Forensic Department in Namyangju. All throughout the drive, many thoughts crossed her mind.

Anger at James bubbled up inside. She did not appreciate him not immediately reporting something as important as this. It was her family. Her parents and her brother.

How dare he decide what I should see and what I shouldn't see? HOW DARE HE?

When the car stopped, Keith escorted her to forensic pathology in the building. The doors swung inwards and Elizabeth was shocked by the scene before her.