“So many things are possible just as long as you don’t know they’re impossible.” — Norton Juster, The Phantom Tollbooth

  ???

  ‘Even the instructor’s murder drills at the Academy hadn’t been this exhausting,’ Rem thought to himself tiredly, even as the heavy oak doors of the Grand Parliament Hall slammed shut behind the last of the merchants and councillors, their grumblings and retreating footsteps an echo behind the doors. The vast chamber, once filled with voices raised in fury and desperation, now stood hollow and still.

  But for the first time in years, Rem could finally take pride in himself.

  He had finally made a decision on his own. And he knows with clarity that it is the right decision. He didn’t let Parliament’s views and opinions influence him. He had stuck to his guns. He had stood firm. He had drawn a line. And for once, he had not stepped back from it, and let Parliament’s words cast doubt.

  The look that Yulia had given him as she had left the chambers with the rest of the Great Houses was one of pride. It was small, and was just a flicker in her eyes, but it had spoken volumes. It was more than enough for Rem, who had only seen disappointment and frustration from Yulia for years.

  For once, he had made her proud, and Rem took pride in that fact.

  Beside him, Gaius was still scribbling in his notebook, his brow furrowing as he murmured to himself. Rem caught snippets of his words: something about scheduling meetings, appointments, and follow-ups. Already, his advisor was organising meetings with the heads of the Great Houses. Most of them would be staying in the Imperial City for the week while plans were drawn and supply lists compiled.

  But for those with territories closer to the Imperial City, they would be departing for their homes, but would return to the Imperial City once an appointment had been scheduled.

  “I’ll get in touch with the Logistics Department. And Agriculture as well,” Gaius said at last, snapping his notebook shut and tucking it into his inner coat pocket. “Once I have confirmation on what’s needed from each House, I’ll coordinate the teams responsible for distribution. We’ll have to liaise with the military branches, too. For someone to oversee transport.”

  “Maybe arrange with Protectorate or even Mountain Garrison Command for a squad to escort the supply teams,” Rem added with a frown, recalling how the caravan and trade routes are constantly under threat. “We can’t risk caravans being raided before they even reach their destination. Once things stabilise, however, we should really look into organising teams to handle the bandit threat.”

  “It has to be something that we have to look into now, Your Highness,” Gaius corrected gently. “It will do us no good if we send supplies to the regions, but they have those supplies taken from them by bandits.” Rem ducked his head in embarrassment. “But the suggestion of having the soldiers act as guards for the supply teams is a good one. I’ll be meeting with the military commanders next week, and we can discuss this further.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Rem hesitated. “Check with the Agriculture Department as well if they have any seeds they can spare. Maybe fast-growing ones, if possible, as we’re already deep in summer,” he suggested hesitantly. He wasn’t too knowledgeable about crops, after all. “It might not be much, but every little bit helps. And maybe arrange for firewood to be sent out once winter approaches.”

  “I’ll see to it immediately,” Gaius responded, taking his notebook out again and scribbling into it. “But I must admit, you surprised me today, Your Highness.” Rem flushed with shame, knowing what Gaius is implying. “I did wonder why Heiress Nightray told me not to interfere in the proceedings today, no matter what was discussed. And now, I understand why.” Gaius tucked his notebook away, looking at Rem with a critical eye. “She knew you needed to do this on your own. You’re finally listening to us. And may I say that it’s long overdue.”

  Rem turned to face his advisor, guilt already clouding his face. “You both tried to warn me. You and Yulia,” he said quietly. “I didn’t listen. I trusted Parliament over both of you, and they lied to me.” He gave a bitter chuckle. “I don’t even know when I started listening to them over you and Yulia.”

  Gaius sighed wearily. “It’s true. Parliament lied. But your greater mistake, Your Highness, was that you let them,” he said. “Even when we showed you signs, and when we tried telling you the truth, your ears were shut to it. Even when Heiress Nightray begged you to act. But you turned away. Even as the king, despite Parliament being there to advise you, you cannot just take them at their own word. They are not infallible. It is your duty to verify, and to investigate. To question. To check that what they’re telling you is the truth. You never listened to me or Heiress Nightray, preferring to believe Parliament’s lies instead. And I’ll be frank, Your Highness, if you had continued down the road you were walking, I would have taken my leave of the palace, and of you.”

  Rem winced.

  “When I first accepted the position as your royal advisor, I swore an oath to serve Alathia and to give them a king that they deserve,” Gaius murmured. “I did not swear that oath to babysit a prince who refuses to be a king.”

  Rem nodded slowly, knowing that he deserves every bit of admonishment that he’s receiving from Gaius. If anything, he was being really lenient on Rem. Yulia would have been harsher, and would not have been so kind.

  “Do you think that I’m too late?” he asked quietly. “To fix this? And to help my people?”

  Gaius had never steered him wrong, he knew.

  His advisor’s expression softened. “I don’t know. But you’re trying,” Gaius said softly. “And that is a start. That is more than what you’ve done in years. But the trust that you’ve lost… Your people’s trust, and even the trust of the military, as well as the nobles… That is going to take time to rebuild. It won’t return overnight. Especially the trust that Heiress Nightray had in you once, and which you took for granted, and lost.”

  Rem looked guilt-stricken, looking at the great oak doors where Yulia had left with the rest of the Great Houses the moment the Parliament session had ended. “Do you think Yulia will ever trust me again?” he asked quietly. “When was it, I wonder, when she had given up on me?”

  Gaius was quiet for a long time. “You didn’t lose her in a moment,” he said finally. “You lost her piece by piece. Every single time you ignored her warnings or brushed her off. Every single time you dismissed her concerns. Every single time she watched people suffer while you remained locked in idealism.” Rem flinched with every word. “House Nightray had long lost faith in you the moment you started ignoring the plights of the outer provinces. But Heiress Nightray wanted to believe in you, and so, they chose to remain, because their lady still had hope. If you hadn’t acted the way you did today, Your Highness, you would have easily turned House Nightray against you, and they aren’t an enemy you want to have.”

  He exhaled. “Lady Yuliana didn’t stop caring about you. She simply stopped hoping. And there’s a difference. It’s going to take years of work to get her to trust you again, Your Highness. And even longer to regain the loyalty of House Nightray.”

  Rem was silent for several long moments. Finally, he rose to his feet, looking at his advisor with a small smile. Sad, but determined. “Then I’ll earn that trust once more. Prove with my actions that I’ve changed. I’ll earn back Yulia’s trust, no matter what. Even if it takes the rest of my life.”