"My lord! We've been given an assignment!"
His guard captain came running toward him, slightly out of breath.
"Speak."
"His Majesty wants us to go undercover again. We are to visit Hasen. There's a mission to recover wealth gotten by debauchery among the nobles and elites of the city."
"..."
The captain hesitated. "Do you not want to go?"
"Wrong," Ethan replied calmly. "I'm just disappointed. This is the third report from the same city. If we keep recovering wealth without fixing the root, it will happen again. There must be something else."
He stood from his chair slowly.
"I'll speak with my father first."
"Understood, Prince Ethan. I'll take my leave, my lord."
"You may go now, Jason."
Jason bowed and left.
Ethan walked toward the door, but halfway through the hallway, he stopped. The wide palace windows stretched across the wall, showing the horizon beyond the capital. The sky was calm. Too calm.
'This is all I have to do for now.'
He sighed quietly.
'Dad always hands me the things he's too busy to do himself.'
Still… he didn't hate it.
It meant trust.
'So much for a low-key rest today.'
As he approached the study, a loud voice echoed from inside.
"This has got to stop. No more. I will hear no more of this!"
Ethan froze.
"I order you to stop this instant. Get out. You just lost your value and you dare come before me pleading redemption? I spared you after you crossed the line. Since you refuse to give value to me and this kingdom, I order you to leave now. I will decide your punishment later."
King Charles Cole's voice filled the hallway like thunder.
"Yes, my King."
Another voice answered quietly.
Footsteps followed.
Ethan moved quickly, slipping into a hidden compartment in the wall. The secret space closed silently behind him. Through the narrow opening, he watched as the man stepped out.
He only caught a glimpse.
Tall.
Rigid posture.
Face shadowed.
The man walked away.
Ethan stepped out after the hallway went quiet.
'What was that about…?'
He pushed the study door open.
"My lord."
"My son, don't be formal," King Charles replied immediately, a warm smile replacing the earlier fury.
"Dad."
The king chuckled.
"What are you here for, my boy? I thought you'd be preparing to go to Hasen. Do you have a request?"
He gestured toward the chair opposite him.
"Sit."
Ethan sat down.
"I have a feeling you already know why I'm here."
King Charles poured tea into a cup and placed it before him.
"If it's what we're both thinking, then handle it the way you see fit. Don't be formal."
"Have tea with your dad before you leave," the king added gently. "How are you?"
"Great. School starts next week though… so this has to end this week. Permanently."
The king nodded slowly.
"Hasen again."
"Yes."
Silence settled between them.
"Any ideas, dad?"
King Charles leaned back slightly.
"I do."
Ethan leaned forward.
"But it's a long shot."
"I'm all ears."