“Thank you for providing such informative reports,” Sean said with another polite smile at the assembled group. “I do have two items of my own that I would like to add to our agenda. First, I would like to discuss the possibility of founding a new hospital in honor of my parents, perhaps in an area of the country which could use a boost to the local healthcare system.”
There was a round of murmuring among the ministers, but it seemed mostly positive, and an actual argument broke out between two of the regional governors who seemed eager to claim the hospital for their area.
“That’s very generous of you, Prince Mishaan.” Sheik Majid somehow made the observation sound like an insult. “Are you proposing to pay for it yourself, or will the people of Akkadia foot the bill for you to immortalize your parents, who did nothing for this country?”
“Are you suggesting there is no money in Akkadia’s coffers to help improve the lives of its people by providing better healthcare regardless of whose name is on the building?” Sean’s polite smile never wavered, and his tone was bland as he met Majid’s gaze.
It took a lot of effort for Bash to keep his expression from betraying his delight in Sean’s answer. He never expected sweet Sean to have such a knack for vicious comebacks, but there it was. From what he could see, several of the ministers were shocked, and others, especially Tawfiq, looked at Sean with both respect and approval.
Majid raised a brow, seeming surprised by the response. “Perhaps I feel there are people more worthy of the honor,” he said.
Sean leaned his chin on his hand and regarded Majid with bright-eyed curiosity. “I’d love to know whose name you think is more worthy than that of the king’s own son.”
The silence that fell over the room was so complete, Bash thought he’d suddenly gone deaf. Every eye in the room was on Majid now, as though everyone sensed this was a critical juncture. Majid was a force to be reckoned with, but now he was being schooled that Sean’s will matched his own. Bash found his right hand creeping toward his holstered weapon, just in case Majid did something foolish.
The sheik had gone rigid at Sean’s reply, and for the space of perhaps thirty seconds, Majid and Sean locked gazes. But whatever Majid might have wanted to do when he’d first walked into the chambers, either humiliate or intimidate Sean, he was finding it far more difficult than he expected.
A gleam of fury flared in Majid’s eyes, but then he inclined his head, awarding Sean at least a temporary victory. “I concede your point, Prince Mishaan,” he replied.
The tension in the room ratcheted down a few thousand percent, and Bash heard more than one breath expelled in relief.
Tawfiq spoke up into the ensuing silence. “As Minister of Health, I am delighted with the idea, my Prince. I am more than willing to share with you the statistics on the various regions within the country so you can help select the area you think is most in need of the hospital.” He flashed a look at the two governors who’d been arguing before. “I’m certain everyone will realize what an honor it is, and their neighbors will be happy for their good fortune.”
“I’ll have an assistant schedule a meeting with you,” Sean said, his smile turning warmer when he looked at Tawfiq. “I welcome the opportunity to collaborate with you on the endeavor.”
“As do I, my Prince.” Tawfiq smiled back. “You said you had two items?”
“I do.” Sean glanced around the table again. “Although my grandfather’s health has much improved, I’m still quite anxious to find those responsible for the attack against him. While they remain at large, I doubt anyone in this room is truly safe. Who knows what other targets or motives they may have? Therefore, I would ask if any of you possess or uncover any information about the person or persons responsible, you share it with me immediately. I don’t think I’m overstating the case when I say the stability of our country could be at stake.”
Again, silence fell across the table, and more than one person shot a glare at Majid. Apparently, his own suspicions were shared by some of Majid’s contemporaries, but that was hardly a smoking gun. Bash needed more to go on.
Tawfiq spoke up once more. “Of course, my prince. We all wish to discover who has so heinously assaulted our king and to see them brought to justice.”
There were murmurs of agreement from around the table. Interestingly enough, Bash caught a quick, almost furtive glance directed at Jamil Al Daoud by Majid. It wasn’t obvious if the two were allies or enemies, and Jamil didn’t so much as blink in Majid’s direction. Bash made a note to find out what he could about the relationship between the two men.
“Excellent! Then we’re all in agreement.” Sean clapped his hands together as if he was quite pleased. “It’s my fervent hope that justice will be served in the name of our king as soon as possible.”
“Of course, my prince,” Tawfiq replied, bowing his head in respect.
Mansur spoke up for the first time. “If anyone is hesitant to approach Prince Mishaan, you are always free to see me, and I will make certain to give the information to the prince at once.”
“Indeed, you may count on my esteemed uncle as a point of contact if I’m unavailable,” Sean said as he pushed back his chair and rose to his feet. “For now, we are adjourned. Good morning, gentlemen.”
All the councilors rose as well, and all of them bowed to Sean, though with varying degrees of respect. Then they filed out, and Bash heard the murmur of conversation among them as they left the chamber.
Once the council members had departed, the guards closed the doors. Mansur inclined his head to Sean. “Well done, nephew,” he said, a slight smile curving his lips.
“Thanks,” Sean said, the tension in his shoulders easing as he released a slow breath. “It wasn’t so different from meetings I’ve had with colleagues and hospital administrators, except none of them were trying to kill me.”
“Politics of any sort is a brutal business,” Bash said. He was glad Sean had come through the experience so well, but he could see the toll it had taken on him. “Lunch in your suite, perhaps? That way, you can relax in peace.”
“I’d like that.” Sean gave him a grateful smile, which Bash returned.
Mansur cleared his throat, shooting Bash a disapproving look. “Take care, both of you,” he said, then walked toward the door.
“Spoilsport,” Bash muttered, glaring at Mansur’s retreating back. Then he gave Sean a respectful vow. “If you will, my prince,” he said, gesturing toward the door.
“I have to admit, I like hearing you call me that,” Sean said, flashing a wicked grin before heading to the door.
