The king handed a roll of parchment to the official next to him. Both of his broad hands were bedecked with weighty gold rings, which he outstretched in greeting.
“At last, our prized treasure has returned safely,” he said. “A warm welcome back to our upholders of honor.”
Princess Agnes bowed. “Your Majesty. We have returned from our voyage having successfully carried out your commands.”
She approached the throne and knelt to kiss the hem of the king’s cape, which stretched down to the dais. The royal knights and mages also got to their knees to pay their respects. Maxi hastily followed suit, bowing her head.
The king’s languid voice rang out above her head. There was a touch of displeasure in it. “Raise your heads. You know I prefer to have conversations face-to-face.”
Not wanting to be insolent, Maxi threw furtive glances about her and only looked up when she saw Ursuline and Elliot do the same.
Leaning his elbow on the throne’s armrest, King ReubenIII swept an indifferent gaze over the people who knelt before him. His husky voice was low as he said, “It seems youhave lost many of your numbers.”
“A third of our forces are still in Livadon, as the war has yet to end completely,” the princess replied.
“Who remains?”
“The Remdragon Knights and most of the knights from the western and northern regions of the kingdom, Your Majesty. All of them should be back after a month.”
The king’s golden eyes passed over the knights before stopping abruptly on Maxi. Maxi gulped, certain that her heart would stop. The king was strangely intimidating despite his easygoing manner.
The king idly tapped his fingers. “Is that not the armor of the Remdragon Knights?”
Ursuline and Elliot promptly bowed their heads again at the king’s address.
“I am Elliot Charon of the Remdragon Knights, Your Majesty.”
“And I am Ursuline Ricaydo of the Remdragon Knights, Your Majesty. We are here following Sir Riftan Calypse’s orders to safely escort Lady Calypse to Drachium Palace.”
“Lady Calypse?” The king’s keen eyes landed on Maxi.
A brief moment of terror flashed through her. She gulped and managed to keep her voice relatively calm as she stated, “I-It is…an honor, Your Majesty. I am Maximilian Calypse.”
“Hmm.”
King Reuben’s golden eyes instantly grew cold. Maxi felt as though she were kneeling in front of a lion wearing the guise of a human. He stroked his curly beard as his lips twisted into a frown.
“So you are the reason for that impudent knight’srepeated rejections.”
Icy tension instantly fell over the audience chamber at the king’s barbed words. Maxi blanched and hurriedly bowed her head.
Agnes quickly came to Maxi’s defense. “Father, Lady Calypse is a mage and the greatest contributor to the battle at Eth Lene. We rushed her to the capital because she was gravely injured during the battle.”
“How interesting.” Contrary to his words, King Reuben’s expression seemed entirely uninterested. “Riftan Calypse is the pride of Wedon and our most favored knight. It wouldn’t do for us to neglect his wife,” he said dryly. “We will make sure you have everything you need, so make yourself at home.”
Maxi fought through her shaky voice to reply. “I-I thank you for your generosity…Your Majesty.”
Like a cat grown bored of its toy, the king looked away from her and gracefully waved a hand at his subjects. “I do wish to hear more, but it would be cruel of me to hold you here when you’ve just returned from an arduous war. You can give your reports later. I will order a lavish banquet tonight in your honor.”
The official jotted down the king’s command and handed the parchment to a waiting servant, who rushed out of the audience chamber. The return party bowed to the king in unison and quietly left the room. Maxi waited until the doors shut behind them to start breathing again.
Seeing Maxi’s ashen face, Agnes gave her a wry smile. “His Majesty has a nasty habit of making others feel ill at ease. He was only trying to put you on edge, so don’t worry too much about it, Maximilian.”
Her reassurance did not help Maxi feel any better. Afterall, King Reuben was the very man who had wanted Riftan to divorce her and marry the princess. It was only natural that the king would consider her a thorn in his side. Maxi anxiously bit her lip.
Ursuline, who had been silently observing her, spoke up. “You need not worry. The king is a benevolent man; he would never harm you out of spite.”
Maxi gave him a cryptic smile. Nothing about the king had seemed benevolent to her.
