Blue walls and casual wealth greeted Jack as he entered the sitting room. Two things were obvious to him immediately. One, this room was designed to calm people down. Two, it was designed to display soft power. In his personal experience when a man designs a room for hard negotiations, then the chairs in said room will face one another. It was meant to be both a confrontational and a casual display of power. This room had chairs, couches really, arrayed in a square all facing inward. There were several overdressed people, that resembled peacocks, already sitting in the chairs nearly filling them. The only chair with a vacancy was also the center of attention.

One of said peacocks leaned over and loudly whispered to another behind their hands. “I thought he would be taller.” That just served to stoke his annoyance into full-blown anger. He was sensitive about his height, but he didn't know the players yet. So he continued to scan the room.

The people sitting down were glancing back and forth between the young woman lounging on the couch and himself. Though what really gave it away were the four guards in elaborate uniforms hovering over her. They attempted to pierce Jack with their eyes, the promise of a swift death clear if anything happened.

The woman wore a simple pastel gown. She had long golden hair, a color he had yet to see in this world, and light blue eyes. She gave the impression of a runway model that had discovered food and ate regular meals.

Jack took three steps in and stopped. He didn’t know anything about the political climate. He knew where he stood with the workers and his shadow. As long as he acted like he deserved their deference, then he did, but these were the nobility. History class in school was full of records that showed just how dumb people who spent an entire life being pampered and told they were special snowflakes could be.

Finally, after a few seconds of staring, the lady at the head couch waved him over and gestured for him to sit with her. “If you would join us Lord Adjudicator, we were just wondering when you would recover enough to make it over here.” The faces around him soured a bit.

Yeah, I’ll believe that when pigs fly. Bet they were trying to convince her to off me in my sleep. “As much as I would like to. Sorry I didn’t catch your name.” He waved at her in a please finish my sentence gesture.

She gave him a shrewd glance and a glare at Virtus who stood behind him. “My name is Laura grand duchess of Westgauard and heir apparent of the empi-“

“As I was saying, Laura,” Jack said while interrupting her. “Where I come from, sitting so close to a girl you don’t know is considered by many to be an… invitation. So I am just fine standing here.”

Everyone in the room started talking at once at the conclusion of his words. The nobles were aghast and muttering to each other behind hands, the guards pointing weapons and not-quite swearing at him. It must be banned here or something. The servants were gasping and moaning in afront of their ladies' treatment.

This went on for a few seconds before she lifted a hand and everyone froze at once. Except for her and Jack of course. They hadn’t moved or taken their eyes off of each other.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Be that as it may. I am not offering any such… invitation. I merely wish to get the measure of you. If you will do me the honor of sitting and conversing with us I would be ever so grateful.”

A man from the couch on her left bristled at that and piped up. “Your highness, he didn’t even bow or use your honorific. Such a crass commoner should be stripped and flogged at the least for their impertinence!” The others were all nodding at his words.

The princess cut him off with a gesture. “The Adjudicator is no mere commoner lord Attis. His position is undecided at this time so you better watch what you say.” The implication was clear, in case he outranks you. Lord Attis paled before shrinking down in his seat.

Jack ambled over slowly, eyes searching for threats before sitting down at the far end of the couch. He looked at lord Attis. “Bending knee to a woman in my culture is only done when a man, or a very liberated individual, wants to spend the rest of their lives with them. We bend a knee to no other, not even our parents or our political leaders.”

Everyone had a look of shock pass over their faces at Jack’s bold statement. A girl on a different couch spoke next. “Then how do you defer to the nobility? Do you have some other tradition for that?”

Jack chuckled softly. “My ancestors tarred and feathered the last ‘nobles’ that made claim to our land.” He leaned in to stare at the girl and spoke softly. “Then they exiled them back to their homeland.”

Another spoke up. “You have a surname. Only the nobility is allowed to have a surname.” Many more questions were being asked at the same time. To the point where it was impossible to pick any of them out.

“Ahem!” Laura cleared her throat and commanded. “You are all dismissed! I wish to speak to the Adjudicator alone.”

They heaved and hawed about how valuable they were and how they needed to be part of the ‘negotiation’. That mattered little as they were soon frog-marched out the door.

The princess turned back to face Jack. Her calm demeanor was washed away and face was red and her hands were balled into fists. “Well, what is it exactly that you want? Do you have any idea just how many powerful people you just alienated with that stunt?”

He grinned back at her. “Oh my master, the Sentinel, made my position quite clear. I am here to evaluate you! Not the other way around. Since I got here it’s been a mad dash to figure out what is going on and where I need to be. What I need is to go to school so I can learn more about this place and what it is that I need to do.”

She took a deep breath, obviously trying to master herself. “We can arrange that. My father has already decided to send you to the academy. What I called you here to talk about is different.” At this, she stood up and bowed to him. “The Empire would like to formally apologize for your abrupt summons to this world and we ask for your forgiveness in this matter. It was not our intention to send you into… that place with no support or an explanation. We are still investigating what exactly went wrong with the ritual and will seek to remedy it.”

Jack was flabbergasted! What ritual is she talking about? No one summoned me here, Master even confirmed it… Wait a minute, I bet they were trying to summon me and get me in their corner. They must be worried that if I answered the call naturally then I would go all Erokosë on the Empire.

He cleared his throat while trying to figure out how to not let on that he hadn’t actually been summoned by them. His hands found his empty pockets and realized he had no idea where his next meal was going to come from. That made his next move clear. “It is not a problem, I would be happy to forgive the empire if they were to provide some starting capital and a guide for me to live off while I get my bearings.”

The princess sighed in relief. Throwing money at the problem was the easiest way of dealing with this to her. She turned and called out. “Lillian come here for a moment.”

There was a rustle before a woman stepped out. She was tall and slender with dark skin and raven hair. Her governess dress was a cascading shade of greys and browns. The two women were a study in contrast. “You called, my lady?”

“Yes, for now, you will be in charge of guiding and teaching our ways to the adjudicator for the foreseeable future. I will arrange for a sum to be transported to his dorm room by courier tomorrow morning.” She stood up and patted her dress. “Is there anything else?”

“Yes my lady, don’t forget to wake up on time and to eat proper meals while I am gone.” She hid a small smirk behind her hand as the princess stomped off in anger.

She turned to Jack. “If you will follow me, sir, I will show you to your dorm and answer any of your questions.”