The Aphode castle was built for King Lunar Harrelson I, Ken's grandfather, to commemorate his victory over a rival kingdom, which he then acquired as a spoil of war. The crown passed to Ken's father, Lunar Harrelson II, who ascended the throne at the young age of nineteen by his own father's request, even while the old king was still alive.
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King's Castle, Main Hall
The hall was constructed from pure, fascinating white marble. Its pillars, shaped and sculpted by the greatest artisans on the continent, added to the kingdom's grandeur. King Lunar sat upon the throne, adorned in a golden robe and crown. His eyes were plain black, and his luxurious black hair flowed down the side of his face. At his side stood his adviser, Gerald, a man renowned across the continent of Pandora for his sharp wit. Only a few servants occupied the vast space.
Ken entered the hall, approached the throne, and bowed. "You called, Father."
King Lunar looked at his son. "Stand, my son," he said as he rose to his feet.
Ken stood up, and the two locked eyes for a moment that stretched into silence. Finally, King Lunar was the one to break it. "There is a task at hand. I want you to go to Aphode's Kingdom."
The command left Ken shocked. Aphode's Kingdom was a loyal vassal, and there had been no reports of conflict. "May I ask why I have to go there, Father?"
King Lunar's voice was heavy with a sigh. "My old friend... your uncle, Baron Medrick Jones, has been assassinated. His death has created an uproar, as he was the one who handled all of Aphode's affairs. I need you to go there and manage the business he left behind."
Ken's face remained a mask, though internally he was surprised. Why was he chosen for this?
He accepted the request but asked to take some of his own soldiers and servants, despite there being staff in Aphode's Kingdom. He insisted, and the King permitted him to pick his own retinue, with the condition that he leave by tomorrow.