Chapter 3 : Royal Castle (1)

"Was that your sweetheart" The first prince joked as he saw Raymond still gazing towards the direction of the tavern.

"NO!" Raymond blurted as he sat properly with a flushed face.

"Stop teasing Ray, Rostrick." Glidal said crossing his arms. "Why did you of all people picked us up anyway?"

"Hey, why are you so mad? Can't you be happier that a friend picked you up? Rostrick feigned a saddened tone.

"Look at this, because of yo-" As Glidal was going to show the spot where Lexia pinched, he was interrupted by Lexia's glare. A glare that said 'sit down and act accordingly'.

*Pfft* Rostrick suddenly Blurted. "Hahahaha" he laughed heartily while slapping his thighs.

Lexia shifted her glare to Rostrick. "Your almighty highness Rostrick Loutherid, The 1st prince of the Loutherid kingdom, son of the only Knight King - King Vernon Loutherid. Please, act accordingly or I might accidentally misspoke something to the Queen." She said in a cold voice.

Rostrick instinctively covered his mouth with his two hands while shaking his head. 'What's wrong with her today? I know she is strict with customs and tradition but not like this!..Maybe it's her day?' Rostrick thought in his head.

Lexias glare became heavier. "Rostrick, are you thinking of something rude?" She suddenly drops the formality.

The man in question violently shakes his head.

"Well, I suppose this should be fine if this wasn't Ray's first time interacting with nobles." She taps her finger at her son's head repeatedly. Both grown men looked at Raymond and saw his face was full of confusion on what was going on.

"Ah" Both men said.

The carriage ride was not long. It only took 15 minutes from the Biglodge tavern to the inner walls. The gate guards immediately hailed to raise the gate as he saw the carriage. They all saluted as the carriage went through.

Raymond Peeked outside the Carriage and saw the Royal Castle coming into view. "Wow" he can only exclaim. The Castle was Grand even though he can only see the top pointy parts. He can see 8 pillars acting like towers surrounding the Castle as it is like being clasped by gigantic walls. They neared the last gates and went through. 'At last, the Royal Castle' Raymond thought.

The carriage slowed down as to deliberately show the visitors the beauty of the Castle Garden. Each side are well trimmed rare trees that are shaped like brocaded walls and fences. The grass enclosed were lush green and vibrant, while different kinds of flora were arranged in a way that can only be described as magical. It was as if the plants in there were naturally inhabiting the area.

As they closed near the Castle, there is a statue that serves as a roundabout for the carriages that enter. The statue chiseled was a depiction of the Mother Goddess placing a crown on a man. The man was kneeling on one knee, shield down, while his hands was offering his sword.

The carriage stopped in front of the Castle door. The butler that was waiting outside opened the carriage door and held out a hand in courtesy to those who need help going down the carriage. All of them got out of the carriage.

"How was the Castle from outside Ray?" Rostrick asked while showing a smug smile.

"It was.." Raymond suddenly can't think of anything since he was cooped up looking at the garden. He forgot to look at the Castle!

"Very nice distraction right?" Rostrick said as he lightly knocked Raymond's head. "Let's go, father is waiting" he continued and signaled the butler to open the door.

They went inside and Raymond was absolutely awestruck. The waiting hall was huge. There were carpets everywhere, each pillars are laced with some kind of metal ornament. And across the room was a grandiose staircase leading to the second floor.

"Let's go upstairs to the throne room". Rostrick said as he led the family upstairs.

The second floor was another hallway stretching from left to right. Raymond's curiosity peeked as he asked Rostrick. "Where do these places lead to?" He points at each end of the hallway.

"That one is goes to the East Wing, only the royal family and trusted aides can enter. The other one is of course, the West Wing, another hall way is there for Ball's and other gatherings designed for numerous guests." Rostrick explained.

"But" He lightly knocked Raymond's head. "You got distracted again" He said as he walked forward and pointed what's in front of him. A gigantic wooden door fastened with golden inscriptions.

"This is the throne room, now get ready and just follow your parent's lead from behind." He said as he placed his palms between the two doors and slowly opened it.

