Guided by secrets

Silent nods and looks

First of all, can I just say: thank you for 180 reads! You guys are amazing, I can't really believe anyone would want to read my story!😂Sooo, as I said, I have promised myself to now write every day, or every other day, so you guys won't have to wait a long time for the next chapter! Thanks for all the support and please feel free to vote on my stories if you like them! 

I entered the big dining room hurriedly. Mother and Chief Gustav looked up and raised their eyebrows in surprise. Chief Gustav was Dad's most trusted man-everyone always believed he was his best friend, even though Dad never said so himself.

"Cleo! You're back home!" Mother said excitingly.
She got up from her chair and hugged me for a long time. "Yeah, I guess I am," I shrugged and then remembered. "Wait, how long was I gone for?"

Mother pulled back and looked at me as if I was mad. "Two days, Cleo, two days you were lost in god knows where!" She shrieked. Oh. Then I guess my mourning was longer than expected.

"Well...here I am now!" I faked a smile.
Chief Gustav finally showed us a sign that he was in this room, by taking a deep breath in. "Oh, and Chief, you know that the Voiage news (the fact that Father is dead and I'm going to be the next Prime Minister) are going to be released this Monday, right?" I asked him eagerly. Mother looked at me with a confused look on her face. "Indeed, I do," Chief Gustav answered. "Well then...can we talk somewhere more private?"

Mother and Chief Gustav clearly hadn't noticed the two maids standing on opposite corners of the room.

"Your wish is my command, dearest Cleo," Chief Gustav said, gesturing to one of the maids to take his nearly empty plate. No wonder he has such a flat stomach!

Mother chose to follow us to one of the studies, even though I had hoped that she wouldn't. I had a secret fear that she would deeply disapprove my decision.

"So, my dear, what is this about? Are you nervous? Because if you are, you have nothing to worry about, just remember..."
"No, Chief, I'm not nervous about anything! I just have a slight suggestion to the overall procedure," I interrupted him. "Well then, may we hear it?" He smiled.

"Ermm...okay. Just please do not freak...exaggerate anymore than needed, and please, do not interrupt me, until I have fully finished."

Mother and the Chief both managed a beam slightly, as if prompting me to tell them what I had in mind.

So I told them.

An hour later

Throughout the whole time, they both nodded. But not the yes-I-approve nod. Neither the, no-I-do-not-approve-nod-but-I'm-still-nodding-to-say-that-I-am-at-least-listening-to-you.

After I finished, there was a huge silence. For a very long time. Chief lifted his finger, as if he wanted to say something, and then lowered it again. Mother frowned and paced up and down the room.

"Please say something! Anyone!" I screamed out of despair!

Now, both Chief and Mother looked at me at the same time. Mother looked at Chief and Chief glanced at Mother. It was like they were having a secret conversation in their brains. I can already imagine what they were saying:

Mother: she's crazy! I swear, no daughter of mine would ever even suggest such a selfish thing!
Chief: Don't be so dramatic Melissa, I agree, it is a very irresponsible thing to say, but she is so young, what do you expect?
Mother: very true, Gustav! My, my, why did Fenston abandon her like that? She is too young, she doesn't know what she's doing!
Chief: public elections! For goodness' sake, does she think anyone could do this job?

Yes, they were pretty accurate thoughts of what they were actually thinking right now.

Chief, who had his back turned to me this whole time, turned around. I gasped, as to be prepared for what he would say next.
He coughed, probably for the effect of his next sentence, and said:

"You will need some candidates before Monday."