Chapter 47. I'm back

Charles' Pov

The morning started off well, I look to the window in intense delight watching as it greets me for a new morning.

I stretch my arms to ready myself for a busy morning, last night wa-. My thoughts stop as the realization occurs to me, what did happen last night?

I remember falling asleep on my way to Caehal, My last memories was that of me chuckling as i watch Adelaide drowsily speak.

Perhaps deciding to push through the night was a bad idea.

I shake my head, it doesn't matter anyway. I yawn once more as I spin in my bed, missing its familiar embrace.

"Urk." A groan sounds out as I hit a barricade, I nudge it a bit, "Staph, Wit for a few minits."

The groggy familiar voice coming from what I assumed to be a mass of pillows and blankets, wakes me from my sleepy stupor.

I stood up and pulled the blankets revealing Adelaide in her white nightrobes, her white hair splayed all over my bed and her purple eyes staring at me in shock.

She pulls the blanket back and proceeds to cover herself entirely. She spoke, her voice muffled "Why are you in my bed?"

I look around to recheck the surroundings and once i finish. I spoke with certainty, "This is my bed."

She peeks out, looking at me as she ran out of the room. Eliciting from me a hearty chuckle.

I smile to myself as I whisper softly, "That was cute."

I look to the door as I fix my tie, I raise my head up and down inspecting the imposing door.

The guards at its side remain still. I nod to them and they in turn open it in my command.

I look to the man sitting in my mother's office, to see Timothy's busy expression.

He looks to the sound of the opening door, he greets me with a radiant smile. "Good morning, Prince Charles."

He smiles mischievously, "How was your morning?" The words make me groan as I rub my face off any pretences and angrily glare at him.

Timothy heartily chuckles at me as he opens his arms in surrender, "Cmon, it was just a little joke."

He stands up from the seat and dusts it off as he gestures me there. "Cmon now, I'll be debriefing you of the city's current state."

I inquisitively look at him and spoke as I walked to the seat, "Is this going to be permanent?"

Timothy shrugs, "Don't know, I left my position as headmaster vacant but,"

He scratches the back of his head, "If you really want me here, I can probably quit."

I shake my head at him and replied curtly, "That is unnecessary, your position as headmaster will be more beneficial to me."

I look down to the papers, a bit lost in the number and letters "And besides, I was sure Father planned on sending a regency council or at least experienced advisors."

He nods, "I see," He ruffles my hair as I reply with an exasperated glare, he smiles "Just know if you need anything from me, I'll be there."

I smile at him and replies back, "Than start debriefing me of," I gesture to the papers "These."

He nods and immediately went to work, he clears his throat and spoke as he sat at one of the seat in front of my table. "The current revenue of Caehal mostly comes fro-"

He was interrupted by a knock, I look to the door as it opens. Revealing Adelaide in a beautiful simple dress.

I smile a bit amused at her embarrassed expression as she avoids eye contact. She opens her mouth to speak but I interrupt her, "Princess Adelaide, what perhaps brought you to my office?"

She looks to my teasing smile, as she shakes her head. She clears her throat as she looked at me with composure, "I've come to help and offer a solution with the Germanian technology we have proposed to send."

I nod at her, unaware of the full scope of Germania's planned support in bringing the Orbritush industry up to standard.

"I see then, take a seat." I gesture to the seat in front Timothy, I look at Timothy with a malicious smile.

"Oh yes, you haven't met Sir Timothy," They shake hands, as they politely smile at one another. "He's the one responsible for everything."

I look at Adelaide eye to eye and smile "And I mean everything." She understands my words as Timothy audibly gulps.

I clap to capture their attention, I look to both of "Well, Anyways, Let's start" I gesture for Timothy to start.

He clears his throat and begins once more, "Caehal's revenue consists of taxes, coming from trade, industry and farming."

He fixes his glasses, "The amount taxed from farming is smaller compared to the two,"

He takes out a map, "As you can see here, the number of farmlands are sparse and underdeveloped."

"Most of the area under Caedebrad jurisdiction is filled with mines," I guess that's what you get when you have the highest concentration of Caellum.

I look to Adelaide and asked, "Has there been recent changes in agriculture?"

Adelaide affirmatively nods, "There are, both Ifritian Empires has recently enacted changes."

She frowns in distaste, "Unfortunately we have no access over it." I curiously look at her expression filled with distaste.

Realizing my curiosity, she explains. "The East Ifritian Empire has been a thorn to our side, they have held hostage our eastern flanks and has conducted several skirmishes."

She smiles maliciously, "Fortunately, the West Ifritian empire has started moving, the increasing tensions taking their focus away from us."

I look to Timothy, "Do you think they'll be open to trading it to us?" Timothy nods as he spoke, "I think so, but is it worth it?"

I confusedly look at him, "Why wouldn't it be worth it?" Timothy shrugs, "It's just that, the concessions we'll be giving might be more than necessary."

I smile at him, "It is worth it, the most likely thing they'll ask of us are Caellum, while we get an increase in food supplies,"

I look to Adelaide, "Something we would certainly need," I pull a paper up "Seeing the imports we have to pay for."

I look on grimly, "And if war does come, sustainability should be our priority."

Timothy acknowledges my word with a nod, "I see you have made up your mind,"

Adelaide though interrupts us, "Germania could also use such tools and technology," She smiles "Of course, we would be more than happy to pay for it."

We continued to talk like this until Timothy spoke grimly, "Then next would perhaps be the criminal underground,"

He looks at me in exhaustion, "They have started moving once more, relying solely on the smuggling of Caellum."

He pulls out a paper, "The recent tragedy, bolstered their morale and even with the damage you mother incurred upon them they seem to have recovered quickly."

I look at him and nods, I spoke grimly "Then we would have to make countermeasure."

I clench my fist, as a smile crept up my face,

"And crush them."