They walked straight, towards the throne room. Raymond could only see a few people present. He saw the King wearing a golden crown, sitting on his throne with perfect posture, and two people beside him standing on each side.

The king had long blonde hair, with also a full beard down to his chest. He looked closely and saw the king's dark eyes, and stoic face. He looked like an older Rostrick, Raymond thought.

He then observed the other two. On the left was an old man wearing a robe of black and white with letters pattered all over that Raymond can't understand. The old man had white hair, though very disheveled with heavy wrinkles on his face, he seemed to exude energy.

On the right was a lady, quite old. Her facial features are vibrant but with slightly defined wrinkles, quite normal to Raymond. He even thought that she looked like a fruit vendor aunty down the street.

Rostrick suddenly stopped, and so did the group. He knelt down in one knee and everyone followed suit. "Rostrick Loutherid greets the king."

"Gligal greets the king."

"Lexia Raldime greets the king."

"Raymond greets the king."

The king waved his hand and said. "You may rise".

"Father, here are the disbanded Dawnsteel Party." Rostrick said as he presented the family.

The king squinted. "I remember there are four of you." He said while stroking his beard. "One haughty obnoxious elf, and one tall baby-looking priest. Where are they?" He asked in a profound tone.

Rostrick bit his lower lip in order not to laugh at the description given by his father. He quickly looked at Glidal to signal him to explain, but to his dismay, Glidal was doing the same thing – even going further tightly griping his own thigh.

Lexia saw this happening and thought 'What is wrong with these two. Always, when together – they act like little boys!' She complained in her heart.

*ahem* She cleared her thought. "Replying to the King. Sapphine, the elf decided to continue to roam the lands by herself, while Rafael went to the Temple of the Goddess as a clergyman." She explained.

"Is that so" The king replied. "I guess they don't want to be tied down to this country." The king said frankly with a dissatisfied tone. "But what about you? What are your plans?" The king questioned as he landed his gaze on Glidal .

"We decided to move to the country side and live a stable life, your majesty" Glidal replied

"Where?" The king pursued.

"In Vonnear Village" Glidal responded.

"Vonnear…. Belial" The King called.

"Your majesty, Vonnear Village is located at the north eastern part of the Kingdom. It is near the Hayan Ranges and also has the Vonnear Forest just beside it. 12 years ago an earth dragon descend from the Hayan Ranges into the Vonnear forest and wreaked havoc. An immediate dispatch was ordered as necessary, and the first and second prince joined the enlistment for the subjugation. The Kingdom's troops eventually finished the task, but the one who contributed the most was the Adventurer's Party Dawnsteel whom also volunteered for the quest." Belial said in summary.

"So that place…" The King pondered for a moment and stood up. "Glidal, I will confer you the title of Baron."

"But King I-" As Glidal was about to refuse he got cut off by the King.

"Don't refuse. And don't think I'm doing this to control you." The king clarified. "You know what I hate the most?" The king said while slowly walked over towards Glidal and stood in front of him.

"A good weapon rusting away in a storeroom. And that will happen to any man without a goal." He said as he looked Glidal in the eyes. The King then turned and sat back at his throne.

"Think of it as your adventuring days. Slowly climbing up the ranks, do it the same as this nobility title. Take your time and do it at your own pace. Just have a mountain to climb again." The King paused. "What do you say?" The king asked again.

Glidal sank in his thoughts, and carefully dissected the future he wanted. He just wanted a peaceful life, a slow but fulfilling life. But what does that actually mean? He started to wonder. What will he do? Farm? Hunt game? Lumberjack? These are interesting activities but none of these remotely fulfill him in the long run. He was lost. Then, he looked at the king.

"If I were to accept, what are my responsibilities?" He asked the King.

"To put it simply, you just need to focus on growing your territory. Build your forces, to defend from monsters, bandits, or the worst case for war. But since, our neighboring kingdoms all signed a non-aggression pact and a trade treaty, you don't need to worry about the latter." The king replied. "Oh, and Taxes."

Glidal contemplated but was still conflicted about the choice he will make. He looked at his wife and asked "What do you think?"

"I'll follow your choice." Lexia said wearing a sweet smile.

"I accept the Title, your majesty" Glidal said as he bowed to the king.