--Approaching the Castle, Center of Eraregord, Sunset--
"How does it feel to be back General Williams?" Llewellyn smirked almost knowingly, Lucian instantly knew he was talking about Victoria.
Lucian had assumed a position in the Kingdom's military and worked his way up the ranking to where he is now. The only ranking higher than that of a general was the king.
When Lucian became the general he was assigned to a mission near the infernal valleys as per his mother's request, conveniently taking him away from Victoria at the time they were to be wed.
Lucian's mother had her own personal reasons and vendetta for not wanting Victoria to be her daughter in law and in her sick twisted way, she was right.
Lucian turned his head slightly and spoke with a blank expression, "Victoria is no longer my concern."
Before Llewellyn had a chance to respond, the carriage stopped and the guards surrounding the gate of the capital city verified our identities, it wasn't long before they let us in the city.
Welcome to the capital city in Eraregord.
Reality began to sink in, now that Lucian was back, the royal assembly would want to speak with him as soon as possible.
There have been rumours about the Zelanian Kingdom making advances for the Nydisian throne.
Lucian, however, doubted those were rumours. Not too long a Cadeilinian troop which is part of the Zelanian army was found a little off the Nydisian border.
As long as they stayed off Nydidian land, there was nothing that could be done except play cat and mouse.
The Nydisian Kingdom consists of Balewen, Eraregord, and Sareweth. Kingdoms are basically several countries combined to stand as one. Usually, because they have common traditions or share the same beliefs.
The Cyrene Kingdom is made up of Labrinth, Lylith, and Liahan; they often stay out of contact unless involving political issues. Lastly, Jerydith, Bridith, and Cadielin formed the whole kingdom of Zelania.
There were fifty-four countries and nine Kingdoms, that was before Queen Zephaniah set out centuries ago conquering clans and claiming she wanted unity, and for all the clans to be as one, and in the process began strengthening Nydisia.
The other Kingdoms were enraged by her actions so they went about doing the same, conquering other clans.
Now, all that is left is, three kingdoms and nine countries, more powerful than ever, and most importantly, thirsty for power.
"Let's just get to the royal court, meet the Queen, and strengthen your army." Lucian nodded at Llewellyn as an acknowledgment of his comment. Unfortunately, Lucian's worries did not lie in those things.
The carriage halted in front of the royal court, hundreds of civilians gathered in the distance thrilled that their General and Captain had returned to defend their home.
Their escorts opened the carriage door for them and they stepped down and strode towards the court standing tall and proud, ignoring the cheers of the citizens of Eraregord.
Several knights lined up near the gardens bowed as the two men approached them and they formed around the general and the captain like a shield.
The royal court is located just in front of the castle, for security, the only way in the castle is through the heavily guarded gates of the court surrounded by a brick wall with several towers containing archers and the perimeter having been guarded by chevaliers and knights of all species.
"General Lucian Williams, Captain Llewellyn Charter," The man approaching the captain and the general bowed slightly before continuing to speak.
"I, Lord Killian, on behalf of Advisor Daniel, am here to welcome you." Lord Killian grinned upon seeing the two men he looked up to.
He seemed oddly familiar, fortunately, Lucian never forgets a face. "The Killian I remember was barely a juvenile last I saw of him, at least well before your father sent you to the Royal Academy."
The academy truly groomed him well, as one could see features of a man start to behold themselves on him, Lucian thought.
"The Advisor needs to speak with the both of you in regards to the future Queen," Killian said. Even though they were not blood-related Killian looked up to Lucian as though he was an older brother.
Advisors were a ranking below Elders, in comparison, they are like Elders in training. Elders themselves were hard to come by and it takes years upon years to gain the knowledge and wisdom like that of an elder.
The sound of their shoes clanking against the marble floors echoed in the halls. "Very well," Lucian responded, as they approached the grand hall, the guards pushed open the door in their wake, and with a short polite nod of the head to Advisor Daniel, they began to discuss.
"As you both already know the rule of cardinal has chosen a queen bearing the name Katherina Daventin. She is fairly young, 17 summers old I believe, and she needs to be trained in the way of a queen," Daniel stepped forth towards Lucian indicating that it was his duty.
"General Williams, now that you're here the throne will be presented to you until the queen is deemed ready, as you see fit, an official decree will be passed out in the morning. Until then all hail the King!" The advisor spoke with faith not wanting to be disappointed.
Lucian's eyes narrowed as he watched the advisor make an exit. Lucian remained silent following which he left Llewellyn and Killian to discuss as he made his way to the king's quarters.
