Emilia Marseille, Versez, the Capital; Kingdom of Eins, 610

Emilia was confused, but more than that, afraid. Earlier that day, the Captain of the Royal Guard barged into her little bookstore with several Knights in tow. He asked her to accompany him back to the Royal Castle. She winced when she remembered a particular day.

Before Laurin arrived to fetch her, the citizens were in quite an uproar. A few days after people felt through the curse that a new King has been crowned, the town criers all over Eins announced that the new King is in fact, Aleuas Eins. The people rejoiced, she even heard through travelers and merchants going around the country that people frequently had feasts and other forms of celebration to commemorate the crowning.

Emilia was glad and very ecstatic about the news, but only until she remembered her unlikely encounter, and how she handled it.

That was two weeks ago. Right now, Versez itself felt very alive. People walked through the stone streets with an unprecented calm, and joy; trading wares and exchanging conversations that underscored a lot of hope that they felt for their future. The numerous modest wooden houses in the commoner and housing wards and large stone buildings in the business wards felt sparkling and clean under the glistening sun. The marketplace was brimmed with merchandise, clerked by their motivated owners that shouted their specialties, earning interest from flocks of shoppers. Establishments that housed businesses were packed with customers, some looking to have a drink or meal, others to get a place to stay before acquainting themselves with the Capital.

The crowning of an Eins sparked a lot of interest back in Versez, as exemplified by the admiring stares of people who watched the carriage she rode in. It bore the crest of the King, but it was painted blue that signified an honored or esteemed guest. The Royal Guards surrounded the carriage, each with their beloved horses and rode with a relaxed, but focused posture. The people must've thought the an important person was making their way to the Royal Castle, and they whispered to each other in obvious expectation.

That was the confusing part. In front of her sat a quiet Laurin donned in red armor, who was also contemplating the view. Laurin only told Emilia that His Majesty wanted to see her, but judging from the way he talked about it, it looked as if even he was as clueless as her and was just a messenger. She was glad that Laurin didn't feel like forcing her to come, but even then, she couldn't just shake a royal invitation away and ignore it.

The thing that made her afraid was the King's playful nature. She at first felt that this must be to account for her direct comments when they conversed but after thinking about it for a while, he didn't seem like the type of man to do that. Rather, what made her worried was in fact that playful nature. She couldn't understand what the man saw in her that he made his way to invite her for an audience. Was it to investigate her vast knowledge of the state of affairs? Did he see her as a threat and wanted to at least put her on a leash?

There was one question that bugged her all throughout the trip that didn't make any sense: why choose the bookstore as a meeting place? That sealed the deal in her concluding that this audience is more to it than it seems. She was apprehensive, but she didn't have a choice in the matter.

It annoyed her that Laurin chose to be quiet throughout most of the ride; only speaking with her when they had to take a break in the town after Winschel, where she lived and only asking of mundane things about her life.

They arrived at a small set of gates, manned by two guards in tight, but otherwise ornate leather armor. The guards quickly opened the gates as they saw their carriage approach before quickly bringing their hands up in a salute. Emilia shuddered. They were now at the noble wards.

The noble wards felt a whole lot different than the commoner ward. In here, all houses were large and built with sturdy looking stone walls and foundations. Most of these dwellings had their own patio and had their own guards keeping watch in front of ornate gates of their own. The guards donned a variety of armor in different colors and bore the crests of the Houses they guarded.

The paved roads glistened, but she couldn't help but feel that a lot of the space in the wards were too deserted. Except for a few patrolling guards, she couldn't find any other person who were taking a stroll. That was intriguing because there were really lavish cafes and stores that she saw on their way to the Castle, but other than the storekeepers and waitresses lounging with nothing to do, she saw no one else.

"Emilia, before we arrive, I apologize if this all seems a bit too much and too fast. I did ask why His Majesty wanted you for an audience, but I feel like you know a bit of his personality, so you should have figured out what I got as an answer."

Emilia was startled when Laurin suddenly decided to talk, then awkwardly smiled as Laurin finished.

