3
I entered the Capitol Cabinet Chambers just behind my father, as I had many times since being designated his heir at age fifteen. Instead of taking the chair behind his left shoulder, I strode to a new chair a third of the way down the long, mahogany table.
The move riveted the Cabinet's attention; I felt their gazes upon me. Silence settled upon the room. The Cabinet consisted of four groups: the Ministers of each ministry, the Chief Justices of the three judicial directorates, the Speakers of the four legislative houses, and five Captains of Industry. I had the feeling Father hadn't discussed his intentions with them.
Father swung around at the head of the table, his eyes moving from face to face before he took his own chair. A smile touched his eyes. He slid into his chair, nodding
