Every Thursday the Monarch of Eria holds an audience with their First Minister, where they gives promulgation to passed legislations, and freely discusses the state of the realm. Senior members of the government or invited guests may appear in these audiences.
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Palácio Real de Sa Marcu, 17-09-2026
As the giant pendulum clock in the King’s study chimed for the twelfth hour in the afternoon, Manuel V d’Eria, King of Eria, laid down the dossier on his hand onto the table. He then reached for a brass spoon filled with hot wax to his side, and poured it on the dossier’s front page, near the title ‘Third Quarter Security Budget Adjustment’. He then pressed the spilled red wax down with a wooden stamp, embossing the royal crest that signifies his assent.
“That should do it,” commented First Minister Miguel a Pereira with a satisfied smile.
The First Minister sat opposite of the King, a tall but frail-looking middle-aged man with neatly combed grey hair and long moustache. His smile then vanished into his usual placcid expression as he secured the stamped document into a blue filing box.
“I would love to see those 2 billion Livre be put to real actions by the Police, Mr. Pereira,” Manuel remarked as he saw the file disappear amidst a dozen other papers.
“All in good time, Sir,” the First Minister set aside the filing box, before fiddling with his tie.
The young King, barely into his first year on the throne, had met the First Minister more than a dozen times. They were supposed to meet every week, but for most of those audiences, the First Minister’s agenda was filled, and short but curtly letters were sent to the palace in his stead.
“I heard the debate is gaining momentum in the Third Estate, over your colleague’s proposal? The one that adds a new tax bracket for landowners?” said the King while combing his brown curly hair. Even though he’s of average height, his brown eyes still need to look up to return the First Minister’s gaze.
“Yes, the brainchild of Lúa and Rodrigo. It’s still wreaking havoc through the Solidez’s ranks, if that’s what you’re insinuating, Your Majesty. But don’t worry, we don’t expect it to pass, at least not for now,” the First Minister explained nonchalantly.
“Why? I thought your party wanted this proposal to pass, since it’s one of your promises?” asked the King, bemused.
“Oh, don’t take me the wrong way, Sir, but this first proposal is at its most extreme form and is pretty much impossible to pass through the Third Estate. It’s a red herring for the Solidez, essentially, we hope that after this radical proposal is put down, a watered-down version would be much more acceptable to them,” the First Minister began collecting his stationery from the tabletop.
“And the Reformista is in on this plan?” asked the King.
The First Minister raised his shoulder. “Well that’s at least the plan of the Committee. Lúa, Rodrigo, and the rest of the radicals genuinely believe this proposal can pass. To be frank, they’re new in the Council Hall, and also in the party, so I can tolerate their naivety.”
“The First and Second Estate ghosted your coalition, I guess, judging from the news?” continued the King.
The First Minister gave a slight frown while observing his watch. “Are you in a rush, Mr. Pereira? I hope I don’t detain you from your work,” said the King.
“Oh, no, no, I have an interview with a junior journalist from the Herald after this. Anyway, actually, none of our Councillors and party members reached out to the other Estates as of now, so it’s not really ghosting. We just haven’t had the chance to talk yet,” the First Minister rose from his seat and offered his hand.
The King stood up and took the First Minister’s hand, before walking him to the door of his study.
“Speaking of the news, I heard the Herald is busy with their regeneration program?” asked the King.
The First Minister nodded. “Vítor officially started his pension last week, though I have a strong feeling the old man still wishes to stay with the Morning Herald. His replacement is with me now, actually, Oliver Xaime. He’s the one that will interview me after this. I reckon since the Herald is on the way to the palace, he could go on the ride with me.”
“Speaking of the devil-” the First Minister remarked after he opened the door. A tall man in his late twenties, even taller than the First Minister, stood up from a brass bench in the gilded corridor outside the study. He brushed his curly black hair before giving a polite bow to them both.
“And you must be Mr. Xaime? It’s a pleasure to meet you,” greeted the King, looking upward to the olive-hued face of the Journalist.
“The pleasure is all mine, Sir. It’s a great privilege to be allowed this deep into the Palace and to see you in person,” answered the Journalist.
“You are very much welcome here, Mr. Xaime, though it’s tough luck to go pass through Lord Nicolau, the Chamberlain. He didn’t even let me invite my old friends from college unless they filled in the Visitor List a week before. I barely meet any of my peers as of late,” remarked the King.
“I’ve heard of the Lord Chamberlain, the Grand Old Man of the Palácio Real, as I heard people here refer to him. I certainly feel-”
“I’m really sorry to cut this introduction off, Your Majesty, Oliver, but I will have a Cabinet Meeting in two hours, so if the Herald still wishes to have my opinions printed on tomorrow’s edition, I suggest we should leave His Majesty to his other duties for now,” cut the First Minister while observing his watch again. He gave the King a final bow before turning around and began walking with an elegant but quick pace.
“Well, it’s certainly nice to meet you, Mr. Xaime. I hope we can have more chances to have a conversation in the future,” said the King.
“I hope so, Sir. By your leave?” the Journalist gave a bow before catching up behind the First Minister.
The King observed the tall Journalist from the doorway, before breathing a sigh and coming back to his study.
Who’s who
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His Royal Majesty, Manuel V d’Eria, By the Grace of God and Will of the People, Monarch and Perpetual Defender of Eria. Manuel is the 23-years old King of Eria, enthroned since 2025. He ascended to the throne after his grandfather’s death. He was orphaned in 2018 after his parents perished in a landslide. He went to the Royal Institute of Sa Marcu and recently graduated with a degree in accounting. He has been the talk of the nation, mainly over his bachelor status.
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Miguel a Pereira, First Minister of Eria, First Lord Treasurer of Eria, Mandatary of the Third Estate, Chairman of the Reformista Party. Miguel a Pereira is the 26th First Minister of Eria, elected in 2025. A senior politician and veteran in Erian high-society, Pereira rose through the ranks of the Reformista Party in various functionary positions before being elected chairman in 2024 due to his moderate stance and wide-ranging supporters.
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Oliver Bieito Xaime is a recently promoted correspondent journalist in the Royal Herald media corp. He has had a career in investigative journalism for several years, and served as a junior correspondent in political and environmental affairs before his promotion.
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