Behind the Royal Mask

Banters between Friends

Alaric sat at his desk, his brow furrowed in concentration. Stacks of papers littered the surface, each filled with numbers, laws, and trade agreements. Amidst them was a copy of the Four -Kingdom pact. But his mind wasn't focused on just the papers. It was drifting to the memories of a certain young woman whose encounter had left him dazed.

Seeing someone challenge him and the wealthy man was a fresh sight. It was stirring to see her speak up for someone else. It had made him realize that if she, with no power, could speak against the unjust and the aristocrats, he as the Crown Prince could certainly take steps without fearing the discontent of nobles.

Alaric leaned back, running a hand through his hair. 

"There has to be a way," he muttered to himself. The pact had been designed to maintain security and increase power of the four kingdoms, but it had also lead to the nobles hoarding power and money, shackling him.

Currently, wealthy traders bought the grain from Ceresvale and sold them at high rates to the people. How could he step in to reduce the prices?

He flipped through the old scrolls until one particular clause caught his eye. It was buried deep in the fine print: In times of economic distress or public welfare, the sovereign may intervene to ensure the wellbeing of the kingdom's people.

It was a time of distress, wasn't it. People were unable to afford grains leading to increased hunger. That was it. The government could step in, buy the grains directly from Ceresvale, and distribute them. The traders would be cut out of the process entirely. Grain prices could be reduced, and the people would finally have some relief.

The plan was going to face backlash from the traders, that much was certain. They wouldn't be happy about losing their profits, but he had no other choice. Gradual steps would have to be taken, starting with...

"Glaring at the papers won't make the disappear."

Alaric almost jumped and looked up to see Cedric strode in, with a smirk already on his face.

"Do you ever knock?" Alaric asked, exasperated.

"Honestly," Cedric said, plopping himself into the chair across Alaric, making himself comfortable, "It's more fun seeing you jump out of your royal skin. What are you working on?"

"A plan," Alaric said, turning his attention to the papers, "To help with the grain crisis."

Cedric raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"

"The government will buy the grains directly from Ceresvale and distribute them. It'll bypass the traders."

Cedric let out a low whistle. "Bold move. They'll riot."

"They'll adapt," Alaric said firmly. "The people need help."

"By any chance, is this step related to that girl?" Cedric asked, studying him for a moment.

"What girl?" Alaric asked, focusing his gaze on the papers and avoiding the eyes of Cedric.

"You know," Cedric said, leaning forward with an amused glint in his eyes, "The one you asked to find information of?"

"Oh, the one we met yesterday?" Alaric said, feigning ignorance as if he had forgotten her completely.

"Right," Cedric said with a raised eyebrow, a sly smile creeping on his face, "What was her name again? Beatrice?"

"Maybe," Alaric said, flipping through his pages, trying to keep his composure, "I don't keep a ledger of everyone's names. Now tell me what you found about her."

"So Beatrice..." Cedric grinned, relishing the moment, "It's quite a taste you've got, you know. I didn't know you were into fiery women."

Alaric's cheeks flushed but he forced himself to look serious and said, "Just tell me what you found, Cedric."