Audience with the King

The time for Kyle's audience with King Victor II had arrived The throne room doubled as an audience hall; it held all official audiences of

the king. It was a rectangular room with a tall ceiling, filling the room with a

sense of grandeur. Ornate decorations were placed at every corner,overwhelming those that entered the room with its powerful display. The royal family- King Victor, his wife Queen Alexia ; First princess Annora,the elder sister, had her young face drawn into resolution. On her right side sat her younger brother ,the first prince and the next heir of the crown and on her right sat Eira ,the second princess. Both of them semmed little nervous and uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, the nobles of the inner court lined both sides of the aisle, all

dressed in formal-wear as well. They were all in attendance to witness the

audience about to unfold.

"The boy who saved Her Highness Princess Eira will now enter," the voice of

an official echoed through the silent room. The doors to the audience hall

slowly opened, and every person in the room directed their gazes toward it.

A single boy with black hair and golden eyes stood there.

It was Kyle.

He had cut his hair in a style that fully exposed his shapely and androgynous

facial features, leaving behind a hint of innocence. The royalty and nobility in

the room stared at him openly, drawn to the exotic aura brought about by his

rarely-seen black hair and eye-catching visage.

"So that's the child who saved Her Highness."

"What an unusual hair color. Must be an immigrant child."

Kyle braced himself against the noisily stirring audience hall. He calmly walked

down the red carpet, which stretched down the hall to the throne. The stylish

children's formal-wear he wore didn't quite suit him; under normal circumstances, it would have given off a distinctly statuesque and respectable

impression. But unlike his outward appearance, Kyle's expression was

exceedingly mature. If this had been a noble child of the same age, it would have been natural for them to be trembling or frozen with frayed nerves. Yet,

Kyle's movements were completely calm.

Some of the eyes on him seemed impressed by his bold attitude.

"Hmph, some indigent..."

"Well, he cleaned up surprisingly well... He even moves according to the

proper etiquette."

"What a bizarre sight."

And so on. Many of their gazes were filled with intolerance as the nobles'

whispers spread like wildfire, but Kyle showed no concern at all. He walked

forward, step by step, with a composed expression. Eventually, he reached the

stairs leading up to the podium, and stopped there, lowering his head. All that

was left was to wait until he was spoken to, just as he was taught.

"Raise your head ,Kyle" King Victor II stated grandly.

"As you wish, Your Majesty. I am very much obliged," Kyle replied respectfully.

He slowly lifted his face and saw the royal family sitting on the podium. On the highest step was King Victor setted on the throne. Seated one step lower was her wife Alexia, first princess Annora, second princess Eira and first prince Nathan he had golden hair like King Victor and azure eyes like that of his mother the Queen Alexia. He stared at Kyle with curious eyes. While princess Eira looked at Kyle with restless embarrassment. On other hand, Annora sat straight in her seat while she eyed Kyle suspiciously. She was most likely suprised by how much Kyle's appearance had changed when his scruffy hair was cleanly choped off and his dirty clothes are replaced with clean ones.

It was evident that Eira and Annora are siblings - both young girls were beautiful abd had azure hair. Yet the aura they exerted were extreme opposite of each other. Eira's large eyes sparkled a lovely azure and her pale skin was tinted with a faint blush. Conversely, Annora had

her brows furrowed in displeasure, turning away with a huff when she made

eye contact with Kyle.

"On this occasion, I commend you for saving my daughter. You have done

well — I thank you." Victor extended his thanks to Kyle with his grandiose way

of speaking.

"I am wholly unworthy but humbly delighted to receive your praise, Your

Majesty," Kyle replied respectfully.

"You carry yourself quite capably in this setting. Did you study the etiquette of

royal audiences?"

"Your Majesty, I am beyond words. This is but hastily acquired knowledge

that my attendants assisted me in preparing, in the hopes that I would not act

disrespectfully in your lofty presence." Kyle's way of speaking made the king

peer at him with a look of admiration.

"I did send a message not to worry about the finer details of ceremonious

etiquette, but your efforts are quite admirable. I heard you were living in the

slums, but were you born in this country?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. I was born and raised in the capital."

"I see. And your parents...?"

"I have been told that my father and mother were adventurers that traveled

from country to country. They emigrated from the far east and had me once

they had settled in this kingdom, but both of them are gone now."

"I see. Immigrants from the far east... So that is why you are living in the

slums. That's quite the tragic past you have for your age, however... I do

apologize for asking such difficult questions. Do forgive me."

"It is no trouble in the least, Your Majesty. It's all in the past now," Kyle said with a troubled expression.

"I see. Incidentally, I was thinking of rewarding you for your actions..." Victor II started to speak, then paused to look at Kyle.

"What are your thoughts about enrolling into the primary school division of

the Royal Academy of Erugenia? If you wish, it will lead to favorable

employment opportunities in the future. If you produce satisfactory results, we

will also support your advancement into the Academy's secondary school.

The king explained the details of the reward, and Kyle's eyes widened at the

offer suddenly placed before him.