Moonlight Blue

The capital of Slavia. It is known for its beauty and riches. Merchants from all over the world come here to trade. The most popular merchants are the Clifford Marquis family for their potion craft, the Wixx Duke family for their weapon smithing and the Stokes Viscount family for their slave trading. These three powerful businesses are the reason why the capital city of the Slavia kingdom is known as the city of wealth.

Many nobles have residents here in the capital because they spend much of their time in the city. The reason is as you have guessed, for trading but another one is for the council.

The council has existed for a long time in the Slavia kingdom. Their sole purpose is for the prosperity of the kingdom. Of course, there are other dark intentions and that is power. It is even believed that the council is the one that holds the true power of the Slavia kingdom ever since its current king was branded the title ‘Foolish king’.

In a building within the royal castle, at a conference room sits five people on a rectangular table. There are seven chairs in total and two of them are vacant. One side has three chairs while the other has two. Both ends of the table has a chair each. Only two people are available on the side with three chairs and one on the side with two chairs.

Each spot has a name plate representing each member of the council. The ones sitting at the ends of the table are written:

Enoch Friday (Prime minister).

Taylor Reed (Treasurer).

Both are present.

The ones with the three chairs are written as:

Randall Jenkins (Military).

Fred Stokes (Slave Merchant).

James Caskcut (Law Enforcement).

Two are present.

The ones with two chairs are written:

Bruno Cobb (Will of the people).

Theodore Newman (Agriculture).

One is present.

Prime Minister Friday is the one to speak first breaking the silence in the room.

“Good evening fellow members of the council. We have a lot of agendas to discuss today. I can see two of our members are absent so I would like to know their reasons if any of you know.”

Prime Minister Enoch Friday is a viscount who was given the title of Prime Minister by the emperor himself after Taylor Reed was removed from its position. He has black hair and eyes and has a monocle in one of them.

“I can answer for Fred Stokes.”

A deep, powerful voice revibrates the room with only these words. Duke Randall Jenkins, in charge of military is a beast of a man with muscles all over his body. He has a scar over his left eye and one can also be seen on his neck, disappearing under his clothes. While everyone in the room is well dressed, him alone wore a short-sleeved shirt that seemed like it would tear under the pressure of his muscles.

“Fred Stokes went on some business.”

Randall ended there with no further explanation. Silence befalls the room once again before a calm, tranquil voice speaks following Duke Randall’s words.

“Not to be too forward your grace but I do hope he is doing official business. If so, then a detailed report about it will be required from him, isn’t that right Prime Minister?”

He isn’t even looking at anyone aside from the stacks of papers on the table, browsing each and every one of them. Marquis Taylor Reed can only be described in one word. Nobleman. He wore glasses, a well-tailored suit and his orange hair was neatly combed. Not only that, the aura he exudes is what got him the ‘Nobleman’ title.

Prime Minister Friday sizes Read up and clicks his tongue. It is a subtle click so no one could have heard it.

“Yes, I’ll have him prepare it,” answers the Prime Minister.

“Then I’ll expect the report from you Prime Minister. As for Count Theodore Newman, he is still occupied in his territory. His farms were attacked by an unknown parasite and is forced to start some of them anew.”

He then hands the Prime Minister Newman’s report. Not only that, he also hands each council member his strategy to deal with the problem.

“2 million gold? That’s quite a lot of money to fix a few farms Marquis Reed,” says Friday.

Even Randall and James Caskcut seem shocked by the amount.

“As we all know, Newman’s territory has the highest yield of agriculture within the kingdom. Even other nobles who specialize in that field can’t get to Count Newman’s level. If his yield declines, we’ll face a huge problem that will affect the kingdom for years to come.”

Randall’s giant hand hits the table causing it to shake. With his loud voice, he responds.

“What the hell! 2 million just to grow vegetables? I’ve been asking for military funds for forever now. My soldiers need new gear you know. After all, protecting the kingdom is what’s more important.”

“You should have thought about that when you ‘lost’ all those weapons years back,” Reed’s gaze pierces Duke Randall’s causing to flinch, “Needless to say, your soldiers eat, don’t they? And besides, the 2 million isn’t just for ‘vegetables’ as you’ve implied your grace. It’s for research on the parasite. It would be bad if other territories were to have the same parasite destroy their fields isn’t that right Prime Minister?”

A stare down ensues between Prime Minister Friday and Marquis Reed. Even though Friday hates Reed, he couldn’t refute the fact right before his eyes.

“Our treasurer is right. We all eat therefore I would like to propose an increase by 1 million.”

As if already anticipated his words, Marquis Reed answers just as the last word exists Friday’s mouth.

“That won’t be necessary Prime Minister as the 2 million is more than enough.”

Silence shrouds the room as veins appear all over Prime Minster Friday’s face.

How dare he talks to me like he’s still the Prime Minister?

Prime Minister Friday smiles while holding his anger in and speaks.

“As the Prime Minister, granted that title by his Majesty himself, I insist on it.”

Power play. This is something that is most common between nobles. They pride themselves as being the best so neither side wants to seem weak and fold. However, Reed wasn’t like other nobles.

“If that’s the case then we could use the million to help reform new lands within Newman’s territory to be farmable. I just need your signature here.”

After signing on the Treasurer part, he gives Friday to sign on the Prime Minister part. It is a contract already drafted by Reed of 3 million. More veins pop within Friday’s face.

Have I been played?