Chapter 4 The Next King

• Daniel
• It takes every ounce of strength I have to avoid rolling my eyes or looking down at my phone in boredom as my father and a few other nobles prattle on about some useless diplomatic business between Verilia and an irrelevant small nation off the coast of Russia but I know that I must focus. My father stares at me from his position at the head of the table and he doesn't even have to tell me. I know he's watching me. Ever since my father spoke to me about his consideration for the crown, he's been watching me, taking mental notes about how effective of a leader I'd be. This doesn't bother me, I know it's important that he picks the right person, but I can't help but feel like I don't really have any privacy. My mother jokes and says that Royals never have any privacy.
• "In conclusion, I feel that this will be a smart, economically sound move for both nations." The leader of another small country concludes the speech that I'd be lying if I said I listened to.
• I glance at my father who strokes his chin. I've seen this face before, it's his thinking face. He's trying to ponder his options. "Hmm... I will need to ponder this for a bit. I'm sure you can understand that a decision as important as this can't be taken lightly."
• I hide my small grin behind my hand. My father knows this deal has no benefit for Verilia. He's just trying to sound polite. My father doesn't need to ponder anything. He just wants this dignitary to leave so he can move on to more important matters, like trading with Hungary and Austria to ensure our people are secure for the winter. Verilia has a large portion of farm land, and a few winters ago the crops were devastated by an unknown insect attack. Many farmers lost their crops meaning the economy needed to be stimulated and food needed to be distributed. Of course, my father handled this well, but Verilia is still feeling the effects today. Besides this, there are clearly other important things to be focusing on.
• Everyone else leaves the room. My father raises a hand to signal that he wishes me to stay so I stay in my seat. He takes a few phone calls at his desk, politely responding to a few before almost yelling into the phone on another, before he hangs up and finally faces me.
• "Daniel, my boy. How are you? How are Annie and the babies doing?"
• "I am well. So is Annie. I'm trying to keep her stress levels down." Emphasis on trying. Annie's always been a free spirit, and I know how to keep her reasonably contained--sadly I can't stop her from playing Tarzan with bedsheets--but lately it's been very difficult. She responds well to punishment, as any good submissive should, but I'm hesitant to do any of that in her condition. Trust me, My Little American's earned more than her fair share of spankings, but I have been very merciful and lenient in fear of causing harm to the baby. I'm sure it's completely safe, but I won't be taking any chances. If there's even the slightest chance that the baby could be in danger, I will just hold off.
• All this being said, my sweet, rebellious wife is in for a hell of a spanking after she gives birth. I smile at the thought of her eyes widening when I read to her the ever-growing list of rule violations I have going against her.
• -Rolling her eyes
• -Not using proper title
• -Attitude
• -Eye rolling (again)
• - Attitude
• - Disobedience (times 10-- no 11-- no 12-- as of today, 13)
• The list is longer and filled with more specific things and occurrences, but this is all I can remember off the top of my head.
• My father laughs. "Ah, yes. I am very familiar with this. Your mother just wouldn't settle down. No matter what I did. She always insisted in doing things when she should be resting."
• I nod. "I'm especially concerned because the doctors say to keep her stress down, and now that we know it's twins, I'm very focused on keeping her relaxed."
• He grins. "Your Annie doesn't seem to be the sit back and do nothing type, much like your mother."
• "Indeed. It's been very difficult."
• My father laughs again. "Ah, yes, you're mother was quite the fighter. I'll never forget when she gave me the slip after I told her to stay put and relax. I was so mad."
• "I can only imagine. If Annie did that, I wouldn't be too happy either." Good thing she's safe with my mother and hers, looking for things for the baby.
• My father nods. "Of course, that's the plight with marrying headstrong women, but I wouldn't have it any other way." He smiles. "But enough about this, let's talk about the fate of the kingdom."
• I'm on the edge of my seat but I try to put on a calm façade. "Oh?"
• My father leans forward. "I think I have finally decided who will take my place as King of Verilia."
• I can feel my heart nearly beating out of my chest. My palms begin to sweat and I wipe them off on my pants before settling them in my lap. It feels like forever before he speaks again.
• "This is not a decision I will take lightly. The future of our great nation is of the upmost importance to me so I will be sure that I leave it in the hands of the person that I deem exceptionally capable. I understand that you and Michael are both more than qualified. I have been grooming and combing you both for this position since birth." He pauses and takes a breath, and I want to reach over and demand he spits it out and tells me what he is about to say. These next words could either make or break my plans.
• As I think about this, I also think about Annie and our future children and how my blindness to anything but the crown nearly cost me them both and I find that being King doesn't seem to matter to me as much as it once did. I still want to rule, but as long as I have Annie with me, and the family we are going to create, it doesn't matter where we are or what I'm doing.
• As all these thoughts move through my head, my father smiles and says the words I've wanted to hear since I made Annie sign that contract.
• "Congratulations, son. You have impressed me over the past few months." He stands and hold out his hand for me to shake all while I'm dumbstruck as to what is happening. "It brings me great joy to say this, my son: You will be the next king of Verilia."