14: The Royal Family (b)

Alastor stood back up and walked to the side, revealing the people sitting at the table, the Royal Family of Ether, the most powerful people in humanity.

They had blonde hair, their eyes were uniquely gold in colour. They were a picture perfection of beauty, all of them looking like dolls, yet so very human. At the table, we're four figures.

The King, a man with short hair and a moustache and beard kept neat. He was formal, gesturing for Trojan to have a seat at the other end of the table.

Trojan bowed, a hand to his chest, his walking stick in his left hand. He said, "Greetings to the Royal Family."

Alastor, their mage, was no longer in sight. Trojan guessed that the mage was planning to oversee the dinner without having his presence disturb the dinner.

"Please, there is no need to be so formal." The King said, cracking a smile. "This is an informal event after all."

Trojan smiled and adjusted his hat before walking towards the opposite end of the table. "Of course, my apologies then."

The King sat at one end with his wife by his side. On the left and right sides of the table, near the King and Queen, was a young man on the left and a young lady on the right. Trojan's seat was pulled back by his maid, who then stood behind him after he sat down. Trojan glanced at the family. From his perspective, the boy on his left had longish hair, and he seemed like a bright young man. The girl on his right was similar to the Queen. She spoke little, she seemed uninterested in Trojan.

"I would have to thank you, Trojan, for helping with the Economic Crisis a month ago." The King started. "Without you, I am unsure if we would have been able to recover from it."

"It was not that big of a deal." Trojan said, trying to be modest. "After all, it was part of my jurisdiction, so it is my responsibility to ensure that the economy stays afloat."

The King nodded. "Still, it is an impressive feat! Over the years, you have shown yourself to be extremely capable of solving problems in the most effective and efficient ways. The country has most definitely prospered thanks to you."

"You're flattering me." Trojan said, cracking an embarrassed smile.

Something was odd. Trojan had heard stories about the King, and how he was a cheerful man, but a capable leader. However, something felt off about the whole situation. How only the King was the only person speaking, and how the rest of the Royal Family seemed dissatisfied with something. The King was being awfully cheerful, almost as if he wanted soften Trojan.

Trojan was on guard for any question the King might pull out.

"Regarding your promotion to Duke…" The King started.

Trojan was preparing for the worst. It was entirely possible for the King to revoke his promotion and to simply make Trojan accept it. The Royal Family had enough power, and if they so desired, they could even have Trojan killed. Some people may question it, but eventually, his very death may be looked over.

Trojan knew that the Royal Family was a risky supporter to have, but he had been doing a good job. Helping the country prosper, helping them build it up, doing whatever was in his power. He had donated large sums of his money over and over again whenever needed, and he had invested in many businesses run by peasants. In such a short time frame, Trojan had been able to gain enough support from the people and nobility, he was promoted by the Royal Family several times.

However, the previous times he had been promoted, they had only sent a letter to him, stating that he had been promoted. For them to request his audience for a simple promotion, Trojan was understandably wary of the reason for doing so.

"I have to congratulate you." The King said cheerfully. "You have done a great service to our country, and you have definitely deserved this promotion."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Trojan said.

The King nodded and looked to the side. He gave a signal, and a servant off to the side nodded back, walking away. The King then looked back at Trojan. "So, has Alastor shown you our garden?"

"He has." Trojan confirmed. "And it is simply stunning, especially under the orange lighting your mage provided."

"I'm glad you liked it." The King said. "My wife has spent a long time on it, and it is as breathtaking as ever no matter how many times I looked at it."

The Queen playfully smacked the arm of the King, who only laughed.

"The interior design of the palace is marvellous as well," Trojan said, looking around. "I have never seen an estate as well-made as this."

"Why thank you." The King said.

The servants started walking towards the table, each of them carrying a wide dish of food. Trojan watched as a pork roast was placed on the table, followed by a salad, fish, crabs and other delicacies that smelled heavenly. The food was placed mostly on the Royal Family's side, and a servant took Trojan's plate, filling it with food.

"My head chef has prepared a special meal to welcome you." The King explained.

"I would love to have an opportunity to thank the chef then." Trojan told the King.

"Unfortunately, the head chef dislikes speaking to people, so I would have to decline to her offer." The King said apologetically. "But please, enjoy the food."

Trojan did just that, eating the food, which tasted good, perhaps the best thing he had ever eaten, but he made sure not to pig out, keeping his composure in check as he ate.

Out of nowhere, the King started speaking. "Regarding another matter…"

Trojan wiped his mouth with a napkin as he looked up. He saw the Princess flinch when the King had started speaking. Trojan knew it was not a good sign.

"Trojan, you are still unmarried, yes?" The King asked Trojan, a smile still on his face.

"About that…" Trojan started to reply, but was disrupted.

"If you like, you could marry my daughter. She is around the same age as you, correct?" The King suggested. "You are a capable young man, and I'm sure you would bring further prosperity to the country."

Trojan had to stop his jaw from dropping.

What?