As the sun hung high in the sky Nathaniel stopped at the entrance of his place of work which was the Balishmire Palace. The Balishmire Palace is the resistance and administrative headquarters of the king of Fedondria and has been for thousands of years. It took him another train ride and a cab to get there, but he still made it and right on time when the sun was at the perfect angle to see the Balishmire Palace shine in all its glory.
The palace is massive the land it covers alone spans hundreds of acres. People aren't allowed to build near it but the city can still be seen in the distance. The palace has a baroque architecture style that is rarely seen on any of the other buildings in the city. The palace is also one of the few places that doesn't have a hint of the popular industrial-style framework embedded in its architecture. The palace is mostly constructed of wood, stone, and marble with iron being the scarcest item on the premise. Most if not all elements that required iron was replaced with copper or any other metal during its construction.
Though Nathaniel did love his homeland mainly because he grew up there and rarely traveled anywhere else. He wasn't bursting with patriotism whenever he arrived in front of the Balishmire Palace which is the highest house of power in the land. What Nathaniel felt every time he arrived at the Balishmire Palace was overwhelmingly glee and satisfaction. The Balishmire Palace is a place overflowing with history and Nathaniel loves history very much that's why he loves this place.
There are so many major and obscure pieces of information surrounding the place that even Nathaniel with his obsession for the stuff couldn't possibly cover all of it. That's why whenever he encounters someone new to the stuff he goes easy on the facts before dropping a few bombshells to keep people interested. Like how the Balishmire Palace had its name changed several times because the eighth king of Fedondria, King Vicor S. Ferrise was dissatisfied with the previous one. The Palace became known what it is known now after Vicor decided to name the Palace after his horse a fact that was almost thoroughly buried in history.
Another interesting tidbit that Nathaniel likes to share is that though it is publicized that the palace is 2000 years old the palace as it currently is was constructed only 200 years ago. That's because in leshman culture people rarely destroy historic or any other kinds of symbolic landmarks. Instead, people build around them and incorporate it into the new structure. Many people have forgotten that fact but that is mostly the reason why the Balishmire Palace is, so stupidly large. The palace has been reconstructed 5 times and is currently resting on top of the bones of the previous palaces that laid the ground for its foundation.
Nathaniel walked into the palace ground's unimpeded. There were dozens of guards all around the palace dressed in black suits with a silver overlaying pattern. Each one that saw him only gave him a glance before snapping back into position. Nathaniel had been coming here practically every day for decades and with him being a senior member of the board of treasurers he had some privileges. Not having to show his documents to every person he walked by being one.
With the palace grounds being, so large it was a bit of a walk before Nathaniel reached the east wing of the palace where the treasury department along with a few others was located. There Nathaniel passed through two heavy wooden doors that were under a large archway. Inside rows of people dressed nicely in business attire speed-walked to and from every direction. Nathaniel blended in with those mindless drones easily it was second nature to him at this point.
Knowing that his time in this place was soon coming Nathaniel couldn't help but wonder how he would feel once he was finally gone. He questioned if he would miss anyone here and came to the conclusion that nope he wouldn't. To be frank, working in the government was hell on earth. Nathaniel himself questioned why he even chose this job in the first place because every day since when he first started as an intern was basically him kissing ass. Even when he finally got fully hired and after years of service was promoted he was still kissing someone's ass and he was tired of it absolutely done. Nathaniel would like to tell people to work hard, be honest, and things will get better but that just wasn't true. Nathaniel figured out that in order to succeed you got to play the same game everyone else was playing. That means working hard but just not in an honest way.
As luck would have it one of the greatest keys to Nathaniel's success story to become a senior treasurer was actually walking down the hall in front of him. It was a fat man whose beer belly hung over his waist stretching out his single-breasted vest to the max just like his large thighs were doing to his pants. An ornate top hat rested on his head covering the bald spot he doesn't like to show anyone. That man-like Nathaniel is a Senior Treasurer of The Board of Treasury and was known as Laurence Blair.
