The White King's Favorite novel Chapter 7

For someone who was getting arrested right in front of them, Yassim seemed strangely calm and composed. Cessilia and Tessa exchanged another glance. They had tried to stop the soldiers with Tessa taking a step forward, but Yassim had asked them not to. It looked as if the old man had already anticipated all this, and was surrendering willingly, although it was odd. Moreover, none of the soldiers were actually acting rude to him, or had even tried to bind him in anyway. They simply flanked the former counsellor, a hand on each of his shoulders and the other on their spears. There was obviously some respect there; perhaps because Yassim was obviously not going to resist them in any way.

"My ladies," he said very calmly. "I am sorry for deceiving you. However, this shameless old man would be very grateful if you could accompany me again."

The two young women once again exchanged another glance with each other. It was obviously all part of his plan. From the way those soldiers had arrived right away and focused on Yassim rather than them or even their Dragon, there was something at play here... Cessilia nodded. She already trusted Yassim, although it was obvious he had deliberately hid some of the truth from them. She was also curious to see why he had risked everything just to bring her here.

"C-Captain," whispered one of the men. "What about the... that..."

He was obviously sending worried glances towards the Dragon behind the two girls, although Krai didn't seem to care at all. The soldiers were visibly confused, and not prepared for such an issue. Tessa chuckled, crossing her arms.

"What? Never seen a Dragon before?"

Meanwhile, Cessilia turned around and walked back to Krai, gently petting his neck. She then whispered something to the Dragon, who took off with most of their luggage still on its back. The girls only had time to unload one bag each, but that wasn't an issue for now. Turning around, she smiled gently at Yassim, bringing some relief to the old man.

The soldiers were confused by the situation here, and were exchanging glances. The six of them were already doing an impressive job at trying to do their job while faced with a Dragon just a minute ago, and the arrival of the two foreign women with an exiled counselor... Sparing them any more questions, Yassim gave them a gentle smile and joined his hands down together like a benevolent grandfather.

"Alright, gentlemen. His Majesty should be holding the morning court right now... Shall we get going?"

"Counselor Yassim, those women..."

"Those ladies are my guests, and I believe His Majesty would like to meet them also."

The soldiers were troubled, but at least, they knew what to do next. Would the King really be happy about the exiled old man coming back with strangers? They had no idea what gave him so much confidence, but they were willing to roll with it. It wasn't their heads that were at risk here...

The little group began moving, the six soldiers staying close to surround all three of them. Tessa was sending glares each time her eyes met with one of the soldiers, or they inadvertently came too close. Cessilia was more absorbed in the architecture around them. Unlike the Dragon Empire's Imperial Palace, this Castle was mostly composed of large, grey stones, and small spaces. The first corridor they walked through to get inside was surprisingly narrow to them, but it still had small little windows of tinted glass every three or four steps, which let plenty of light in. Unlike the white marble she was accustomed to, this castle had the same stones for walls and floors, and at times, a long jute rug would appear to cover the uneven stones. Everything in here felt foreign to the two young women, and they started walking close to each other without even noticing. Cessilia was surprised how little water fountains would sometimes appear randomly on a wall, or in a little sculpture in the middle of a crossway between corridors. The ceiling was lower than the high ones compared to their home, but it sometimes had strange openings that would give a little view on a floor below, or above, like a balcony.

At some point, they walked into a corridor that had the right wall half-open, and showed a large square room below. A handful of people were there, working on desks in what seemed to be a little library, or a study. It was very silent, and none of them even raised their heads as Yassim's group walked upstairs. It was obvious everyone was used to those little balconies, but it fascinated Cessilia. In her aunt's palace, all the corridors were very wide and had arches so one could see the gardens on either side of it, and the rooms had a ceiling high enough that no man could reach... In here, it felt as if her father would have only had to raise his hand to touch it.

"I'm very sorry I wasn't as honest as I had hoped to be with you, my lady," suddenly said Yassim. "There are circumstances... I am grateful for your benevolence."

Cessilia didn't answer. She understood that Yassim only meant to apologize, but wasn't asking for her forgiveness. It was too soon for her to judge. Instead, the young woman was a lot more curious about what was going to happen next.

Finally, the guards stopped in front of a pair of large blue doors. Although they clearly led to an important room, they still looked small to the two young women, and Tessa frowned, wondering if two big wooden panels were actually meant to protect anything... They could hear what was going on inside, too. Some people were loudly shouting at each other, apparently trying to make a point. The soldiers hesitated for a little while, waiting until there was a bit less noise to bang the doors and enter.

They hadn't expected to see such a big room, after all they had seen so far. Yet, this was obviously the heart of the Castle. A big round room, with large windows with blue-colored glass, and an impressive mosaic under their feet. Their entrance caused everyone present to go suddenly quiet.

There were only nine beautifully sculpted dark wooden chairs, arranged in a circle, and two of them were empty. Only seven people were seated, but each had a little group behind them, from two to as many as seven people. It was clear the people present were all some sort of nobility, or at least wealthy in some way. Tessa glanced over their wooden or silver jewelry, the colored fabric of their clothes, and the few fur capes. Yassim clearly hadn't lied about the wealth difference. The two young women were like walking treasures, compared to everyone else who were present. Aside from theirs, the only gold items in the room were a couple of rings, a necklace and a bracelet, all worn within the same group of people.

Everyone was staring at them in awe as they walked up to the center. Tessa wasn't afraid to hold their gaze either. Their appearance was causing a commotion, and those people were already watching in awe, glaring and whispering conspicuously. Because they were standing behind Yassim and four of the soldiers, they could only see more and more of the room as they walked further in. Unlike her cousin, Cessilia was more absorbed in the architecture around them than the dozens of stares they were getting. This was the only room with a high, round and vaulted ceiling, and the mosaic up there, similar to the one under their feet, was a breath-taking piece of art.

"How dare you come back."

The deep voice resonated within the room, sending a chill down everyone's back.

Tessa and Cessillia stopped walking, and glanced at each other. The King. They couldn't see him because he was right ahead, and their vision was blocked by the five men in-between. Yet, even without seeing him, they could feel the weight of his presence by everyone else's reaction. Cessilia glanced around them. Everyone in the room was tense, and were suddenly looking down, as if they had been scared to make eye-contact with the King, even by chance. Only the people seated were looking in their direction, their eyes going on either Yassim or the two girls, visibly worried.

But worried for whom...?

"Greetings, my King," said Yassim, sounding strangely composed.

"You were banished," hissed the King, his words as sharp as blades. "How dare you defy your King and come back!"

"This humble servant didn't disobey, my King. I merely followed your own orders."

"Ha," scoffed the King. "Then, who is it? Are you aware you brought a woman to be killed by my hands, Yassim? Do you think I'd indulge them for the sake of you?"

Tessa put a hand on her bag, where her blades were hidden, frowning. In any case, she was ready to defend her cousin and kill that King if necessary. She wasn't scared of these people... However, as she glanced to her right, Cessilia's expression didn't seem to hold anything like fear either. Instead, she had her green eyes riveted right ahead, looking almost... expectant. Her cousin's chest was rising up and down to her accelerated breathing, and her lips were slightly open. Tessa released the fingers on her bag, wondering what was going on...

"My king charged me with the heavy task of finding him a prospect wife. Your Highness, you said this old counselor of yours was allowed to bring one, and, if she became your majesty's Queen among all the possible candidates, you would spare my life and retract my banishment."

"I didn't think you'd dare try, you senile old man. So you've chosen death."

"I believe I have chosen to try and remain by my master's side, my King. Please, will you allow this senile old man to introduce his candidate."