"Your Majesty, you mustn't."
The councilor and Reynaldo spoke in unison.
After exchanging a discreet glance, Reynaldo said, "My nephew is still young and impulsive. I'm afraid he might offend Your Majesty..."
Clo, reclining against the Throne, leaned forward slightly. "I've announced that I'm looking for talent, but I won't even meet a low-ranking official? Does that seem right?"
"No," Reynaldo said at once.
"And does it sound good to say I'm not even qualified to meet an official?"
"No," the councilor said, shaking his head.
His Majesty studied the two ministers. Just as they were about to agree, he lounged back against the Throne. "Forget it. If you don't want me to, I won't meet him. But since the position of branch court chief is vacant..."
"That would be unwise."
"He's still too young."
"Tsk..."
Clo clicked his tongue at the two ministers' frantic objections. He was about to speak when a dim, fluorescent-green light flashed through an unwatched corner of the Royal Palace.
The young king went blank. When he came to, he heard the councilor saying, "He just arrested his superior. Letting him take that superior's position would invite gossip..."
Clo gave a long, weary yawn. "You're right. I'll leave it to you to decide how to reward Young Miss Olmedo..."
He waved a hand, ready to dismiss the two ministers.
"What are you discussing?"
At the new voice, Reynaldo and the councilor turned together and greeted the newcomer respectfully. "Council Chairman."
"Irwin, we were discussing how to reward Young Miss Olmedo," Clo explained, struggling through another yawn.
"Young Miss... Olmedo?" The Council Chairman looked from Reynaldo to the councilor. "It seems some interesting things happened in the New Royal Capital while I was away."
The Council Chairman was the last person Reynaldo wanted to face, but