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“I get it but unfortunately you are the only prince. So you will have to go sooner or later. You might as well bite the bullet and do it.”
“It is easier said than done.”
“It is. How long is the meeting?” she asked.
“An hour,” Daniel replied. Fiona nodded.
“It’ll be over in just an hour. The next time you go it will be easier. Show them that the accident did not break you. Show them that you are still the crown prince and claim your respect.”
Daniel sighed. “Fine,” he said after a moment. Fiona smiled and rubbed his hands.
“Good decision. I am sure your father will be proud of you.”
***
She was right. When Daniel entered the cabinet hall, the king stared at Daniel in disbelief. He kept his gaze on his son until he was settled next to him. The king smiled. As for the ministers, they rose to their feet and bowed their heads when Daniel entered the room.
“It is good to see you, your highness,” said Sheikh Suliman. He offered Daniel a very deep bow. Daniel just nodded. Sheikh Suliman was one of the king’s closest advisers. The king trusted him a great deal. Daniel was not surprised that Sheikh Suliman was the first to welcome him.
Daniel felt nervous about being back in the cabinet hall. However, he had Fiona’s words in mind. She had given him the courage to attend a meeting. Fifty percent of him went because she was persistent and would not stop urging him to go. The other fifty percent of him went because Fiona had made a good point. He needed to just get it over and done with. He was the crown prince and only prince therefore he had no choice but to just go.
During the meeting, they discussed a bill of education. As they discussed it, Daniel barely paid attention. He just wanted the meeting to be finished. He just wanted to return to his quarters, back to his comfort zone.
The king and Daniel left the cabinet hall first when the meeting had ended. The two of them went to have tea in the king’s office as they always did after a cabinet meeting.
“I am glad that you attended today,” the king said to Daniel.
“Yes,” Daniel replied. He wasn’t glad that he had attended. He had felt uncomfortable and bored during the meeting.
“Does this mean that you will resume all your duties?”
“No, I am still not ready to take on everything. I need time to adjust.”
“I see,” the king replied with a nod. He spoke to his son for a few minutes before he had to attend to other matters. Daniel left the king’s office and returned to his quarters.
“Your highness,” Fiona said with a bow when Daniel entered his living room. She was holding a laundry basket. He had asked her to do some chores while he was at the cabinet meeting.
“Fiona,” he said. Her face lit up.
“That is the first time you have ever called me by my name.”
“That seems to make you happy.” Daniel raised an eyebrow. Fiona smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
“How was the meeting?”
“Boring.”
Fiona laughed. “I am sure it was,” she said.
“My father was very happy about my attendance.” He didn’t know why he was telling her.
“Aww. Are you happy about going?”
“Not really,” Daniel answered honestly. Fiona narrowed her gaze at him. “But I am glad that it’s over and done with.”
She nodded. “Would you like something to eat?” she asked.
“Yes. I am actually starving.”
“What would you like to have?”
“A salmon sandwich. It must be brown bread.”
“Okay.” Fiona put the laundry basket down before she headed off to the kitchen. Daniel smiled to himself. Fiona was actually not that bad.
