understand me?”
“Yes, my Lord,” they all answered in chorus.
There was silence as the Prime Minister tried to compose himself by walking around behind his Ministers.
“My Lord,” spoke Minister Iglesias. “Perhaps you can…”
He cut, “No one’s going to touch that island yet. They’re not a threat to us. Focus on the Red Army and the rebellion in the Middle East. They’re stronger and better equipped.”
“Moreover, they do not have a leader!” added another Minister who was following the Prime Minister’s decisions, like a coward. He was trying to impress the Prime Minister by seconding the proposal. He had gray eyes and gray hair, together with tall body. His appearance gave him away as a Westerner.
“How long will the Gladiator stay in my territory, your Excellence? I must know so that my people will not take this as a threat,” asked Li Chen.
“Until the very last Red Soldier dies, Li Chen,” he replied.
The Ministers left the oval room and went straight back to the respective homes using their state’s best armed planes.
The Prime Minister was left alone in the oval room with the Commander of National Defense, General Watson, a fifty-year-old man, sturdy and well built with graying hair and a trimmed beard, together with the Union’s Secretary, Marcus Cesar, a young man of great intelligence.
The Prime Minister said, “I need you to report to me everything that is happening in those lands. Our force must be strengthened, and the gates around Acropolis must always be secured. We do not know when these rebels attack or how big they have grown. For years, it has always been the Red Army we’re seeing, and now, we’re hearing about tiny uprisings around Novus. This is an alarming situation. If we need to build more ships or aircrafts, then we will.”
General Watson nodded.
“I see these things as natural occurrences after reforms. It is natural for the mob to feel alienated. They’re not used to the new government because they had their own before, and their lives are very different from what we have here at Acropolis. They are in a very critical stage of assimilating. Perhaps if we show them how life is in Acropolis, then they might adapt well and the uprisings will banish in no time,” suggested Marcus Cesar.
“What do you suggest?”
“We can send envoys to these lands. Grant them education, more jobs, and other privileges like what the first and second estates receive.”
The Prime Minister grinned.
Marcus Cesar said, “If they see the difference, then they might yield.”
The Prime Minister replied, “The Acropolis is a haven for those who believe in the Union—and to me, while those away from us are my enemies! Do enemies favor enemies? Do enemies save enemies? Only those loyal to my Ministers and thereby to me shall receive grants—appropriate and sufficient grants—from us. I feed them with bread and they feed me with their loyalty!”
“Then, we shall wait until we determine how dangerous these rebellions are, Prime Minister?” asked General Watson.
“Yes, and patiently. My Ministers have assured me that they have everything under their control.”
“My Lord, I’m afraid your son will make tomorrow’s headlines again,” said Marcus, who had just put down his telephone.
“What about Henry this time?” the Prime Minister asked in a calm tone.
“He caused another ruckus in a bar downtown, was involved in another dangerous drag race event and talked maliciously about the government.”
“He’s drunk, isn’t he?”
“Yes, Prime Minister,” answered Marcus. “They’re taking him home now.”
“That’s not new. Acropolis is used to his mischief. Why even bother with what he says?” the Prime Minister laughed as he poured wine to his glass.
“Prime Minister, if you allow me to speak…”
“What is it, General?”
“Isn’t it time for him to be given some real assignments? Well, he’s grown up now. He’s been training since he was a young boy, and I find him extremely talented in combat. His military skills are at par with his brother. And he was my best student, and still is, I believe,” said General Watson after receiving the glass of wine Marcus poured for him.
“Henry will never be like his brother!” the Prime Minister snorted. “He only wants fun. If I put him under your unit, he might endanger everyone else. And besides, I don’t see him as my rightful heir. Anthony will be the future of Novus, while Henry will look up to his brother. He only ever brings me trouble.”
“But don’t you think he needs to be tested? He’ll be needing experience to run his own territory someday. I assume he’d be a Minister somehow.”
“If he wants to! But I doubt it. He wants no responsibility. Anthony will do good.”
“But he’s in battle now.”
“He will be victorious. And his glory I shall feed to my pride. The entire world will bow to my son as he defeats the Red Army.”
