“Why...” muttered former chef Luti.” Why are you moving me from my post Your Majesty? Had I ever disobeyed you? I was most faithful in everything you and your father had told me to do. Even tossing all the food to the garbage was a task that your father had required me to follow ever since I joined the castle."

I know Luti, I know. But times are changing. If you are the kind of person who would blindly follow any order you are told to do, then you are no better than mere cattle. People could change, yes, but I cannot risk a critical position on chance.

"Do not worry Luti," I said. "I still view you as one of our most influential and loyal servants. For this very reason, your new post will not be inferior to your former occupation as the head chef.

"Oh is that what you meant Your Majesty?" Luti replied. "I apologize on my rude behavior for I misunderstood. And to tell you the truth I started to go bored in my previous role as the head chef. So your wise decision is nothing but most welcome."

I am astonished. Luti switched his entire exterior mood after I clarified that I still have not forsaken him. If I did indeed forsake him, then a man with a tongue of his caliber would whip my name to everyone he knows.

"Now that the matter is clear to you Luti, New head chef Varwan do you have anything you want to say or inquire?" I said.

"Me? A Head chef?" asked Varwan in disbelief.

He probably never thought of getting promoted from a simple chef to a head chef in mere seconds. It is a proof of a humble and unambitious mind.

"Yes," I replied. "Take full advantage of this opportunity, you deserve it."

After I finished with Varwan and Luti in the dining hall, I headed to the main hall where the three viziers were waiting. But before I entered, I wore the King's official red robe, and a crown decorated with a great red jewel at its front. If you don't wear them in public, then you are sending an insult to all that you are going to meet. It is an annoying custom that I will find a way to erase.

Once I stepped into the main hall, four well-trained individuals on four corners of the rectangular hall blew their large golden trumpets. It created the usual noise that never failed to pierce my eardrums.

As I continued walking to the dark blue throne and sat on its large cushions, the nine guests had gone on one knee. The three viziers were in front, and behind each of the three were two of their highest ranked followers.

"It is quite a pleasure to see you today Your Majesty," the nine guests said in unison. They did train well, but it does not appeal to me.

"I am also very pleased to see my most devoted servants in the kingdom," I replied. "Head servant Ludik had informed me that you all came quite early to see me today. It brings joy to my heart."

The vizier on my left is Vold of Commerce, on the middle is Kaljar of War, and on the right is Lya of Agriculture who is the only lady amongst the three. And surprisingly, the gender of the viziers matches with the two followers behind them. Humans perhaps feel safe with those most similar to them.

"I would love to start by bringing Your Majesty some great news," said the agriculture vizier Lya. "Our harvests this month, especially from rice, had almost doubled from using coal as a fertilizer. No other nation is aware of this valuable discovery. So soon we should be able to export the harvests in great quantities."

If a male were to look at Vizier Lya, he would think that she is in her early thirties, where in fact she is in her early fifties. But females, for some reason, do not fall under this misunderstanding.

Also, being the highest ranked lady brought Vizier Lya a natural female backup in any resolution she makes. She was smart enough to invest in her gender, that she slowly but surely dominated the entire agriculture industry with females. And yet she still did not get married... perhaps she is a lesbian in secret. It will be fun to confirm this assumption.

"Using coal as a fertilizer is indeed an interesting discovery," I said. "I will make sure to reward you well on this achievement Vizier Lya. Now then, how is our commerce doing Vizier Vold?"

"It has never been better Your Majesty," Vizier Vold replied. "The bank has a huge excess of cash from the public's deposits. It is allowing all the companies short on cash to loan at low-interest rates."

Vizier Vold of Commerce, on the other hand, is a person who is with a passion for numbers. He told me a few years ago that he believes everything in this world is a number. Vold keeps a small silver abacus calculator with him to calculate whatever peaks his curiosity at any time. The first time I saw Vizier Vold, he looked at me intensely while fiddling with his silver abacus, then concluded that my number is three hundred thirty-three. Vold is quite a different individual.

"If the banks are behaving well then the kingdom's economy is also behaving well," I replied. "So far two major fields are behaving wonderfully, which leaves me to you Vizier Kaljar. How is the situation at our borders?"

"I would not exaggerate like the other two viziers did Your Majesty," Vizier Kaljar replied. "As you know the Lorope Empire surrounds our north, east, and west borders ever since we lost the Three-Year-War, leaving us with the Lorban Sea at the south. Now ever since King Justinian the Second had passed away, the Lorope Empire has been accumulating its forces all around its borders with us that it is becoming very alarming."

"They are suspicious that I might make a surprise attack against them now that I have become the King. I will need to clean the tension personally. Kaljar, could you send a swift mail to the Lorope Emperor Lustratos that I will meet him in person next week?"

"It would be my pleasure Your Majesty," Vizier Kaljar replied.

Kaljar, on the other hand, is honest. Too honest that he doesn't mind leaking secretive information about his own relatives. Once Father was aware of this feature in Kaljar, he assigned an exceptional individual for all secretive military matters known as Zadol. I will also need to meet him soon.

"Very well," I said. "I beg you all pardon, but you will have to excuse me to end this meeting for my duties are growing ever so larger."

"Your Majesty," said Kaljar. "I beg your pardon but would you mind sparing me a few private minutes of your time?"

That is rare. Kaljar is not the kind of person who would bother speaking to people in private. It seems the matter is rather severe. I hope it is not about the Lorope Empire.

"Of course," I replied. "As you have heard, everyone besides me and Vizier Kaljar please leave the hall."

After I uttered the request, both Vizier Lya and Vold had given sharp glances to Kaljar's back as they left the hall. What did they mean by these glances? Hate? Resentment? Envy?

In any case, I returned my focus back to Vizier Kaljar who began to speak after everyone had left the hall.

"King Rajid," said Kaljar. "Again I want to extend my apology for taking moments of your invaluable time. It is a matter quite dear to me."

Quite dear to him? Then it would not be about the Lorope Empire now, would it? I wonder what it is about...

"Do not worry about it," I replied. "A king must always have free time for his people. So tell me Kaljar, what is it that troubles you?"

"I will get straight to the point because I hate to beat around the bush," Kaljar replied. "Your Majesty, would you like to marry my eldest daughter Mirya?"