--Before the General's Arrival, The Castle - Left Wing, Living Quarters--"The General will arrive soon and until the General arrives, attend to Miss Katherina. Take her around the castle, most especially help her settle down." Lord Killian said to the maid that was assigned to take care of Miss Katherine.Katherine stirred as she heard a familiar voice speak, her head was throbbing due to her bumping her head on the carriage door. It felt slightly better due to the ice around her forehead.She could hear footsteps approach her but Katherine's futile attempts to pretend to be sleeping didn't fool the maid as the girl said, "Milady, I know you're awake,"Katherine's eyes slowly swung open to see a young girl with dark brown eyes smiling at her. "My name is Lily, Lord Killian asked me to tend to your well being-,""Wait," Katherine said abruptly, interrupting the young maid. She began to feel bad at her sudden outburst so she smiled
--The Nydisian Kingdom, The Castle, The Royal Court--"How does it feel to be King?" Llewellyn half-joked as he and Lucian walked through the halls of the royal court of Nydisia.The crown had now been officially passed unto Lucian until the girl, Katherina Daventin, ascends the throne. "Is it supposed to feel any different?" Lucian queried his friend, with his eyebrow that raised perfectly.Lucian smirked knowingly. Before and after becoming King of Nydisia, the entire kingdom has always been under his rule. The only difference is that with the crown his rule is absolute.Llewellyn chuckled while shaking his head as they walked through one of the entrances of the gardens that connected the court and the palace. "You know the people would prefer it this way,""And what way is that?" Lucian had a fair idea of what the people wanted.Llewellyn frowned as he turned to look Lucian in the eye under the scorching hot sun. He stopp
--The Nydisian Kingdom, Country of Balewen, Wikerstone Manor--The ladies in waiting alongside Minister Wikerstone's youngest daughter gossiped freely while having their afternoon tea.Word had spread in less than a day that the General had returned and has now assumed the position of King.Everyone in the kingdom knew just how powerful the general was and for him to ascend the throne did three things to the citizens of Nydisia.Those that hoped to oppose him, hid in their own shadows. Those that hoped to gain his favour, continued to seek it. And those that hoped to be his wife, were more determined than ever now that he was King."Oh, you don't have to be rude about it, Macie. I'm merely pointing out that if he was to be wed, it wouldn't be with someone that can't fit into her newly made corsets," Lady Murie retorted while placing her teacup back on her tray.The woman who went by the name Lady Macie was fuming at Lady Mur
--The Nydisia Kingdom, The Castle, The Right-Wing Living Quarters--"My lady, the King requested that this letter is to be delivered to you and that you have breakfast with him in the dining hall," Lily said, passing the letter one of her fellow maids had given to her.Katherine inhaled as Lily tied her corset from the back. The dresses Katherine had received were luxurious and more expensive compared to the ones she had at Lady Morgan's manor.Seeing as Lily didn't make the corset unbreathable tight, the dress Katherine wore was very comfortable and fit for a lady that was to appear in front of a king to wear.Lily had offered to do her hair but Katherine refused. She always felt more relaxed with her long wavy hair resting calmly around her lower waist.After drinking the iced tea that Lily had specifically brought as per Katherine's request. Katherine opened the letter from the King and it read:To Lady Katherina Dave
--The Nydisian Kingdom, The Castle, Dining Hall--Immediately, Katherine knew he was talking about her avoidance of eye contact. She turned to look at him, but the presence of the maids had already captured his attention.They all murmured 'Milady' or 'Milord' as they dropped our meals. The food smelled divine but Katherine couldn't muster much of an appetite.She didn't really pay attention to the food as she was more curious as to what the King had to say to her. "I prefer to be called Katherine, milord," Katherine said respectfully then reached forward to grasp a cup of water."Very well, you may address me as Lucian. Forgive me if there have been any inconveniences." She silently shook her head.He seems so straightforward and uptight, it was quite difficult to know what he'd be offended by, she thought to herself."Are you not hungry?" Lucian frowned at her whilst he was munching on a breadstick and sipping what was eit
--The Nydisian Kingdom, The Castle, Left-Wing--Katherine couldn't help but stare at the garden from her room balcony as the sun was starting to rise. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even notice Lily was trying to get her attention."The Captain is requesting your presence, milady, I've already taken your bag downstairs. I wish you a safe journey." Lily said while packing the last bit of Katherine's load. Katherine smiled at the maid that has been nothing but kind since her arrival.Considering it's been less than a week since Katherine's arrival in the castle, the King was kind enough to have her closet filled with fine attire.As Katherine made her way down the stairs, she crossed paths with the man she had begun to tolerate, Lord Killian.He respectfully bowed her way as Lily greeted him. Katherine turned back briefly to notice shared glances between Lord Killian and Lily.The General and the King, mention
--The Nydisian Kingdom, Eraregord, Othes Forest--After several failed attempts of trying to build a fire. Katherine finally managed to do so with the help of Llewellyn, of course."I believe I was five when I built my first fire," Llewellyn chuckled in a lame attempt to tease her."Well not everyone had such an eventful childhood," Katherine said while rolling her eyes and finding a comfy spot of grass to lay on."Enlighten me, how so?" Katherine barely spoke about her life before Lady Morgan, it was uncomfortable reliving those memories but as time passed, one could say it didn't bother her as much."I grew up in a town full of bandits and my parents were both alcoholics and gamblers." Katherine sighed.Her mother was probably the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. She had midnight black hair and her eyes were so bright and warm. Katherine's heart ached thinking about the faded memories of her mother."What hap
--The Nydisian Kingdom, Eraregord, Othes Forest--Katherine looked up to see his red eyes staring into the fire. It wasn't until now that she noticed the slight scar on his lip. It was a thin line that crossed on the very edge of his upper lip.As if knowing what she was staring out he looked down and caught her gaze. She quickly averted her gaze and looked to where Llewellyn was once standing as he walked into the forest.Lucian was still seated calmly behind her with his back against one of the trees and with her seated directly in front of him, her back to his chest.Being unable to bear the silence, Katherine finally spoke, "Tell me a story,""Milord," She quickly added wanting to remain respectful.His already deep voice was low and sounded like a hum, "You have to be more specific than that, do you wish to hear about the tales of the creatures below sea level or the creatures that plague the earth realm,"Kather