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It was already noon, and despite the royal court's best efforts to maintain a schedule, the meal had not yet begun.
The atmosphere in the palace of Alabasta was filled with tense anticipation, and the grand hall, usually bustling with attendants and nobles seemed stiflingly quiet.
Cobra glanced at the high windows, where the midday sun filtered through, casting light and shadows over the table that stretched out before them.
He took a slow breath, letting a composed smile settle on his face. After all, this was supposed to be a moment of unity, a gathering that might help mend recent tensions.
Inwardly, however, he couldn't ignore the lingering awkwardness from moments earlier, a tension that had been bubbling beneath the surface.
Anos, who had travelled from the distant Tru Kingdom, had made it clear that the meal should precede any further discussions. "We should eat first, then discuss matters of state in detail afterwards," he had stated firmly.
Cobra respected Anos's straightforwardness and had agreed, recognizing the wisdom in maintaining focus on the present.
No one seemed to heed what Princess Vivi had said earlier. Her words earnestly, hopeful, had fallen on deaf ears.
Even Cobra himself acted as though he hadn't heard his daughter, treating her comments as little more than youthful enthusiasm.
To the court, Vivi's words were just that unformed and unheeded, far from the sharp pragmatism expected in royal discourse.
The thoughts of those involved didn't matter much to the onlookers. In the grand scheme of the political matters at hand, individual perspectives held little sway.
Together, the guests rose, their silken robes and ornate attire whispering against the tiled floor, as they prepared to move to another hall.
They followed Cobra, their steps echoing along the marbled corridors, passing tapestries that depicted the long and storied history of Alabasta.
After turning several corners, they reached a dining hall. While not excessively large, it held an air of intimacy balanced by royal opulence.
The room could comfortably accommodate a hundred people, and at its centre stood a massive table spanning over ten meters laden with delicacies.
Cobra observed with appreciation the array of dishes prepared by Alabasta's finest chefs.
Plates of fruits from distant lands sat alongside roasted meats, fresh seafood, and intricate desserts each dish meticulously arranged to honour their esteemed guests.
Alabasta had its culinary traditions, but today, they had crafted a spread that reflected a blend of styles, paying homage to Tru's preferences while highlighting the richness of Alabasta's resources.
Anos and Cobra took their places at opposite ends of the table, symbolizing the shared respect between the two sovereigns while maintaining the formality of distance.
The other guests found their seats with less ceremony, filling the sides of the grand table.
In truth, such a feast was often a formality. Many of those present rarely indulged in the luxurious foods laid before them; their appetites were often restrained by the weight of duty and decorum.
The royal court, after all, had its codes of conduct, and part of that code was discretion in all things even dining.
This lavish spread was prepared less for consumption and more for display, a manifestation of Alabasta's generosity and prosperity.
Yet despite the abundance, no one truly ate freely. Even when the best dishes in the land were within reach, restraint prevailed.
Each motion, each bite, was deliberate, almost ceremonial. For Anos, this environment felt familiar, as his court followed similar practices.
However, Cobra couldn't ignore the peculiar contrast between himself and Anos. Anos, with his refined and almost delicate features, seemed to embody an elegance that Cobra, with his rugged appearance and straightforward demeanour, felt he lacked.
As the meal proceeded, the silence remained unbroken. Conversation was absent, not out of discomfort, but out of adherence to the etiquette ingrained in them.
There were no casual toasts, no remarks exchanged across the table only the steady, muted sounds of cutlery against fine china.
Half an hour passed, and as the last of the dishes was cleared, Cobra leaned forward.
"King Anos," he said, his voice carrying a polite enthusiasm, "it's a rare occasion for you to visit Alabasta. Would you allow me to give you a tour of our palace?"
Anos responded with a gentle smile. "You're very gracious, King Cobra. Since you've extended the invitation, it would be a privilege to accept."
There was an underlying excitement in his voice, though he carefully masked it with royal decorum.
The invitation to tour the palace was precisely the opportunity he had hoped for. His curiosity lay beyond mere admiration for architecture he sought knowledge, the kind hidden in centuries-old secrets.
