Chapter 2. A Royal Dinner

I grew nervous on king's demand. What have I done now? I glanced at Lopez as she was sharing the same confusion as me. I looked at Lilith who motioned me to move and stand in front of the king. I did as told. I didn't dare to look at the king guessing he won't be pleased with my action.

"Look at me Lucas." Now I can't even hide my expressions. Great. I looked at him as he caressed his beard again. He smiled. Wait... He smiled? I arced my brow as his smile grew bigger.

"My fellow citizen, I present you your future king, Lucas. If anyone has any complaints, they could step forward."

I was shocked. My mouth agape and my eyes popped off its socket. I couldn't believe what I heard. I eventually made an eye contact with lopez and Lilith again. Lopez was shocked but Lilith was smiling. Did he perhaps knew it beforehand? I would ask him later.

What astonished me more was no one complained. No one rised against me. I never knew I was this accepted. I bowed to the king, acceded to his decision and rest everyone bestowed.

"Excellent!!" The king chirped while clapping his hands together. We raised our heads and I smiled. Sire gestured me to move forward and come to him. My feets walked on its own accord and I didn't even realise I was climbing the pavillion. Once I reached, I bowed again.

I felt a presence near me as two giant hands held my sholder firmly and raised me from my position. I stood and it was my first time to see him this close. I discovered he has freckles as well, which definately looks charming on his face.

He engulfed me in a bone crushing hug which took me by surprise. Moreover, I was somewhere lost in his giant frame considering he is huge and wide whereas I am just a beanpole.

We seperated as my face finally came out of his great white locks of beard. Sharing a secret, few strands of them went in my mouth. The king faced the courtroom again as I took this opportunity to remove those beard hairs which were stuck in my mouth. Only one word.

Disgusting!!

Lopez saw that as she giggled earning a death glare from me. She got the signal as she composed herself back and faced the courtroom again with emotionless face. But I knew she is still laughing secretly. I averted my gaze from her.

"Since the royal announcement is made and there is no other important business, I would like to dismiss the court now." As soon as the king said that, the crowd dispersed. Within a matter of seconds, only me, the king, lopez and Lilith were left. I was about to go but king's voice held me back.

"You're a royal now Lucas, you'll live in this palace starting tonight. Moreover, I have things to discuss and some heritage to pass. You'll have dinner with me." The king sounded tired but his duties held him awake. He turned around and faced my two friends.

"You both are also invited to dinner considering you both are next king's best friends". Lilith smiled and bowed while lopez held her expression stoic and bowed like a dutiful person.

"Drop it Lopez. I know how you are." King sighed at her over acting as she giggled as well. King was used to of them both. Lopez is a charming and bubbly girl but when she needs to fight, she turns into alita. Lilith is a composed yet cool guy. He has a mature image which is good. The king is tranquil and calm.

"I am going to take a shower and then appear for the meal. You all better not keep me waiting long." With that note, sire went out of court room. We silently watched him leaving. As soon as his figure disappeared, lopez burst into laughing. Lilith was eyeing her as if she was an alien.

"What happened to her?!" Lilith whispered in my ears as we both stood at some distance from her, our arms folded on our chest.

"Ladies problem. They are born idiot!" I whispered back.

"I agree". He said with a huge sigh.

"Do you perhaps knew about this king ceremony thing?" I started a conversation again. Lopez too joined after her laughing serial was completed. She threw her arms around my shoulder and leaned her weight on my torso as she smiled brightly.

"King asked us for our opinion in this matter. We suggested you. The king observed you for a week or so and decisions were made." Woah, so they both knew about it.

"Why didn't you tell me about this. You played along all the way!!" I whined. I could have acted some kindness.

"We were requested to keep it a secret. Also, as a matter of fact, you are not so great actor. So if you were informed about it, you must have done something suspicious." I agree on what he says as I am really a problematic and messy person.

" But still guys." I had already lost to them but there's this feeling to continue whining. I listened to what  my heart said.

" It doesn't matter anymore Lucas. You have been announced the next king. Without overacting. Now let's go, we're hungry." Lopez got off my shoulders and walked towards Lilith. She stood beside him and for the first time I noticed she was one centimetre taller than him.

" Okay..but I have one more question....why you suggested me?!" When I said they both looked at each other. They had some secret conversation through eyes and smiled and looked at me like I am some imbecile caught during theft and they know I am gonna punished bad. By the way they were preparing to speak, I thought of a long answer but they left me hanging with

"You'll know."

They started moving out of the court room leaving me trailing behind them. I was that lost kid who have entered a strange land with no knowledge of anything. I quietly followed the two as they took several turns. We made it out in the garden and then we entered another palace.

The palace was made of platinum and gold. Every pillar was carved with intricate designs, detailed sculptures stood at various marks, the halls were full of paintings and jewels. The ceiling was made of see through glass and crystal chandeliers were hanging equidistantly. There were soldiers in armour and spears lining the corridors, their tip as pointed as a nail.

The whole palace was shining brightly and it was the most shimmering point of night sky. Of course it would be. Afterall it's the North Star. We were in the palace at the centre of universe, where only royals of orcas live.

Since we all died before destined time, there is no heredity. Leaders are chosen from among citizen itself. Once our time is reached and matches with our supposed to be death time on earth, we get a notice from underworld. I have almost seventy years to live here as I died at the age of ten when I should have died at the age of eighty.

But if you're wondering how king ivory ruled for hundreds of years. Well, time is tricky in orcas. One day in human world is one month in Orcas which means due to earth's rotation I get to see her only half a month while for rest half month, other hemisphere is visible.

After what felt like a mile full of turns and paintings, we finally reached a door at the end of hallway. There were very few servants or workers we saw through journey which means either they are busy with chores or they left home. There is no day in Orcas, only night. The night is the time we rise and shine, for we are the stars.

The giant gates were opened by two guards placed on each side of door, revealing at least twenty metres long table full of delicacies. It felt like the table was arranged for a feast. On both the ends of tables, were maidens, looking down and waiting to serve.

At the long end we saw a figure in red robes. His ash golden hair reached his shoulder as his white beard trailed down his chest. He was clasping onto both his hands as he waited patiently to start with his meal.

"Welcome my children."