“Oh, so you remember my name, or at least my family name. I suppose that’s good enough, I mean, it’s not as if I’ve been with you since we were both eleven years old or anything.”

“You want the name of the other man. The one I was with that night.”

“I might as well have some fun before I do.”

“I can make it fun for you too.”

“I was merely suggesting…”

“You're the one thinking depravities.”

“Fuck you Vigil. I swear if I…”

Fuck you. Fuck you Vigil. Fuck you Vigil. Fuck you-

“Lord Vigil?” Hyppolytus’s painfully drab voice breaks through my reverie and I snap out of my daze.

“Yes. Yes, I’m here. What do you want?” I snap back not really caring about the way every eye in the room seems to be turned to me in expectation.

“Are you well, your highness?” Benjamin asks from beside Hyppolytus.

“Yes. Of course. Where were we?” I say with a raised brow, doing my best to hide the fact that I was just lost in my own thoughts during an important meeting.

Hyppolytus opens his mouth as if to answer, probably with some snide remark, but Benjamin cuts him off before he can utter a word. “We were discussing what to do about the growing threat near the southern border.”

“Of course the southern border.” I answer and Hyppolytus gives an exaggerated eye roll at my attempt to pass my confusion off as casual.

“If I may my lord. I believe it is prudent that we address this with as much seriousness as we would…” Blah, blah, blah. The useless pug man leaps into a long winded speech about regulations and financing, and I do my best to pay attention to him, I really do, but frankly the man is the most boring person on the face of the planet. It’s a wonder he was able to keep my attention for as long as he did.

“That's all very well and good.” I say cutting off his horrible ranting and nearly smirking when I see his face turn red with rage at my interruption. “Divert fifty guards from the inner city and another twenty from the town of Ali to the border. Instruct them to focus their efforts on the forest paths to Durma along with the southern passage out of Bellia.” I announce firmly.

I honestly don’t understand why these people have been struggling to solve this issue for so long. I mean, I’ve seen the maps. Other than the forest trails and the southern passage, the rest of the border consists of swamp land. Who would be desperate enough to try to cross swamp land just to get into Bellia? What exactly would that even accomplish?

“I don’t wish to be rude, my lord.” Hyppolytus responds after a moment and I have to bite my tongue to keep myself from laughing. I mean, who does he think he’s fooling? His life goal seems to be about seeing how rude he can be to me before I finally send him to the Guillotine. “But I really must protest.” He goes on and I lean forward in my seat in an attempt to look intimidating.

“That's the second time in less than twenty four hours that you have opposed my proclamation. I just might have to give you a medal for bravery.” I mock him before turning my attention on the rest of the council. “The southern border primarily consists of swamp land which I dare even the bravest adventurers to venture across, let alone an invading army of some kind. Furthermore, the new batch of trainees will be ready for service within the month and they can replace the missing guards from both the inner city and Ali.” I argue to the stunned crowd and I have to admit it is a great feeling to see them looking so shocked.

“Surely seventy guards will be enough to neutralize this threat? Especially when said guard can be easily replaced?” I venture further and the shocked expressions soon grow into looks of approval.

The voting commences and we move onto the next topic. Hyppoclytus is, to no one's surprise, incredibly unhappy with the turn of events. Though if I had to make a guess, his mood probably has more to do with the fact that no one sided with him rather than having lost the vote.

The meeting drags on through two more hours before finally coming to a close. I wish more than anything that I could return to my chambers to rest, but I know that this would be impossible. So, feeling heavy and rather tired, I exit the room and begin making my way towards the drawing room. Wishing against wishing that I could be heading anywhere else.

.