Hearing that you're enjoying the story REALLY makes my day, so drop a line. Hearing that you're not enjoying it, helps me improve it, so drop a line. Even if you just say `Hey, I'm reading it.', you really encourage me to keep going, so go to my Patreon, or drop a line to Jst4Fun2nyt@gmail.com !!!

I've been encouraged to publish this story. Rather than publish, I've set up this...

Keep donating to https://donate.nifty.org/!

The sex isn't a major part of this story, nor is it graphic. If you're looking for masturbation fodder, look elsewhere. There will be many slow times in this story, just like there are in life. Other times, things will fly at you too fast. There will be boring days, and exciting days. It's just how it's flowing.

This work is fully protected under the United States Copyright Laws © 17 USC§§ 101, 102(a), 302(a). All rights reserved. Placing or posting any or all of this story on any website, or distribution of any of these works in any way (in part or in whole) without the explicit consent of the author is strictly prohibited. Any and all copyright infringements will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. With some obvious exceptions, any names, characters, or incidents are the product of the author's imagination and all are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental, and no harm or slanderous intent is implied or intended. Any characterization of public figures is purely the author's imagination, and is in no way intended to imply that they would behave in the real world like they do in my fictional world.

DONATE to Nifty so you can continue to enjoy my story, and the thousands of others!!!!

https://donate.nifty.org/

*********************************************************************************************************************

Chapter 98

Scott and Bea used the bond to let us know they were back from the beach, so we joined our mates, our pups, and our cousins in the games room. We spent a few hours playing Candyland, Sorry, and a dozen other board games. I sent word to Andrew and soon the footmen arrived with several pizzas. After the pizza was gone, we split into two groups to watch movies. While one group was watching one of the Batman movies, Scott, Bea, and I were in a cuddle puddle on the floor with Charlotte, George, and our youngest pups, watching the Paw Patrol movie.

When the movie finished, a sleepy George asked me "Can I call Daddy, Cousin Greg?"

"Sure you can, Tipps. Should we call him now, or shower first?" I asked, looking at the time.

I was impressed when he looked at the time, then said "We are 2 hours ahead of home, so he is still on the phone with Gran. We have time to shower first."

I gathered up Charlotte, George, Charlie, and Davie, then headed to our shower. Somehow, I survived the shower, and we were done in less than half an hour. I have to admit, the floor outside the shower did require quite a few towels to soak up the mess, but it was fun. George and Charlotte joined Charlie and Davie in their bed, then I dialed the number William had given me. Once he answered, I turned on the speaker and let my young cousins talk with their parents.

When he was done with his kids, Will wanted to speak with me, so I tucked the kids in

bed and headed to the hall. After he told me what he had in mind, I decided to have some fun. I called Andrew and explained everything, asking him to coordinate the details. He laughed as I went through the entire plan, but he assured me he could make it happen. I know I was grinning like the Cheshire cat and I'm not sure how I didn't give anything away as I climbed into bed with my mates.

At breakfast the next morning, Gabriel said "I think we should start heading to our homes, Greg. We've all been out of the public eye for a week. If that continues, people will ask questions."

Scott looked up from his food and said "I'm sure Ted can arrange things quietly, but it sounds like you have a plan?"

Christian nodded as he said "When Will called me, Manny and Gabe had just arrived to visit us for a month. We will all fly to Copenhagen tonight. We can arrange quiet transport to the Dannebrog. Then, publicly travel to Fredensborg and talk about the lovely time we had sailing the Baltic with our cousins."

Alexia added "If you don't mind, Ariane and I would like to stay until you head to London? We can join Mother and Father in Greece the evening before you leave."

I smiled and said "We would love you to stay longer Lexi, but our plans have changed. Our trip to London has been moved up. We are leaving the day after tomorrow, but you are certainly welcome until then."

Billy looked confused, but before he could speak, Bea asked "I assume we're taking George and Charlotte with us?"

"Will has a plan. I spoke to him last night, then passed things on to Andrew. As I said, we leave for London Friday morning." The look on George's little face told me he knew part of the plan. When Will had explained it to me, I thought he was joking.

Billy said "Mathias Garb arrived last night. David and Lucas have asked if you can find time for the three of them this morning. Several of the dukes, er, former princes have asked for guidance, as has Matt."

I glared at Billy as I said "Nothing has changed, no business at this table. You can give me stuff like that in the elevator, or even wait until we get in the office." He rolled his eyes, but nodded his acceptance, so I stood and we headed for the elevator.

