King Alexander sat at his desk in his chamber, a stack of papers before him as he considered the candidates for steward. The general and diplomat stood to either side of him as a man with a slender build and a sharp-featured face entered the room. He had piercing green eyes that seemed mischievous, and his short, spiky hair was deep purple. He dressed in long, flowing robes of black and purple, adorned with silver embroidery and gemstones. On his left hand, he wore a silver ring inlaid with a small, deep purple gemstone.
“Greetings, Your Majesty. Pray, allow me to introduce myself - I am Haemon of the Dark Omens, and I have taken it upon myself to serve as a benevolent caretaker of the people. I earnestly hope to offer solace and succor to all those who grace our kingdom with their presence, and to see that we attend their needs to with the utmost care and compassion.”
“Thou shalt receive generous wages, Haemon,” spoke the King, “For I believe thou wilt prove to be a valuable asset to our realm.”
“How delightful to hear such words of confidence, Your Majesty. I shall endeavor to exceed your expectations and prove myself a worthy steward of your trust. My gratitude for your faith in me knows no bounds.”
Alexander gave a royal nod. “Indeed, I have faith in thy honour. Yet, as thou art a novice in this charge, some apprenticeship would serve thee well. Art thou ready to begin forthwith?”
“Indeed, Your Majesty. ‘Tis my greatest honor and privilege to be granted the opportunity to serve thee in any capacity that I may.”
“Thy tutelage as steward, Haemon, shall be most diverse. To hone your abilities, thou will take part in a multitude of tasks and disciplines. Henceforth, you shall gain the skill of governing the treasury of our realm, encompassing wise allocation of funds, foresight of future requirements, and the gathering of levies. Thou art to learn to supervise the courtiers of our palace, ranging from their engagement to the appraisal of their performance. Thou must become adept in the craft of discourse with guests and manage our diplomatic ties with distant lands. Training in negotiation, resolution of discord, and problem-solving may fall within thy purview as well. Finally, thou art to accustom thyself to the laws and decrees of our kingdom and become proficient in our rites and traditions. Thy tutelage shall blend formal learning and practical application, under my watchful eye until I deem thee prepared.”
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“Dost thou know what a steward doth?” Alexander asked.
“Your wisdom knows no bounds, Your Majesty. Allow me to clarify my duties - if thou dost not engage in discourse with certain individuals present in the throne room, it shall be my solemn responsibility to represent thy interests and interact with them in a manner befitting thy station. However, shouldst thou engage with all present and leave none remaining, I shall remain at thy side in attendance and await further instructions, to not squander thy generous compensation.”
Vasos let out a chuckle. “Hah, maybe just lock up everyone who comes to the throne room.”
Alexander chuckled at Vasos’s suggestion, then turned his attention to Haemon. “Verily, it is a pressing issue,” King Alexander said. “What doth thou propose, Haemon?”
Haemon straightened his posture and cleared his throat. “Begging your pardon, Sire, but may I proffer a strategy that might well augment the esteem of our realm and ensure the contentment of our guests? My modest proposition would be to show the highest regard and politeness to each visitor, furnishing them with sustenance and plush accommodations whilst they wait for their audience with Your Majesty. We might delegate an informed and gracious member of our staff to guide each guest, responding to their queries and easing any issues that may come to light. Such steps are bound to leave an enduring favorable mark on our guests, boosting our standing as a kingdom known for its cordiality and benevolence.”
Vasos sneered. “And what if they make trouble? Shouldn’t we just toss ‘em in the dungeons?”
Haemon shook his head. “My apologies, Vasos, but I must respectfully disagree. The imprisonment of our visitors would only foster resentment and unrest among them, and damage our reputation as a just and compassionate kingdom. Rather, I would advocate to treat our guests with the utmost kindness and understanding, that we may show to them the graciousness and benevolence that our kingdom embodies. Through such measures, we can ensure that our visitors depart with a favorable impression of our realm, and that our reputation as a land of fairness and generosity endures.”
Alexander nodded. “Indeed, you are wise, Haemon,” he said. “Let us plan a grand feast in honor of our guests and ensure that we made all preparations to make their stay comfortable. We will also arrange for entertainment and other activities to keep them engaged and entertained. They will know our kingdom for its hospitality, and our visitors will depart with fond memories and the desire to return.”
Vasos grumbled, but he relented with a shrug. “As ya wish, boss. But ya gotta know, not all folks who come can be trusted.”