“Prime Minister, Henry has been transported to his room. He wishes an audience with you,” Marcus said.
“That can wait tomorrow.”
“He insists, my Lord.”
“Then, an audience he’ll get tomorrow.”
Afterward, the Prime Minister took the rest of the day off.
2. Irene
A bright morning pleased the Prime Minister as he dined for breakfast with Lord Luxley, a wealthy man who owned a vast land in the northwest.
“I heard you sent the Captain to the east with your majestic Gladiator?” asked Lord Luxley. “Don’t you think it’s a little bit risky to put your heir into such precarious situation? He might be strong and wise but chances are great, my Lord.”
“Anthony has proven enough to me. His troops got rid of the Taliban and other vigilantes. Now, I think the east will be freed from the Red Army in no time.”
“How long will you keep him as your faithful warrior? Well, he needs to learn how to run the world.”
“He will learn fast, and he will do that after peace is secured.”
“And what about the other boy? He made the headlines again, but this time it’s treason.” Lord Luxley has always expressed his displeasure on the second son.
“I didn’t read the papers. I knew it would be horrendous. Let him learn through experience,” said the Prime Minister as he tasted his tea.
“Good morning, Prime Minister!” greeted a flushing Henry.
“Damn it, Henry! You’re drunk in broad daylight!” stated the bowled over Lord Luxley. Henry giggled as he sat beside him.
“Mornin’ Lord Luxley!” He started singing Lord Luxley’s favorite country song, one which put the older man to sleep every night. Luxley was very embarrassed. His face was as red as the cherry tomatoes on the table.
“How good of you to irritate me on this beautiful morning,” calmly said the Prime Minister, who didn’t mind Lord Luxley’s discomfort.
“I actually think that my intoxication doesn’t irritate you. That’s why I’m dining with you this morning. And, for heaven’s sake, you’re eating red meat again. Oh, you better ride some horses today before you get fat and your heart stops pumping because of your obesity.” While he was making fun of the Prime Minister, the joke was meant for Lord Luxley. The Prime Minister didn't look like the person Henry was described. Lord Luxley- maybe.
“And so you’re saying you’ve turned vegetarian now?” asked the Prime Minister.
“No. I’m actually loving Mrs. Hudson’s spicy lamb on my morning menu but I won’t get a heart attack because I am young and I have plenty of activities, unlike other people who are just busy eating.”
Lord Luxley finally lost his appetite. He settled for a sweet creamed berry cake.
Henry laughed. He knew that Lord Luxley was hungry for spicy lamb, his favorite food in the world.
“After you eat, Henry, I suggest you play at the casino,” said the Prime Minister, who was slowly falling into his son’s trap.
“I will. I have no plan
s of spending my day in this boring place. In fact, I’m planning to buy the Diamond Casino and all its franchises around Novus. And I think I’d finish my breakfast there,” he responded. “I have money, you know. I am even richer than you, Daddy.” He smiled and strolled away from them.
“Damn that child!” The Prime Minister said.
Lord Luxley was appalled. He has never seen the Prime Minister as angry as he was today.
“He’s just playing with you,” said Lord Luxley.
“Playing? He’s playing it right though!” He gritted his teeth and threw away his food.
“He didn’t really mean that, did he?” Lord Luxley asked almost in a whisper. The maids were cleaning the mess up and he was cautious not to spill any information to those gossips.
“What? About him being richer than me? Of course, it’s true!”
“That’s dreadful, John! I thought you were able to solve that problem.”
“Let him waste all his riches. By the time he gets tired, he will realize that what he’s doing is useless.” The Prime Minister said, regaining his composure.
Henry drove his sleek black sports car outside the Pyramid’s large and heavily guarded gates. The gates were made from thick titanium metal and installed with nuclear laser weapons. Of course, the Pyramid wasn’t Henry’s favorite place in Novus. He despised it as much as he despised almost anything that’s in it. A wide 10 mile-boulevard adorned with tall fig and oak trees and electronic light posts connected the Pyramid to Acropolis, the greatest and richest city in Novus. Tall buildings of surreal and extraordinary architecture were erected on the grounds of Acropolis. There were