With a crown comes responsibilities. One such responsibility is to figure on all the gold coins minted in Kalixen. The king sit with a straight back and his face is perfectly blank. His chin is elevated up at an angle to give the appearance of authority. The artist has painted for hours without stop.

How long can it take to paint my damn face? And Katyla have already sent missives to other artists with requests to produce my portrait. This is my life now.. At least it gets me out of training. Not even a king is safe from those persistent warriors my father hired. I suppose I could fire them but it would reinforce the accurate rumours about my poor physique. Ugh.. I’ve seen a painting of king Frederic of Pülzen, he doesn’t have a single muscle on his body. I’m sure I can bring some changes to Kalixen but I doubt I can change their perception of how a king should look like.

“Ahh your majesty, please remain still.” The colourful artist exclaims.

Katyla enters the chamber. “Let’s take a break for a while.” She speaks. The artist looks at Katyla with a dissatisfied frown but offers a nod in her direction and puts down his brush.

“He’s arrived” She says to Kristofer.

The king and his advisor walk together to an arranged meeting room. A fat man with a large beard is already there, waiting. He stands immediately as the king enters the room.

“You may sit.” Kristofer declares as he himself occupy the chair at the head of the table.

“I’m honoured to be summoned your majesty. How may I be of service?”

Two servants put forth plates with an assortment of cut meat and cheese. The gentleman’s eagerness is evident but he manages to restrain himself long enough to receive the go ahead by Kristofer.

“You are an engineer with good repute here in Kalixen, Mr Holfson. It is for these skills you have been summoned.” Katyla announce.

Holfson swallow a large bite and use a handkerchief to clean himself. “I’m pleased to hear that, what do you have in mind?”

Katyla offer the man a map with two areas circled. “We wish you to build up two villages of sort in these marked locations.”

“Villages, my lady?” His confusion clear.

“A special village.” The king reiterates. “I want these two locations to be able to accommodate thousands of orphans so we’ll need large buildings for this.”

Holfson tilts his head a bit. “I.. Why?”

“Does it matter?” Katyla’s annoyance is equal to Holfson’s confusion.

Kristofer enjoys the cheese while katyla engage with Holfson. Holfson served the former king and lives and work here in the capital so he is ideal for this task. He is unlikely to owe any allegiance to nobles so he can be trusted, to some extent, with sensitive information.

The king refocused his attention to the conversation to move things along. “We need these little villages to be built efficiently, quickly and with the possibility of expansion in the future. Oh, and do keep the cost in mind.”

“I will need further details but if I may ask.” Before he had time to articulate his question the king began his answer.

“The crown will open two orphanages for all the unwanted children of the land so it is for this purpose we have called on you, to manage the construction of said project. How soon can this be finished?”

“Your majesty, this’ll take time, not like I can whip together something like this with the wave of my hand. I’ll need a budget; I’ll need to make designs and gain your approval and then gather workers. I can finish preparations during the winter so we can begin the real work in spring.”

Kristofer remained silent. Stuck in thought like so many times before. Katyla swiftly stepped in. “That sounds good. You agree to take this contract?”

“Of course, like I would decline a job from the new king.” He grinned while selecting another piece of ham.

“We are going to request specifications that will confuse you. When such confusion bothers you, you may speak to me or the king but under no circumstance will you share such confusion in the tavern or to others. Do you understand?” Katyla’s old age was hardly a problem when it came to intimidation. Her glare is a frightening thing indeed. Holfson agreed with this sentiment. Like Holfson, she too had a reputation.

“I understand, my lady.” He followed the statement with quick nods.

“Excellent, then we understand each other. Begin your preparation, you may keep the map. We will inform you of your budget shortly.” The cold frightening Katyla transformed to the smiling one in a heartbeat. Even the king, partly raised by her, found it eerie.

The king was then forced to return to his previous duty of sitting still. He wasn’t averse to the concept but rather it was the artist walking around him in circles to scrutinize every inch. Eventually the artist exclaimed his great success and was sent on his way.

“I need to meet with the master of coin as soon as possible.” The king declared. It was intended for Katyla but the only one who was present was the servant boy Thorn.

“Yes, your majesty, I will arrange it.” He almost runs to stand before his liege.

“You will?” Kristofer says doubtfully. It’s certainly within the scope of a servant’s job. As a prince he would never delegate to servants and a mutual understanding had been formed. They didn’t bother him too much and he didn’t bother them. This one in particular, Thorn, seem dedicated.

“Of course, I know the master of coin so I’ll arrange a meeting. When do you want to meet him and would you prefer your office or somewhere else?” Thorn said with considerable haste.

“Hmm, I think I’ll visit him. Tomorrow morning, after breakfast. Notify Marquis Jorn and Lady Katyla that they’ll attend too.”

“As you wish, your majesty.” Thorn performs a deep bow and scurry off.

It’s a rare thing for me to be alone in a room. Ever since the coronation a few days ago there is always something. I really should get out more. I walk out of the room and head for the courtyard. Along the way various servants bow as I pass them by. In the past a deep nod would suffice. Guards are sparse here; they mostly occupy the guard towers and the entrance. They have their own yard where they practice waving their swords. I only begrudge them this pleasure when I’m compelled to take part. I can’t help but grimace at the memory of pain and exhaustion from swinging steal around. The most infuriating aspect is how inferior I am to the warriors. I know I’m competent, I can read well in two languages and make myself understood in three but I can’t for the life of me manage to land a blow with a sword. I’m marginally more competent with a short bow but that too leaves me exhausted.

As the courtyard opens before him, he experiences a deep satisfaction. The trees are covered with a thick layer of snow. The pathways on the ground are cleared but aside from that the snow has claimed the ground. The bench, his bench, is unoccupied. The king moves slowly while smiling. The courtyard is large and encompass many trees and bushes to create a feeling of solitude while strolling on the stone path. The bench is nothing special but as a prince he used to love coming here with a book or two. It was also a hiding spot to get away from obligations. A horrible spot to hide though since everyone knew I spent so much time here. He laughs at his old self. Carefree and greedy for knowledge. The world seemed so much easier only a year past. I thought I would have a decade or more to learn and grow before I would ascend the throne. Reality is something else. I didn’t get a decade to form a perfect plan or to prepare. The world is changing. New advances have been made in statecraft which make nations stronger and wealthier than before. A new weapon from the west makes the battlefield bloodier than before. New lands are discovered from which they claim wealth or start trade to great effect. Yet here I am. I was unable to convince my father of the need to embrace these changes or be crushed by them. I will not be crushed, poisoned perhaps, but not crushed. No, we will succeed.