We followed the chamberlain through the grand entrance of Castle Amantia, stepping into a space of royal splendor. Every inch of the walls was adorned with intricate tapestries depicting tales of bravery and valor. Royal blue velvet curtains cascaded down from lofty windows, allowing the soft glow of orange sunlight to filter through. The light gray marble floors gleamed beneath our feet, reflecting the flickering light of crystal chandeliers that hung overhead, properly secured with braided tethers.

As we ventured deeper into the castle, daylight was replaced by the flicking flames of golden candelabras lining the walls. The corridor we walked along was lined with portraits of what appeared to be related nobles who gazed down at us with stern and unyielding expressions. The air started to grow heavy with the scent of exotic incense, with a thin layer of haze drifting sluggishly to intercept us.

“His Majesty’s private chamber is just ahead,” the chamberlain whispered in hushed tones, leading us through a set of heavy wooden doors. He approached the second set of doors, which were inlaid with delicate gold leaf, but stopped upon hearing the king was not alone.

“Father, please be reasonable. I assure you that what happened today was a mere accident!” a desperate male voice cajoled from the sealed room before us.

A series of wracking coughs erupted before we heard His Majesty’s soft yet crisp reply. “An accident, you say? It was a classic assassination attempt! I should know; I’ve lived through dozens.”

Had His Majesty been in the audience? Surely, he would have been somewhere prominent, and I would have seen him, right?

“Father...” the voice paused as the king began to cough again.

“My dear son. I will not allow you to go before the Goddess before me. You may find my decree harsh, but this is the only way I can protect you from those who seek to bring the downfall of our country.”

“You and I know my life will not make or break Amantia. Locking me up in this castle benefits no one. At least allow me to help with the repairs... My friends do not have the capacity to take care of them on their own.”

“Enough, I shall hear no more of this. Go clean yourself up. Your countenance is disturbing!”

“Yes, father...” the prince sighed in defeat.

As we hurriedly moved out of the way, I saw a somber expression on Relias’s face that mirrored my concerns about His Majesty’s health. However, I was more distracted by the prince’s sudden appearance as he threw the doors open in frustration.

“...You!” we gasped and pointed at each other simultaneously in surprise. His purple body paint had run down his face and neck, staining his soot-covered regalia. The shock silver wig he had worn straight up on stage was now cock-eyed, revealing a short crop of brown hair underneath.

“You’re not supposed to be here! How in all of Naught did you find me...” he stopped, looking at the entire group of us with widening eyes of horror, even flinching when he saw Duke Chadwick among us. “Lord Chamberlain! Get rid of--”

“Is that you, Reginald?” the king called. “Come in, come in, and bring those guests with you!”

The purple prince whirled around in desperation and shouted through the door. “Father! You need your rest! Forget this riffraff!”

“Nonsense. I’ll rest in between lives. Now, Reginald!”

“C-coming, Your Majesty!” Reginald turned, fixing us with a threatening glare. “I will announce you momentarily, and you will forget what just transpired here,” he hissed before stepping into King Paulus’s chambers.

Relias stepped forward, blocking the path of the royal role-player. “Which prince are you?” Relias asked His Highness bluntly.

His Highness drew himself up to his full height, his piercing gaze fixed on Relias. “At present, it would be most prudent for you to seek my forgiveness, addressing me with the respect due to Prince Mito of Ecclesia.” His narrowed eyes turned slowly to me, though they flashed with slight concern. “Moreover, for the benefit of us both, you shall avow that our paths have never crossed before this moment.”

“Whatever,” I shrugged nonchalantly, trying to suppress my inner shock at his true origins. Luckily, I couldn’t decide if the situation was funny or just absurd, so I refrained from further commentary.

“The sixth in line...” Relias sighed loudly, ignoring his initial request for an apology. “Are any of your brethren within the confines of the palace? The Crown Prince, perhaps?”

Oof. Even I could understand taking offense to that barbed inquiry.

“That’s not any of your business, Father, “ the prince sneered before storming off through the exit, letting the wooden doors slam behind him.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“That meant no, didn’t it?” Nora asked. “Otherwise, I think he would have had them threaten us with their authority, too.”

“Most likely,” Relias replied with an absent nod before muttering, “Spoony bard...”

We only waited a few more moments before the door to the king’s chambers opened again.

“Announcing the arrival of Duke Chadwick and his esteemed retinue,” Lord Reginald proclaimed ceremoniously from within the royal chamber. Relias and the duke entered first, and I soon followed, flanked by the rest of the party. Father Irijah was the last to enter, favoring a significant distance from the rest of us.

His Majesty was lying in a bed with a canopy overhead, supported by several pillows. He had a mantle draped around his shoulders, but it only reached the edge of the pristine linen sheets covering him. His hair and beard were neatly groomed, but it was clear that whatever illness he was suffering from had weakened his body. His face was ashen and fragile as if the slightest touch could damage it. Despite his condition, his voice still exuded authority as he spoke. “Duke Chadwick, what tidings do you bring this eve? Have the transgressor’s shackles been secured?”

