19 Whittleleaf

"Your-- your-- your eminence-- that was the message I received from the pigeon--" the eunuch stuttered.

"Enough. Leave," said the cheery young man, and the eunuch scurried away for his life. Taking the opposite seat from the prime minister, the young master assessed the table and called for an extra glass and snacks.

"For someone who has just arrived from the south-- you should be asking for a feast," murmured the prime minister.

"Adoptive father, for someone who was yelling to prevent me from arriving just now, I'm rather afraid of your change of mind," the young master smirked.

"The times are hard," the prime minister muttered, "I hope to protect you from it,"

"Hmm,"

"Gladius, you're all I have left. I don't want to sacrifice you like I did your brothers,"

"You didn't sacrifice elder brothers Taurus and Picus," Gladius retorted, "they were brave men-- heroes. I hope to be more like them,"

"Enough! They might be heroes, but they're not here now."

"Anyways," Gladius changed the topic, "you said when I came home next you would find me a wife,"

The prime minister scrutinized him.

"Nonsense. I said that to keep you away from home. Can't believe you were looking forward to it. You've changed, son,"

"Well, I'm not getting younger," Gladius took his first sip of the tea and looked revolted, "pah! What is this?"

"What?"

"The tea! How can you drink this?"

The prime minister called for a servant to examine the new tea that the maid had brought. It was not the same as the one that he had been drinking previously. And she had also meant for him to take the one deadly sip.

.....

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