The journey was lengthy. I was tired and slept almost the entire day until one of the guards came to call me into the room I was given. 'His Majesty seeks a word,' he said, prompting me to dress up quickly and head there.
His Majesty was seated in his larger throne, always looking regal. 'You requested a word,' I stated. I sometimes didn't know how to speak to people of higher ranks. Even with Amir's father, I preferred to nod in approval. I was scared that they would form an opinion of me, but fear is the worst friend one would ever embrace. As one gets older, fear will surely one day stab you in the back. That's how it is; one has to muster up all the courage, all of it.
Anyway, I was waiting for the King's approval. He was reading a certain book; it seems he does not really like being intruded upon when reading. And here I was, intruding on him. 'I'm sorry, apologies, Your Highness,' I found myself stating to myself.
'Willock, I called you here to ask. How do you like the place?' He stated, his eyes still fixed on the book. I had never actually gotten the chance to look at him in the eyes.
'It is beautiful, with nice colors, and very comfortable,' I stated, making him laugh. I was not sure that I really made a laughing comment, but he just laughed. 'You like sleep? That's why you said comfortable?' He asked, and I felt as if this was a trap. Everyone likes sleep, but father always scolded me when I slept for lengthy hours. He said that for a man to be comfortable, he was digging his own grave. He surely shall regret it in the future.
'I meant, there are no noises to distract one.'
'Okay... eehh... when I was young, I promised your mother that when we are to be married, we would live here, far away from everyone,' he started, now closing his book as all his attention turned onto me. 'I know, Willock, I was not, not a single bit, the best partner and parent to you. I really was not. Saying this is because... I mean, giving you this palace is one among the million reasons as to why I feel obligated to fulfill the desires Lady Isla and I had before you came along.' After stating that, he paused for a moment, and I somehow felt like interceding.
He had clearly stated that this was the plan before I came along. Was I the reason the plan never came through? I found myself thinking, thinking, and thinking. I found it hard to really understand whatever he was speculating or the ideology he was trying to bring up. Because honestly, this did not feel like something of apology. But anyway, let me just listen to him. After all, he is the King. Despite the fact that he deserves questions, His Majesty should never be questioned.
'I mean, when you came along, things went sideways. The viscount was mad; Hirlvington was really mad. He demanded dowry as fast as possible. I was not in a position to stand up for her and tell father that I had deprived a woman of her innocence and additionally had her bear me, an heir. I just could not. But I told mother. She knew... and well, she had no liking for the Viscount's sister, your mother Lady Isla. She had someone else in her mind, the daughter of her best friend, the queen's daughter, queen of France. She somehow made our engagement fast, and I knew, I knew I was wrong, and I know till date my wrongs do not deserve any forgiveness. Not even the slightest. I feel, I know, yeah, but honestly, my apologies for my failures as a father,' he stated, and I knew he was giving me the chance to speak.
"Okay, I always heard rumors that I happened to be a bastard. It was all in the past, and I chose not to dwell on them, for I felt they would hurt me as a human being and a person. I was chased out of England and found refuge here in Wales for some two days, then left. Well, I know you feel remorse for being distant and not being a father to me. However, I believe you have been a father to my other, um, to the others. I was raised well, Father, the Duke of Vikings, taught me nothing but respect. He took me to the best of schools and always told me to train to become the best commander and the best educational expert England would ever have. I am grateful to him for everything; I truly am. I don't know what would have been my course if it weren't for him taking me in. I appreciate everything you're telling me today, truly appreciative. I hope that one day we shall eat and drink with my other brothers and sisters, so maybe one day I can learn more about them. I am yet to be a part of your family, through a different dimension; destiny always finds its way, I guess. Anyway, I am grateful for accepting my proposal to take your daughter. I will be happy to have her carry the Vikings name." I stated, and I could see a sense of disappointment on his face. He is not serious that I am to take his name. That would be the most disrespectful thing I would do to father. If he knew that I stayed with the Duke, why did he not take me, or was his pride in line? With that, he just nodded, woke from wherever he sat, and asked him to follow me. I guess he wanted to show me the places or rather this area. We entered some room, which seemed to have never been entered, or rather someone has never cleaned nor stayed inside for a while, quite a while.
He reached for some map or book from one of the shelves, which had some old-age books, and then we went outside the room and sat at a certain place. It sure was a map; I told myself as I watched what was inside the map, some whatever. I never studied map work in all my education life. 'Have you ever heard of chess?' He asked me, his voice slow, as he called upon one of his guards and asked for a handful amount of drinks. Hell, he will see how dumb I am. His sons maybe would beat me to this. 'Well, English Kings introduced the game to enlarge their kingdom. Willock, if it were for me, your name would be... never mind. Okay, well, I give you this map to show you the area in Wales. The rivers divide the areas each Baron rules. Right after your marriage, I shall announce that I cease to give you the land of Wales. You shall rule over here as a Duke or as whatever you wish, but you shall stay inside this palace. You are my son, but you do not carry the name of our ancestors. I am compelled not to give you the whole kingdom; my son shall be the King. I hope you understand that. I will tell one of my guards to show you around, teach you about the workings of this place, and make sure that you are comfortable here. The Duke stated that the Lake of Tigris shall be yours, so I believe we shall come to a good agreement when it comes to the shipments from most parts of our neighboring nation. I wanted to tell you with much that I am a proud father to see that you have grown into a very handsome young man. The blue eyes made me sure that you are from my descent. Not many get that. I hope that my gift will be of importance, and one day you shall find a heart to forgive me." The king was quite straightforward with his words; he really was.
"Additionally, Willock, I have already printed out the engagements, and your father agreed that the engagement shall be at your house, in the ballroom. Later on, the Catholic priests shall make the greatest of arrangements and bind both of you together. During that day, all your items shall be transported here, and you shall then have my daughter for yourself. I believe you shall treat her with the utmost respect."
These news made me smile. I hadn't smiled in a while, but this news really did. The princess would finally accept me, and she would finally carry my name as hers. Then we shall live here, and I promise I will not once fail her, not once make her sad, not once make her cry, not once make her regret having me by her side. I was literally stating and reciting this in my mind as I watched the now evening sun. Wales turned evening really fast. I needed to see Ezron in this place, but I had no idea where he was. This is being just like England, but he sure is in the border of the Lake of Tigris. I guess I shall tell the king that Father had sent me to the lake, and yes, of course, he had told me to do something with the shipments. I had already forgotten, and then, on my way, I will look for Ezron. If I am not to find him, I shall find his mother. I promise they shall never lack.