Merlin led Charles and Arthur through the wide hallways of the castle. Arthur already knew his way around, as was normal for one of Merlin's disciples, but Charles was completely lost in the scenery and the very fact that he was in the castle was enough to numb his brain.
"Compose yourself, Charles. We are here." Merlin's voice snapped Charles out of his daze, and Arthur smirked. Charles hurriedly straightened his back and snapped his attention to the large double doors that were closely guarded by the vicious looking guards that stood on either side of the door. They both had one hand on the hilts of their blades as they moved as one to open the doors.
Creak~
The doors creaked slightly as the swung open, and creaked again as they swung close. Charles remained silent as he took in the people who were present in the throne room.
A dozen guards stood on either side of the room, while about half a dozen officials who were present when Merlin came to give the King the news of his mage apprentice, looked at the commoner who stepped into the throne room.
The three strode forward, and when they were within a reasonable distance to the throne, Arthur and Charles went down on a knee with their heads bowed.
"Your Majesty." They greeted.
"Arise." The authoritative voice of the King reached their ears. The two boys rose to their feet, and Charles noted that Merlin did not kneel when they did. He remained standing with a playful smile on his face.
"Is that him?" The King asked Merlin when he saw the old mage's playful smile. His stern face was starting to falter because he could tell Merlin was up to no good.
"Indeed, Darren. Charles will take up a place under my wing as the Apprentice Mage." Merlin nodded. The king sighed and turned to Charles.
"Young Charles, come closer, I have some questions for you." King Darren waved for Charles to step closer.
Charles perked up and took a few steps forward under the watchful gazes of the people present. The moment he came within a certain distance, a bubble of air rose up and surrounded himself and the king.
"!" Charles was startled, but the king quickly calmed him down.
"No need to worry, this is just a magic barrier to keep our conversation private." King Darren laughed. "I asked Merlin to tell me about you, but he decided to keep mum. Now, I can see that he intended for me to ask you directly... So, tell me about yourself. I want to know why Merlin chose a commoner to be the apprentice of his most prized profession." The king spoke so casually that Charles thought that he was hallucinating. He was already used to nobles acting snobbishly when speaking to those of a lower social standing than themselves.
Charles puffed up his chest a bit to avoid looking like a wimp, but he still retained a posture that let everyone know that he was not challenging the king in any way.
"My name is Charles Lockhart, your Majesty. I am fifteen years old, and come from a common family that is based in the Outer Circle of the kingdom. I am currently a first year student in the Royal Academy, and I hope that I will be able to better my abilities as a mage through my training in the Academy!" Charles gave the king a short introduction of himself, making sure to point out all the important things that were worth noting.
King Darren nodded his head sagely when Charles finished with his introduction. He took a few moments to process the words before he finally spoke.
"I can see that Merlin still never fails to amaze me." The king sighed deeply, "Are you not the first year who has a hard time with spells?" Darren's grey eyes flashed a deep gold for a second, sending a shiver down Charles' spine, but the boy was too slow to be able to catch it. All he felt was a change in the way he perceived the king. He felt compelled to say the truth and nothing but the truth, but it wasn't like he was planning on lying in the first place.
"Y-yes, your Majesty. I am the one." Charles bowed his head with a pang of pain rushing through his chest.
'So even the king already knows I can barely even cast one of the most basic spells. It all sounded too good to be true.' Charles shook his head internally.
"Hmm, I see. Haha! I can't wait to see what Merlin has planned. That man never stops with his schemes to rob me clean." King Darren grinned widely, surprising Charles. "Work hard, Charles. I want to see something good next year."
After those final words, the barrier around the two of them fell apart and sounds from the other people present in the throne room reached him.
"Teach him well, Merlin. I trust in your abilities," King Darren nodded at the old mage, "A public announcement shall be held two weeks from now, and Charles will be announced as your apprentice."
"Thank you, my King. I assure you that young Charles will meet your expectations. You will not be disappointed." Merlin replied with a smile, and King Darren nodded.
"Charles, Arthur, come." He turned around to leave, and the two boys rushed after him.