I'm currently surprised. Standing in the doorway, is the duke from Greenhill. That a man as high as him is waiting for me here means that something is amiss. Originally I should be lead to my room and wait for an audience by his Majesty on the next day. But it seems like I will get to see him direktly, since his right hand man stands here. The horse is lead away and I show my curtesy to him because he is the mightiest man in this kingdom right after the king himself. And he was my teacher through the time I visited the kingdom. He himself bows to me 'cause I ain't less important than him. He takes a quick glance on Raymond, notices the slave bracelet, looks back to me and says: "The king wanted to see you as soon as you arrive here, so I will show you the way to his chambers. Princess Milena please follow me right away. " And precedes forward without waiting for an answere. I follow right behind him with Raymond at my heels. After walking throught the corridors we arrive before a huge door, with four guards standing guard before it. Two to each side, highly alert until they recognize the person in the lead. They open the doors for us and treat us with distrustful glances while passing through them. As a non-human entity in human skin Raymond gets their attenion especially. But as they see the collar around his neck, they visibly relax. At this time I'm happy that nearly everybody in this kingdom can't distinguish between real and fake collar.
The sun shines brightly into the room and an open window lets in a light breeze. My view stocks at a tall but thin person sitting in a big bed towards me. After the doors close behind us the king writes a last sentence on the document before him and gives the little table on his knees away. The duke recives it and puts it on a shelf to the kings side. With a weak but friendly smile he waves me to his side. On a closer look I notice his disheveled open black-grayish hair, the pale skin and his watery and bloodshot blue eyes. He definitly does not look healthy. "I greet you, mighty sun of Greenhill, may you shine long and brightly." I recitate the kingdoms greetings for the king as I bring the backhand of my left fist to my forehead and bow deeply. The king laughts amused. "Stand straight my child. There is no need to greet this dying man so formaly. And we will soon be family bonded through marriage. Call me father or father-in-law" he takes my hand after I take my normal posture. "Yes father." To say the word father to another man as my biological father feels unfamiliar but not repulsive. On his light pull on my hand I take a seat on the edge of his bed. "Is it realy this bad father?" I ask, because sitting on the kings bed could be called a sacrileg, if anyone were to find out. "Sadly it is my child. It's a deadly disease that eats at my life energy. If I'm lucky I'll have one year left to live. I can't even fulfill the daily waves of douments. It worsens my health greatly." he patts my hand and gives me a sad smile. He continues "I'm embarassed, but I have to ask you. Will you work as my replacement for the next time? You will have the help of Gideon and can allways discuss with me, but the workload is to much and I can't give Gideon the full authority." It doesn't realy surprises me that he asks for my help. After I saw the condition he is in could imagine that he will, but that I will be his stand-in. That is more than I thought.
"I get your situation, I understand and I will help you, be sure of it. But please answere a few questions of mine to this. Is this the reason why you asked my father for me to marry prince Lucas? Why did you choose me? Our country rules differently than Grenhill kingdom, naturally I will to. And why ask me to be your stand-in and not your son? After all he will be the next king. Please say father, why?" I grip his hand strongly, but light enough to not hurt him. He nods at me, after drinking a sipp of water he answers:
"Naturally you have questions. Let me answer them all. The marriage. Yes, you are right. I asked your father for you to marry my son because I won't live much longer. You may be an only child and the heir to the throne of your kingdom, but as the grandson of a Fae your father may reign for long enough to give it after you passed our kingdom to your children and go back. Of course your father did only agree because you seem to have feelings for Lucas. In this regard he is different from me. I think, as part of the royal family feelings are not necessary for marriage. Only the ability of the person to reign over this land. And you have plenty of that.
That too, is the reason I want to give you the authority to reign until I die. I followed the actions of Lucas possibles brides to be. And that over years. It don't seem so but your father and me have a deep frendship, so he told me all your archivements and failures since you stood up to work at your fathers side. You impressed me and I'm sure you will work your hardest to help the people in this kingdom too. I hope you achieve, what I could not do and even what I would not do. I may be a coward, a dumb or a cruel king, but what I want is that my people can live their life as best as they can. And I think you want that to.
And what was it? Ah, yes. Why I didn't give the authority to my son." He laughts dry. It irritates me. "You may remember Lucas as he was as a child. A interested, hard working child. But after your mothers died and you returned home, he didn't attend any of the lessons other than swordsplay. Everyday he snuck out of the castle and did whatever he wanted. Now wants to changes things without worrying for the consequences. He's a pupet for the nobles after starting siting at the table to discuss state affairs. It's my fault. After Natashas and Malas death I must have neglected him to much. I can't lay the future of this kingdom in his hands." He closes his eyes mit a sorrow face and leans into the cushions behind his back.
I need a few minutes to diggest what his Majesty said to me. I realize what big responibilities I would get with taking this role, and the hopes the king has with me. I did hope to get a say in state affaires as soon as possible, but that is to fast. It's surpassing my plans and makes me unsure of my abilities. Can I really do this? Two warm hands on my shoulders are stopping me to panic about it in my head. I look up and look into the warm eyes of my chevalier. Everything I do, he will follow my decision. I think back on the contrast of the people living in the outer part of the walls and the abundance of the nobles. The warm feeling of rage swells in my belly. If I decline, out of anxiety, who will help these people? Who am I, to shun responsibility because I come across it faster than I thought.
I look at Raymond, the duke and than the king. Resolutly, I say: "I'll do it. I will take responsibility for the people of this kingdom and give my best to stand in this position, that you give me. Please lead me and help me in this time, Ray, duke, father." The king smiles relieved. it seems like a big stone dropped from his heart. He pulls a golden signet ring from his ring finger and presents it to me. I take it and put it on my thumb. For the other fingers it is definitly to big. The king smiles at the sight of that and replies to my plead: "Naturally we will. At any time. Gideon, do everything in your might to help her. Serve her, like you would serve me." The duke bows deeply. "Gladly I will, your Majesty."