The Prince and His Slave (boyxboy)

Chapter Ten

Dorian

I tapped my foot on the stone floor as the council members discussed sending provisions of food to a nobleman and his family further south. They were having a very hot summer down there and their field of wheat had burned in a fire. They had many men living in their castle as well, soldiers and servants, so they would need a lot of food.

I didn't have a problem sending them wheat and other food if the fields around us and the closest villages were being prosperous this year. My uncle on the other hand was making a case that we needed to stalk up for winter because we didn't know how bad the snows would be this year. He seemed to always be like this, not wanting to help our allies in the kingdom. I was soon to be king and I didn't want to make enemies. I wanted support from everyone in the kingdom.

I almost wondered if my uncle was trying to do this on purpose. To sabotage me for when I did become king, make my enemies for me. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if that was what he was attempting to do.

"Send a fourth of the wheat that has been harvested so far and we will send more when we can if they still need it," I said with finality in tone.

Some council members started nodding their heads, but my uncle spoke up before anyone could say anything. "We have not reached an unanimous decision, nephew. Let's not be rash."

"I'm not being rash. We've been discussing this for the past thirty minutes. I think we can reach a decision now, whether it is unanimous or not." My foot tapped faster against the floor.

"I just don't think it is good foresight to be giving away food at this time when we don't know how much we will need later," he repeated for the tenth time.

"We have plenty of wheat now. We will have plenty for winter. Send some to Lord Halloway and be done with it." I waved my hand dismissively.

My uncle's lips pursed, his face scrunching in an unpleasant expression. "That is exactly the kind of attitude that will leave us starving when the weather becomes freezing and we're stuck in two feet of snow!" He slammed his fist down on the table.

My eyebrows went up at his raised voice and the council members looked around nervously. My uncle usually kept a calm temper, I was the one that usually snapped, so this behavior surprised me. I must have really been getting under his skin somehow.

"No need to yell, uncle. We are just having a calm, respectful discussion. Right, Councilman Farley?" I asked the man on my left.

He nodded his head slowly, looking at me with wide eyes. He glanced nervously at my uncle who had an awful expression, then stared down at the table. I wanted to sigh. These men had no spine. It was usually a sparing match between my uncle and me while they tried not to choose sides. They wanted to be in my uncle's good graces now, but they were also thinking of the future—when I would be king. They didn't want to be on my bad side for when that time finally came. It couldn't come fast enough in my opinion.

Sometimes I liked to fantasize each unique way I could kill my uncle when I was king. I had come up with at least a hundred options by now. I'd had a long time to consider it.

Councilman Payne surprisingly spoke up, "I agree with you, your highness." He nodded his head at me. "Why don't we put it to a vote and see which side holds the majority."

"Fabulous idea," I said with a smug smile towards my uncle. He chose to ignore me.

Payne said, "All those in favor of sending Lord Halloway provisions raise your right hand."

I raised my hand and watched as every single person at the table apart from my uncle raised their hand as well.

I smiled, closed lipped and proud. "Wonderful." I pushed back my chair and stood up. "Now that we have finally come to a decision on that matter I think you men can handle the rest on your own. I would like to go see my pet. I'll see you later this evening for dinner."