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She stood by the front of his desk as he waited for a reply. She had already told the Count that her boss was really busy, but he would not leave until he had seen him.

Her boss leaned on his chair and stared at her from his spectacle. Then, he took off his glasses, rubbing his eyes to ease the tension.

“Do I have time to spare?” He asked, knowing quite well that he had another meeting in a few minutes.

He rotated his neck and shoulder, using that time to release the tension building on his back and neck muscles. While his secretary worked on his schedule.

“Yes, Sir, but only a few minutes.” She finally answered his boss.

She quickly turned around toward the door when his boss nodded his approval. She had no time to waste since her boss was pressed for time.

.....

“The Duke will see you now, Sir Wellington and Sir Asthorne.” She announced to the two who were waiting impatiently outside.

The two did not wait for her to guide and introduce them. Instead, they marched inside immediately. She quickly returned to her desk to double-check the Duke’s appointments and fixed it.

“I hope you don’t mind if I tagged along with our friend, but we have some urgent matter we need to discuss with you.” Count Asthorne spoke up when he entered the room.

He took the chair on the right while the Count took his seat on the left, not waiting for the invitation. They had no time for pleasantries when they all knew their time was limited.

“Not at all.” The Duke still gestured that they made themselves comfortable. “So, what is this urgent matter we need to discuss? That both of you can’t wait.” He questioned, slightly intrigued by their presence.

They just had their meeting, and he believed that they had already covered most of the current problems of the Kingdom. He could not think of anything else unless they were here to convince him again to talk to his son soon.

“We only want what is best for the Kingdom, and I think the three of us will agree to that.” Count Asthorne started, hoping that whatever would be discussed in this meeting would be met with the utmost discretion.

“Of course, I think that is what Fred wants too.” Count Wellington said, dropping the formalities since they were just among friends.

“Get to the point because I don’t have all day.” The Duke frustratedly said to the two.

Whatever they were trying to say could not be that easy if they kept beating behind the bush. But he still had a few things to do other than discuss some puzzles.

“What Timothy is trying to say is that. We are working on finding a way to bypass the transition from the King to your son. if he still does not wish to sit on the throne.” The Count finally stated the purpose of their visit.

It was a sensitive topic since it would mean they were trying to put Prince Lance’s name on the next in line. His son would sit on the throne if his plan worked.

“You see, Prince Alexander had tasked me to find a way to take his name out of the list for the crown.” Count Asthorne confided to the Duke. “Unfortunately, I still could not find a way to do that.”

The Lord shifted in his seat, feeling uncomfortable for failing to inform the Duke about those plans. But as Alexander’s godfather, he only wished to help him.

“Now, he sought my advice, and I thought we should consult this with you.” The Count continued, thinking that it was better if he could get the Duke’s blessing in continuing with this task.

Who would not want their son to be King? Well, if there was an opportunity for Prince Lance to be one. Then he believed his son had every right to be King.

The Prince had served this Kingdom with everything he got compared to the rightful heirs. If anyone should be King, it should be him and not them.

“This is a bit unorthodox, but you should have brought this topic to the meeting with the other Council. Why are we only now discussing it?” The Duke responded with a bit of trepidation.

Although the idea that his son would have an alternative to take his place in the position, he believed that going behind the back of the Council was not the way.

“You know many Council members don’t like breaking the rules. Many still believe that your son, Prince Alexander is the rightful heir.” Count Wellington slightly hesitated, not wanting to sound too anxious to put his son on the throne.

“But you think the Council will take your suggestion to be an act against the Kingdom because of the conflict in interest.” The Duke finished the statement for him.

It would certainly help his son if Alex still did not wish to take the position. He looked at Count Asthorne and then the Count, trying to read what they might be thinking with this proposal.

Prince Lance was his son, after all. If he placed his son on the list, the other Counts and Lords might rebel against it. They might also demand that their sons be included in the list.

“Something like that. I don’t want to be labeled as a traitor or something.” The Count said, hoping that his alibi was working.

He needed the Duke to suggest the idea, not him or Count Asthorne. He wanted the Duke to find a way to put his son into a position of power.

The Blackstone had ruled this Kingdom long enough. For generations, no one had dared to go against them. Not anymore. It is time for another family to take on the task.

His son might not want the position, but he could force it on him. He believed under his ruling, this Kingdom would flourish. It could finally regain its former glory days.