The Two Kings
3RD PERSON POV
"How would you even remember me? No, how would you even know me!" Regulus asked, his mind panicking, searching for possible answers on how Lachlan knew him.
"I was kept secret from the public! Only the nobles, Sir Eadic, Lucius, a few maids and my parents were the only people who knew I existed!" Regulus said, raising his voice.
The tension in the room was almost unbearable. The queen and her children had already left once Regulus started shouting and so did Alicia and the other guards. Only Lachlan, Gunnar and Regulus were left.
"Do not raise your voice against my king, unless you want your tongue cut off." Gunnar said coldly as he eyed Regulus, making him shiver from it.
"It may seem like a lie, but your father once told me to always keep an eye on you, as he supposedly had a dream…. That you would be king, and that your reign would eclipse any other kingdoms that had come beforehand. But what baffled him was that you were not to be king of Syndis, but another kingdom." Lachlan spoke, his words may seem false but his eyes told a different story.
"How would I know if you speak the truth? Though the fact that you know who I truly am makes me doubt the words that come from your mouth…." The young King replied as he lowered his voice, in fear of the man standing beside Lachlan.
"You always enjoyed the way of the sword and magic did you not? Your father often mentioned you, saying that if you were not his heir he would have made you a knight and then a member of the Royal Guard. Since you preferred the thrill of battle compared to a king's duties."
This took the breath out of Regulus for a second, vivid memories of him overhearing the same words from his father as he spoke with someone who was unfamiliar to him back then.
"That is true…. But I still do not trust you. You could have sent a spy to eavesdrop and sabotage my father!" Regulus spoke, standing firm that he would need more evidence to fully trust the king.
"Then how about this, Sir Eadic Eldon. Not only was he the knight commander of your father's Royal Guard. But, your personal ward and guardian, was he not?"
As he spoke this, Regulus seemed surprised, only few people ever knew that Eadic was Guardian and Ward. Since his father only revealed this information to the few people he trusted.
This made Regulus not give a response for a few seconds, until he broke the silence.
"Only a few people ever knew that Sir Eadic was my Guardian and Ward, and even fewer knew that I existed….. My apologies for being rash in words King Lachlan, I find hope that my words have not offended you." Regulus said apologetically, his head down from shame.
"No need to apologize, it is unsightly for a king to bow down to another king. Your reaction was understandable, but had it been any other monarch… I wouldn't guarantee you weren't cut down." Lachlan replied.
"Y-Yes, I will remember that well, King Lachlan."
Following the tense confrontation, Regulus was guided to his bed chambers. Though not after getting a few cold stares from a few guards that were monitoring the castle.
"King Lachlan has asked us to prepare a hot bath for you. There are also clothes for you to change into when you finish." The servant said as he bowed down and left, leaving Regulus alone.
Unsheathing his sword he put it between the door handles so that no one disturbs him, then taking off the thick fur he had been wearing, he quickly plunged himself into the hot bath that had been prepared for him.
Closing his eyes he sighed in relief as he relaxed his body in the tub, when he finally finished he got off and changed into the clothes that were prepared for him. After this he collapsed on the bed, falling asleep within minutes after laying down.
REGULUS POV
Waking up from some hard banging, recoiling from my bed I was relieved that the sound was from the door. Standing up straight, I carefully approached the source of the sound while conjuring a small dagger of mana just in case something unprecedented happens.
Removing the sword from the door handle, I slightly opened the door ajar. To my relief it was actually just Alicia…. In her sleepwear?
"G-Good evening, my king." She said as she looked quite flustered at something.
"What brings you here? It's the middle of the night?" I asked, quite confused as to why she would wake me up this early.
"It's 8 hours past midnight, I didn't believe it at first but supposedly the sun is only visible during noon." She replied, her cheeks gaining even more color.
"Mhm… I see, alright I'll head to the main hall in a few minutes…. Also, watch yourself, some people might mistake you for coming into my chambers wearing 'that'." I warned her, just in case people might suspect something else.
Unfortunately this made her face go into an even deeper shade of red, though I have to admit it's quite…. Cute to say the least.
"I-I-I'm s-sorry your grace!" The young woman said as she bowed and quickly left.
Though much to my dismay, one of the guards tried to take a peek at her, and making it even worse he licked his lips.
"I'll have you know she's from a noble house, and if I was cruel I would've had your eyes gouged." I threatened, making sure to put some venom on my words.
This made the guard turn pale, apologizing almost immediately and even begging to not report it to Lachlan.
"That depends… on my mood." I said, smiling at the man.
After changing into more formal clothes, I exited the room leaving my sword behind as there was no reason to bring it. Greeting a few servants on the way, I eventually arrived at the main hall. Gathered inside was King Lachlan with his family and Gunnar. Though Alicia and the other soldiers weren't inside.
"Ah, Regulus! It is good to see you! I trust that you were comfortable in your sleep?"
"Of course, though I have to admit, the bed creaked a lot in my sleep"
3RD PERSON POV
During their meeting, both kings continued their discussion from yesterday. Discussing the potential hazards Elderwood Guardians and Druids could cause if they were in the forests near Eldorin. As they finished discussing this, Lachlan told the young King that he had donated armor, weapons, silver and gold pieces to Regulus and Eldorin. And that Alicia and the others were helping pack them.
"Aside from the armor, weapons and the gold pieces. I am also offering you one of my very own knights." Lachlan said, which surprised everyone in the room, except Gunnar and the Queen. The king's son tried to stand up but Gunnar simply put him back down to his chair, immediately after that the giant of a man gave him a quick look which made him apologize.
"I-I'm glad…. But isn't this too much?" The young king asked.
"This may be a loss for me, but knowing that your kingdom is extremely vulnerable in terms of troops. You need every kind of support, especially considering you have Stahkh near your territory…. And their current king is a merciless bastard, he's already destroyed multiple independent states and he won't hesitate to target yours next." Lachlan replied, some spite and venom in his words.
"T-Then…. It would be wonderful! I really don't know how to thank you Lachlan."
After saying his thanks to Lachlan and his family, Regulus headed straight outside to see Alicia and the other soldiers finishing up, with a total of two carts. A cart for the weapons and armor and another for the gold, which has three guards inside.
Though an unfamiliar face was among them. Calming down his horse, he was a young man who looked barely seventeen. Brown hair with grey eyes, he was quite equipped with scalemale, and a longsword along with a good sized shield. A crest with a raven was engraved in his armor, indicating that he was from a noble family.
As Regulus went nearer to the carts, the young knight noticed Regulus and delightedly approached the king.
"You must be my new lord to serve! King Lachlan told me so much about you! I assure you that I will serve you with chivalry and honor!" The young knight exclaimed.
"He's not just a lord, he's a king." Alicia said, correcting the young man.
"Ah my apologies! I didn't know I was sent to serve someone of such hig-"
"That's enough. No need to be overdramatic, just…. Tell me your name." Regulus said, quite flustered from secondhand embarrassment.
"I am Cregan Lornel of House Lornel! I'm seventeen winters old and I-"
"Enough! Another word and I'll have you walk back to Eldorin." Regulus said, silencing the young man.
"Get on your horse, I've had enough of this for a whole day. Alicia, get the others ready on their horses and let's leave." Regulus said as he lazily entered the carriage and collapsed on the cushioned seats.