Laurence as he was walking down the hallway spotted Nathaniel walking towards him immediately averted his gaze and turned into a different hallway. Nathaniel saw all that and snickered because though he wouldn't miss anyone in the palace he would miss the good times he had with Laurence. Laurence though he had a similar standing as Nathaniel always acted the way he did when he saw Nathaniel was because Nathaniel had dirt on him and had been abusing him for years. The information Nathaniel had on Laurence wasn't small either because of what he knows Nathaniel could have Laurence along with his entire family killed any day of the week if he chooses.
Laurence's life is in Nathaniel's hands and Nathaniel used that to assist in him becoming a senior treasurer as well as help ensure a few votes go his way when needed. Nathaniel traversed the hallway riding the high of seeing Laurence fleeing at the sight of him gave him all the way to his private office. To get to his office Nathaniel had to pass by the cubicles of a few other accountants in the area. They greeted him as nicely as possible because he was their boss while he waved them all off to continue their work. It was hard for Nathaniel to still pretend like he cared for his job so he tried keeping interactions to a minimum. As Nathaniel approached his office doors his secretary called out to him.
"Mr. Hawkins I have something to inform you about".
His secretary was an average-looking man that didn't stand out at all. Nathaniel chose him as his secretary because he was good enough and because he didn't want to fall into the death trap that came with sleeping with your secretary. A growing problem that was common in his line of work.
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Nathaniel glance over towards the secretary and asked, "what is it, Clark?".
"The head treasurer Mr. Lothar Goudier in inside your office right now".
Nathaniel was greatly annoyed by this information because Lothar was one of the last people he ever wants to see ever again. Out of everyone, he knew Lothar was the most dissatisfied by his quick climb up the ranks and he has been making Nathaniel's life miserable ever since then. Lothar doesn't even hide his detest about that fact because there is nothing he can do to change the decision that was made so releases his frustration out openly was his only outlet. Which often resulted in Nathaniel taking the brunt of the impact forever little thing that goes wrong.
Though his boss doesn't like him Nathaniel can not be easily fired because the position of senior treasurer is one that is held for life. There are only 9 senior treasurers ever at a time with Lothar included and to become a senior treasurer you need to receive a majority vote by those 9 members. The head treasurer usually never gets a vote he only gets to vote when a tie needs to be broken. To ensure things stayed like that Nathaniel worked his ass off making sure he got 5 votes. It was a dirty victory but it was his win none the less. Now he has to once again bask in the rewards.
As he prepared to enter Nathaniel looked at Clark and told him, "cancel all scheduled appointments today. Unless the worlds on fire and people are dying don't bother me or let anyone in".
This wasn't the first time Clark had received such an order so he did what he was told without much of a fuss and let Nathaniel be on his way. Ready to get his surprise meeting over with Nathaniel opened his huge black double doors and slammed them close behind him. Nathaniel's office wasn't small it looked more like a luxury suite at a world class fancy hotel than an office.
His office floor was black marble with streaks of white a stark contrast from the white marble used outside. The pillars in the room were made of the same material. Each pillar didn't reach the sealing they supported the second floor of Nathaniel's office that consisted of a study room, library, bathroom, and other such amenities. The staircase leading to the second floor was made of real silver and gold like the railing on the second floor. The room was brought to life by the exotic plants that sparsely decorated the room. The unique flora paired well with the leather furniture in the room used to comfort guests.
Nathaniel's unwanted guest Mr. Lothar was sitting in such a seat by his large heavy desk crafted completely out of ironwood. Ironwood is one of the hardest and highest quality types of wood in the world but it's not the best out there. Ironwood's durability is equal to that of iron but it's a bit lighter and still shares the same weakness almost all kinds of wood has which is fire. Fedondria used to be the top exporter of that type of wood before it was deemed to rare and valuable making it an exotic item that only the wealthy could afford.
