Compromise

"Everyone may leave, I want to talk with Drake personally." Elora said while seated on her silver-plated throne her voice calm and her back up straight.

Gustov and his two attendants were the first to move. Gustov had a beaming smile on his face, he was aware that a heated argument was to follow and he even knew the outcome would be in his favor, how could it not be ? He had spent the last few years winning over Drake. In this council meeting, Drake had not only welcomed both Gary and Tiara but had left Gustov in charge to give them a position in the army according to himself. As expected all the council members agreed to the decision, everyone in the council had taken favors from Gustov so they could not oppose him even if they wanted to.

Within seconds everyone got up from their seats which were laid across both sides of the aisle and left the courtroom.

"Why would you let strangers live in our town and you even promised a position?" Elora spoke as soon as everyone left while getting up from her seat, her Hazel eyes filled with rage.

"Because they need our help Elora and having two warrior ranks among our soldiers would be a great help." Drake said a little baffled seeing Elora so vexed by his decision. Elora was someone who used her brain and made a rational decision, on the other hand, Drake weighted things on morality, they took completely opposite approaches when facing a situation and that was the reason their personalities complimented each other's so well and the town ran so smoothly. Elora was the brain behind Drake but things changed when Nile was born, she invested almost all her time on Nile and then with Emma, and eventually, she gave up her post of the Head Minister and focused on being a mother. Just a few weeks back when she was casually going through accounts of the town she came across many flaws in the ledger but they were shrouded professionally. All the ministers worked according to Gustov and many posts were filled with Gustovs' subordinates, so she couldn't bring his deeds into light.

"We cannot trust strangers, have you forgotten everything of the past."

"They need our help, what do you want me to do, abandon them? This is not what my grandfather and father wanted this town to be." Drake said, his voice loud almost shouting. Some morals and values were engraved into Drake since childhood and helping someone in need was at the top of his family's preaching. He was someone who followed these codes religiously.

"Drake time is changing we need to change accordingly, and where are the people who followed those ethics? " Elora bit her tongue as soon as she spoke and instantly she knew what was coming.

Drake's eyes opened wide and his face burned red with anger. How could he let anyone look down upon his father and his grandfather's belief's "You want me to give up on my code, ethics? Who do you think you are?"

She knew she had crossed the line. This was the first time anyone in the town spoke to him in such a manner. Being with him for so long she knew what Gordon meant to him. She then took a deep breath and spoke -"Drake please don't misunderstand me you know I did not mean it that way. I just don't trust Gustov he does not seem reliable."

"Reliable hahahah" Drake laughed mockingly "-you are the last person who should be talking about reliability? You abandoned this town its people and your responsibilities. Now you have the audacity to suspect Gustov who is working so hard towards the betterment of this town. Such jealously Elora, I did not expect such petty behavior from you." Drake was not satisfied and somewhere held Elora liable for their decreasing financial status as she abandoned the head minister's post to look after Nile and then Emma, Elora's earlier words just acted as a catalyst and Drake spoke what he had been suppressing up for the past few years.

Elora turned red hearing Drake's words she clenched her fist with trembling hands, how can Drake blame her for being a loving mother. How can he forget what mental trauma she went through when she had her miscarriages. Her children were her top priority and she would do anything and everything she could to protect them. Since Nile left, not an hour passed by without her looking at the pendant.

Elora was ready to lash out when she saw a shadow at the entrance of the room. As soon as she spread her aura to sense the person who was eavesdropping the shadow disappeared. At that moment she realized Gustov was trying to divide and break them. How could she let him win so easily?

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath to think clearly, blood was visible on her fingernails as she loosen her fist. Trying her best to ignore what had been said and done in the past few minutes she spoke -" Drake I am really sorry for not using the right words to express my thoughts and I know once your anger subsides you will understand what I meant." She paused for a while steeling her will and spoke,- " I know I have neglected my duties towards the town. So now I want you to give me a chance to make things right."

"I cannot dismiss Gustov of his position, that would just not be right you can hold any other position," Drake said, his rage turned into confusion, he did not expect Elora to reply in such a manner.

'You have to do this, for the betterment of everyone.' She thought to herself and spoke- "I want to work under Head minister Gustov as his assistant." Elora tried her best to put on a poker face, but shame and embarrassment could be seen leaking from behind her facade.

"Hmmmm..." Drake went blank after hearing Elora. How could someone as proud as Elora could work under someone she resented.

"I heard Gustov.... head minister Gustov is having a hard time shouldering his duties, don't you think I could help him ?" Elora spoke calmly trying her best to mask her irritation and at the same time trying to convince Drake.

"Well... he has been busy with the work, I think we should ask about his opinion on having an assistant." Drake said still trying to swallow what had just happened. If he would have not been perplexed by the situation he would have looked through her facade.

"He would deny out of courtesy, don't you think ?"

"Yes, you are right. I think I should appoint you as his assistant." Drake then looked straight at Elora and spoke- "Are you sure about your decision."

"Yes I am, It will be best for everyone." Elora spoke steeling her nerves. She was sure Gustov was taking undue advantage of his position and she wanted to expose him.

"Okay, I will let everyone at the council know." Hearing Drake's words she smiled and left. She had to prepare herself for the battle, Gustov was a cunning person, and the way he perfectly hid his crimes only gave Elora more reasons to prepare herself well. She did not care if she had to compromise her position to save the town and her children.