A Story From Zinnia

Section 28: Old Friends (Chapter 1)

"Xavier...?" Oliver recalls when he realized Xavier had woken up and was no longer in bed.

"You awake, Your Majesty? Can I come in?" Say someone from outside her bedroom door.

"Eh? Who?"

"Elia, Your Majesty."

"Oh come in..." Pinta Oliver's.

Oliver's still sitting on the edge of his bed in his nightgown, "Xavier goin' where early in the morning like this?" Oliver lirih.

"The prince has a meeting with the military commander, Your Majesty." Obviously Elijah

"Is this weekend still meeting?"

"That's how... The situation at the border has been heating up quite a bit lately."

"Then what about my welcoming ceremony next week?"

"The ceremony will still be conducted according to the King's orders, Your Majesty take it easy."

Oliver just gave a blank look, "Would I prepare some bath water, Your Majesty?" Fresh Elijah.

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"Look... If we continue like this, the people's tax money will run out while the weaponry continues to decline. Many fighter aircraft must be serviced regularly but can not because there is no funding. Even we've cut down on past military training."

"Have you told the king?" Xavier.

"...We want His Majesty to deliver it directly to your majesty."

"Why should I? I mean, isn't there always a procedure to get this thing to the king's ears?"

"We have done it based on procedure, but somehow the reports we make always just stop at the ministry of finance. We think that the report was not approved, but until now there has been no progress and things have been getting more precarious, Your Honor."

"Stop at the ministry?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. That's why we're having an emergency meeting with you."

"Isn't it obvious that this is corruption?" Xavier Alleged.

"Corruption?!"

"Why do you think the report never reached the king's hands?"

All the soldiers present at the meeting were silent and unmoved.

"Because the report vanished into their hands. By purpose. Someone's messing with Zinnia's finances."

"What does His Majesty think, Mr Doneen would dare to do such a thing?"

"He can't be alone, there's a lot of people in the finance ministry."

'Didn't you double-check the financial statements?' Thought Xavier.

"That bill, it's treason!" Other army words.

Xavier was made to think hard.

"Liam." Call Xavier.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Request the financial statements 6 months back and check whether there is an expenditure irregularity, no matter what it is from the ministry of finance or other agencies. Check everything suspicious and report it to me the day after."

"Well do it."

"For now, I will apply for an emergency fund, so that our military can buy the main needs first."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"It's weird, it should all be in place. Why is it that our military is suddenly underfunded?"

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"Your next schedule is to go to the state museum, Your Majesty." Liam.

"The museum?"

"There will be the laying of the ancient inscription of Zinnia which has just been returned."

"All right, we're leaving."

On the way Xavier was immersed in his musings, he thought what would happen if his father knew that one of his ministers was suspected of corruption? Mr. Doneen himself was the minister who appointed King Arthur directly without a vote from parliament, and he had already destroyed his father's trust.

"Liam."

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Why do you think they're corrupting the military budget? What do you think they're planning?"

"I heard from the bird that Mr. Doneen was planning to set up a private foundation from 2 years ago, he was also planning to send his children overseas."

"Twg... A niggling plan." Ketus Xavier's.

"We've arrived, Your Majesty."

This is the National Museum of Zinnia, where he saw a collection of events that occurred in Zinnia and also national heritage.

Xavier was greeted by the staff and reporters who were waiting for him.

"Welcome, Your Majesty. Let's follow us." Said the museum manager.

Xavier followed him with the rest of the staff until he arrived at the main hall, where the event took place. The handover procession of the heirloom was done solemnly and took place well.

In the crowd Xavier's eyes were fixed on a female staff standing opposite him, bearing an identification tag that read "Curator".

"Eveline...??"