Power Play--Part III

The shower did make him feel better. Most of his frustration had faded by the time he sat down to make his call. His wife’s face was a welcomed sight.

“How did it go today?” Leda asked.

Paul shook his head. “I honestly don’t know how you have dealt with these meetings. All the bickering and posturing! It’s maddening.”

“Naffid is up to his usual tricks, I see.”

“How did you know?”

Leda smiled. “It’s not hard to guess. The first Council I attended was horrible, mainly because of him. He and his allies challenged everything I did. Not that he has gotten much better over the years. What is he complaining about now?”

“The new bridge and the hospital improvements. Mayor Espesito actually had the gall to say that Edelburg was being overlooked and requested money for a new golf course.”

“A golf course? You can’t be serious!”

“I wish I was joking, Leda. Benedict is probably still out there doing damage control.”

“Damage control? Damage control over what?”

Paul sighed. “Benedict felt I was a little sharp when I pointed out the ridiculousness of Mayor’s Espesito’s complaint and proposal.”

“Were you?”

“Probably,” he admitted.

“Then let Benedict do what he feels is necessary. I doubt he will do anything that will undermine you or your authority, Paul.”

“Authority? What authority? Most of the mayors feel that I’m just a stand-in for you.”

“Stop it,” Leda ordered. “Don’t talk like that.”

“Why not? They have a point.”

“Paul, there was a reason why I wanted our wedding to occur before the coronation. I wanted you to be my equal, the Prince of Jupiter, not my consort. You have authority. Don’t let Naffid or anyone else lead you to believe otherwise.”

She had all but said, “You’re the Prince of Jupiter so act like it.” The thought made him smile. “I’ll try, love. Now, how are things going there?”

“Fairly well,” she replied, “although there is still a lot to do. I guess it will help me keep my mind off how much I miss you.”

“Maybe I’ll try that, too. Only a couple more days, three tops. Then I’ll be home.”

“I’ll be waiting with bells on.”

“Only bells on?”

She laughed. “We’ll see.”

A voice called in the distance. Leda turned from the screen and nodded. When she turned back, all traces of laughter were gone. “I have to go, Paul. Call me tomorrow night?”

“I promise.”

With a final smile, he watched as Leda’s face faded from the screen. She had been right to remind him that he was now the Prince of Jupiter. It was time for him to get use to this new authority. It was also time for him to put it to good use.

* * * * *

“How did your damage control fare?”

Benedict smiled. “I see that you have spoken with your husband, Your Highness.”

“Yes,” Leda replied, “I just finished talking with him. I understand that Naffid is causing some conflicts.”

“I believe is trying to see how far he can get with the Prince. He’s frustrated because he is not getting far.” The two shared a grin. “As for damage control, all I said was that the Prince truly wants what is best for Jupiter and that Edelburg may benefit more by a new arts center than a golf course.”

“And how did that go across?”

“Outside of Mayor Naffid and his closer associates, very well. The Prince is quickly becoming very well-liked among the mayors.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Benedict. Please continue to do what you can to help him.”

Benedict bowed. “It will be my pleasure, Your Highness.”

“Thank you.” And with that, the Princess was gone.

He would have to discuss the possibility of an arts center for Edelburg with the Prince in the morning. Thankfully that was the most pressing issue. But who knew what Naffid had planned for tomorrow.

With that less than reassuring thought, he went to bed.

* * * * *

Leda stared at the blank screen. She mulled over her conversations with both Paul and Benedict. For such brief conversations, there was a lot to mull.

She was glad that Paul was holding his own against Naffid and his cronies. It was also welcomed news that he was becoming well-liked among the other mayors. Many were normal people willing to serve their towns and districts and saw no reason why to objection to the marriage of their Princess to her childhood friend.

Naffid had seen himself as a potential suitor to Princess Lita after the death of her first husband. Her rejection of him for the captain of the royal guard had stung the young mayor’s pride. It was a slight he had not forgotten.

Seeing that avenue for the throne blocked, he had gone a different way. He and a few other mayors began to consider themselves as almost nobility. Lita fought the idea, refusing again and again to bestow any formal titles of rank. She had felt that Jupiter was too small to support such a system and that it would only hurt Jupiter. Rand and later Leda had held the same opinion.

Naffid continued to be a source of frustration to her family. He fought their rule at every turn with every possible method. Why the people of his city continued to elect him was beyond her.

Leda tried to keep her emotions in check. It was one thing to go after her. After all, she had received formal training in government. She found it hard not to take it personally that he had gone after Paul through his cronies.

‘The man must be fuming,’ she reflected, if Benedict’s report of the meeting was correct. Paul was handling things with far more credit than Naffid thought he would.

She reviewed the tasks she had left to do at the palace. The most pressing one were done. If she was honest, the others could wait a few days or more for her attention. With an idea already brewing, she called for her assistant so they could begin to make plans.


