Chapter l153

Chapter 0153

Nicholas

I wanted to talk to my father about the state of the people that I had seen when I had taken Piper shopping, but the King was too busy to see me for several days. When I was finally allowed audience

Inside of his chambers, he had his war map stretched out over the dining table.

My mother was seated in one of the cushioned chairs, with Terry in the one beside hers. My father was

standing, peering down at the map with his chin in his hand.

Nathan allowed me into the room, then followed me back to the table, where he stood quietly behind the

King.

“Nicholas,” my father said. My mother nodded. Terry stared at me blankly.

“Father, I’ve come to talk to you about a most pressing issue,” I said.

My father sighed. “Everything is a pressing issue, it seemed. What is it that is troubling you?”

“The welfare of our people. Father, they are starving and living in destitute conditions. They need more

assistance than we are…”

I trailed off as my father raised his hand.

“We have enough to worry about as it is. While I admit the conditions for our people are not as

generous as they have been in the past, our people are strong. They can overcome any hardships on their

own.”

Did he not truly understand how dire things were? That people were homeless and hungry, and needed

help.

“If I could just explain

“That’s enough, Nicholas,” the King said. “I have given you my answer.

“You are too young, little prince,” Terry called. “You’re naïve, concerning yourself with… how did you phrase it? “The welfare of our people‘ Don’t you understand that our borders are at risk?”

frowned and looked back to my father for explanation. He waved me closer to the map, and then pointed at the crude black line meant to replicate our border with the Bear People in the North.

“Tensions are high on our northern borders,” the King said. “There have been reports of their soldiers crossing into our territory in large numbers. They are likely planning something.”

“We should call on our alliances,” I said, alarmed.

“Who, exactly?” Terry said with a harsh laugh. “The Merfolk are basically useless unless the Bears attack by water. But they are too smart for that. At least for now.”

I gave Terry a sharp look. He seemed keen on tearing down others‘ ideas without producing any of his

OWIL

The Dragons, then,” I offered.

My father shook his head. “The Bear People and the Dragon Clan have a very old agreement. They have

both sworn not to raise arms against the other, in the name of peace.”

It made sense. The Dragons and the Bears were two of the fiercest types of shifters. They lived for war and combat. If they invaded each other, neither would stop until the other was totally wiped out. This

would lead to mutually assured destruction.

“There must be something we can do,” I said.

“Pray,” Terry said.

The Luna nodded, agreeing with the sentiment.

“We must find a way to negotiate with the Bear People,” the King said. “If only we knew what they were

really after.”

They know what th

“They know what they are after, dear brother–in–law,” Terry chimed in once more. “They see the

weakness of the royal family and wish to claim our land for our own.” d

“We have shown weakness,” the Queen agreed.

“What would you suggest, then?” the King said, frowning.

“A show of force,” Terry said. “Send our own troops north.”

“And risk full conflict?” I said.

Terry clucked his tongue at me. “Little boy, don’t you have other things to do? Like worry whether people

can afford new sweaters, or whatever you were worried about.”

I grit my teeth. The welfare of the people was not something to be mocked. Feeding our people and

protecting the people were two problems, sure, but we didn’t need to sacrifice one for the sake of the

other. We could care about both.

Yet bit my tongue. For whatever the reason, my mother and father too–often deferred to my uncle’s