The Visit

REGULUS POV

As the day passed, I got ready for the journey up north. Waking up from my bed, I took a lengthy bath, putting on my clothes and finally wearing my crown. As I descended the stairs and exited the castle palace, I was met by Alicia and three other knights. 

"Good morning your majesty." They all greeted me in unison. 

I nodded at them as I continued walking towards the carriage, reaching it I attempted to open the carriage door but one of the knights stopped and opened the door for me.

I thanked him and gave him a quick smile as I entered the carriage right after. 

Leaning back on the cushioned seats, I closed my eyes as the carriage began to move. There was a fur coat on the other side of the carriage, supposedly it's the season of winter up in the north, but I seriously doubt it would be that cold. 

Hours passed as I couldn't fall asleep due to the constant rocks and pebbles on the road, and as we went on the temperature had already dropped significantly. 

"How long until we get to Laeseo?" I inquired.

"About one more hour, my liege!" The driver enthusiastically replied.

"I see, very well." I said as I laid back on the seat, using the fur coat as a makeshift blanket.

Despite my best efforts I still couldn't sleep at all.

"Auhhhh, damn this…. I should have waited longer. Maybe the carriage would've been much more comfortable." I muttered under my breath as I sat down properly and decided to meditate, hoping to improve my mana core.

Closing my eyes I slowly started to absorb mana into my core. 

This surprisingly killed a lot of time as we reached Laeseo just as I finished. 

"We have arrived, your majesty." One of the knights said as he opened the door. A cold gust of wind hit me as I quickly put on the coat. 

Exiting the carriage, I shivered. The air around here was cold, too cold for my liking. Looking around I realized the vast amount of guards awaiting my arrival.

"Welcome! I was not sure if you would truly come, but I am relieved to know that you are not like the others!" A middle aged man said. He had quite the luxurious attire. He was wearing animal fur from head to toe but it looked…. Beautiful. 

"Ah, my apologies. I am Lachlan Bergsson, though people outside of Laeseo call me Lachlan III. You must be the newly crowned king, Regulus Vendetta!" He said, thumping his chest and bowing down before me.

"It is my g-greatest pleasure to meet you, King Lachlan." I replied, a knee on the ground. Panicking quite a bit as I didn't know how to reply.

"Now! Let us head inside! You are not accustomed to the cold so it may be difficult for you and your knights." He said as a pair guards escorted me and my knights inside the castle.

Despite some claiming that the people of the north are behind in terms of technological advancements. I beg to differ, the architecture of the castle was stunning. I would go as far to say that it could even rival that of the great architectures of Syndis. As they were known to build the best looking castles and monuments. 

As we continued on our way inside the castle, me and King Lachlan had engaged in some small talk. He told me about the constant weapons that we passed, stating that this was the equivalent of paintings we have to show respect to the past kings and queens of Laeseo.

"Though, one person is an exception." He said as we walked into a large room. Inside there was a small banquet. Tables of food that were unfamiliar to the five foreigners were shown before them.

"Wait, King Lachlan…. Is this for us? If it is then this is far too much." I remarked shockingly, never had I expected something this grand to be thrown just for his arrival.

"No need to be so humble King Regulus! You are a King! It would only be natural to host a feast for your arrival!" Lachlan said as he ordered a few servants to fetch something. "Come, sit! This is a big moment for you and your kingdom."

3RD PERSON POV

As the visitors sat down, Regulus couldn't help to notice that there were other people sitting with them on the table. Aside from King Lachlan, a woman sat beside him, probably his wife. Beside her sat a man that looked a few years older than Regulus. Beside him was a young woman who looked to be the same age as Regulus. But what intrigued the young king the most was the large and bulky monster of a man that stood beside Lachlan. 

"Ah, I forgot to introduce you to my family! King Regulus, this is my wife, Queen Liv. Sitting beside her are my children, Rollo and Astrid." Regulus greeted them all with a slight bow as the queen and princess gave him a smile while the prince stared at Regulus, quite coldly. 

All of a sudden the prince said something in another language, while the king replied sternly, silencing the young man. 

"My apologies, my son seems to not like that we had invited a small kingdom like yours instead of one of our neighbours. Ignore his behaviour as he is still irritated by an incident that had happened a few days ago." King Lachlan subtly replied. "Beside me on my left is Gunnar, the best and strongest soldier I have in my kingdom. 

Gunnar simply replied by bowing towards Regulus, which was something he and his companions did not expect…. Considering his large and beastly appearance.

As the food arrived everyone started eating. Regulus noticed that only him and his companions were given utensils to eat, while King Lachlan and the others ate with their hands. He noticed this and was quick to give a response.

"Ah, I did not want to be rude so I had utensils prepared for you and your companions. For I know you find our way of eating…. Barbaric." Lachlan replied as he bit off a lamb's leg. 

As they went on eating, there was a few small talk between the King's family and Regulus. As they finished their meal, Lachlan started a conversation.

"The reason I had called you here is because I wanted to form an alliance with you. As you would most definitely need help if there was a war to break out. So in return… I would like to offer you a trade and alliance treaty. In return for us, I have discussed this with my advisor and we reached an agreement that we would appreciate it if we could take wood from the forests near you." Lachlan spoke out.

"But would that not warrant the attention of the druids and the Elderwood Guardians?" Regulus asked.

"Oh? You did not know, young King? The forests near you are not guided by Elderrwood Guardians and druids, since it is fairly small." 

"Ah I see…. Then I can agree with those terms King Lachlan." Regulus replied. 

"Very good! But the real reason I wanted to meet you is to confirm my suspicions…. Before you were king, you were also part of a royal family." Lachlan said this made Regulus stand up immediately and unsheathed his sword. Gunnar quickly matched him, but what was truly unexpected was the sheer aura and pressure he released from his body. Too much that the young King started trembling in fear.

King Lachlan raised his hand as Gunnar slowly sat down back on the table, his eyes not leaving the young king.

"My apologies for saying it all of a sudden. I did not think that you would be extremely cautious." Lachlan apologized. 

"How can you be so sure that I am from a royal family?" Regulus said coldly.

"Ah, I wasn't too sure, but your reaction confirms it. That you were indeed the prince of Syndis…. The Forsaken Prince."