As we entered the office, I told Billy the schedule I had in mind for the day. While he sat at his desk to make the arrangements, Niko went over a list of things he thought would make thing easier. When I approved, he called Leonard and went through the list. Joshua was working on his tablet this entire time, and when I asked, he showed me his notes. When I expressed my shock at his ideas, he said this was just brainstorming on random issues. We would spend time later looking at each idea in greater depth. I pointed out two ideas I thought were good, and asked him to research them as soon as possible.

Billy came in saying "David, Lucas, and Mathias will be here shortly. After them, we move to the conference room for the, um, dukes?"

"Call them advisors, for now. I want their input, but I think they will be Ministers." I said.

Billy was about to continue when Andrew knocked, and led David, Lucas, and Mathias in. Once they had bowed, I asked "Should we do this at a table, my desk, or relaxed on the sofas?"

They looked at each other, then Lucas said "I believe the sofas, Your Majesty. We can screen share with Niko's tablet for you to see anything we need to show."

I nodded, then led them to the sitting area by the bookcase, as this one had more seating, as well as side tables. Andrew arranged for drinks for everyone, and once everyone was settled in, I turned to Mathias.

"I will assume there is a valid reason you failed to mention your relationship with the former council on our previous meeting. I will not ask you to explain your reasoning, but I will say that if you have anything else I need to be made aware of, now is the time."

"As you've not asked for an explanation, I won't go into the details, but the short version is I felt it was not appropriate at that time, Sire. As to our meeting this morning, I am in the difficult position of being here representing you in three separate roles. As such, I've spoken in great detail with David and Lucas, and our solution is quite simple. I have shared the details of the investment portfolio of what was The Council of 9, now the Dracul Government, with David, and with your approval, will turn control of that over to him today."

I turned to David and asked "If you feel I need to know, you can go into details, but I prefer that you give me just the big picture."

David nodded, and tapped his tablet, then looked up and said "When I discuss value, I will always speak in US Dollars, unless we... well, that is another conversation. Right now, there is $11.7 trillion, spread across the two New York markets, as well as London, Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bombay, Sao Paulo, and Sydney. In various banks, there is just over $6 trillion in cash. If we sold all the real estate we hold worldwide, we would net roughly $5 trillion today."

I nodded, then turned to Lucas, who said "Without including the funds and properties from the Nine, or including what was stripped from Vlad, the Crown investments in these same markets, amount to $4.9 trillion, and there are cash accounts of $2.8 trillion. Aside from this castle, the Crown owns properties in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Washington DC, Tokyo, London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Sydney, and Singapore. I also have a list of ancient ruins around Europe and Asia the Crown still holds title to, as well as undeveloped land around the globe. Putting a value on much of the land is pure speculation, but we decided to call the current value of real estate $900 billion."

"And if you include the assets of Vlad and the former Council?"

"With just the personal assets, quadruple those numbers, as well as adding homes in New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Dubai, Paris, Berlin, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Warsaw, Shanghai, Tokyo, Honolulu, Rio, and Sao Paulo." Lucas turned towards Mathias as he said "On top of that, we haven't discussed what, if any, of your properties transfer to the Crown, what is yours personally, and what belongs to Derek, as Alpha of Pittsburgh."

Mathias said "Which brings us to my remaining role, Your Majesty. When I came here, I was managing accounts for the old Council, the Crown, as well as those accounts you personally held from your father's accounts in Zurich. As David is now handling finances for Dracul, he has suggested I manage your personal accounts. Would this be acceptable, Sire?"

I nodded, so Mathias began listing values of investments, cash, and real estate that I owned before becoming King. His figures also included the businesses that I owned When he was finished, I sat back, stunned. I looked at Joshua and sent him my thoughts. He nodded, so I looked around at those seated in the room and considered things. Joshua sent me a thought, and I nodded, then stood.

"Mathias, I need to ask you to excuse us." I turned to Niko and said "Have Andrew bring us lunch, please?"

Once Mathias was gone and Andrew had brought lunch, I waved my hand at the food, saying "Today we chat over lunch. Please, eat." I looked at David and Lucas and said "The numbers you gave me are astounding. I need some help comprehending the scale."

David spoke first. "Just from income on the stocks and the taxes collected, the Dracul Government could afford a budget of $2 trillion a year. For comparison, the US budget last year was $6.8 trillion, with Defense and Social Security accounting for almost one third of that. Since we have neither, we can do a lot with that money."