Anos vaguely remembered from past accounts that Alabasta housed a Poneglyph, but he could not recall its precise location within the palace walls.
Accepting Cobra's offer meant he might finally gain access to the elusive artefact, a piece of history that held more than mere words.
The ancient stone's message, if deciphered, could hold profound insights into the world's mysteries.
As they rose to leave the hall, Anos cast a meaningful glance at Daiki, who accompanied him from Tru. With no need for words, Daiki understood his king's intentions.
Their shared experiences in the courts of Tru had taught Daiki to read Anos's unspoken signals, and he was keenly aware of his role.
The Alabasta royal entourage consisted of around ten people, from Cobra himself to his ministers and closest advisors.
By contrast, Anos's entourage was smaller, consisting of Daiki and Suzu, who had accompanied him from Tru.
Suzu, with her sharp eyes and keen instincts, observed the palace surroundings with unwavering focus.
The palace of Alabasta was a marvel, even for a ruler like Anos, accustomed to the grandeur of his kingdom.
Its architecture exuded an exotic beauty a mixture of traditional Alabasta motifs and symbols of power that spoke to the nation's strength and resilience.
As they left the dining hall, Cobra and Anos walked side by side. Their entourage followed at a respectful distance, maintaining a ten-meter gap to allow the kings their privacy.
This distance was both an unspoken rule and a strategic choice, granting Cobra and Anos a semblance of solitude to converse freely.
Anos seized the opportunity, his voice calm yet probing. "King Cobra, I'm curious what are your thoughts on joining the World Government?"
Cobra turned, his eyes thoughtful. "The World Government of today has drifted far from what it once was," he replied. "For many Kingdoms, joining it has been more curse than blessing."
The truth in Cobra's words resonated with Anos, who had wrestled with similar doubts. He hoped that speaking with Cobra might grant him insights into the intricacies of joining the World Government, beyond the official statements and diplomatic promises.
Cobra's voice took on a grave tone. "The World Government now consists of 175 member Kingdoms, yet the world itself has close to 300. That doesn't include those along the Grand Line. Altogether, there are over 500 Kingdom or countries, and the majority have chosen not to join."
Anos's gaze did not falter, though he listened intently.
As Cobra continued, he outlined the financial toll membership required: the exorbitant Heavenly Tribute, an amount so burdensome it often bankrupted lesser nations.
"For poorer Kingdoms, the tribute alone can plunge them into ruin. They're forced to commit their resources, even their people, to paying that cost," Cobra concluded.
Anos remained silent, weighing the implications. Joining the World Government could secure Tru's standing among kingdoms, offering protection and the appearance of legitimacy.
Yet, Anos knew there was always a hidden price, something the government wouldn't reveal until it was too late.
"The Heavenly Tribute," Anos mused, "is a burden few can bear."
Cobra nodded, understanding his guest's hesitation. "Though I am grateful Alabasta does not pay it, our history has paid other costs. Hundreds of years ago, my ancestors chose not to join the Celestial Dragons, even when offered the privilege. To this day, I don't know what secret or legacy they safeguarded."
"Really, Alabasta does not pay Heavenly Tribute?" Anos spoke carefully, his interest piqued.
Why would Alabasta's rulers reject such an offer? The answer, it seemed, was lost to history, locked in the memories of long-dead kings.
The mysteries surrounding Alabasta were not fully addressed in historical records, and even the legends left gaps.
Anos suspected that this journey would only reveal more unanswered questions.
The Poneglyph might provide some clues, but he knew the path to understanding Alabasta's secret would require patience and persistence.
For now, Anos kept his thoughts to himself, though his mind raced with speculation. With a polite smile, he replied, "Thank you, King Cobra, for your honesty. It has given me much to consider."
Cobra nodded, sensing that his words had left an impact. Together, they continued through the palace corridors, each man absorbed in his thoughts.
As the grand halls of Alabasta loomed around them, both rulers recognized that the world they navigated was far more complex than it appeared.
The true essence of power lay not just in rule or wealth, but in the understanding of one's legacy. For Anos, the journey had only just begun.
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