Chapter 30: The King
Eric entered the room expecting a large gathering of nobles like one would see in movies, but what greeted him was instead rows of perfectly aligned soldiers in the armor that he had seen earlier. "Posturing." Eric thought as he began to re-evaluate the potential for threats. Eric continued to walk forward, his eyes scanning towards the front. He then locked eyes with the king. The king sat on his throne, scanning Eric in the sa manner he was being scanned.
"Welco to my kingdom, Master Sergeant Dryer." The king said as Eric, Mia, and the LT approached the throne. The LT and Mia kneeled. Eric did not. "Thank you for your courtesy, your highness." Eric responded while gesturing to the soldiers surrounding them. "Is this not a negotiation?" He said while looking at Ayeolla. "I see no reason as to why we should be host to such treatnt." The LT began shaking behind Eric as sweat dripped down his neck. He prayed to the Goddess as he felt fear he had never felt before. It is one thing to test the reaper by battling, it was another to test royalty with disrespect. "I’m dead." The LT thought inwardly, almost crying as he realized this might be the end. "I’ve never even kissed a girl." He thought in silence.
"Eric." Mia whispered, still kneeling. She was horrified at what her husband was doing, and could feel her heart threatening to explode out of her chest. She tried to grab his wrist to make him kneel, but he had not done so. Suddenly, the room exploded with laughter. The king keeled over his throne as he looked at Eric, a smirk on his face. "Very well lad. You are right." He then clapped his hands, and all the soldiers in the room disappeared. "I wanted to test the man whom had stolen the heart of my niece, and this was the best way I thought of to do so."
Eric stood stock still, not able to respond. "What?" he responded, unable to asure the king’s words or actions. Gone was the first image he had of the man, seeming more like Hammond to Eric. Mia stood up behind Eric, hugging his arm. "Yes, this is my over-eager uncle." She explained with a pointed glare. "In public he is a wise and dignified man, when it is just family..." Her words cut off as she gestured to the man still chuckling like a madman. "Eric, et my Uncle; King Remory Riemskin. 15th king of the Riemskin alliance." The king was dressed in purple robes that hugged his muscular fra, he had a well kept beard, with graying evident in his beard. His green eyes stared at Eric with the intensity of a hawk as he seed to study the young man. He grinned happily as his niece introduced him. "Yep, definitely Hammond." Eric thought with a groan.
Eric nodded as Mia gave her uncle’s introduction. "It is a pleasure to et you, sir." Eric said, dropping all formality. He then looked to the queen and bowing. She was dressed in a purple dress that echoed out a feeling of power and feminine charm. Gold accents trailed the sides, with the lion crest on her shoulder. Her crown glead brightly on her head, almost as if was made to absorb sunlight. "That must make you Queen Lilith. It is a pleasure to et you both." He stood up. "Princess, I am pleased to see you are well." After the pleasantries were out of the way, Eric sighed and turned around. His LT was still kneeling, unsure of how to act. "Get up kid. Introduce yourself." Chuckling rang out from the princess. Eric pretended to not hear it.
The LT stood up shakily, still choosing to not make eye contact. "Good afternoon, your majesties. He said while trembling. "My na is Second Lieutenant Michael Stryer." Ayeolla smiled in response as she looked at Michael. "It is good to see you again, Lieutenant." She said while curtsying. "Father, shall we proceed to the reception chambers?" the princess intoned while nodding to a door adjacent to the throne. Remory ran his fingers through his beard while looking at the LT. "Very well. We have much to discuss, and very little ti to do so." Eric nodded to the king before turning back to Mia and Michael. "What could that an?" He thought to himself. He gave Michael a look that said "I’ll wring your neck later
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