Meeting the Emperor

A day soon passed when they finally got to the gates of the palace. Guards in red and silver uniforms were all around the grand palace made of gold and marble. Ryker was shocked at the size, making the Pellan Kingdom royal palace look like a mere viscount’s mansion.

Ryker soon made his way to the throne room, leaving Lord Myster to deal with the carriage and room arrangements. When he got to the giant iron doors of the throne room, a servant stood there waiting to announce his entrance.

“Presenting Duke Westerwyn of the Pellan Kingdom!”The servant called out in a loud voice as two guards opened the doors.

Ryker stepped through the doorway into a grand room of white marble. Pillars lined either side of the room, a long red carpet leading to the end of the room where a small stage was.

Near the stage stood several men in expensive looking robes. Ryker instantly knew from their looks that these men were the emperor’s advisors and highest ranking nobles in the empire.

A middle aged man with dark brown hair and green eyes sat on a golden throne above the stage. He wore a jewel encrusted crown and a red and silver suit. And behind the emperor stood another nobleman.

The man behind the emperor had a cold stare as if he could freeze someone with one glance. Ryker decided he was going to need to be weary of the cold looking man.

Ryker finally made his way to the end of the room, bowing before the emperor as he got to the steps of the stage.

“Greetings your majesty.” Ryker greeted. “I’m Duke Westerwyn from the Pellan Kingdom. I have come to seek your daughter’s hand in marriage.”

The emperor nodded, leaning his head on a raised arm. “I see…And the two men behind you?”

“They are my guards bearing gifts for you.” Ryker explained, motioning for them to open the small wooden boxes in their hands.

The two guards quickly unlocked the golden locks on the boxes and lifted the lids, revealing small blue crystals lying on a red velvet cloth.

The emperor’s eyes widened at the sight and he quickly waved at a servant standing near the walls. “Bring me one.”

The servant did so, handing the emperor one of the bigger crystals. The emperor stared at the crystal for a few moments before looking back at Ryker.

”These magic crystals are of such good quality. Where did you get so many?” The emperor asked, handing the crystal back to the servant to return.

”As you know the Pellan Kingdom is well known for its magic technology. And the Westerwyn Duchy is where most of our magic research is done. We also produce most of the magical items exported to other kingdoms and the Empire.” Ryker explained quickly.

Ryker paused for a moment before continuing, ”I felt it was only right to gift your majesty some of our best crystals as a sign of the Pellan Kingdom’s thanks for the courting invitation.”

”Haha…You are a smart boy!” The emperor laughed. “Worthy of being a duke of such an important export for your kingdom.How old are you, boy?”

”I’m twenty-seven your majesty.” Ryker responded.

”A bit young for a duke but it’s close to my daughter’s age.…” The emperor mused before turning to the man behind him. “Call the princess would you..”

”Yes your majesty.” The man bowed before leaving the room.

After the man left, the emperor motioned for some servants to take the boxes. ”Take the boxes to the inventory room and have Baroness Anthea notified about this.”

The servants did as they were told, leaving with the boxes of crystals. The emperor then turned to Ryker.

”Seeing as this is just a greeting gift, I assume the bride's dowry will be greater.” The emperor questioned.

Ryker smiled. The magical items created by the duchy was the only reason the empire hadn’t taken the Pellan Kingdom.

The emperor feared what the kingdom made for itself seeing as how powerful the exported goods were. Of course, it made controlling the duchy and magic all that more important for King Thurstan.

“But of course your majesty. I plan to send two carriages worth of magical goods as part of the bride’s dowry.” Ryker stated. “However, it would be more effective if you would give me a list of items you wish for.”

”Of course, of course.” The emperor laughed. “I see having you as a son-in-law is becoming more and more pleasant. I want to tell the other kingdoms to not send their suitors and hold the wedding right now. Too bad I promised my daughter that she could choose her husband.”

”I see…” Ryker smiled, wishing the emperor would have done what he had said.

It would have sped up the whole courting process and his revenge plan. But it seemed he had to be a little more patient.

”Well, if my daughter doesn’t choose you, I’ll be glad to introduce you to my other daughters…Maybe some of the higher ranking noble ladies here. We have quite a few beautiful and well educated girls in the Empire.”

Ryker nodded, not wanting to say anything. His plan would only work with the Crown Princess as it was her power that he needed for his revenge. She was the only child of the late Empress and therefore the only one with the right to the throne.

The other princesses, while still having some power in the empire, were the children of the emperor’s many concubines and therefore had no real power over other kingdoms. Nor did they have the Crown Princess’s reputation.

”Father, you called?” A voice suddenly called out, breaking Ryker away from his thoughts.

He turned to the sound of the female voice and found himself staring at a woman wearing black pants and a cream tunic slightly opened at the top, showcasing the woman’s bosom.

Her long, black hair was tied up and she had a sword hanging from her belt, a hand resting on the hilt of the sword. Her bronze skin had small beads of sweat, as if she had been training just moments before and her purple eyes stared back at Ryker curiously.

Ryker’s eyes finally fell onto the black mask covering the right side of her face. The item that told him who exactly he was looking at. The woman he was meant to woo and marry. The key to his revenge.

The Masked Princess.