The atmosphere was lively. The nobles drank and ate as they talked to each other. Alfred was atop the balcony, looking down at everybody, wondering how he ended up in this position. He assumed the ability to why he could adapt to this situation was due to the influx of memories he received when he first entered the body.
Still, he wondered if he had done a good job of acting the part of a king. He thanked his years of teaching as he could hide his emotion on his face quite easily, but when he inevitably had to take someone's life, would he be able to? He also thought about the morale problems he would face. His morality was still that of a 21st-century man. His nation still allowed the practice of many things considered wrong in the modern age. Even the arrest he made today on slavery was only because it was done with Ammary people and not foreigners.
Alfred looked down at all the nobles and saw the Duke of Flanders. The Duke was talking to someone but suddenly stopped and looked up at Alfred. He smiled at him, and Alfred sighed. He knew he would have to talk to him at some point tonight, and now was the perfect time to do so. Alfred walked down the balcony into the ballroom, heading for the Duke.
The nobles bowed to him as he walked past. "Duke, may we have a word?" Alfred spoke flatly as the other nobles quietly walked away, leaving the two alone. Alfred led him to a balcony outside, overlooking a large garden. "What do you want for your support?" Not beating around the bush, Alfred bluntly asked, causing a smile to spread on the Duke's face.
"My King, it is my job to help you as a vassal." The Duke smiled as he took a drink. Alfred looked at him with cold eyes as he waited for him to stop messing around. "That being said, it is also the role of a king to look after his vassals, and recently my domain has been lacking the funds to carry out this task."
Alfred grabbed his head and sighed. He didn't want to give more power to this man, but his hands were tied right now. He needed his power to stop others from making a move. "I'll strip Count Eto of his lands and pass them to you." Although it was the poorest land out of all the prisoners, it was still land. The duke smiled at this, not asking for anything more.
"Now, my King, there is the issue of your marriage." The Duke became serious once he began. Although he wanted to get benefits from the King, he was still loyal to the throne and would sincerely help him on certain matters, marriage being one of them. Alfred nodded as he had thought about this as well. Marriage was extremely important as it was his basis for building an alliance. He had thought about marrying internally in the Kingdom but chose not to. If he married any noble's daughter, it would be a chance for them to start grabbing large amounts of power. He was quite sad that he couldn't marry normally, but he had to live with the fact he was a King now.
"I know. This is a matter that should be solved sooner rather than later. I'm getting lists ready of available candidates to choose from. Your input on this matter would be appreciated."
"Do not worry. Your marriage is the most important thing the Kingdom faces right now." The Duke took another drink and continued, "What about Argon?"
Alfred looked at him, wondering if he should say anything. He had read his father's notes and knew the two had a feud. "I have a plan in mind. I first need to get things ready, however..." The Duke took the hint, understanding he wasn't and couldn't get involved with it. He walked back into the ballroom, leaving Alfred alone.
Alfred's hand shook as he thought about what to do next week. He still didn't know if he could do it, but when he thought about what his father wrote and his life, he knew he shouldn't hesitate. Alfred quickly downed his drink and smacked his cheeks in annoyance. He couldn't drink alcohol yet and missed it. He walked back into the ballroom and began to mingle.
An hour passed, and Alfred went up the balcony again. Tapping the glass, the noise spread across the ballroom, silencing everybody. "Everybody. I'm sure you all like the banquet; however, I shall be.." Alfred suddenly stopped talking and grabbed his stomach. A wave of pain overcame him. His throat closed up as blood fell from his nose. Everybody watched, most in shock, but a couple smiled.
"The King has been poisoned! Block all exits!" The man with scars over his face ran towards the King's side as guards blocked every exit. Alfred could be heard groaning as he slumped over the balcony. The nobles all looked at one another, wondering what would happen. Alfred walked towards the staircase, hobbling down it. Although the guards tried to stop him, he knocked their hands away as he slowly descended. He stared at one person in the hall the whole time, wanting to grab them.
One last sharp pain in his stomach hit him as he tried to suck in the air, unable to do so. His vision slowly darkened as he went light-headed. Everybody watched as Alfred's eyes closed, and he fell. He was quickly grabbed and placed on the floor gently.
Alfred opened his eyes once again. He was surrounded by darkness. He couldn't see or feel anything as his body refused to listen to him. Around him, he heard light mutterings that didn't make sense. He wanted to grind his teeth in annoyance at being killed as he remembered the pain he had just felt from the poison and the feeling of death.
In the distance, in front of him, a black, smoky figure covered in a white glow walked towards him. Alfred couldn't do anything other than watch it approach. The figure put its head next to Alfred's ear. "It is too early." A croaky voice came from it as it pulled away. Lifting its smoky hand, it reached into Alfred's body, grabbing his heart. Alfred could feel a tightening in his chest. The figure squeezed multiple times, sending pain through his body each time. Alfred's eyes slowly closed as the pain slowly vanished.
The nobles watched Alfred's lifeless body on the floor. Most of them were shocked by what had happened. A man with black hair walked towards his body, placing his hand on Alfred's wrist. He was Alfred's uncle. The man held it there for a couple of seconds before standing up. "The king is dead." People muttered between one another as they began to talk about what to do going forward. Alfred's uncle, Micheal, covered his mouth as he looked at his nephew's body.
His eyes had water in them, but his hand hid a smile. As Alfred was dying, he stared at Micheal, knowing it was him. He felt a little fear at this, thinking Alfred would expose him, but he died too quickly. He looked around to see if anyone had noticed Alfred's action, but it didn't seem so. "Everybody! Now is not the time to be muttering to one another. We must find the culprit behind this."
Everybody spoke in agreement as the knights called in all the servants present. All of them lined up. Before Micheal could go on, gasping could be heard. Everybody looked in that direction and couldn't help but be shocked. Micheal's face froze as he saw Alfred sit up, grabbing his chest. "impossible." He muttered under his breath.