“Your Majesty,” the duke descended onto one knee by his bedside. “I bring before you not a culprit but those who have been sorely missed.”

“Sorely missed?” King Paulus tilted his head before he looked at the rest of us. “I’m in no mood for an encore!” he proclaimed, obviously mistaking us for the theatre troupe.

At that, Nora inhaled sharply and held her breath, trying not to laugh.

Relias stepped forward and bowed deeply. “Considerable time has passed since we last communed, Your Majesty. I humbly seek your pardon for not calling upon you sooner.”

“Relias..? Is that you?” the king asked in surprise before turning to Reginald. “I told you not to bother anyone about this! Age is not an illness that can be cured!”

Lord Reginald, however, was too busy stammering to devise an intelligent reply. King Paulus rolled his eyes after watching his loyal subject for a long moment. “Whatever am I to do with you, Lord Chamberlain? Is it not your Purpose to recognize important guests?”

“They did not tell me their Names, Your Majesty...”

“And yet you thought not to ask?” the king retorted before a wave of dry coughs besieged him. We waited patiently as he sipped water from a nearby glass and started again. “Your Holiness, it appears that an individual has unjustly squandered your invaluable time. Should you kindly identify the miscreant responsible for burdening you with knowledge of my present condition, rest assured, they shall face the gravest of consequences under my decree.”

Relias chuckled softly. “I believe the Goddess would be exempt from such a declaration, old friend. As for the notion of fate residing within your purview... I find myself divided, contemplating how it would turn out.”

“You haven’t changed a bit,” King Paulus said rather plaintively. “It’s always the Goddess this, and fate that. Someday, you’ll take credit for your hard work trying to appease the masses, and the whole world will turn on its side in response.”

“That would make it rather arduous to walk, so I shall remain steadfast with my earlier convictions. However, I wish to present to you an individual who, once lost to all, has been recently found.”

“Has the Goddess returned?” His Majesty demanded, clawing at his bedsheets as if he were to stand.

Relias shook his head and motioned for me to step forward. “Not as of yet, but her reemergence is nigh. She has graciously dispatched her herald to precede her in anticipation of her arrival.”

Just pretend you’re onstage again, except this time, there’s no trap door. ... Right?

“Your Majesty, it is an honor to make your acquaintance,” I offered, bowing as best I could. “I extend my gratitude for granting us this audience despite the toll on your health.”

King Saulus’s eyes flashed as he frowned. “I’ll admit the costume is quite good, Young Lady, but you know you can’t fool an old knight like me. Why, all I have to do is close my eyes and...!” His eyes flickered shut momentarily as a surprisingly strong glow of silver surrounded him. “A beacon of gold shining in the night sky...!”

So, priests can potentially divine my Name and Purpose, and Holy Knights can see my aura? There really isn’t any way to hide here, is there...

“Reginald!” the king cried as he discarded his mantle and scrambled out of bed, wearing only a white nightshirt. “Ready my armor and sword! I am off to fight the demon king!”

“Remember your dignity, Your Majesty!” Reginald howled, trying to cover the frail older man with a bedsheet.

“Dignity be damned! The Chosen One isn’t interested in my knobby knees! She’s interested in my prowess to fight evil!”

“Uh, Your Majesty...” I panicked slightly, tagging Relias with my eyes. “Far be it from me to deny you your sword, but perhaps we could discuss our more immediate needs?”

“Anything you require is yours!” he roared, only to incite a fit of coughs that caused him to stumble. Reginald and the duke came to his aid, leading him to a nearby chair where they once again provided him appropriate cover with his linens.

“King Saulus... perchance, are any of your other children positioned in close proximity?” Relias asked hopefully. “I am of the conviction that a united pilgrimage, encompassing both your esteemed lineage and the entirety of the Order of Gold before you, would serve to announce the auspicious tidings of our savior’s resurgence throughout the thoroughfares of Chairo.”

He said savior again!

“United pilgrimage... including one from my royal lineage?” King Saulus tilted his head at Relias, his eyes narrowing. “I take it you’re finally going head-to-head with Councilman Pravum? You realize those soldiers under his command are my very own, lent in good faith and respected by all.”

“If Pravum yields to necessity and our Purpose, then I have no need for a confrontation with him. However, if he would deny what you have seen within your heart and soul, Your Majesty, I--”

“Say no more. I’ll write a decree that recalls the Reds, as well.” King Paulus began to smirk, his eyes lighting up with mischief as he glanced at us both. “But know well I know what you are really up to.”

Relias furrowed his eyebrows. “Your Majesty?”

“Should the Chosen One and Your Holiness express the desire to unite in holy matrimony, such a sacred union ought to be facilitated at the earliest convenience, without any interference from the Council! Consequently, I shall dispatch Prince Mito into your company, who shall represent my interests and advocate fervently in support of your blessed union!”