Charlotte & Nate (Royals of Valleria #4) by Marianne Knightly Page A

coming; as the man tasked with reviewing unemployment numbers each month and tracking how many new jobs were created, he should have seen the pattern emerging.
     
    Of course, if workers that didn’t exist were part of Tim’s numbers, and he knew about it, he could easily be involved in the embezzlement. Nate made a mental note to have Marcello check on Tim’s finances.
     
    Byron crossed his arms over his chest and spoke in his characteristic high voice. “We’ve come to see how the budget’s coming along.”
     
    Nate raised an eyebrow; not even a proper address, either? Nate had to admit, he didn’t like all the fuss that went with being a royal, but basic respect was something he demanded from everyone. “You’re forgetting something, Byron.”
     
    Byron raised his own brow. “And just what is that?”
     
    Nate remained standing, half-leaning against his desk in a show of power. “You’ve forgotten your place. You didn’t bow to me when you entered, nor did you address me properly just now. That does not make me very amenable to whatever it is you’re here to ask for.”
     
    Byron scoffed. “You shouldn’t even be on the Royal Council, in my opinion.”
     
    Nate merely smiled; hadn’t he heard that all before? “It’s a good thing your opinion carries such little weight. Particularly right now.”
     
    “Wait,” Tim began in his gravelly voice, “we didn’t mean any disrespect, Your Highness. We honestly came to see how the budget was coming along.”
     
    Nate took a seat behind his desk and steepled his hands, a move he’d learned from his father. “And?”
     
    Just as Byron was about to speak, Tim held up a hand to halt him and spoke instead. “We also wanted to know how our agencies would fare in the new budget, Sir. If we’re going to restructure, we’d like to know ahead of time.”
     
    Nate considered the pair over the rim of his fingers. They were fishing for information and, based on what he’d heard from Alex and others, this was nothing new. Alex had warned Nate early on in his tenure not to give anything away. It was best if all was revealed to everyone at the same time, and Nate had to agree. “You’ll find out the same time the rest of the Royal Council will. There are a few days left until the next Council meeting. I’m sure you’ll have no trouble waiting until then. Perhaps your manners will have improved by then as well.”
     
    Byron scoffed. “Hardly surprising, Sir , that you’re in over your head. You should just ask the other ministers for help in creating the budget. It’s unconscionable that in today’s day and age one Minister decides it all.”
     
    “That’s interesting, Byron. I never seemed to recall you felt so antagonistic towards my predecessor, Calvin, but perhaps I was mistaken.”
     
    Byron’s fair face turned a shade of bright red. “I don’t have to sit here and listen to this.”
     
    “Then don’t,” Nate said easily. “There’s the door. If you need to meet with me about anything else, make an appointment with my assistant. I assure you, I won’t be as hospitable the next time you barge into my office.” Byron harrumphed and stormed out, again without a bow or respectful address.
     
    Tim sighed and stood up. “I apologize, Your Highness. Byron’s just worried about what the next budget could mean. We all are, I suppose. There are rumours.”
     
    Nate narrowed his eyes. With Byron in charge of immigration, and Tim in charge of labor reporting, there was a chance they could be working together, if they were involved at all. He would need to tread carefully. “There are always rumours, Tim. You never seemed to notice them much before.”
     
    “Times change, Your Highness.” This time, Tim bowed before he left the room.
     
    Alone again, Nate pondered the ridiculous meeting he’d just had. Byron certainly wasn’t the first to think Nate shouldn’t have this job, but he was one of the first to vocalize it to his face. Was