"Your Majesty, we have arrived," my Royal Knight and companion, Stalworth, announced as he opened the door of my carriage.
"GREETINGS TO THE BRAVE ONE! HIS HIGHNESS, THE KING OF THE BEAST KINGDOM!" The voices of the king's army resonated with unwavering spirit.
"Please, Your Majesty, follow me. I shall lead you to the Royal guest room," the Royal Butler offered, guiding us to the designated chamber. A maid served us tea and snacks as we settled in.
"Thank you for your gracious hospitality. You may all leave for now," I expressed gratitude, dismissing the staff.
"As you wish, Your Majesty. We will inform you when the king summons you," they responded, exiting the room.
"Isn't this incredible, Stalworth? A decade ago, humans and beasts would never have ventured beyond the borders, and now the kingdom itself welcomes us," I remarked, a smile of astonishment playing on my lips.
"Yes, Your Majesty. It is a testament to your tireless efforts and unwavering dedication," Stalworth humbly and gently replied.
"You flatter me too much, Stalworth! You know as well as I do that it is because you and your companions have always stood by my side that I have come this far," I said, taking a deep breath and savoring the tea.
"Please, have a seat, Stalworth. It is only the two of us here, at least for now. Rest, my friend," I offered, watching as Stalworth took a seat and poured himself a cup of tea. He let out a sigh, his expression tense with worry.
"Your Majesty, I beseech you to proceed with utmost caution amidst the humans. I couldn't help but observe the piercing gazes, brimming with a mixture of animosity and trepidation, that followed our path," Stalworth's voice carried a weighty concern, leaving no doubt about the gravity of the situation.
In the intricate tapestry of existence, I find it unjust to assign blame solely to the humans, for we, the beasts, undeniably outshine them in both stature and brawn. As a proud member of the revered Lion clan, I stand resolute at just over seven feet, my weight a formidable force at 350 pounds. Yet, even in my lofty presence, I am humbled by Stalworth, a stalwart of the noble Elephant clan. His colossal frame towers at an awe-inspiring nine feet, his weight exceeding a staggering 550 pounds. Endowed with the remarkable genetics of his lineage, he possesses an unrivaled strength, a towering majesty, and a muscularity that commands respect. And let us not forget our distinguishing features, our tails, and ears, marking us as extraordinary beings amidst the realm.
"I understand your concerns, Stalworth. However, someone must take the first step towards reconciliation. Besides, I have a vow to fulfill, to that lady," I mused, unable to contain the smile that formed whenever I spoke of her.
Stalworth ran a hand through his hair, his expression reflecting his unease. "I understand, Your Majesty. If that is your decision, I will do my utmost as your Royal Knight to protect you, even if it means confronting the human kingdom alone."
His loyalty and bravery never ceased to amaze me, but I couldn't help but chuckle at his seriousness. "I know you would, Stalworth. You alone would be enough to face an entire army. That's why I could venture here with just you by my side, my friend."
Stalworth, blushing, averted his gaze, embarrassed by my praise. A knock on the door interrupted us as we shared this lighthearted moment.
"Your Majesty, His Highness the King requests your presence," the attendant announced.
"Is that so? Then please lead the way," I responded, the moment I had been waiting for finally arriving. Miss, grant me strength so that I may do my best.
Walking into the room, nervousness gripped me as I contemplated how the king and his ministers would receive us. Here I stood, the one who had slain the cruel king of the most powerful kingdom, trembling with a mix of anticipation and fear.
The guards opened the door, revealing the beautiful human king. His eyes exuded the regal bearing of a true monarch, and his posture emanated elegance. Across the vast expanse of human history, none have achieved such grandeur and might as Theodor. Revered and celebrated, he stands as the epitome of regality, a king among kings.
Without the infusion of my beastly genes, I would scarcely rise to meet his piercing gaze. Yet, there he stands, almost on par with my towering height, emanating an aura of unyielding strength that belies his mortal form. Truly, he embodies a magnificence beyond compare, a paragon worthy of his noble mantle as the kingdom's sovereign, commanding the reverence and unwavering admiration of all who behold him.
As I entered the room, he greeted me with a warm smile, devoid of any resentment or hatred. However, the same couldn't be said for his ministers. Their expressions displayed confusion and doubt, their eyes betraying uncertainty.
