Chapter 296 - The Lonely Prince (1/2)
KALE KINGDOM was a new kingdom on the continent.
It hasn't even been twenty years since the kingdom was established. It used to be a part of an empire. But when the empire fell, one man rose and started picking-up what was left of the fallen territory. Apparently, that man was chosen by the Moon God himself to rule a new kingdom.
Thus, Aleo Moonchester became the king of the Kale Kingdom.
He and his group of friends were apparently blessed by the Moon God with powers that made them stand above ordinary humans. That was when the gift called 'Mana' became well-known in the empire. But only the royals and the nobles had that kind of power. For that reason, the nobles only married and reproduced within themselves.
But from time to time, a Mana-user would be born into an ordinary family. But despite that, they would be treated differently from Mana-users with royal or noble blood.
After all, that bastard of a king wanted to stand above his own people as if he was a god.
As if his kingdom was the only place in the continent that could use Mana.
As if King Aleo Moonchester's reign was absolute.
Needless to say, Soleil Rosenberg hated the man even though this was just their first meeting.
”Rosenberg clan? Of course, I've heard of it,” King Aleo, seated on his throne arrogantly, said while looking down at her and her aid. Obviously, the king was unimpressed by their visit. He probably only welcomed their envoy when he heard that they brought rare gifts for the kingdom. ”People call you 'Fire Mages.' Am I correct?”
”You're correct, Your Majesty,” Soleil said politely and with a smile even if she didn't want to. ”We are called Fire Mages and we live in a small nation called Solarium in the east part of the continent.”
Right now, Soleil was in the presence of King Aleo Moonchester in his throne room.
A gallant-looking young knight stood behind him and nobody else. But she was certain that the other knights were just next door.
Anyway, she didn't feel intimidated even though she was in the king's territory. Aside from the fact that Mola stood behind her, she came in the palace as a visitor. But of course, if the king tried to do something funny, she wouldn't hesitate to fight back.
Even if it meant going to war against the Kale Kingdom.
But I hope we don't get there.
Anyway, although she didn't like the arrogant King Aleo, she had to admit that he was quite good-looking. He wasn't also that old yet. As far as she knew, he was only in his early forties. No wonder he still looked fit to be sitting on that throne.
But the king's conventionally attractive look was his only saving grace.
Rumor has it that His Majesty is a good swordmaster, but his Mana is quite average.
”I've also heard of your nation,” the king said, still unimpressed. ”Apparently, your nation is known as the 'Land Where the Sun was Born.'” He smirked, obviously in a taunting manner. ”What should I do? Kale Kingdom is known as the 'Land Where the Moon was Born.'”
That was a complete lie.
Kale Kingdom wasn't called that way. The king was just obviously messing with her because he didn't want to appear inferior to their little nation.
But since she needed something from the king, she had to put up with his arrogance.
”I heard that Kale Kingdom is a kingdom loved by the Moon God himself,” she said with a smile. ”It's an honor to be here, Your Majesty.”
The king looked satisfied by her praise. ”You said your name is Soleil, isn't it? And you're the only daughter of your nation's ruler?”
”That, I am, Your Majesty.”
”I can't believe that your parents let their only child travel alone.”
”I am not alone, Your Majesty.”
He scoffed at that. ”A female aid isn't much of a protection, young lady.”
She just smiled politely even though she was seething inside. Mola was strong and she didn't need to prove that to an arrogant king. After all, they didn't care about his opinion anyway.
”So, to what do we owe this visit?” King Aleo asked. ”I was surprised when I received a letter from your nation. I'm quite interested in what you've come for to offer to me.”
He really said ”to me” instead of ”to our kingdom,” huh?
It seemed like the rumor about the king's greed was also true.
”May I go straight to the point, Your Majesty?”
”Of course, young lady.”
”I'm here to see the first prince,” she declared, obviously shocking the king. ”I'm here for Prince Kalel Moonchester.”
The king now looked serious as he gave her a cold stare. ”I'm afraid I can't grant your request, young lady. The first prince is ill. Although it pains me to say this, my oldest son's disease is infectious. Thus, he's now allowed to receive guests. I hope for your kind understanding.”
He said all of that in a stiff way as if it was a spiel that he memorized to say in situations such as that one.
But she already expected that from the king, and so she came prepared.
”Your Majesty, winter is already approaching,” she said, obviously confusing the king. ”I heard that the cold could get really bad in your kingdom. Apparently, even nobles have a hard time keeping their homes warm and safe from the harsh weather.”
The king raised a brow at her. ”I thought you'd get straight to the point, young lady?”
She smiled and nodded. ”Your Majesty, may I implore you to allow my aid to use her Mana to bring out the presents that we bought for you?”
The knight reacted negatively, just like she expected because it was considered a sin to use Mana or a weapon in the presence of the king. ”How dare you ask that to His Majesty?”
”Hush,” the king told the knight who quickly shut his mouth. ”I'm giving you the permission to use your Mana in my presence.”
She bowed politely at him. ”My utmost gratitude, Your Majesty,” she said, then she turned to Mola. ”Put them out, Mola.”
Mola bowed to her. ”As you wish, my lady.”
After that, her aid pulled out a handkerchief from the b.r.e.a.s.t pocket of her blouse. Then, she dropped it on the floor. As soon as Mola did that, the handkerchief turned into a huge picnic blanket.
And on top of the blanket laid ten huge treasure boxes.
Each box had its lid open because it couldn't contain the red, shining spirit stones inside. The spirit stones resembled the gem called ruby. But of course, the ones they brought were infused with Mana that not even a king like Aleo Moonchester could easily get a hold of.
The king knew that, thus the sudden spark of interest in his red eyes.
”Your Majesty, I'd like to present to you these spirit stones called Vulcan,” she explained to the king who looked thrilled now. ”One Vulcan is enough to keep a palace warm. No matter how cold the winter turns out to be this year, you'd get warm by using our spirit stone.”
”Interesting,” the king said. ”There are stones sold in the market with a similar effect. But you're saying that I only need one of your spirit stones to keep my palace warm?”
”Yes, Your Majesty,” she said. ”Our nation has only begun to open its gate to trading. Currently, one Vulcan costs one hundred gold coins. The bigger ones cost a diamond.”
The king looked shocked by the price. ”One spirit stone costs that much?”
”Yes, Your Majesty,” she said confidently. ”But as a token of gratitude for your warm welcome, we present all of these to you as a humble present.”
It wasn't a humble present and the king knew that.
To be honest, revealing Solarium's precious stones to the greedy king was a huge risk. She and her people knew that there was a chance that King Aleo might invade their nation to get their riches. But they were prepared for it.
Moreover, she was prepared to risk it all for the lonely prince.
”You only need to see the first prince, don't you?” King Aleo asked, a greedy smiled plastered on his face. ”Would visiting his room suffice, young lady?”
Soleil smiled and bowed her head to the king. ”I'm much obliged to you, Your Majesty.”
***
THE KING said his knights would take her to the first prince's ”room.”