Chapter 24: Audience
High up on a small podium sat a well-built man who barely fitted on the red upholstered, wooden throne with a golden decorated sceptre in his right hand. On his short black hair rested an obsidian crown, studded with gemstones in all colours curling itself around the kings head. A neat yet bushy beard covered the lower half of his face while his wooden brown eyes stared down on them with a stern look. On both sides of the red carpet stood in ranks writers, noblemen, clergy and writers, all of them influential and important for managing a kingdom, even though not necessarily essential.
Under the thrusting glances of the king and nobles, they walked down the designated path, slow and steady, until they stood right in front of the stairs leading up to the podium. Aware of his status Bao immediately dropped on one of his knees, his eyes pointed down towards the floor. Elincia on the other hand remained there standing, staring directly back into the king's face. Fearing the rage of the king Bao pressed his eyes together.
"I the king, appreciate your service towards the Kaston kingdom by saving its crown prince' life." With a disregarding look, the king ignored Elincia's insolence. "Therefore the holy maiden shall be generously rewarded for her endeavours. Whatever recompense she might want I shall do my utmost to fulfil it."
"Within the bounds of possibility, of course." The king quickly added.
"With all due respect your highness," - her voice a had faint irritated undertone - "this time I had little to no contribution to your son's salvation, instead most of it could only be achieved by the one kneeling beside me." Elincia pointed towards Bao.
"So you say, and by no means I want to offend you holy maiden but how could a mere peasant lift a curse that even you weren't able to?"
For a brief moment, her expression gentle expression slipped into an angry one just to become a soft smile once again, Bao even thought to hear the vague sound of a clicking tongue.
"Are you doubting my judgement?" Elincia didn't leave any time for a response. "While rushing to your son's aid, upon your request we were attacked by a group of goblins and despite him being severely wounded he helped us fending them off. Without his help, I wouldn't have arrived in time and your son would probably stay in eternal slumber forever. He even offered his help in lifting the curse and as we see successfully."
"He offered...", Bao thought, "What's with that lie? She dragged me into this mess on her own volution" He listened back into the ongoing conversation.
"... and that's your reason for not telling your highness why this peasant should have been able to heal the prince?!" The herald screamed.
Elincia cast a poisonous glance in his direction, "Yes, exactly that is the reason. Otherwise, I would've spared my breath saying it." Her hand wandered to the waist. "Oh wait there is something else I forgot to mention; I by my name Elincia the holy maiden guaranteed and still guarantee his abilities."
"Are you sure you wan..."
"Yes, I am."
The king interrupted their quarrel with the echoing sound of metal clashing on stone, to be exact the sceptre he was holding. Silence. As he were in deep thoughts the king stroked through his thick beard.
"Now then..."
"David his name." Whispered the herald but still clearly audible for everyone in the hall through the echo.
"Now then David, what shall your reward be?"
He found himself in a dire situation, no matter what his decision might be, it most definitely would be wrong. If he declined the reward, it could be taken as an insult; if the request would be a title he would be dragged into politics, which he wanted to avoid at all cost and then there is also the issue that the requested compensation might be too high. His thoughts started to go in every direction and his body trembled in anxiety. Bao exhaled all the air in his lungs for then to take a deep breath, slowly calming his nerves.
"If... if I may speak your highness," he asked.
"Go ahead."
"After hearing of eternal slumber and the tragedy it brings over the population, I decided to commit myself to research the cause of this curse in collaboration with the holy maid. Therefore I wish for financial support from the crown, including a monthly salary and travel expenses, and access to every library in the kingdom since I would need to thoroughly investigate the origin."
A turmoil went through the crowd upon hearing his request. Did he ask for too much?
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