Chapter 28: I WAS BREAKING
HALE'S POV
"No, that's absolutely not possible. I don't think His Majesty would even agree to that."
"What nonsense is this. I can not believe His Highness has still kept you here. Should have sent you with your bags packed a long time ago."
"This is absolute farce. This meeting is wasting His Majesty's precious time."
As the buffoons continued to argue about a public policy, I laid my head back in my seat and took in a deep breath. They were arguing about something so minute, and they were indeed wasting my time.
Fuck!
I should have just skipped this council meeting and went out to the East River.
At least that place would have offered me a lot peace than these fools do.
"I don't know what Daeg would have been thinking while creating you. He must have been angry at the entire world and created such an arse like you."
"I can not have with this nonsense anymore. I should have left when I had the chance t-"
"Enough!"
My voice boomed in the room, as all those idiots shut their traps quickly.
"I don't know whether I am dealing with wise men, or some dogs I picked up at some zoo. I can not deal with such madness, the first thing in the morning. You men are supposed to take my headache off. Not give me one.
I shook my head and got off of my seat and continued to glare at them.
"John, just extend the tax collection to a few more days. It will be easier on the citizens, and a few more days won't cost us anything.
Eduardo, leave if you may. If you can't put up with these buffoons, then it's because you are one too."
I collected the stack of documents, that I need to sign, and began to leave the damn room.
I need some coffee. Can't continue this day without some caffeine in my system.
It was when I was walking toward the dining hall, when something strange caught my eye. I had buried myself in my thoughts so deeply, that I didn't even realize the number of maids staring at me.
But it wasn't just them.
There were guards, and the kids of the nobles.
All of them blatantly, shamelessly staring.
Was there something on my face?
Had I dressed strangely?
Could they read my thoughts?
Well now I was just going insane. Being the king was stressful, but today, it was driving me mad.
Whatever. They were probably done with all of their tasks, if they had nothing better to do than stare at my expressionless face.
I looked back at them once more, and saw a little child look at me sourly.
I tried to ignore her, but she continued to glare at me.
Kids nowadays, I shook my head.
I thought of just walking past her, when she came my way, and stopped right in front of me, with her hands folded against herself.
So, I guess we're doing this.
I kneeled down to her so that we both were at the same level. Her tiny pigtails shook a little as she raised her head trying to emphasize her anger.
"Hello there."
Her rosy cheeks got even more red.
What had I even done to upset the little girl, I wondered.
"Hello!"
Her high pitched voice echoed through the hallways as all the other maids and guards stared blankly.
This was going to be talked about for weeks. I was sure of it.
"Is there something you need to tell me, child?"
She stomped her right foot and looked away. It was almost comical. I remember dealing with a lot of children her age when I was trying to get some experience as healer in the pediatrics department.
It was not my favorite but I do remember enjoying it. It always refreshed me on the days I didn't get much sleep.
"Are you going to be speaking anytime soon? You know, as the king, I have places to b-"
"You are a bad king."
I would be lying if I said I wasn't taken back.
"Oh, really?"
"Yes, Mister. You are a bad bad king."
I looked at her, trying to keep up with a serious face, but the way her little features depicted anger, I couldn't help but be amused.
"And why would that be?"
She unfolded her hands, only to push away the hair that had come onto her face, and fold them back again.
"Because you were not fair in the in-in-tevew."
I pursed my lips, hoping that she didn't feel like I was laughing at her. Because, honestly, I wasn't.
I just couldn't help but smile at her tactics.
"Interview? Is that what you are saying, Little girl?"
"Maybe, but you weren't fair. The ball is supposed to be for everyone."
What was she talking about?
"Yes, dear. The ball is supposed to be for everyone."
"Th-Then why are little girls like me, and little boys that are my friends not invited?"
Her lips quivered a little, as I immediately felt bad for not announcing it on the interview.
Maybe the invitations sent by the Lormeians forgot to mention that too.
"What's your name, child?"
I tried to ask tenderly. I forgot how that sounded, but I tried to console her.
"Marissa."
"Listen Marissa, children are welcomed too. I will personally remind the Lormeians to include activities for the children. Is that alright?"
She tried not to smile at first; it was clear from the way she looked away, and her cheeks turned red from the joy.
"Alright, now I am going to turn around, and then you can smile as much as you want, is that fine?"
That's when a smile broke out on her face.
I got up and turned to leave.
Her small hand caught my blazer sleeve, and I stopped right in my tracks.
There were a few audible gasps, but I didn't mind it.
It felt nice.
To be talked to.
To be talked to honestly, with no remorse, no fear.
"Yes, Marissa?"
Surprisingly, there was a smile on her face; one that actually reached both her ears.
Her ears and nose glowed red, as her eyes were brighter than the stars in the sky.
"You are not a bad king anymore."
I chuckled and ruffled her head top.
She slapped my hand away, and glared at me.
"Hey! Don't mess with my hair, now."
I shook my head, and smiled at the little child.
"Have a great day, Hale!", and with that she ran in the opposite direction.
Hale, huh?
Not my title, but Hale.
I never thought I would have liked to hear that from anyone.
I patted my suit, trying to crisp away the wrinkles that didn't even exist.
It was nice meeting you, Marissa.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
"Get done with these documents as soon as you can. I want the treaties from England ready by the next meeting."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I got up from my seat, ready to leave.
All the councilmen bowed as I exited the room. The work load had increased surprisingly since the last year.
I wasn't sure, why was it that this happened. We had made a significant lot of our work, digital.
The meeting went on for hours. We discussed different strategies to uplift the people's response in the monthly survey.
The survey was to collect the general complaints and other requirements that need to be completed.
I didn't plan on training today. I couldn't, not after all that was going in my head.
It all felt too crowded.
That was the only way I could describe what I felt.
Too empty for me to feel anything and too crowded for me to breathe.
I exhaled a shaky breath while making my face to the forest.
The river, was the only savior at times like these.
I wasn't someone who would talk about his problems.
Nor did I have anyone I could talk to.
I didn't mind it. I didn't. But on the days my heart didn't believe my mind, only the river could help.
I breathily inhaled another puff of the cigar in my hand, as I tried to find a rock to sit on.
My blazer jacket was already on the dirty ground, and honestly, I didn't care for it.
I didn't care for the way my people's complaints slowly reduced or the way our economy actually had a chance to be better than the Lormeians.
All the councilmen came to my chamber, just to show the weekly reports, and to get them verified by me.
I couldn't care to look at them.
There was always a certain kind of heaviness sitting on my chest.
It was either something that didn't let me breathe, or something that wouldn't let me think.
But never until now did I not care for my duties as the king.
It almost felt as if that heaviness, that darkness was taking over.
Grinning, as it announced its victory over my resistance.
It almost felt.
It almost felt like I was breaking.
Slowly, little by little, I was cracking.
And maybe, this time, there was no glue I could fix myself with.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Dvanzy6
Dvanzy6 Dear Readers!
Thank you so much for bearing with me. I haven't been updating regularly and I deeply apologize for that.
I wasn't in the best space mentally, and I couldn't bring myself to write.
A special thanks to Jennifer_Goliah for igniting my motivation to continue writing this book!
Yours lovingly,
Vanessa
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