In recent weeks, Alpheo's workload had surged dramatically, leaving him buried in the seemingly endless tide of administrative tasks that ca with ruling. The reason for this increase was as joyous as it was demanding—his wife, Jasmine, was seven months pregnant, her belly rounding with the promise of their first child, with three more months to go before her expected delivery.And honestly Alpheo couldn't have been more happy as he had always desired to be a father, be it in this or in the last life.
For her part, Jasmine had taken to her situation with as much grace as she could muster. While naturally strong-willed and eager to be involved, the court physicians and advisors had insisted she rest for the sake of her health and that of the unborn heir. Consequently, her presence in the throne room had beco a rare sight, limited only to those tis when petitioners ca before the court. The rest of the ti, she remained in their private quarters, her days spent in relative repose along the company of her mother and ladies in waiting, who, thanks to a certain man Alpheo was familiar with, were expecting too.
This left Alpheo juggling his own responsibilities with those Jasmine would normally share. Administrative reports, trade deals with more and more rchants coming in and correspondences with vassals now occupy nearly every waking hour of his. While he prided himself on his efficiency and focus, even he had to admit the weight of it all was exhausting.
In fact, Alpheo found himself envying those simple bastards that sorrounded him, whose tasks were far less demanding. Most of them seed to spend their days with idle pursuits, drinking or pestering him with trivial matters that only added to his workload, for as a matter of fact they only worked when there was a war.
Still, it wasn't all drudgery for him. From ti to ti, he allowed himself a reprieve, gathering his companions in his chambers for a few hours of camaraderie. They would share food and drink, their laughter filling the room as they indulged in lighthearted conversation and exchanged jests.Reminding him that even amidst the pressures of governance, there was room for simple joys.
It was such monts, that reminded him how lucky he was to count on them, even now with Laedio, who after downing his cup admitted to Alpheo that there was another rchant, a high mber of the trade guild who would like to buy a big batch of products, and that would also want to express his greetings to him.
Apparently, they always liked to casually et Laedio before organizing such a eting, as the news spread that if soone wanted to speak with the prince , then all he needed to do was to give a fat purse to the head of the garrison of Yarzat who would then vouch for him .
Useless to say Alpheo was not happy.
Alpheo's brows furrowed deeply , this wasn't the first ti that such situation occured . "Laedio, how many tis have I told you to stop this nonsense?"
Laedio leaned back in his chair, throwing up his hands with a sheepish grin. "I know, I know, but you should've seen the guy! The fat bastard practically threw the purse at . What was I supposed to do? Felt bad to turn him down." Yet if he thought that it would turn out as the other ti he was wrong, as a combination of so things that happened during the day, made Alpheo's patience run out.
His fist quickly slamd onto the table, causing the cups to rattle. "You're supposed to say no!'' He shouted in a tone of voice that surprised everybody'' That's what you're supposed to do! This is the last ti, do you hear ? The. Last. Ti.I won't allow for such thing to happen again."
The room fell into a stunned silence. The others exchanged wide-eyed glances, not daring to speak. Alpheo rarely lost his temper, and when he did, it carried a weight that no one dared challenge.
"Laedio," Alpheo continued, his voice low and dangerous, "you have a castle now. A good salary. You don't need to stoop to this anymore. Stop accepting bribes, or I swear—"
"Oh, co on!" Laedio interrupted, trying to keep things light. "What good is being a prince if you can't help your friends out, eh? It's just a bit of friendly trade!"
Alpheo's glare hardened, and his voice dropped even further. "Friendly trade? You think this is a joke? Because if I see you pocketing another coin that doesn't belong to you, I'll find soone else to take charge of the garrison.There are countless bastards that will drop down and massage my feet to get your position, and believe , I'll find you a new job—one much harder and far less comfortable. And don't worry , I will make sure that there are no bastards that will give you coin as a side hustle"
Laedio's grin faltered, and he raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright! I get it. Point taken."
"Do you?" Alpheo shot back, his tone icy. "Because it doesn't seem like you're taking this seriously. You're not so two-bit thief, Laedio. You're the head of my garrison, for gods' sake. Act like it.What do the soldiers do when they see their captain taking bribes?How does that make look, that I vouched for you ?"