"We greet the great King Theodor Ivorybane and his ministers," Stalworth and I humbly bowed, paying our respects.
"Please raise your heads, my dear guests. I, Theodor Ivorybane, greet and welcome you to our humble kingdom," the king greeted, extending a warm hand to grasp my shoulder, while his ministers bowed and greeted us.
"I thank you for your kind hospitality, Your Highness," I expressed my gratitude.
"I'm glad you encountered no troubles on your journey, Sorcarius," Theodor replied, his tone filled with genuine relief.
"My King, Your Majesty, with your permission, may we commence this meeting?" one of the ministers stood up and addressed Theodor and me. We nodded in agreement, granting our permission.
The proposal for an alliance and its terms were meticulously crafted by my most trusted and intelligent royal counselor, Sylvanor Lunarhowl. Therefore, I had complete faith as I handed the documents to the king.
"This is our proposal to initiate an alliance between our kingdoms."
The conditions outlined in the proposal were as follows:
1. Eldorium and Zephyrion will open export routes for merchants at a tax rate of 20%. If a merchant from either kingdom desires to establish a store in the other domain to sell goods, they will receive the kingdom's protection and pay a 15% tax along with a 5% protection charge until they become established citizens. Once they achieve citizenship, the domain reserves the right to levy taxes according to its laws.
2. Both kingdoms will allow unrestricted passage through their gates without any crossing taxes.
3. Eldorium and Zephyrion agree not to engage in any conflicts with each other. In the event of a dispute involving their respective soldiers, appropriate punishments will be administered according to the severity of the offense.
4. The Beast kingdom will open trade for natural resources in suitable quantities to the human kingdom.
5. The kingdoms will conduct joint military training annually to foster closer ties and enhance mutual understanding.
Naturally, the proposal was designed to be mutually beneficial for both kingdoms. However, it mainly catered to the human kingdom's desire for our resources. By incorporating the condition of appropriate demands, we ensured they could not exploit us.
Theodor smiled as his ministers reviewed the proposal, their expressions a mix of confusion and annoyance. "It is an impressive proposal. However, the textiles produced by the human kingdom are renowned for their quality. If possible, we would like to trade them with the beast kingdoms as well."
As expected, this request arose. While their offer was enticing, Beastfolks possessed skilled craftsmen, and our textile trade was already established with the Elven kingdom. Striking a deal with the humans in textiles would surely displease the Elves.
"Your Highness, as generous as your offer is, we cannot accept it, as we already have an abundant supply of textiles. However, if the merchants of your kingdom wish to sell them in the beast kingdom, I would have no objections," I countered, finding a diplomatic solution that avoided making enemies of either the human or elven kingdom.
This was a clever way to maintain the agreement without compromising the human or elven relationship. It was evident that the Theodor and his ministers were dissatisfied with the arrangement. It was time to employ the strategy devised by my friend, Sylvanor Lunarhowl.
"Your Highness, if I may, I would like to propose an alternative that surpasses textiles," I suggested, noticing Stalworth's smug smirk. He had to control his expression, but I couldn't blame him. Everything was going according to plan.
"Stalworth, if you would, please lend me your sword."
This was our secret weapon to seal the deal. The sword had been forged by the dwarves residing in the beast kingdom after they lost their land in a dragon attack. Their skills as blacksmiths were widely renowned.
"If it's possible, I would like to borrow His Highness' sword," I requested, receiving the king's sword with a skeptical look. With a swift, effortless stroke, I sliced through his sword, showcasing not only the quality of the material but also the craftsmanship of the dwarves.
"What? You effortlessly cut through the finest sword in the land?" Theodor exclaimed, causing his ministers to whisper in fear and trepidation. Understandably, they were shaken by the clear disparity between their weapons and those of the beast kingdom.
"Why not equip your army with our weapons, at reasonable prices? As you can see, the human army would be capable of cutting through rock with our weapons."
Theodor burst into laughter, understanding that everything had been under our control until now. However, he couldn't disregard the request after witnessing such a striking contrast in weapon quality. Agreeing wholeheartedly, the king shook my hand, solidifying our alliance.
Miss, we did it. I have fulfilled our promise. I hope this news pleases you, and that you will remember me when you hear of it. I wonder what expression will grace your face upon learning the news.