8 Dinner with the Royal Family (2/2)

Zelea patted Koji's back for a minute until he stopped coughing.”Here, drink this,” she ordered.

Her husband took a sip of cold water and drank until he emptied the cup.The discomfort in his throat soon lessened.”Thank you,” Koji said in a low voice.

”Dear, not everyone is a heavy drinker like you,” Queen Herecia admonished her husband.While everyone was preoccupied with Koji's distress, she claimed her rightful seat at the head of the table.

Koji lowered his eyes to stare at the table before him. His face turned red with embarrassment.

King Aphraphus was disappointed to learn that the newest member of his royal family wasn't a social drinker.Nonetheless, he smiled broadly at Koji and clapped his hands.

A long line of servants entered the banquet hall carrying trays of traditional Northern Chinese cuisine such as pickled cabbage, stuffed eggplants, meat buns, pork and chive dumplings, pork with cellophane noodles, and steamed trout with ginger and onion.But the most astounding dish offered was bear paw stew!

”Don't hesitate!Take whatever you want,” the king urged.

Koji nodded and took a bun and a few dumplings, plus the cellophane noodles.When King Aphraphus tried to give him a bear paw, Koji immediately declined by putting a hand over his plate!

”It's wonderful for your growing body!” King Aphraphus said with a disappointed look.

”It's quite all right,” the guest declined politely.

The king placed the paw on Prince Heretrios' plate, and the young man, who appeared to be in his mid-twenties, frowned.However, the harsh glare of the father gave Heretrios no choice but to eat it.

Koji looked across the table and gave the prince an apologetic look.

The royal family ate in silence until the plates emptied.

Queen Herecia cleared her throat to draw everyone's attention; she held up her cup to make a toast.”I congratulate my daughter Zelea's union with her Bonder, and may your marriage be a long and happy one,” she said.

Everyone leaned forward to clink their cups and drank.

Princess Daethix raised her hand to draw attention to herself.”I wish to bond with Koji as well,” she announced.

”WHAT!” the king muttered with wide eyes before he regained control of his emotions.He was surprised at the notion of two princesses, including a successor to the throne, marrying the same Bonder!This situation was unheard of in the history of the Nephosian Kingdom!

Queen Herecia turned to face the future queen.”Why Koji?” she asked in a calm tone of voice.Her eyes danced with curiosity because Daethix was willful as a child, and always declined proposals from mighty warriors and influential families in the four kingdoms.And because Daethix will be the next Queen, the mother did not force her daughter into a political marriage without Daethix' consent, or else her daughter will kill the poor young man.

Princess Daethix smiled sweetly and said: ”10,000 Power and 5,000 Qi.”

The eyes of Koji and Zelea bulged.How did Daethix learn of Koji's secret statistics?”Mazea,” the couple said in unison.

Zelea was visibly upset at the old healer's betrayal.

Daethix raised a hand to forestall her sister's anger.”I coerced Mazea to tell me of Koji's confidential information.She also admitted to placing a seal on his dantians,” Daethix explained.

SLAM!King Aphraphus pounded his fist on the table in anger.”Outrageous!” he roared.”I will personally lead my men to raze Wuu Men Street!”He jumped out of his seat.

However, Queen Herecia intervened and used her Telekinesis to force him to sit down.”Stay,” she said quietly.However, the queen's powerful Will backed her command, and Aphraphus couldn't fight back.She smiled at Zelea and said, ”Please explain why you sealed your Bonder's dantians and crippled him.”

”I was afraid that once people learned Koji is a prodigy, they would kill me and steal my Bonder,” Zelea admitted with tears forming in her eyes.Her spirit severely deflated because her attempt to hide the truth about Koji failed.Now, the couple's lives were at risk!

”If I bond with Koji, then no one would dare to steal him from the two of us,” Daethix pointed out.

Her father shook his head ruefully.”Little flower, you're missing the most important issue, which is whether Koji is qualified to be your Bonder and the Royal Consort.”

Daethix giggled.”Dad, Koji is a fighting maniac.After I turned him into a villain in the eyes of the public, Koji slew almost everyone in the arena by himself in a 15-to-1 fight, and he came out on top without injury.When I learned from Mazea how outstanding his Power and Qi are, I decided that Koji was the most suitable man to become my Bonder,” she concluded.

”Winning a 15-to-1 fight, eh?” King Aphraphus said with a look of admiration at Koji.He was surprised that Daethix convinced the other newcomers to gang up on Koji--and lost!The king cursed inwardly for missing this fight!He nodded in approval. ”Daethix, you have my permission to marry Koji.”He turned toward his wife to seek her opinion on this important matter.

”I will test Koji before I grant permission,” Queen Herecia replied.She turned toward Koji.”Will you accept my test?”

The young man looked around the table and scanned the faces.Everyone wanted him to accept the challenge.Koji realized that he would lose a considerable amount of face if he declined the opportunity to become the future queen's Bonder.And everyone would see him as a coward.Koji winced inwardly at the realization that the Royal Family had backed him into a corner.”Yes,” he answered with a deep bow to the queen.

Herecia smiled sweetly like a predator eyeing her prey.”Very well.I will summon you when I'm ready to conduct the test.”