I knock on the door and hear a 'come in.' Samuel is sitting cross-legged at his desk, turned towards me.
"Well?" He asks, a light smirk on his face.
"Well.... there is this one nice and awkward girl, she seems to be struggling..." I fidget as I speak, not comfortable telling on the poor girl. He raises an eyebrow.
"Sounds like you. Now... what is this girl doing?"
I sigh in defeat. "Stealing."
"WHAT is she stealing, precisely?"
"Eggs... and a couple potatoes."
He sits in silence for a minute, as though contemplating what to do. I feel for the girl, but I also know what she did could get her in a lot of trouble. Even if it is such a small and petty crime, where she stole from is a serious offense. Samuel stands up from his desk and motions for a nearby maid.
"Cecilia, what was the girl's name?"
"I didn't catch it," I pause, "she was the egg girl though."
"Alright. Thank you for bringing this matter to me, Cecilia. Alice, bring me the egg girl."
It takes but a few minutes for Alice to return with the girl. I look away as she appears, awkwardly.
"Are you the egg girl?" He asks, as though verifying.
"Y-yes, your highness."
"Are you aware stealing is a crime?"
"Yes, your highness." She says, a sad note in her voice.
"I must inform you, your duty will end then. Affective immediately. You are dismissed." He motions to Alice again, and she walks over to his side to await his command. He waits until the girl is gone before he speaks again. "Alice, what is her background?"
"She is a peasant who takes care of her two brothers. Her parents worked in the factory that had the malfunction two years ago, and the kids have been on their own since. Your highness."
"Alright, thank you. Send her and her two brothers food to cover them for the rest of the month, that should help them get by as she looks for a new job elsewhere." Alice nods in kind, and takes that as her cue to leave. I stand beside the door still, a little stunned at the speed of the process. A cocky grin spreads across his face and he raises an eyebrow once again. "What? Did you think I was going to arrest her? Or were you hoping I was going to ignore this incident?"
"I..." I don't know how to respond. He did handle the situation better than I was worried he would. He sighs, and his expression softens.
"Look... I am not that cruel, okay? I may be a prick, but I can play nice. I have to rule a kingdom someday, you know?" He chuckles. "I noticed about a month ago there were portions that have been disappearing in the books. She has been at this for a while now, I can't let her off just because I can afford it. Others would notice, and it could make our power be questioned, or the crime rate within the palace could increase." What he says makes sense. I nod, but stay quiet. "Alright, next time do you prefer I handle it after a day without you as a witness? Would that make you feel better?"
"Yes, that probably would be better. I know I must report to you, but..." I look away, feeling like an idiot. Maybe I'm too soft afterall.
"But you don't want to be a snitch? That's fine, I get it. Thank you for informing me of the situation. I will be more mindful in the future." I look back at him and he's smiling at me. He can be quite attractive sometimes, when he's not being annoying. "Deal?"
I nod again. "Deal."