Chapter 27. New Projects 15

Mr. Zenith's Office 

After the call, I was relieved to know that he was not angry with me. Having settled that, I joined the Zoom meeting. My contribution during the meeting was apt and it marveled many people. Previously, I would be quiet and listen to other speakers. Sometimes, I would be lost in thought. That day was no different. I was alert throughout. They were happy with my ideas, which would help the young miners to grow, while I was happy with the healing that Julius had brought my way.

The meeting ended by 12 noon. I rested for some time while monitoring the training at the resort. A few minutes later, I left for Johnson's office.

Westminster 

We were happy that we found a perfumer and vintner but there was a hitch. They had no traveling documents.

"What do we do?" I asked my team members.

"I suggest that we should contact Brian. He may know what to do," Philip proposed.

"I agree with you, Philip," Celestine pointed out.

"That is a good thing to do. I will call him right away," I said and swiped my phone.

Despite the difference in the time zone, he picked up my call at once. After the greetings, I explained my plight to him.

"Thank you for letting me know. Kindly share their names with me."

I did as he requested and he responded, "I will get back to you in a couple of minutes."

"We are waiting," I said and ended the call.

The call gave us some relief and we began to wait. Within a few minutes, I got a message from him.

"He has responded," I shouted excitedly and the others looked up.

Before I could tap the message, his call came in. I paused and picked it up.

"Hello, Brian. I got your message."

"Yes, Hendrick. It is an official invitation letter from the training center. Take it to the embassy, and you will be given the assistance you need," he explained.

"Wow! Thank you for making the work easier for me."

"You are welcome. Thank you for choosing us," he responded.

"It is my pleasure. I will be at the embassy at once."

"It's okay."

After the call, I read through the message and was pleased.

"We need the two youths for capturing," I declared.

They agreed with me and sent for them.

"The king must not see them," I pointed out.

"Huh!"

"We will pick them up from the gate," my driver stated.

"That is a good idea. Let me inform the king that we are going to the embassy."

"It is okay. We will get ready at once," Celestine said and they got up.

While I was going to the throne room, my knight informed the gatemen to keep the two youths until we came.

"Good morning, My King," I greeted my father when I got into the throne room before I sat down.

"Good morning, Son. What brings you?"

"I have come to inform you that we are going to the French Embassy to attend to one or two things before our departure."

The joy that his face radiated was beyond my comprehension. He sat up and praised me, "You are doing well, Son. I am happy to be your father."

"Thank you, Father, for the compliment. I will not let you down," I responded.

"It's okay. Run along or you will be late for the meeting," he persuaded me.

"I got it, Dad," I said and got up.

My team members were already waiting for me when I got to the chambers and we left immediately. We got to the gate and discovered that they were not there yet.

"Let's meet them on the road," I said and my driver moved.

Celestine and Phillip drove behind us. We saw them running towards the palace and stopped.

They stopped as well and panted in unison, "Good morning, My prince." 

"Good morning to you. Get into the other car," I responded.

"It's okay," they said and cleared the sweat that was on their foreheads.

After they were seated, Celestine honked and my driver moved.

The Palace 

A man may not know that he has enemies until success knocks on his door (African Proverb).

Unknown to us, one of my father's Dukes - Duke Morgan saw us picking the boys and snitched on us. He left everything he was doing and walked to the palace.

My father was about to leave the throne room when his knight, Lindsey, informed him that a Duke wished to see him.

"Let him in," he ordered him at once and returned to his seat.

"I got it, My King," he said and left at once.

Not quite long, he returned with the loud-mouthed and gossipy Duke. He made his obeisance and greeted the king.

"You may rise," the king said and he got up.

After sitting down, he began, "My King. As one of your dukes, I cannot wait for your prince to get into trouble before I voice out."

My father was intimidated when he heard him associating me with trouble. 

He furrowed his brow and asked him anxiously, "What about the prince?"

"Thank you for asking, My King. I saw him associating with the children of thieves. The children are assassins. They should not be found near the prince."

"Are you sure of this?" My father asked him and picked up his phone.

"Yes, my king. I would not have come if I did not see," he assured him.

Now, he had dialed my number and waited for it to connect. When it did, I picked up the call and greeted him, "Good day, Dad. Why did you call?"

"Did you pick up anybody on your way?"

Immediately, I had some butterflies in my stomach. All the same, I had to think fast. If he was not informed by those who saw us, he would not have asked me. Therefore, I should not think of lying to him.

"Yes, we saw them trekking under the sun and gave them a ride to the market. Is anything the matter?"

"Not at all. Be careful."