Chapter 28. New Projects 16

"It's okay. See you later," I said and he ended the call.

He faced the Duke and said to him, "Thank you for informing me, Duke Morgan."

"It is my pleasure, My King. Caution the prince. Those children are bad. He must not be seen with them."

"I will do that," he said dismissively but the Duke did not know when to stop.

"If he wants friends, I can send my children to him and not those thugs," he emphasized.

"It's okay. I got it," my father said again hoping that he would stop.

Duke Morgan was not convinced that he had vilified the boys enough and wished to say more. My father was upset, and his knight, who was listening to them, realized that the man was telling lies.

Without hesitation, he advised him, "The king wished to leave for his chamber before you came. You can leave."

He felt insulted and looked at my father hoping that he would chide his knight. Instead of that, he got up and said to him, "See you, later."

He ignored the disturbance on his face and walked away leaving the befuddled Duke mouth-agape. Lindsey glared at him and he got up at once. At that point, he was ashamed of himself and wondered if the king dictated that he was telling lies against the boys. He looked at Lindsey's unfriendly face and wished he could retract his words

The Embassy 

We were given preferential treatment and in a short while, we were out. Vincent and Ezekiel were very happy to be chosen for the trip. The visit to the embassy gave them the exposure they had never gotten before.

"Thank you, My prince," they kept appreciating us.

"It is my pleasure. I know you will do well," I responded.

They promised to put in their best. After the capturing, we walked back to the car.

"Where were you when we sent for you?" Celestine asked them.

"I was in the market," the wine seller said.

"I was at home as you advised me," the perfumer said.

"That is good to know. Are your neighbors aware that you were coming to see me?" I asked him.

"Yes, My prince. If I go back I will tell them that you called me in respect of the wine I gave to you yesterday."

"Your idea is good but I envisaged that you may be attacked out of jealousy for associating with me."

Their eyes widened and they focused on me.

"I propose that they should stay away from the market," my knight stated.

"You just said my mind, Philip," Celestine said.

By consensus, we decided that he should leave the market.

"After all, you won't be in the market when you return from the trip," my driver made clear to him.

"Exactly," we said simultaneously.

He smiled dryly and accepted our decision, "I got it. I will tell my neighbors that you are not pleased with my product and asked me to leave the market."

"Huh! The other sellers would panic," Philip pointed out.

"No, My prince. They would be happy to take my place. I know them very well."

We laughed at his explanation. The poor would always hate each other. 

Nevertheless, I asked him, "What will you do with the remaining bottles of drinks?"

"I will take them home and share them among my family members," he informed me.

"Oh, what a loss! I will pay for that. Okay?"

He smiled from ear to ear and appreciated the gesture.

Apart from paying for the goods, I gave them some cash to prepare for the trip by buying some nice wears. They collected it happily and appreciated me.

Likewise, we took them back to the road and they alighted.

"Remember to keep everything to yourself," I reminded them.

"Yes, My prince. I have told my parents that I am not well and I won't be going to the market for now," the perfumer said.

"I will do the same thing, My king," the vintner promised me.

"It's okay. We will keep in touch," I said.

"Yes, My prince. You are the best," they complimented me in unison and walked away.

I was emotional at the compliment. My driver turned on his ignition and waited for Celestine to do the same thing. When he was set, we all moved.

"They like the idea," I pointed out.

"You are right, My prince. The next step is to change the flight tickets of the janitors to their names."

"That won't be an issue. I will call the airline company immediately and inform them of the changes."

We drove on and I kept wondering how my father knew that I picked up some people from the road. After a few minutes, we were in the palace.

"I want to see the king. Stop me in his chamber," I informed my driver.

"I got it," he said and drove to my father's chamber while Celestine and Phillip drove to my chamber.

I got out of the car and headed straight to the parlor. I was surprised when Lindsey, who was sitting in the foyer, stopped me. I furrowed my brow and gave him a quizzical look.

"I wish to inform you that Duke Morgan snitched on you," he whispered to me.

"Ha! What is my offense?" I whispered back.

"We will talk later," he said and ushered me to go into the parlor.

I walked in but could not find anyone. 

"Dad," I walked to the corridor and called out.

Meanwhile, my mother was in her room and heard me. She walked out and informed me, "He is napping, Son."

I was happy to hear that. After greeting her, I said, "I got it, Mom. I will be back."

"It's okay," she said.

Then, I walked back to the foyer and joined Lindsey. He told me everything that Duke Morgan said about the two boys and I was angry.

"I will squeeze his mouth if I catch him," I blurted out.

"You have my support. I will inform you whenever he comes around."

"Thank you for that. Before then, inform the king that I am back and that I said he attacked me and my team on the road.

"Huh! The king will chop off his head."