The Prince is coming!
~
The Estate of Duke Walterus,
The Town of Crimsonton,
Kingdom of Velicia,
Fair morning,
The Eighth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
A great carriage was followed by rows of horses, bearing the Chiefs of warfare, the closest associates of the Crown Prince. The streets were flooded by people who did not dare step near the path of the entourage.
Excitement was crisp in the air, murmurs and squeals rising from the common folks gathered about.
Then, the carriage halted before the manor of the Duke of Walterus, and the door was opened. Silence fell over the people as they were rapt and watched their coming Ruler step down from his mount.
Slick, dark hair cascaded down, disciplined by being tied at the nape of his neck; green eyes that looked intense, yet gentle; strong physique testifying that he had made the frontline of wars for their kingdom and rigorous training since the days of his youth; dressed in the suit of royalty: the Prince had the airs of a man of both absolute authority and kindness.
His butler, Weston, came to his side and placed upon his shoulder, a cape that was plated with fur one end and was clasped to the other by fobs of chains across his chest. Prince Rayzenn gave his man a gracious nod and a smile towards the people, before he strode down the path of stone towards the Estate.
The four Chiefs of War: Aaron, Nate, Zebedee and Reid, who had followed his carriage on horseback, dismounted their stallions and came to escort behind him, two men on either sides.
The Prince looked up to see that Head Knight Erion's men were assembled along the path, in the order of disciplined rows facing the pathway, poised and saluting. And at the foot of the stairway leading ahead into the manor, Duke Walterus was standing, in warm invitation.
The dark haired Prince met the man of the estate with a smile and a nod, receiving the same is response.
"It is an honour to have your presence here with us this morning, Your Grace", the wealthy Duke bowed.
"Much obliged", the tall, young man nodded.
"Would you be kind enough to stay for our lunch table?" the man of the manor asked, leading the royal into his courts.
"I beg your pardon, but I shall not overstay my duties today. I have much awaiting me at the Imperial Castle. Perhaps another time?" Prince Rayzenn smiled, making his way inside.
"Of course, sire, of course", the Duke nodded several times and hurried to lead his dynastic guest and the escort of Generals up the stairway leading to his office chamber.
The prince cast a gaze over his shoulder and the chiefs of war that made his company stood still, at the door, beyond which they would not pass. Then, only the Duke, the black haired heir to the throne and his butler Weston walked into the office for private discussion.
"Thank you again for paying your visit to my humble abode", the host smiled, and the prince nodded, observing the deepening of the man's wrinkles beside his eyes. "The pleasure is mine", he nodded.
The man of the household gestured towards the chair across the table and after Prince Rayzenn was seated, he settled himself. Only Bulter Weston was standing, behind the young man he was attending to.
"Had it been in your agendum to meet me here since last night?" the Duke asked, with an uncomfortable chuckle.
A hand swept over the dark hair spilling over his forehead, when the Prince answered, "Pardon me, but it was this morning that the Queen made mention of my coming here."
There was a shade of downcast disposition in Duke Walterus' eyes, which he quickly masked. "Of course, of course, she was the one to send me word of your coming", he hastened to say.
Prince Rayzenn knew that the man had held high hopes of the Prince's personal interest in his daughter, but marriage was the last thing he wished to commit to, let alone one with a woman he scarcely knew.
"Have the people left from about the estate?" he asked, looking over the window.
"Yes, Sire, the common folks are gone; the streets are clear now", the Duke said, before withdrawing his gaze from the outside.
"Wonderful. I have brought with me the favours mete for your forbearance of mentioning the vigilantism in your news. It is imperative, given the circumstance that the people cannot be unsettled by word of our Knights being slack", the Prince said, resting elbows on the table and knitting his fingers.
"Ah", the Duke chuckled, "You needn't ever go such a far way and bring me these gifts, Your Majesty. It is an honour to be of service to you, regardless. I am patriotic and would not suffer to publish a word at adversity with you!"
"Yes, but it is my duty to grace those that are in my favour", the Prince smiled graciously, before turning to Weston. The butler, in response bowed, as if he was about to take his leave from the chamber, saying, "I will take the presents from the carriage and have them submitted with the household while you continue with your meeting."
"My dear daughter Charlene shall receive them from you and then join our conversation", the Duke said.
Once the butler had left, the man of the house turned to his royal guest and said, "Sire, the Head Knight is here at the manor as well. Would you like to meet him now?"
~