As Alexis opened the gifts, the King whispered to the maids to bring them all tea instead of wine, as they were planning to leave within the hour.
He hadn't been joking about things at home becoming chaotic when he was away too long. When bureaucrats had decades to consolidate power, they tended to forget that they were employees of the crown and not ranking Nobles ruling over their departments.
Leaving them unattended, with only messages back and forth, was giving them ideas about how much they could get away with, and it was time for him to go back and deal with some of the reports he had received about certain members of his staff overstepping their bounds.
"I must say, it's been a pleasure to see how well the region has been developed under your guidance, Duke Wavemates. I look forward to seeing what you can do for Stansia Province in the near future," the King began, signalling that it was time to leave.
"It has been my honour.