Part III The shower did make him feel better. Most of his frustration had faded by the time he sat down to make his call. His wife’s face was a welcomed sight. “How did it go today?” Leda asked. Paul shook his head. “I honestly don’t know how you have dealt with these meetings. All the bickering and posturing! It’s maddening.” “Naffid is up to his usual tricks, I see.” “How did you know?” Leda smiled. “It’s not hard to guess. The first Council I attended was horrible, mainly because of him. He and his allies challenged everything I did. Not that he has gotten much better over the years. What is he complaining about now?” “The new bridge and the hospital improvements. Mayor Espesito actually had the gall to say that Edelburg was being overlooked and requested money for a new golf course.” “A golf course? You can’t be serious!” “I wish I was joking, Leda. Benedict is probably still out there doing damage control.” “Damage control? Damage control over what?” Paul sighed. “Benedict felt I was a little sharp when I pointed out the ridiculousness of Mayor’s Espesito’s complaint and proposal.” “Were you?” “Probably,” he admitted. “Then let Benedict do what he feels is necessary. I doubt he will do anything that will undermine you or your authority, Paul.” “Authority? What authority? Most of the mayors feel that I’m just a stand-in for you.” “Stop it,” Leda ordered. “Don’t talk like that.” “Why not? They have a point.” “Paul, there was a reason why I wanted our wedding to occur before the coronation. I wanted you to be my equal, the Prince of Jupiter, not my consort. You have authority. Don’t let Naffid or anyone else lead you to believe otherwise.” She had all but said, “You’re the Prince of Jupiter so act like it.” The thought made him smile. “I’ll try, love. Now, how are things going there?” “Fairly well,” she replied, “although there is still a lot to do. I guess it will help me keep my mind off how much I miss you.” “Maybe I’ll try that, too. Only a couple more days, three tops. Then I’ll be home.” “I’ll be waiting with bells on.” “Only bells on?” She laughed. “We’ll see.” A voice called in the distance. Leda turned from the screen and nodded. When she turned back, all traces of laughter were gone. “I have to go, Paul. Call me tomorrow night?” “I promise.” With a final smile, he watched as Leda’s face faded from the screen. She had been right to remind him that he was now the Prince of Jupiter. It was time for him to get use to this new authority. It was also time for him to put it to good use. * * * * * “How did your damage control fare?” Benedict smiled. “I see that you have spoken with your husband, Your Highness.” “Yes,” Leda replied, “I just finished talking with him. I understand that Naffid is causing some conflicts.” “I believe is trying to see how far he can get with the Prince. He’s frustrated because he is not getting far.” The two shared a grin. “As for damage control, all I said was that the Prince truly wants what is best for Jupiter and that Edelburg may benefit more by a new arts center than a golf course.” “And how did that go across?” “Outside of Mayor Naffid and his closer associates, very well. The Prince is quickly becoming very well-liked among the mayors.” “I’m glad to hear that, Benedict. Please continue to do what you can to help him.” Benedict bowed. “It will be my pleasure, Your Highness.” “Thank you.” And with that, the Princess was gone. He would have to discuss the possibility of an arts center for Edelburg with the Prince in the morning. Thankfully that was the most pressing issue. But who knew what Naffid had planned for tomorrow. With that less than reassuring thought, he went to bed. * * * * * Leda stared at the blank screen. She mulled over her conversations with both Paul and Benedict. For such brief conversations, there was a lot to mull. She was glad that Paul was holding his own against Naffid and his cronies. It was also welcomed news that he was becoming well-liked among the other mayors. Many were normal people willing to serve their towns and districts and saw no reason why to objection to the marriage of their Princess to her childhood friend. Naffid had seen himself as a potential suitor to Princess Lita after the death of her first husband. Her rejection of him for the captain of the royal guard had stung the young mayor’s pride. It was a slight he had not forgotten. Seeing that avenue for the throne blocked, he had gone a different way. He and a few other mayors began to consider themselves as almost nobility. Lita fought the idea, refusing again and again to bestow any formal titles of rank. She had felt that Jupiter was too small to support such a system and that it would only hurt Jupiter. Rand and later Leda had held the same opinion. Naffid continued to be a source of frustration to her family. He fought their rule at every turn with every possible method. Why the people of his city continued to elect him was beyond her. Leda tried to keep her emotions in check. It was one thing to go after her. After all, she had received formal training in government. She found it hard not to take it personally that he had gone after Paul through his cronies. ‘The man must be fuming,’ she reflected, if Benedict’s report of the meeting was correct. Paul was handling things with far more credit than Naffid thought he would. She reviewed the tasks she had left to do at the palace. The most pressing one were done. If she was honest, the others could wait a few days or more for her attention. With an idea already brewing, she called for her assistant so they could begin to make plans.


Power Play--Part 4 Chronicles Main Page