Lothar who sat by this desk was an old man who had more wrinkles than one could possibly count. He had bags under his eyes with dark moles scattered on his body. The top of his head was bald it shined in the light as though it was freshly waxed. The sides of his head were short grey disheveled hair that connected with his thick grey beard that was braided into three knots. Lothar's clothes were more like robes similar to a judge's. The clothes were mostly black with a gold trim. His clothes weren't baggy they fit perfectly and didn't drag on the floor.
Though old Lothar didn't radiate weakness his eyes were as sharp as a knife. His lean physique showed a bit under his robes. Just by sitting, Lothar displayed the confidence and charisma that you would find hard to find in a thousand men. Some of which was obscured behind the resting scowl on his face that made him look angry and unsatisfied.
Lothar turned to look at Nathaniel and said plainly, "you're late I thought I was going to have to wait here forever. Do you not know the importance of your job? Do you think you can just come and go as you please? This is the Balishmire Palace home of our country's proud and rightful king, not some pub you can laze around in. There are certain things expected of you while you work hear proper time management is one of them".
Nathaniel looked unfazed by Lothar's words but was secretly seething inside. He wanted to squeeze the life out of Lothar and tear him apart but those fantasies were just the wet dreams he has and knows better than to act on. Having gone through this many times already Nathaniel expertly kept his emotion hidden as he replied, "late I don't think so? If you look at the clock I'm 23 minutes early".
"You usually come an hour early. Consistency is good Mr. Hawkins it lets people see you as reliable. Better yet it lets people live on not have to waste their lives waiting for you".
Nathaniel felt a throbbing pain in his brain as a vein burst shouting in his mind, 'I only come to work early because you wouldn't get off my ass for months about being 5 minutes late one time'.
There were many things Nathaniel wanted to say and do Lothar but couldn't. He could only suck it up and be the bigger man. While keeping a calm expression Nathaniel made his way towards his desk and sat in his chair with his hands clasped in front of himself across from Lothar. The two eyed each other down a bit as they leaned back in their seats.
The temperature in the room dropped a couple of degrees as the two had a silent battle with their eyes Nathaniel broke the ice and continued the conversation, "So, to what do I owe the pleasure to this visit. If it was for business you could have just sent anyone down here so it must be for pleasure. Could it be you're here to invite me for a stroll through The Bone Yard? There's an execution going on there today so we will have quite the show as we parade around like young lovers".
Nathaniel had a nasty smirk shown clear as day on his face while the disgruntled Lothar was furious.
"Do not speak to me in such a way Nathaniel I am your superior, not your friend. I thought a man with an eidetic memory would be able to recall that fact but it appears I've been sourly mistaken. If you want to go on a stroll through The Bone Yard then you can do so alone you should be used to playing with yourself so this should be no problem.".
Nathaniel honestly didn't expect Lothar to snap back at him so hard since he was more traditional than most but even an old dog can learn new tricks he supposed. Lothar continuing with what he was saying, "the reason I'm here is because the end of the year is nearing, so the Joint yearly funding for The World Navy must be provided. My recent review shows that we are short. The funding for the year of 2197 can't be stalled to circumvent this problem I need you to make a few cuts in your department".
Nathaniel gave Lothar an odd look as he muttered, "you got to be kidding me I already made those cuts to do more I'll have to take away from critical places like hospital in particular. A department we kind of need running at full efficiency right now. The cuts I made before should have been more than enough how do we still require more?".
"We just do, so stop questioning and start finding the money. Also get it done within the next 3 weeks Zepher has returned and his presence always means a huge bill for us to solve".
"3 Weeks how much money are you looking for me to find in just 3 weeks".
"Not much just 10 billion skrill".
"Ten! since when is 10 billion skrill not a lot of money that's almost a quarter of what we use to fund our army".
"This is what your job entails, so get it done and don't disappoint me further Mr. Hawkins".
With his business there done Lothar left without another word because further interaction than what was necessary would dirty him. The door slammed loudly behind him and once it did Nathaniel said without restraint the words that he was holding back, "FUCK YOU!".