HIS Queen, HER Billionaire

FIRST DAY ROUTINE

CHAPTER 4

Monday, two days after they arrived in Giorginia...

“Your Grace, pleasant morning.” His staff chorused to greet him as he walked in their midst.

Alik elegantly walked towards the door of his assigned office inside the palace in an expensive dark blue suit. It was his first official day as appointed Head of the Development and Finance Office of the Kingdom.

His office staff comprises fifteen personnel, from the Development Office. Another twelve were assigned to the Finance Office and his Secretariat. All in all, 30 people were under his management, excluding his security. They all lined up to greet him on his first day of work.

“Good morning, everyone." He acknowledged. A small curve was on their lips and the staff bowed their heads.

After that, he turned and entered his office.

"Alfred, I'd like a word with you, please.” He calmly greeted the head of his staff and his right-hand man for palace affairs.

He had requested the protocol’s copy ahead of time. He studied it thoroughly and prepared himself to abide, even if he couldn't avoid twitching his eyebrows at most provisions of the protocols. But it wasn't his position to contest any of it at the moment. He would abide for the best interest of the Queen.

He had a full grasp of what the Kingdom needed in terms of Development and Finance, and he planned to submit some recommendations subject to the Queen's approval and mandate from the elders and Junior council.

“Would you like me to arrange a meeting to formally meet all the staff, sir?” Alfred queried.

Alik nodded and said...

“Yes, Alfred. However, arrange it for tomorrow at 10 in the morning. Firstly, I would like you to produce a copy of my proposal. You'll find it on this USB. Proofread it first before you make the final copy. I did it in haste. In the afternoon, I would like to visit the Estate I purchased and please have them prepare Prince Elik. I will bring him with me.” He ordered.

“Yes, sir. Would you like to bring your private vehicle or palace vehicle, sir?” He asked. He knew Alik preferred to use his vehicle.

“My private vehicle. Please call my personal assistant. I would like you to work together for all my immediate needs.” He preferred his staff as they knew how to handle his needs better; however, he wouldn't want to offend anyone in the palace.

“Yes, sir. Would that be all?” Alfred was already briefed about Alik's way of handling things. His ways were far different from how the Palace handled work, but Alfred seemed to be a fast learner. Alik's people trained him while the couple was away for their honeymoon.

Alik nodded, and Alfred left him to carry on with his requirements for the day.

As Alik had reviewed all necessary developments for the Kingdom before that day. He knew that the task would be more manageable if he could install a reporting system for his use and the Queen. He had a perfect man to handle this for him. He was his long-time friend.

But before that, he had to know more about the Kingdom which they didn’t include in the reports he asked for, particularly the various protocols the Kingdom was implementing in other departments, which needed to be upgraded to suit --modern time Kingdom management.

He wouldn’t have a problem discussing it with Elisha as he knew the Queen would support his initiatives. They agreed to bring the Kingdom to glory, and together, they must work on it.

The Kingdom was so laid back in many ways, most especially in terms of technology and infrastructure. It was so rich in terms of natural resources, not to mention minerals and precious stones. That was why mining was prevalent, causing harm to the environment, especially on the outskirts, according to the reports he gathered.

He already anticipated clashes with some of the noble families. He had to think of ways to guide the Queen regarding the matter.

The kingdom itself was not so big. A round-up of 600 square miles of which the Kingdom Estate owned 60% and the other 40% were privately owned by noble families. He managed to acquire 300 hectares or more than 1 square mile from one of the nobles. The property would offer them a semblance of an ordinary family's home. He and Elisha agreed that they would spend the weekends on their property, which wouldn’t necessitate royal protocols and royal obligations. Elisha and Alik would spend it there like ordinary couples with their son Elik.

There were 30 villages directly under the Queen's control and about 50 mid-level lords (Duke, Count, and Marquis) who privately owned the rest of the properties, and Alik was now part of it.

A knock on the door stopped him from looking at the document in front of him. Alik gazed directly at the door. When it opened, he smirked.

Slowly and majestically, walking towards his desk in her light blue suit was none other than the Queen herself.

“My Queen...is this part of your protocol?” He stood up and met her halfway.

She giggled. “May I borrow some of your time, my grace?” She winked at him and pulled him to meet her lips. Unlike the ladies who would wait for the men to kiss them, Elisha beat him to the race. She kissed him first most of the time.

His brown eyes feasted on the beauty before him. “Misbehaving, huh?!” Alik uttered mockingly.

Elisha flashed her crystal blue eyes at him. “Are you complaining?” then she pouted her lips.

He chuckled and said, “Nah! I am interested in initiating the kissing. You beat me by a few seconds!”

“Tsk,” she clicked her tongue. “You’re just slow!” She teased.

“What slow are you talking about?!” Then he kissed her fervently, wrapping her in his arms as their lips locked in a heated exchange. Leaving her breathless.

She giggled after and said, “Enough, Alik,” nudging him on the side just below his ribs.

Alik laughed wickedly.

Elisha murmured, “I learned that my husband and son would have a date this afternoon without me.”

“Oh! Would you like to come with us? Isn’t your day hay wired?” He asked while he escorted her to the sofa. She snuggled on his chest.

She sighed heavily, “I'd love to, but it was going to be messy today. When will you take me there?” She asked as she looked up at him.

“I’ll see the situation later. I heard the main house is ready. I will check it first...then maybe...we can spend the weekend together in our new home.” Alik replied and let out a breath.

The house used to be a small and old castle, but Alik had it renovated and modernized. He preserved the castle's exterior, but the renovations inside the castle gave the interior a touch of modernity. He updated the furniture, installed panel windows; carpets were replaced with wood panels and bought modern appliances. He expected the renovated castle to have a vibe of a modern home inside.

“Awesome! I should leave now. I had them prepare Elik. Your lunch will be served in a while, but I can’t join you. I have a lunch appointment with the elders,” Elisha announced. Then she stole a brief kiss, which Alik caught and made it deeper, locking their lips longer.

He gazed at her tenderly and murmured, “I will see you tonight.”

She nodded.

“Enjoy the trip to Weston Estate.” She said while Alik escorted her to the door.

“Thank you. Love you!” He remarked in between kisses.

“Love you too. Bye!” She winked at him before she exited the door. Alik remained standing at the open door as he gazed at the back while she walked gracefully away from him.

He smirked while reminiscing about their past. The mischievous Queen applied as his secretary to see him again three years before they met. She prepared coffee for him, took down notes, washed his dishes, and put up with his mean and intimidating attitude. She had hidden her identity so well. He found out her identity after another three years when she reappeared in his life. Their separation broke his heart and made him feel an emotion closer to hate. But despite the hardships both of them suffered, it was all worth it in the end. Even if he was stripped of his power, it didn’t matter to him as long as she remained by his side.

The voice of his assistant, Alfred, broke his brief trance.

“Sir, Jack is already here,” Alfred announced.

Alik turned and walked back to his desk. Alfred followed him.

“All right, let me sign all these papers. Let’s have a briefing over lunch. Join me.”

Alfred gawked at the intent of Alik to let his assistants join him for lunch. It had never happened before, as far as Alfred could recall. Alik noticed his reaction and understood why he was so surprised.

“Alfred! The Duke intended to have his business matters handled over lunch. Don’t worry about the protocols.” He uttered smugly.

Alfred nodded. He knew it was against the protocol, but it was the Duke’s order; therefore, they had to abide.

Kingdom protocols... Those were part of what Alik and Elisha wanted to change.

What would it take to convert old beliefs to progressive ones? He intends to find out as soon as possible.