The doors before him were laden with gold and silver, just like most things were. They had put a lot of resources into establishing the anti-espionage security measures to secure the privacy of the Royal Family.

The doors opened slowly, allowing Rui's senses to rush inside.

Two Martial Masters stood by the seated man.

His body was well-chiseled. He possessed an imperious air about him, like everything and everyone around him was subject to his command. His posture was erect and stiff with a raised chin that made it easier to look down on everybody.

He had sharp red hair, the kind that drew eyes, that was groomed and combed impeccably. His attire was both Martial and extravagant, which ironically made it less Martial since Martial attire was intended to be practical and able to survive the rigors of high-level combat.

Yet much to Rui's surprise, his demeanor softened when he beheld Rui, his eyes lit up with a hint of excitement.

Rui entered the room walking before the seated prince, yet before he could observe the mandatory gesture of bowing before the Royal Family, the prince shot up, putting his hands on Rui's shoulders.

"By my word, abstain from such a humbling gesture, Senior Quarrier," The Martial Prince remarked with a surprisingly modest tone. "I did not bring you here to have you bow your head. I have great respect for the man who has brought the Kandrian Empire honor and glory many times in the past, with latest being by simply being the youngest Martial Senior in history. I have much to speak to you about, come, let us sit."

Rui was taken aback by his grace. He did appreciate the respect that the prince was giving him. Although he did not have a particularly big ego, he did not appreciate being forced to bow his head to someone who hadn't yet earned his respect.

This was different from when he bowed to Martial Artists of higher Realms, they had earned his respect and admiration simply by virtue of existing.

"Your honor me with you grace, Your Highness," Rui smiled as he sat down, following the prince. "It is a pleasure to meet the Martial Prince that has managed to capture the support of a hefty chunk of the Martial Union."

Rui conveyed a subtle message with the word 'pleasure' instead of 'honor', giving the prince a brief but good idea of Rui's perspective on him without being rude. The Martial prince caught on immediately as well, giving Rui a knowing look.

The dynamics of the conversation were established.

It was the Martial Prince that had invited Rui.

It was the Martial Prince who wanted to earn Rui's support.

Rui did not possess any particularly high respect for the Martial Apprentice of royal blood. Although breaking through to the Apprentice Realm alone was something that could not be said to be easy, it was still the lowest on a totem pole that the people around him had already climbed many steps.

The Martial Masters that served as his bodyguard were of the Upper Realms, having broken through four times. Rui had broke through three times and did it in record time. As far as their Martial accomplishments went, the prince was sorely falling behind. He would certainly going to have to give Rui a reason to follow him.

"You can imagine my fascination when word of your return a week ago spread through the Kandrian Empire like wildfire. It's not everyday, or ever, that a Martial Squire disappears for several years and then returns a Martial Senior eight years younger than the prior record," He smiled, being remarkably approachable.

Yet Rui knew that this was an active effort to make himself amenable towards Rui. He had already caught a glimpse of his true character the second the doors opened.

Not that Rui cared, but it was a sign that the prince was remarkably aware. That was a good sign, a pompous fool who let his ego get in the way of his goals was not someone Rui cared to follow.

"Yes, it appears that many people have heard, and many people aren't content with just that," Rui heaved a sigh. "It's been flattering and tiring."

The prince laughed at Rui's words lightly as he drank some water that the servants promptly poured for him. "As someone who contributed to that, you have my apologies. It was not my intention. I wished to speak to you both as a Martial Artist and as well as a prince contending for the throne. I grew up fascinated with Martial Art, you see. Yet I wasn't content with merely admiring. I also wanted to understand and feel that power for myself. It took some time but I managed to break through to the Apprentice Realm, and recently have been training for the Squire Realm, which has been more difficult than I expected."

He put his glass aside, leaning forward. "Yet the more I learned about Martial Art in my own journey as a Martial Artist as well as a member of the Royal Family, the more I felt as though the state of Martial Art was…wrong."

That was a bold thing to say. Yet Rui waited for him to continue

"Not so much as the state of Martial Art itself, but its place in this world," Prince Raijun explained. "The stronger I got, the more I came in touch with powerful Martial Artists like yourself and the two esteemed Masters here who I've been blessed to have protect me, the more I felt strange. The strangeness of these incredible figures with all this power but no authority. The strangeness of a mortal man commanding demigods. The strangeness of a nation where those who can cleave nations in half with their godly power bow down to man and woman who couldn't snap a club of wood if their life depended on it."

His eyes grew serious. "Historically, the strongest force has always wound up calling the shots. Yet in the Kandrian Empire and many places around the world, it's the Royal Emperor and his appointed Prime Minister who call the shots."

His eyes bored into Rui's as he asked him a single question. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

"Tell me, how does it feel to helplessly lower your head to a family with no intrinsic power of their own, simply by virtue of their blood, status, and authority?"