"Y.. yeah. He's a bit of an..." Emilia paused to consider if what she had in mind was a proper thing to say. Laurin raised his brows with a slight smile, as if he too was interested in how she viewed the King. She thought that it should be fine, since he was the one who felt sorry anyway.

"Eccentric. But in a good way." Laurin slumped his shoulders down and shook his head, but Emilia felt that the Knight was more relieved than agitated about her comment. Still, she fidgeted closer to the back of her seat.

"He really is, isn't he? I still don't get the way he thinks, but I do understand that he just does things his own way, and that he really looks forward to improve Eins." Emilia nodded. His Majesty might be mischievous, but what she felt from him was more of a round-about way of caring rather than harm.

"Still, I do hope that you keep yourself calm in front of him. His nature may extend to any number of things and that could make your meeting with him a bit unpleasant. Judging from the way he talked about you though, I can say that you should be able to handle his quirks. Especially knowing about the details of your run-in when he visited your store."

Emilia winced away from Laurin's gaze in fright. That means that Laurin knew about what they talked about at least, though that doesn't make her any less happy. It was quite odd that Laurin, who was known as a very loyal and dutiful servant of the Royal House, was lenient about that particular detail. Maybe the Prince's habits seeped into him for some reason.

Gaining confidence after some consideration of Laurin's opinion, she sighed and settled her gaze back to Laurin.

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"Thank you. I'll keep that in mind. I do want to say sorry about our little conversation though."

Laurin chuckled, but looked at her in a comforting way. They both decided to keep to themselves after that, the awkward silence making Emilia realize the implications of this meeting. The King must have something in mind.

She just hoped that it wasn't something that'll put him at odds with her.

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Emilia felt disassociated when they entered the Royal Castle. If the gates of the Noble Houses in the noble wards felt secure, the Royal Castle Gates felt grand, as grand as just about any other thing that accommodated the Castle.

A large fountain was placed center in a colorful garden in front of the castle proper, exhibiting different greeneries and flowers that helped soothe her. Benches with delicately carved wooden sheds were littered around the large garden.

The castle itself was huge, five-storeys high, and built with yellow stone that glowed. It seemed to be enchanted, and Emilia suspected it was a defensive enchantment. People like her, even though they didn't use much magic, still had access to mana to use its basic ability to enhance, so she could tell when magic was being used or when items are enchanted at least. 

Though everyone had an innate special ability, there was at least a prerequisite of training someone's control over their mana and learning more about magic before they discovered it. Nobles though, are lucky in that their special ability manifests at much faster rates, owing to their magic being passed through bloodlines.

Rumours are that a special court magician had a special ability that allowed newly established houses to have their kin inherit their magic, and that court magician's ability was also part of their bloodline. Still, there were a lot of intricacies that she decided long ago that she'll never understand, like why their now ruling King was thought to have not inherited his father's ability.

Ministers ran around in determined hurry all over the castle, almost bumping to each other only to greet with quick resolution. Servants tended to the garden and bowed as she and the Knights led by Laurin made their way to the large castle doors. Two stone statues stood at the sides of the doors. They were majestic figures of large lions who were in the middle of a roar, and she allowed their carved visages to empower her and calm herself. 

They entered and she stopped in her tracks, agape at the scenery. The ornate white-walls were adorned with a multitude of glow-orbs in different colors, and neatly placed artwork from the Kingdom's most esteemed artists. The hallways themselves were wide enough to be considered houses, and a lot of rooms to various functions were sealed with glossy wooden doors.

"Miss Emilia?"

She was startled out of her trance by Laurin's beckon, and timidly walked close to Laurin.

"I'm sorry. Please lead the way." Laurin nodded. If Emilia was apprehensive at first, right now she felt that she didn't belong here.

What was she doing here anyway?

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The hallway leading to the Throne Room wasn't what she expected. It was as though the carpet was new, and there wasn't any decorations that led to the doors. She spied a bit of Laurin's expression. He was sulking as he looked around and led her to the doors. It was suspicious, to say the least.

They arrived in front of the doors and stopped in front of it. The Knights except Laurin quickly made their way out of the hallway and back downstairs.