Laedio scratched the back of his head, avoiding Alpheo's gaze. "I didn't an anything by it," he mumbled.
"That's not an excuse!" Alpheo barked. "You're better than this. Or at least, I thought you were."
The tension in the room was suffocating. One of the man at the table tried to stifle a cough, only to earn a glare from Alpheo. Laedio sighed, throwing up his hands once more in defeat. "Fine, fine! I said I get it. No more bribes. You have my word."
Alpheo didn't relax imdiately, his eyes still locked on Laedio as if trying to gauge the truth in his words. Finally, he leaned back in his chair, the fire in his eyes dimming slightly. "Good. Let's not have this conversation again.Because there won't be one..."
The room now buzzed with an awkward tension as Asag, Clio, Jarza, and Egil sat nursing their cups of cider. None of them seed eager to be the first to speak. The uncomfortable silence was broken only by the occasional gulp or clink of a cup being set back on the table. Alpheo sat at the head of the table, kneading his eyebrows with frustration as he looked at Egil.
"Egil," Alpheo began, his tone weary, "how are things at ho?"
Egil downed the rest of his drink in one long gulp, slamming the cup down for emphasis. "They couldn't be worse," he declared with exaggerated misery clearly trying to send away the awkard air around the room "That wife of mine—by all the gods, she's the most boring woman I've ever t! And on the bed? Like a bloody log, Alpheo. A log!I saw goats have more interesting fuck than mine with her!"
Clio winced, nearly choking on the drink. With Jarza exploding in laughter.
Asag, with his sense of propriety intact despite the drinks, gave Egil a sharp look. "Egil, you shouldn't speak about your wife that way. She's will be the mother of your children, not so tavern wench."
Egil waved a dismissive hand, extending his empty cup toward Ratto, who quickly refilled it without question. "I don't want a partner. Never asked for one. I didn't want a wife.You know that."
Alpheo sighed, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his temple. "And without a wife, there's no heir. Without an heir, your house ends. That's the point, Egil. Or do I need to remind you of basic succession?"
Egil let out a loud, unrepentant laugh. "I would've put a bastard in charge. At least bastards don't co with mothers who whine about drapes and embroidery, as long as you throw so coins they are more than happy."
Asag groaned audibly, shaking his head. "You're unbelievable."
"Shut up about it, Egil if anyone apart from us hear such talks you will beco a laughing joke..." Alpheo snapped, his patience visibly wearing thin. "If you can't be grateful for your wife, then at least be grateful for the gift I gave you."
Egil paused, then with a beaming genuine smile as he raised his newly filled cup. "Ah, yes, that is actually sothing to be happy about . Now that is sothing to celebrate! What I need a wife for, when I can lead 200 riders to the end of the world!'' He said that he downed the cup, as his soldiers increased from 150 to 200.
Asag leaned forward, his cup in hand and a wry smile tugging at his lips. "And when exactly will my Third Corps get its due? We've been holding the line and then so. It's about ti we see more soldiers."
Before Alpheo could respond, Jarza interjected, leaning lazily on the table with a smug grin. "Green recruits like yours? Co back when they've seen more than their own shadows on the battlefield. If anyone deserves reinforcents, it's my First Corps. We're the ones who routed the Oizenian left flank, in case you've conveniently forgotten."
Asag bristled, as he thought of a retort , but Alpheo interrupted before the argunt could escalate. He burst into laughter, the sound hearty and infectious as he raised his own drink.
"You two are like a pair of old hens squabbling over scraps"
The room soon joined in his laughter,because at the end of the day they were all friends. Yet, as the rrint subsided, Alpheo's expression shifted. He placed his cup down with deliberate care and straightened in his chair, his gaze sweeping over the table. The room fell silent, the shift in mood palpable.
"Now I hate to be the party pooper," Alpheo said, his voice steady but grave, " especially for such a jovial event , but it's ti we address the elephant in the room.
For as we all know in one year we will lose half of our army."
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