1.2 CHAPTER TEN: THE ROYAL DUKE OF VASILIOS

1.2 CHAPTER TEN: THE ROYAL DUKE OF VASILIOS

Straight across the cavea from where the infamous knight was, sat the Royal Duke of Vasilios(1). His Prussian blue orbs, cold and calculating, stared at the man they call Lucian Urian, the first and only knight who turned down the chance to be a member of the King's knights.

His hand gripped the rounded and bejeweled top of his wooden walking stick. Its collar was covered with a thick, gold ribbon where the sayings of the de Serin clan had been engraved. Its ferrule tip was covered in the same gold as with the collar, making a clunking sound each time it met the floor, alerting and announcing to every one of his presence.

"He dares make me wait?" the duke indignantly remarked. "For a mere knight, his flagrant boldness stuns me,"

His personal attendant and the knight he had ordered to call for Urian shook in fear at the coldness of his voice. They stood behind, on both sides of his extravagant chair that could be compared to the one prepared for the King. Arsene de Serin was a direct descendant of the first king and was the brother of the father of the current King, and it was his royal bloodline of his that made him a duke.

One with power almost the same as a king.

His words hold such a weight that even the King does not make huge decisions without the duke's say.

Yet. . .

Yet a mere lord of a small borough had the audacity to make him wait.

Lucian Urian was granted the title only a few months back and was already acting as if he was born into the nobility. Arsene scoffed. He was against such actions. He believed that nobility was something you were born into. It was not given. But the King, as foolish as he was, was so amazed at what the young knight had accomplished he had granted him the title.

Despite the offense made by Lucian Urian against the crown.

Duke de Serin gritted his teeth in anger. His pride would not allow him to be ridiculed by someone so insignificant. Yet he knew he could not make a significant scene on the day of the Regallion. It was a tradition even the King could not scorn.

"Bring him to me as soon as the Regallion ends. If he does not come immediately," de Serin ordered low in his voice. His eyes set in a glower in the direction of the knight. "force him,"

"As you command, my highness," the knight responded, bowing in understanding.

~oOo~

"To think that rascal could win this Regallion," Uli uttered, a slight hint of shock as the master of ceremony announced Lykaios Alastair as the winner of his assemblage. "But then, on the other hand, after being trained by you…" he let his words trail off, letting his friend finish it in his mind.

Lucian's only answer was a grunt as he watched the young child he had trained get down on his knee in front of the King. The royalty that stood in front of them raised the ceremonial sword and blessed Lykaios, dubbing him a new knight.

But amid the celebration, Lucian felt a tinge of wistfulness. There was nothing more despairing than winning the Regallion, knowing you emerged out of the numbers of squires who participated—alone. Only to be showered with praises and gifts.

Lucian stood up, observing his squire as the King praised him. He turned his back from the ceremony that was taking place. He knew what comes after being knighted. The King would make the formal invitation to join his order. Noone had been able to turn such glory. And Lucian was not giving enough to watch his most promising squire be taken away.

Uli glanced at his commander and friend's leaving figure. He could only imagine the thoughts spinning in Lucian's mind. He knew his friend was never enthusiastic about the Regallion. He was the first winning knight who openly admitted to hating the tradition.

All other commanders and vice-commanders watched as Lucian Urian left the cavea without finishing the sacred ceremony. Even though the squire who had won was from his order: The Sagma knights. Uli simply ignored them as he continued to watch the ceremony.

Once Lucian was out of the cavea, the same knight who had talked to him earlier awaited him. Lucian's midnight orbs squinted in doubt. He was no fool to his own reputation. But Lucian knew he was not prominent enough to have the duke unable to wait for his audience.

"The duke seeks your audience, lord Urian," the knight stated, his eyes unable to hold Lucian's stare.

Lucian knew he could no longer delay the call. So, with a sigh, he answered, "By all means, lead the way,"

The commander of Sagma knights reassessed his memories. To see if there was anything significant about his past interactions with the duke. But as he expected, nothing came to mind. He had only seen the duke thrice and talked to him once. So, what was with the sudden interest?

The knight guided Lucian into a room deep in the Crystal Dome. It was the first time he had ever been there. He suspected it was part of the Dome only the royalties could use it. The man with him knocked on a sophisticated door that was not a place Lucian would enter on his own.

Steeling himself, Lucian entered the room as the knight announced his presence. As soon as he was inside, he was immediately reminded of how low he was compared to the royal duke. The room was decorated only with the best materials money could buy. He looked around the room. Lucian noted that the curtain alone could feed the whole number of Sagma knights for a month.

He bowed down in greetings towards the man sitting on a throne-like chair in front of him. The Duke of Vasilios gestured with his hand for him to stand up. Lucian nodded as he stood straight from his bow.

"Please forgive my discourtesy of declining your request this morning, your highness," Lucian started, calm and collected. "I could not leave my squire alone knowing the trials he would soon face,"

Duke de Serin chuckled. But Lucian noted how his orbs were not laughing. "Of course, lord Urian. It is duly acceptable. Do not worry. I hold no displeasure. After all—your squire must have received such exceptional training and attention from you, seeing as he had won his Regallion. Just like his commander had,"

Lucian smiled despite the hint of vexation he had heard from the duke's words. "As much as I like to take praise for his success, your highness, I cannot. It is his own hard work and talent that won him this trial,"

The duke laughed once more. "Oh, where are my manners? Please, do take a seat, lord Urian. And maids served our guest some tea,"

Lucian sat down but raised a hand to decline the offer of tea. But the duke insisted. With a nod, Lucian gave in to him, knowing it would be best to stay on the duke's good side until he could figure out why he was summoned.

A maid served him tea, and Lucian thanked her. The woman's face turned bright red as the knight commander turned to face her. Lucian tilted his head towards her in a confused reaction to her obvious abashment.

Lucian sipped the fragrant tea he was served and complimented the duke with his excellent choice of tea leaves. The duke continued to make small talk that Lucian was filled his second cup of tea. As a child who grew up in the streets and had to join the knights just to live during his teenage years, tea was not something Lucian had grown fond of.

He would rather booze any given time of day.

"Lord Urian, may I ask, what are your plans for marriage?" the duke suddenly asked during a lull in their conversation.

The question, not something Lucian expected to be discussing with the duke, took him by surprise. He faltered as he put his cup on the table before him. And to cover his confusion, Lucian gave a small laugh as he lightly shook his head.

"It's. . . Your Highness, it's not something that has entered my mind, to be honest. As you are well aware, my time has been fully utilized for expeditions and training. Marriage has been something far from important,"

Duke nodded as if understanding. He also put his cup down as he stared at the commander across the room straight in the eyes.

"Well, you are already five and twenty, no?" the duke asked to which Lucian only answered with a nod. "You are at a perfect age to get married, lord Urian. Any later than this, and you might find it harder to find the perfect wife,"

"Yes, I understand, your highness de Serin, but I—"

But the duke had not allowed Lucian to finish his sentence as he picked up his cup.

"How about my daughter?" the duke proposed.

"What?" was the only word Lucian could utter in shock.