"Don't," Genna said, her voice a brittle whisper, her face cast towards the ground. Emerald was instantly pulled back to his senses, his anger deflating. He looked gloomy, quickly apologizing for his outburst, but kept his head held high.
King Zedic could have taken the time to let the tension fade, but he didn't. He pushed his worries and the old ghost tales aside and proceeded to speak. "Indeed, you're an interesting fellow. No wonder my daughter brought you here even knowing the circumstances. If you want to hear the reasons, you should stay when I say so," he said, keeping his words short and to the point.
"I knew Genna was the princess ever since we started having the conversation. There's no need to worry about me being a human with a mark that your people see as a great valor. I do know the purpose of your kind. As for my behavior and words, I apologize to the king and Sir Caztel of House Caztel. I will stay, my King. After all, I'm a normal human boy who just got dragged into some supernatural circumstances. What else would you think I'm going to do, my King?" Emerald's words echoed with an earnest humility. Genna's face brightened, surprised by the sudden shift in his demeanor and the maturity of his words.
"So, she never told you about anything, and yet you came? Why?" the King pressed, giving him a nod for his apology.
"To be honest, I don't get the question you just asked. Why would I, you say? Well, it's simple. My father always taught me to be kind and generous, so turning down someone who has been kind to you is a kind of backstabbing. Genna gave me so many things and adventures that nobody else did, and now I'm just paying it back. Knowing the conversations between you, my King, and the princess, I'm pretty sure what kind of life she might have led. A sparrow isn't supposed to be caged for long. Only God knows how much of a sin a man commits by caging one, but God can't help the being out of its misery, so he sends his subjects for the purpose. I merely think I'm a subject such as one," Emerald replied.
"It's not a good thing to be so casual and time-consuming with the King, young man. Show some respect when you address him," Caztel interjected.
"Respect is something that can only be earned, not something that can be bought. And if there is somebody I respect without any morals, then that should be God himself," Emerald replied, his eyes gleaming with honor and confidence.
"When the knights reported about you, your mother is the one that wanted to see you. I think I'm delaying your mother. You should go now, kid." This time, Zedic's voice was smooth as silk, carrying a fatherly tone.
Genna started heading back to the door, while Emerald stood there like a stone, gazing at the King's face. After she had left the chamber, the King spoke again. "The forest beyond the mountains is left for the wolves. It's a secret and friendship treaty I signed long ago. And as for this person you mentioned, Alexi Hristolian, you know exactly why I couldn't accept it. Now, I would like an answer to a question: Why did you choose to accept the fate?" the King calmly stated his interest.
"I don't know, but if not me, then who? It's better to know the suffering of your own than the unknown," Emerald slowly spilled a few words of wisdom.
King Zedic glanced at him and let a slight smile curve his lips. He then calmly shouted, "What are you looking at? Go on! I will decide what to do with you in a week. Enjoy your life to the fullest until then, kid. May the god you speak highly of shall let you live." The King smirked after saying that. As before, Emerald walked out of the chamber with Genna.
The first thing Emerald pondered were the secrets of his journey. "You never said you were a princess," Emerald asked while walking.
"What if I did? Would it have changed anything?" Genna replied.
"No, but still, I could have been more prepared to face your old man."
"Don't sweat it, big boy." Her words now carried the pride of a princess.
"Is he strong to be a king?"
"Of course he is; he is the strongest in the Kingdom right now." A statement was born.
"Glad to know. By the way, why aren't there any sculptures or paintings on the wall? I saw a couple of works on the hallway in the front domain." As observant as ever, he started to step into the restricted waters.
"This path is called the Silent Valley. No art or rooms other than the Chamber of Justice. This path shows the embodiment of the Kingdom of what it used to be."
"You're saying it's something big and mysterious, right?"
"What the fuck? You didn't catch anything?"
"Who cares, even if I did."
Genna and Emerald entered the Central Hall. Genna looked around, busy as usual. The hall was crowded with citizens and guests. "Why is there so much traffic here?" Emerald asked.
"There's a festival coming up; that's why. It happens every ten or twelve years, I guess. Anyway, let's go. I can't be seen in here." After saying that, Genna and Emerald headed to the East Tower, where her mother usually was. As they progressed with the further exploration of the new world, the King's chamber was rolling with decision-making and heat.
"What do you think, Caztel? Is it the right thing to do, or a bad thing?" the King asked Caztel.
"Well, no matter what steps you take, there's a rumor that he's the 24th vessel." Caztel's voice was grave. "Well, it's not a rumor, it's a truth, to be honest. The Ventrgiz family reported that 12 seals have already been lifted."
"That means nine to go."
"Besides that, there's a major problem." A danger was hinted.
"I know it—the Originals." A worry was notified in the King's words.
"You're precisely right. The festival is coming up. If the pending seals were to break..."
"The First Emperor." That same name again, resurfacing. What was the deal?
"...will return!" The King took a deep breath and said, "Take the news to the people. Treat him generously. You should especially watch out for the girls in this country. I don't need to tell you what kind of girl my Genna is..." a fatherly voice took hold of the King.
"Aye, sir, then I will be leaving," Caztel left the chamber.
Near the Russian territory, in the Virgin Komi Forests, a tree started to burn itself. Soon it turned to ashes. From the ashes, a cross lifted, and boom, it was gone without a trace, leaving behind a sparkling dust.
The sight pulled back to the island kingdom, in a busy street, in a not-so-rushy alley, at a cafe table. An old woman was having a coffee, she was spacing out... a few seconds later her eyes glowed a brimming red for a moment, she took a sip and said, "That's thirteen, how much to go?" all by herself.
Back in the chamber, the King was storming his brain with so many choices. He seemed unsettled as he muttered so many things; a few words echoed in the chamber: "It's all as you explained, just what kind of man are you, Alexi? I wish you were here to witness it."
(To be continued)