Page 63 of The Fae King's Labyrinth

“I am not privy to whether or not the reports are read, sire, but you are the only one required to approve them via signature.”

I studied the leaning tower of reports before me, each embossed with the official seal of the crown. “Who are receiving the additional two reports?”

“Grizzlemunch and the queen at the winter palace.”

“In that case, I need to plug this hole. I was looking for a mole, and beneath my nose, a torrent of information is gushing out into the world.” Plucking the top report from the pile, I glanced at the heading. “Take a note, Soren.”

In a flustered scramble, my secretary juggled his stack of books, tugging one out from near the bottom and plopping it on top. Then flipping it open, he flicked through the pages until he found a blank one. “Pencil,” he muttered as he patted his pockets.

“Behind your ear,” I reminded him as I studied the military report in my hand.

“Ah.” He pulled a nubbin of a pencil from his hair and poised it over the paper. “Ready, sire.”

“New policy: from now on, only the king will receive all reports referencing the crown’s assets, properties, personnel, military, scheduling—or nay, make that any report of any kind. Only one version of every report. Anyone creating duplicates, demanding duplicates, or otherwise attempting to gather said reports or information from any source other than the king’s secretary is to be reported and arrested.”

“But, sire.” Soren swallowed hard. “Some exchange of information is necessary between departments to assist in their function.”

I nodded. “Those persons may inquire and prove the necessity of information to their function. Once the need is proven, only one or two people within the department will be given the responsibility of relaying that necessary information.”

After a few moments of scribbling, Soren finished tweaking the wording of the new policy. He read it back to me. Upon my approval, he hesitated.

“Yes, Soren? Do you not approve of the change?”

“It will make our already troublesome workload even greater, sire.”

“True,” I agreed. “Which brings me to my next decision. Hire three new assistants for yourself.” I eyed him over the top of the paper in my hand. “They will organize the load and process the paperwork. We can strategize on how to make this—” I waved at the heap on my desk. “—manageable and no longer this constant avalanche.” I motioned to the mess on my desk. “I cannot spend my life shuffling through paperwork. There is more to running a kingdom than reading reports.” I tossed the documents I held back on the pile in front of me, not caring if it was the correctone or not. “My companion and I are leaving to visit my parents this morning. Upon my return, I would like to hear about the progress you’ve made toward finding assistants.” I rose and strode for the door. I missed my wife, and I was eager to see her again.

“Sire?”

I paused and turned to regard my secretary. “Yes, Soren?”

He cleared his throat awkwardly. “Sire.” He swallowed hard, the lump in his neck bobbing with the action.

“Spit it out,” I advised.

“You see, the court has been talking—about your companion—and they keep asking me the same question.”

I glared at my secretary. “She’s not going anywhere.”

Soren nodded enthusiastically. “I told them that. It’s …there are rumors that she is blackmailing you.”

I laughed. I couldn’t help it. “No. She isn’t blackmailing me.”

Quite the opposite. She was freeing me.

∞∞∞

Calypso

Midmorning arrived before Azulin was ready to leave.

After another round of arguments with me, Glosove gave me a freshly modified gown to wear. It was made of fine blue wool with only a bit of delicate embroidery on the cuffs and neckline. He’d also modified a brownie’s cloak so that it fit around my shoulders.

Azulin, fresh from changing himself, assessed my appearance with a quick glance. “When will the rest of her wardrobe be ready?”

Glosove wrung his hands. Apparently Azulin’s intensity was causing some anxiety. “A dozen by tomorrow morning, sire, and more each day after that.”

“We will be attending formal events within a week’s time. See that she has options to choose from before then.”

---