Calder was moved. He hadn't heard such a speech like that in his entire life. Then he froze, a chill ran down his body as his heart pounded against his chest. "This isn't the first time." Calder thought as he broke out into a cold sweat. "This isn't the first time!" He thought again as his heart beat become louder and started to drown out the cheering. "Why isn't this the first time?!" Calder screamed internally.
Calder stood up and looked around. Rutley almost had a panic attack as he tried to pull Calder back to his seat by tugging on his sleeve. Esai raised his hand for silence and everyone quieted down. "My younger brother has reminded me that I would like to make a special proclamation." Esai said loudly. Calder froze and slowly turned to his older brother.
"I, King Esai will bestow prince Calder Monroe Llyr Kaimana, the region of Anahita." Esai said with a gentle smile. Murmurs erupted behind Calder and no one seemed to cheer. Calder gulped as he shut his eyes. "Think what am I supposed to do?" He thought and an idea flashed across his mind. He straightened up his back and walked up to his older brother. He knelt on one knee before him and lowered his head.
"My King, I am not worthy of such a great honour." Calder said loudly. Gasps could be heard a around him but Calder held his position. "Are you denying my reward? Is the region of Anahita not good enough for his highness? You saved my life, I will find it a great insult, nay, a treasonous act if you do not accept this reward." Esai said in a dark tone that it silenced everyone in the room.
"No my King, I am not denying your reward. I simply want you to understand that my worthiness is to pitiful but my loyalty to you, the crown, will compensate my lack of worthiness. I, Calder Monroe Llyr Kaimana will pledge my life to you my King!" Calder announced without a hint of doubt of hesitation. The room erupted into cheer and Calder dared to look up at his brother. Esai was smiling. Calder let out a sigh of relief.
Esai raised his hand for silence again. "Let everyone in all corners of the Kingdom know, from this day forward prince Calder Monroe Llyr Kaimana will know by known as the Duke of Anahita." Esai announced with vigour. Calder stood up and looked his brother in the eyes. "Yes my King, I, the Duke of Anahita will be his majesty's faithful servant until the day I die." Calder said before he bowed deeply.
Esai placed his hand on top of Calder's shoulder. Calder raised his head and genuinely smiled. Esai smiled back and they stood side by side as the crowd cheered. Suddenly Calder spotted the man he was looking for. A fair looking man probably in his late 40's. He had slicked back dark brown hair, hooded eyes, thin lips and a stern face. He wore a dark green coloured suit with golden decorations and was talking to some men in a corner.
"Brother you can go sit down now." Esai whispered beside Calder. "R-right." Calder stuttered as he slowly walked back to his seat, his eyes glued to the man. "Your highness what's wrong?" Rutley asked as Calder sat down. "Rutley, who is that man in the far left corner. Older looking gentleman, wearing a dark green suit with gold trim. He's whispering with two other men." Calder said as he tried to look inconspicuously.
Rutley looked where Calder had said with lightning speed. No one even realized he had looked back. Calder looked at Rutley with wide, shocked eyes. "Your highness, that is Chancellor Graham and he seems to be talking to Baron Freyer and Count Trent." Rutley explained. "Rutley your keeping secrets about yourself aren't you?" Calder whispered. Rutley smiled. "Where's the fun in telling you everything."
"Wait! What did you just say?!" Calder gasped.
"Where's all the fun in telling you everything?" Rutley repeated awkwardly. Calder turned to his brother and the head priest bowed to the King. Everything was way too familiar, like he knew what was going to happen.
He had a hunch that's why he said what he remembered from Mei's novel but this was all to similar. Calder watched closely as the priest turned and stumbled forward. The crowd tried not to laugh but the priest stumbling wasn't his own fault. Calder spotted Esai's mischievous deed. He stepped on the High priest's robe's train.
Calder went silent from the shock. "Oh no." He said out loud. Rutley looked confused. "Esai, Chancellor Graham, Baron Freyer, Count Trent, Rutley... Rutley Chimera." Calder said in a low voice. "Shhh! You should never say my fully name out loud your highness!" Rutley hissed. Calder dismissed Rutley's behaviour. "Tell me does the Baron and Count have children? Daughters to be more exact." Calder asked.
"Y-yes. Why?" Rutley asked. "O-h no-o." Calder said in a panic. He turned back and saw that the priest had made it down the aisle. The Chancellor stepped forward and was now walking up with a group of people behind him. "My King!" Chancellor Graham shouted before the King could even move.
Esai stayed silent as he glared at the Chancellor. "My King, I would like to present Lady Britille and Lady Syria." The Chancellor started. "It can't be! Everything is the same!" Calder thought.
Suddenly Calder shot up. "My King!" He shouted loudly scaring everyone in the room other than Esai. He just looked slightly shocked. Calder took advantage of the momentary silence and walked up to his brother, stopped in front of him and dropped down to one knee.
Then he placed his right hand over his heart and closed his eyes. "My King, I seem to have fall in love, at first sight no less with the two ladies that are standing by Chancellor Graham's side at this very moment." Calder announced in one single breath.
"Prince Calder!" Chancellor Graham hissed. Esai brought his gaze the Chancellor and gave him a cold and deadly glare. The Chancellor paled and bite down on his lip. "Please raise your head Duke of Anahita." Esai said. Calder raised his head and hoped that it was really just all his imagination but something told him that his suspicions were correct. He was in Mei's novel but he had to make sure.
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