I returned to the dining room to find Domino speaking with Lilah who, unable to speak back, was simply nodding or shaking her head in response. Domino noticed me and turned to give me a smirk which turned into a confused frown when I didn't stop.
"Nathan?"
I didn't respond and instead leaned in and after only a moment of hesitation, kissed her. It was a quick and chased kiss and I doubt it was anything special. I wasn't exactly a master kisser and while i;d had girlfriends before, Domino was on a completely different level. That level of confidence, sass, and that body was something I was just not use to.
When I broke the kiss, I couldn't help but chuckle at the surprised look on her face.
"Wasnt expecting that?" I asked, taking a few steps back.
She shook her head," No, does that mean..."
I sighed and nodded. "I'm not used to anything like this, especially not a beautiful woman such as yourself desiring to sleep with someone like me. Don't get me wrong I know physically I'm handsome, but well it's still a shock, and the thought that your only doing this because your my summon also isn't... nice if you get what I mean."
"I get it," She said, smiling. "But you should know I'm not doing this just because I'm your summon. I know I don't have to. Your not the type to order me to, ever. I want to do this because when I look at you I see untapped potential. You have quite a few rough spots but from what I've seen when your in your element, it's a sight to behold. And yes the system might be pushing it but who cares. I'll be really happy and so will you."
I smiled and moved in closer to give her another kiss which she eagerly accepted to the point that she didn't let me pull away for a few moments though it didn't last long enough to turn into something else.
"Later tonight after your use the rest of your tokens?" She asked when she pulled away.
I blinked still shocked from the kiss then slowly nodded. "Yes, later tonight and... I'll ask leone if she wants to joins us. I have a feeling she'll be quite annoyed since she has pretty much propositioned me before."
"Blondy, and me?" Domino smirked. "Sounds fun."
The image that was created in my mind was quite the sight but I shook it away and focused back on the meeting.
"Domino, have the advisors returned?"
Almost as if my words had been a summoning, a side door opened and Richard and Susana walked in. When they caught sight of me they rushed forward, relieved looks on their faces. It also looked like Richard was sweating slightly which made me think that he might be more nervous than he looked. Susana for her part looked pristine and confident though that could be a mask, especially since someone in her position would need to be able to do such a thing. Being able to put on a mask and trade falsities was part of court politics. And well not just court politics but anything political.
"Thank goodness, your majesty," Richard panted. "We were worried when we could not find you in here. The throne room is prepared and all is ready. The nobles, merchants, and a few of the more prominent craftsman and generals are awaiting your presence."
Susana stepped forward. "There has been much talk, your majesty. Many speculate as to what you will do. The common thoughts currently are that you a foreign Mage or Kord from one of the greater kingdoms with great strength who has come to take a minor kingdom for his own, though many who saw you with the queen disagree with that."
I thought over that. It was ideal but it was far better than a lot of other rumors that could be going around about me. Not that it would have really mattered anyway. One of the purposes of this meeting was to show everyone that I could be a king, that I was king not just in title and name.
"Anything else I should be aware of?" I asked looking between my two advisors.
"The first scouts have returned and reported... disturbing news," said Richard, looking nervous. "The princess's army is stationed at Cold Far Pass, at the Biroth Duchy. I suspect that have taken up with Duke Biroth. He was a favorite of the princess, your majesty.
That wasn't good. A number of thoughts raced through my head, none of them good. The princess army was large and had stuck together and from what I'd seen, it had been well-coordinated and full of mages and kords. I needed to consolidate everything quickly, which just made this meeting even more important. I needed a stronger portion if any of the thoughts going through my head were even remotely correct.
It seems the war is not yet over, I thought, though I could be overeating. Then again isn't it better to overreact and be wrong rather than not be prepared then be taken by surprise and pay for it.
"I want the army watched at all times, if they move I want to know as soon as possible," I commanded, my voice firm. "I also want to know how many soldiers this Duke Biroth has. I'm sure I'm not the only one that suspects what might happen."
Susana nodded and a tired looked crossed over her face. "Yer, your majesty. More blood may yet be spilled." Her voice grew quiet and I could just barely hear her next words. "If Birtoh takes this kingdom then we're all done for."
Richard nodded. "The man is as foul as they come. The only reason he stayed in line was because of the princess and his obsession with her. I imagine he is enraged and will most likely be plotting something against you since you killed her."
I held back the sigh that wanted to escape and the feeling of wanting to slump my shoulder. Why couldn't I just catch a goddamn break? I have a kingdom now, I thought, I shouldn't be that surprised that I have to fight to keep it. I just thought I'd have more time.
"Let's be off," I said, gesturing for them to lead the way. "If things are as you say then this meeting is even more vital. We must be prepared and we must be united. There cannot be any more breaks in the whole, especially since the three heirs did a great job of cracking things. It's going to take a lot to put the pieces back together."
Domino and Lilah took up positions next to me while Richard and Susana stayed a step ahead, leading the way out of the dining room and into the hall.
"You ok?" Domino asked, giving me a concerned look.
"Ok? I already knew things were going to be hard," I replied. "But it seems like one thing after another."
"Remember," said Domino, reaching out and taking my hand. "Untapped potential. Use the trigger and set yourself in that state of mind. When you walked back into the room I could tell you'd tried it but the news from Richard and Susana shattered it. You cannot let that happen. You can't let yourself lose that state of mind no matter what because then what's the point of it? if whenever a problem crops up it becomes useless. Trust me, you can do this, you know you can. Time to lose the needles nerves. Most say third times the charm but I prefer first time's the charm though that could just be because of my luck and I can promise you that all my luck will be pointed directly at you tonight."
I squeezed her hand and took a deep breath. I focused and brought up all the thoughts I'd used just after my conversation with Migi. My family, Lemma, my weakness, everything that would happen if I didn't step up and take charge.
A king, I thought, time to be a king.
That same cold feeling washed over me though this time it was far stronger and when I refocused on my surroundings again, I felt nothing but cold determination. Instead of worrying about the problems I used them to fuel the cold fire burning within me. Just more reason to get stronger, just more reasons to take charge, more reasons to push myself.
A hand landed on my shoulder and I turned to see Lilah looking at me and though I couldn't see her eyes or her face, I could feel the trust and confidence radiating from her. The confidence she had in me and in my ability.
"My Lilah," I said with a smile, taking her hand when she took it from my shoulder.
Time to be a king.