Disclaimer: I own no one in this other then Alex, Charming/Eric, Catherine, Lauren, and King Elm so far...
"Sire, the ogres are attacking again. Troops are needed on the border. Could you spare some to send?" The minister of ogre attacks (a/n Imagine that) asked.
Eric nodded at Alex, who stepped forward. "I will get troops ready immediately, minister." He said.
The minister bowed and left. Several citizens came for compensation, having lost farms and their belongings in some cases loved ones in others. Ella always smiled and told Eric the proper compensation for each item lost. He would announce it, then Ella would tell the treasurer who would pay them.
Then it was lunchtime. They ate while several trivial matters were discussed, such as gown and suit colors for those attending Hattie's wedding. The women enjoyed deciding the colors, and the men let their wives or dressers choose.
After lunch, they discussed laws that were not yet established, and discussed different tactics for attacking ogres. Eric let Alex make the decision, as he knew what he was doing. "So, Prince Eric, you think we should attack the ogres from different sides, then capture one or two for the menagerie?" The minister of citizens' defense asked.
"Yes, that way we can study them and learn new ways to defeat them." Eric said.
Then it was dinnertime. Before dinner, Ella pulled Eric to the side. "Eric..." She began.
Eric heard her worried tone, and wondered what could be the matter. "Yes, mother." He said.
"Your father... Isn't sick... He was poisoned." Ella said.
Eric looked at her in shock. Who would poison their father? The people loved him. "Will he get better?" Eric asked.
"Of course. Mandy found out almost as soon as he consumed the poison. But… that means someone was trying to kill him." Ella said, her voice sounded strained and tired.
"Do we know who it was?" He asked.
Ella shook her head, and led Eric to dinner, allowing him no more questions.
Everyone cheered when they saw Eric. They thought he ruled quite well. Men he hadn't even met before clasped his hand and acted as if they always had.
He blushed under such attention. Before he had always been "just the other son", now he was important, and Eric wasn't sure what to do. Dinner was filled with people complimenting him and toasting to his great leadership abilities.
Eric knew he wasn't that great a leader. He was just a teenager with a loving brother and mother who were helping him rule. After dinner, he went straight to his bedroom.
He couldn't sleep yet, so he decided to think about what he had heard and seen. Who is this Hattie, and why does she worry mother so much? Was the first thought to cross his mind. Who would want to kill father? Was the second.
His thoughts were cut short by a tentative knock at his door. Lauren came in, closely followed by Catherine. "Prince Eric, I am sorry if I am disturbing you, but-" Lauren began, but Eric stopped her.
"Quite alright." He said.
Lauren curtsied, and almost left, but Eric stopped her. "And where are you going?" He said.
She blushed. "I thought-" She began, but again Eric stopped her.
"Stay, please." Eric said.
They all sat down, and Eric began discussing what he had learned about his father's illness…