A Story From Zinnia

Part 6: First Meeting of Nathaniel

The clock has shown at half-nine in the morning. The atmosphere inside the Cassania Palace is very crowded. From the morning the servants had gone back and forth, not to mention the people who had arrived. Apparently today is the monthly meeting of the royal cabinet.

It was a routine activity for officials and tricked Zinnia into holding monthly meetings facing His Majesty the King.

The meeting room was filled with packed men. There was a voice of their words while waiting for the arrival of the Majesty.

"HIS MAJESTY AND PRINCE NATHANIEL ARE COMING!" Say one of the guards outside the meeting room door.

"Nathaniel, this is your first cabinet meeting after returning from military training. Show me that you are the crown prince."

"Good dad."

"Open the door!" King Arthur's Speech

The door was opened. Everyone present stood up and saluted. Then King Arthur went to his seat, and Nathaniel sat beside his father. It was only when the two of them sat down that the rest of the audience sat back down.

"Alright, let's start the meeting." Said King Arthur.

The meeting took place solemnly. Each minister de-escalated their activities last month and their plans for the next month. After that some of the problems experienced were called one by one in hopes of finding a way out.

It's a new and exhausting activity for Nathaniel, but what can I do. In the future he must be accustomed to meeting officials in this country. He also occasionally shared his opinion and discussed with others.

The meeting ended.

As usual, the meeting always ends with a banquet. Some dishes specially prepared by the palace were served. In this session usually the chat that is thrown is just small talk.

"Your Majesty, I am honored for the first time to see the crown prince here." Said Mr. John, the minister of health.

"He just returned from military training, shouldn't a crown prince be able to lead the meeting? I'm taking him to get used to it."

"Of course, Your Majesty. He's as handsome as you."

"HAHAHA really?" King Arthur laughed. Nathaniel beside him could only smile awkwardly as he continued to eat the dishes on his plate.

'What kind of awkward atmosphere is this' Nathaniel said in his mind.

Unlike his sister who likes the party atmosphere, Nathaniel is not so fond of meeting with many people, he does not like the awkward air and the gaze of people to him. But yes what can be done, he's a king candidate who will meet more people in the future, he must get used to it.

"Ah right Your Majesty..." Now it's Mr. Issac the trade minister who opened the talks.

"Is His Highness Prince Nathaniel not planning on finding a wife? Um... Isn't it the right time to look for the crown princess, isn't it Your Majesty?"

The room was silent. Nathaniel was stunned to hear it, almost choking on the food he was eating. Now all eyes were on him, "AHAHAHAHA I'm not in a hurry sir." Nathaniel laughed so awkwardly, he had not expected such a question to be thrown at him.

Oh right, he's just 21. Be married? Even Nathaniel had never thought of it at all.

"True, he's only 21 anyway. Isn't it too soon to have a royal wedding?" King Arthur glanced at Nathaniel.

If it wasn't for Mr. Issac, the atmosphere would probably not be this ugly. Nathaniel was eager to escape from this banquet.

"Wouldn't it be better if a crown prince already had offspring before he ascended the throne?" Said Mr. Issac reply.

"That's it."

"Yes right."

'Why are they going to discuss this anyway' Inner Nathaniel.

"I know, I was married at a young age even before I became king. But this time I want Nathaniel to decide, why get married fast if I can't protect my family." King Arthur explained.

The atmosphere was silent again. What the king said has a point. Everyone knows how hurt King Arthur was after losing his beloved wife, Queen Issabela 8 years ago. He didn't even want to get out of his room for days.

"Followly, continue eating you." Nathaniel said that the atmosphere was no longer awkward.

His eyes were fixed on the father who was still greedy eating dishes slowly.

After all, only Nathaniel knew best how sad and hurt his father used to be.

Meeting's over. Everyone has now returned to their homes. So did King Arthur who decided to return to his study. Nathaniel was still thinking about the conversation in the meeting room earlier. He knew his marriage was not just an ordinary noble marriage, it was an important event that would be written in history and seen by many. Therefore, his decision must be carefully thought out.

Nathaniel is now walking on the veranda of the 2nd floor of the palace with his mind still hovering.

"Your Majesty do you want a snack?" Said one of his personal assistants.

"No need, but please bring me some black tea."

"Okay, Your Majesty."

Nathaniel looked out at the palace gate and saw a black limousine passing through the gate. It seems Xavier just got home from his horse training. True, Xavier did not attend school today and his free time he filled with horse riding activities.

"Huh huh... Brother Ashton..." Xavier gasped after running.

"Whoever runs, tired himself will be." Nathaniel laughed.

"How was the meeting, brother?" Ask Xavier curiously.

"Hm... Very clumsy. It turned out that more people were present than older brother expected." Nathaniel.

"Wahhh brother met the ministers, isn't that cool?"

"Not really. You yourself... What's your horse exciting?"

"Very exciting!"

"Next time you have to ride with me."

"Of course, big brother should also practice archery with me."

"All right..."

The two of them were sitting back and drinking the tea Nathaniel had asked for. No laughter or talk, just a quiet afternoon as usual.

"His Majesty Prince Nathaniel, the king's majesty calls you."

"Oh dad? Where is he now?"

"In his study, Your Honor."

"alright. Xavier I'm going first." Nathaniel bids farewell to Xavier, who is still busy sipping tea from his cup.

A large white door connecting the hallway and the king's office was knocked.

"Lake in."

"What's dad?"

"Sit down."

Nathaniel sits on a large dark brown sofa in front of his father's desk.

"The conversation at the meeting.... Don't you put your heart in. Sometimes they are like that."

"Of course not dad, I understand why they ask that."

"Nathaniel you know... Your father was married at a young age, he never regretted the decision, but one thing he regretted was that he couldn't take care of his family. When your mother was sick, how foolish it was for a father who was even late to find out and even concerned with work."

"Dad... It's not dad's fault."

"Stay still, if you're next to him a little longer, hold his hand a little longer..." King Arthur sighed before continuing to speak, "Even to this day I still don't feel like a good father to you and Xavier."

"Don't say that, father..."

"I'm sorry if you've always been so hard on you, I just want you to be someone with a strong shoulder."

"Dad not to worry, I am the son of my shoulder father is clearly strong as steel." Nathaniel said as he patted his shoulders.

The conversation between the son and the father ended with a light joke from both. Although King Arthur was famously wise and decisive, he was still a warm father to his children. But if the business is dissipated, there is no bargaining in its dictionary.

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It was getting dark, all the lights in the hallways of the palace were already lit. Xavier is busy doing his homework. His focus was split when the door of his room was knocked on, and,

"Your Majesty, can I come in?" There was a familiar voice belonging to his personal bodyguard, Liam.

"Come on Liam."

"Your Majesty, I have already found the identity of the person His Majesty is looking for. His name was Mautrice Van Persie, the eldest son of the Van Persie family. He has been reprimanded several times from the student field for making gangs at school, and according to information he did not go to class, Your Honor."

"Van Persie's... So is he really the son of the finance minister?"

"Yes Your Majesty. Mr. Chris Van Persie has served as finance minister since 4 years ago."

"What will His Majesty do?"

"For now just keep an eye on him. If he ever acts again, I'll teach him a lesson! Can he be a thug at school, who is he?"