"Emilia, I don't think this matters much to His Majesty, but I expect you to behave in the audience properly. As soon as we enter, we walk up to at least ten steps away from the Throne. From there, I'll make my way close to His Majesty. You have to kneel when you get to that spot, place your right hand squarely on your knee, and lower your head. Do not raise your head or stand up until he tells you to rise."

Emilia nodded and squinted her eyes as she reviewed and imagined the procedure in her mind. She didn't mind that, and at the very least it felt very normal to have an audience with a King that way.

"To be honest, His Majesty can be too playful at times. I at least want him to consider the time and setting, but..." The Knight simply shrugged. Emilia decided to not pry deeper.

Emilia checked and fixed her clothing. She wore a simple white dress that went up to just below her knees. She straightened her posture and gestured that she was ready. Laurin opened the doors.

She entered and tried her very best not to react. The Throne Room was plain. She'd expected a decorated Throne Room, but apart from the chandeliers on the ceiling and a few glow-orbs on the pillars, there wasn't really much to examine. Laurin moved forward and Emilia followed. She felt her heart race as she made eye contact with the young King.

He still had a similar brown leather garment on, but he wore a red robe fastened around his neck. On top of his head lay a simple crown with slight protusions, and a ruby at its center. He looked calm and just watched her approach the throne, his chin high and his hands resting on the rests.

As she got close to 10 steps away, she knelt down as she was instructed. Laurin continued on and made his way to the young King, and whispered something. The silver-haired man had a thin smile as his reaction, before nodding. Laurin stood still beside the Throne.

"Emilia, I welcome you to the Royal Castle. Raise your head."

She slowly did as she was told, making sure to raise her head as slowly as possible.

"I thank you for the invitation, Your Majesty.", she then remembered their conversation and she almost supressed a frown. The young man perked up and raised his brow.

"I.. I also apologize for the things that I've said upon your person. I would like to say that I had not a clue back then, and I didn't know any better. I ask for your forgiveness."

The King then laughed. Laurin seemed uneasy, and looked at Emilia, his eyes trying to communicate his worry. Emilia could only tremble and grasp at straws at trying to understand the King's reaction.

"I'd say that it doesn't bother me, but that would be no fun." He grinned. Emilia felt life escape her body at the implications, but she stilled herself and waited for the King to finish.

"In fact, what you said did hurt me quite a bit." He shook his head slowly, his right hand palming the flesh of his face. Then, he used the same hand to raise one finger in front of him. Emilia gulped.

"That is why, I'll have you prove your point to me." The King walked down the pomp and approached Emilia. She sunk her head down and couldn't meet his gaze. She felt unpleasant, like her fate rested in the palm of the King's hand. She regretted the meeting, but she never knew! She cursed her fate as she subtly gripped her knee with her hand.

"Yo.. Your Majesty. Might you enlighten me on what you have in mind?", she fought back. She resisted her urge to run even though she felt that the King's playful nature opened up possibilities. Possibilities that doesn't necessarily mean it's good for her. She tried to come up with ways that the young man might make her prove her point, but the truth of the matter is, she didn't know what point it was that he was referring to.

The King then held out his hand as he got close. Emilia subsconsciously grabbed it and the King carefully pulled her up. He smiled one of those playful smiles that she has by now realized can spin and twist someone into his pace. She pulled her shaking hand away from the King's hold.

"It's simple, Emilia. I'll have a set of people come to the Royal Palace for some one-on-one discussion. They're said to be the brightest noble minds in Eins. I'd like to choose an adviser as soon as possible. That's where you come in." Laurin sighed, and Emilia felt that the Knight just resigned to whatever idea the King came up with. She decided to ask for more information.

"What exactly will I do, Your Majesty?" The King then smiled a friendly, toothy smile. Again, it seemed to make her relax. Again, it also made her go with his pace.

"You'll be the one to choose who I pick!" The King said, excitement underlying his almost sing-song tone. Emilia stared wide-eyed and she flinched to a step back. She didn't understand what that had anything to do with her making a point, but she felt determined to at least ask one question.

"Why me, Your Majesty?", she shouted, her shocked voice echoing around the Throne Room.

The King only shrugged.

"You'll find out."

At this point, Emilia just wanted to go home.