Be My Princess: Wilfred A. Spencer (COMPLETED)

(Princess Sequel) Chapter 8

The day after the cabinet meeting shakeup. Claude arranged for an emergency press conference to be held in a Philip Castle press conference hall. Prince Wilfred stepped up on stage to facing throngs of reporters and citizens.

(Wilfred...)

Wilfred: "Thank you for taking the time to join us today."

When Prince Wilfred spoke up in the hall swiftly fell silent.

Wilfred: "There's something I wish to report to you all. The fact is..."

He started going into the entire sequence of events. The taxes, the shipping fees... and the misdeeds of the three ministers.

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Before the conference began. Prince Wilfred took to hold of my hand as we headed for the conference hall. His hand was cold... and his expression, surprisingly stiff.

Regina: "Wilfred...?"

I asked in concern. He brought the hand as he held up to himself as looking overwhelmed.

Wilfred: "Regina..."

Then he embraced me... and I could hear his hearbeat. It was pounding away at a breakneck pace. It showed me the anxiety and nervousness he couldn't put into words.

Regina: "We all trust in you, Wilfred... Claude, His Majesty, and everyone."

I said as returning his embrace tightly.

Regina: "You'll be fine. No matter what comes of this, I'm with you all the way."

His expression slowly started to relax... and I saw a hint of a smile curling at the corners of his lips.

Wilfred: "You're right... thanks."

After he holding me tight for one more moment... he released me and started walking again. With his usual dispassionate look.

(You can do it, Wilfred...)

I was on pins and needles... as I watched Prince Wilfred explain the sequence of events from close by. The people were shocked at his telling and a murmur ran through the audience.

Wilfred: "In light of all of this, the three ministers in question have been dismissed from the office."

Wilfred: "We're still considering how to deal with the accessories to these crimes, Minister Adolph included."

Wilfred: "I must apologize deeply for our failure to prevent all of this from happening."

He finished his speech as he took one step back and he gave a low bow of his head. He was enveloped in a barrage of camera flashes. And questions started coming in rapidfire from the reporters present.

Reporter A: "When did you first discover this?"

Reporter B: "Did such blatant misdeeds from these ministers really go on right under the noses of the royal family?"

Prince Wilfred stood at his microphone and addressed the questions with all due gravity.

Wilfred: "I discovered it within this past month."

Wilfred: "As you say, we bear responsibility for our failure to notice this sooner."

Reporter A: "Can you be more specific about what will come of this?"

Wilfred: "I'll start with a review of all currents tax rates, agricultural ones included."

Wilfred: "And I'll enact a temporary freeze..."