C12 Meeting

Eric by looking at the sun could tell it's nearing noon. The meeting with the ministers was scheduled at noon today.

The guards who came with Eric brought the horses. Before Eric could climb his horse, Samuel came to him.

He spoke sincerely, "Your highness, If I am not crossing my bounds, could you please have lunch at my humble abode." He crossed his arms and looked at Eric with clear eyes waiting for his response.

In the morning, Eric had left the palace without having breakfast and he also needed to attend the meeting after leaving this place.

Evans said in a low voice, "Eric. These people eat only two times a day. This lunch might be prepared just because of you."

Eric nodded to Samuel and got back to the table. Evans was looking at Eric with a peculiar gaze, how much had he changed. Eric was from Earth so he didn't have any prejudice.

Samuel with a smiling face went into his house. Children came running with plates and jugs, they placed them on the table.

One of them got curious and walked up to the spear of a guard. He tried picking it up but the guard shooed him.

Samuel brought the fresh-roasted turkeys, he served a considerable portion to Eric. Eric took a bite, his face changed color. His taste buds turned dead. It was too salty. He didn't want the friendly farmers to feel bad. he coughed twice and picked the metal glass and emptied it.

"Its good, too delicious. Evans, you should try it, I guarantee you will never forget this dish in your entire life" Eric smiled and cut out a sizeable portion and put it on Evans' plate.

Evans confusedly looked at Eric, he knew something was wrong. He ate his first bite and now, he reason. He with wide eyes gazed at Eric, who gave him a sly smile. Eric left the crust and only ate the inner parts, Evans did the same.

Meanwhile, the unaware hungry guards delved into the roasted meat. They too felt the same and glanced ruefully at Eric, who said nothing. With a crying face, they continued eating the food.

Samuel saw the change in expression of whoever takes a bite, he knew something was wrong with the food. But none of them said anything bad about the food. It was the opposite to the image of royalties they had in mind. Their next to be king was really different. He would check the food after they leave.

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No one talked the whole way to the palace. When they reached the palace, they darted to the kitchen. The passersby confusedly looked at each other. They saw ten guards chasing two young boys. The guards with heavy armors were slow. When they saw who the young boys were, it shocked them all.

Evans was the first in the kitchen. He ran toward the section containing oil and fats and rinsed his tongue. Eric did the same and after that applied lemon juice.

"Why didn't you warned, When you knew already, How could you do this to your childhood friend," Evans said sticking his tongue out. Eric chuckled, "Do you know what best friends are for, To suffer together in hard times." Evans glared. The guards were in doubt, they were best friends that's understandable, but why include us.

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The Meeting hall,

The ministers were grumbling on the absence of the prince. They had been waiting for more than an hour. Adney was quietly watching their reactions. He was aware of the prince's absence but didn't know when the prince would return.

Eric hurried to the meeting hall. Ministers gazed at the door when they heard it open. He was unperturbed by the stares of ministers. He got to his seat near Adney. All the ministers stood, waiting for the prince to take his seat.

"Good afternoon Ministers, Today is the first time we are meeting officially. Some of you might have seen me before today as well." Eric took his seat, Evans stood behind him. Ministers got back to their seats. Eric continued, "let's start our meeting, today's agenda will be corruption in the kingdom's services. As you might have come to know about the small incidence that took place yesterday. I have promised some people to check their track records of the past ten years."

Eric leaned back in his chair, the meeting hall was large probably one basketball stadium would fit into it. However, most of the space was empty like his room, architects of this kingdom were really fond of making spacious rooms. Just one table at the center of the hall, with seating capacity of about thirty people.

All the twenty-two ministers were looking at each other faces, some of them who were not present yesterday were confused and they started asking others. Those who were present had another worry, their records were to be checked. They knew how much dedicated they were to their work and the amount embezzled by them.