Chapter 5: War 1

At the Harson's; 

They got back home a few minutes later. Gwen was really excited.  She couldn't believe that she actually saw the King. He was so handsome!  For some reason she felt giddy inside. She immediately scolded herself. She couldn't be a acting like other girls in the village.

"How was it?" Mrs Harson asked. 

"It was very interesting." Gwen replied happily. 

"Didn't you like it Aurora?" Mrs Harson asked her youngest daughter.

"It was okay." I replied casually. Gwen stared at her mother. She couldn't believe that her parents had a debt to pay and they acted as if everything was alright. She just hopes everything goes back to normal. 

"Girls! Come help me make dinner." Mrs Harson called which made Gwen come back to reality. Aurora and Gwen then went to the kitchen to help their mother but with different thoughts running through their minds. 

At the Royal palace;

King Alexander was sitted on his throne in the meeting room. On his right was his trusted assistant George. A man that was only two years older than the King. He had pale skin and dark coloured eyes. He keenly studied the actions of the ministers as they briefed the king. 

"Your highness, The two places that have been greatly affected by this war are the eastern and mid-Central part of Devon and the people are running low on supplies." One of the ministers said. He was bald and also quite short. 

"What about the funds that were made for this exact purpose?" Alexander asked 

"W-Well your highness, I'm not the one in charge of the funds. And there have been complaints that the people don't get enough Items." 

Alexander looked to his right, "Mr Cornell, You're in charge of the funds and well-being of the people from that part of Devon right?"

"Yes your highness." The man said. 

"Then why do I hear all of these complaints? What happened to the funds and most importantly, what happened to the people that were supposed to be supplying items for the villagers?" 

"Actually your highness,  I don't know what happened to the suppliers, I'm working on it as we speak. A-And the funds, well they aren't exactly enough." The man said with shaky breaths. 

Alexander rolled his eyes."Why aren't they enough?" 

"Well, we have many people and they..."

"Silence." Alexander ordered and the man immediately kept quiet.  Alexander stretched his hand and George have him a file filled with some documents. 

"Mr Cornell, do you know about the house that is being built in the southern part of lakeyard?" 

Mr Cornell's eyes widened in fear. "I-I haven't heard about it your majesty." 

"You're a terrible liar Mr Cornell. Anyways,  a house is being built there and it's under your name. Now that's not the problem because you have every right to build yourself a house but the problem now is that, The funds that were given were used but they weren't used for the people, They were used to build your house." 

Mr Cornell swallowed a lump and started to sweat profusely."

"You might be wondering how I know about this right? You know Mr Gregory right, The planner for your house, well he's a friend of mine. Let's just say he helped me out a little."

Mr Cornell fell unto his knees. I'm sorry your majesty. Please forgive me! It will never happen again." The man said pleading for his life. 

"Crying over spilt milk? Mr Cornell being greedy isn't a bad attribute, it's only bad when it's done stupidly and done at the wrong places."

"Please forgive me your highness." 

"Unfortunately, I can't. It's to much of an offence to let go." Alexander said with a devil like grin. "Guards, Throw him into the dungeon." Two guards stepped in within seconds and dragged the crying man away. "This meeting is over." The two ministers then left while repeatedly reminding themselves to never do anything that could displease the king. 

"What do you want to do to him your highness?" George asked. 

 "Leave him there. I haven't decided what I should do with him yet." 

"Yes, your highness."

"Select one of the commissioners to be in charge of the funds for the affected people. And when you do that, watch him for a while." Alexander said and got up from his throne and walked out. 

"Right away your majesty." With a bow, George left the meeting room while following behind Alexander. Alexander went to his private living room and ordered the maids to leave. He poured himself a drink and sat on his comfortable couch and took a sip out of it. His thoughts drifted to the woman he saw today. Who was she? And why did she draw his attention so much?