Joshua, Billy, and I exchanged a glance as Lucas spoke up "Unless you do something extremely insane, The Crown will need no funding from the Government, ever. Even with The Crown paying your staff, all your expenses, as well as the advisors, their staffs, transportation, housing, we are well funded for as far as I can see."

I turned to Joshua and nodded, so he said "When Vlad told us of the vast sums that we are working with, I started wondering why. Why horde so much? Obviously, there was some personal greed, but the vast amount of stocks and cash in accounts demonstrate that they continued to put funds aside for the eventual creation of Dracul. There were taxes deposited as recently as last month, so again I ask why."

Niko timidly said "To eventually provide money for all vampires? Like pure socialism?"

David shook his head, saying "Socialism is a modern concept. This has its foundations in ancient times. I think it simply started as a desire for security and over time, things snowballed. The amounts may seem vast, but when you consider they've been doing this for over a thousand years, I'm almost surprised there isn't more."

Lucas said "There is more. Keep in mind, there are the ancient coins that we have no concept of their value. There are also the gems and art which would need to be valued. I agree with David. The hoarding started out of a concern for the security of vampires. If we were discovered, the funds could pay to relocate everyone."

Billy said "So it started as security. A way to relocate, or hide, but how does this money provide security for vampires now?"

Nikko said "If there are 33 million vampires in the world, we could give each one over $1 million right now."

Billy answered "That wouldn't give them all security. Many would waste it, then expect more. And what about vampires born 5 or 10 years from now? We would have to tax at a very high rate to be able to provide for them."

I smiled. I knew the conversation would eventually get to this, if I let it run its course. I was surprised Billy didn't put things together like Joshua had, or had he? Was he intentionally setting me up? It didn't matter, he had asked the key question, and I had the answer.

"This money provides security for vampires now by giving the Nation of Dracul power. When we finally step onto the world stage, we will not be a developing nation that can not support itself. We will be able to create our own currency, backed by gold, if we so choose. We will be able to provide money to educate our young. Those things alone are incredibly valuable, but even more valuable is the influence we will have." I turned to David and asked "How much debt does the US Government have?"

"$29 trillion, Sire."

"And, if we wanted to, we could buy all of that. And still have several trillion in hand." I turned to Lucas and asked "What would happen to the world economy if I ordered you to liquidate just half of the stocks the Crown owns?"

Lucas' eyes got huge as he said "That would trigger all the safety stops built into the system. It would take me a few days to do it, but it can be done."

I shook my head as I said "I didn't ask you if you could do it. I asked what would happen?"

"Oh, it would trigger massive panic in the markets." As he said this, I saw he was understanding my point.

We had finished our lunch, so I stood and said "Money is power, gentlemen. I would prefer that our wealth be kept as quiet as possible." I looked at David and Lucas, adding "You two are ministers, so I will see you shortly."

I looked at Billy and Niko, saying "Gather the ministers in the conference room. To prevent confusion, that means George, Sam Houston, Reinhardt, Dimas, Hasim, Yuan, Hiroki, Joan, Ted, Tommy, Vlad, Erich, Lucas, David, and Mike. Did I miss anyone?"

Joshua asked "Frederick, Andrew, Alex, and Matthew?"

I nodded "Frederick, Alex, and Matt, yes, but Andrew has no need to be involved."

Ten minutes later, Billy and Niko came in to say the ministers were assembled. I nodded, and continued to read on my tablet. After five minutes I stood and headed for the conference room.

As I headed for my chair, I said "Remain standing, please." I motioned for Joshua to sit at my right hand, Billy at my left, and Niko to Joshua's right. I looked at the gathered ministers and said "These four seats are permanent. Where the rest of you sit may depend on the expected topic of discussion, or may become standardized over time. For today, I would like George, Vlad, Sam, and Tommy across from us. The rest of you fill in as you like."

When everyone was seated, I started. "I seem to be constantly repeating myself on the topic of disclosure. Every time I think I know all I need to know, something surprises me." I looked around the table and continued "If you have knowledge of what is deep below this castle, please stand."

Vlad, George, Sam, and Reinhardt, stood. They all seemed shocked when David, Lucas, Billy, and Joshua also stood. Niko simply raised his hand. I sighed, then quickly made a decision.

"Frederick, Alex, and Mike, as well as those standing, remain. The rest of you, please excuse us. Return here tomorrow at 1pm." After the others had left, I stood and, pointing at Vlad, George, Sam, and Reinhardt, said "I think we should all take a tour of what these gentlemen have put below my home."