As Julian and Alden approached the Grand Hall, Julian noticed four soldiers stationed outside, each exuding a powerful and intimidating aura. These weren’t ordinary guards, they were Sovereign Realm warriors.
Standing at attention, they held their positions firmly, watching over the doors.
At a nod from one of the guards, the massive doors opened, revealing the grandeur of the hall and the gathered nobility within, all awaiting their arrival.
Julian stepped into the hall beside his father and he couldn’t hold back a quiet gasp of amazement. Before him, the massive throne at the front dominated the room which exuded luxury and power. It was the throne where the king and queen sat in all their majesty.
Beside it, four slightly smaller but still lavishly decorated thrones lined the stage, each crafted to represent their own grandeur, designated for the highest-ranking dukes.
Around the hall were long, grand tables where nobles of various ranks, counts, marquises, and viscounts, were seated, each immersed in quiet conversations. The scene was a mix of elegance and authority, capturing the hierarchy and tradition of the royal court.
As Alden and Julian entered, every noble at the grand tables rose to their feet and bowed in respect. Father and son made their way toward the central throne, where they both knelt down infront of the throne.
Alden spoke first, his voice carrying a note of respect, “Your Majesty the King, Your Majesty the Queen, the Duke of Easvil greets you on this fine evening.”
Julian copied his father’s grace and added, “Your Majesty the King, Your Majesty the Queen, Julian Easvil greets you on this fine evening.”
His voice held a respectful strength as he met their gaze briefly, showing the confidence expected of a young duke. The grand hall fell into a hushed silence, all eyes on the king and queen as they acknowledged the arrival of the Easvil family.
The king laughed warmly and said, “Welcome, Duke Easvil, and welcome to you as well, Julian. Please, take your seats.”
He gestured to a place of honor near the main thrones, inviting them to join the gathered nobles. Julian and Alden bowed once more in thanks and then moved gracefully to their seats.
As Julian and Alden took their seats, the other nobles began to settle down as well. The room filled with whispers and quiet conversations as everyone found their places.
The atmosphere was filled with a mix of excitement and tension, as everyone waited for the king to speak. Julian looked around at the other nobles, noticing their fine clothes and serious expressions, all ready for the important discussions ahead.
Besides them sat other dukes, including the Duke of Hans, the Duke of Ethwer, and the Duke of Norish. Each duke had their own distinct style and presence, reflecting their family’s status.
Marcus was accompanying the Duke of Norish and he sat nearby, exchanging quiet words with those around him. However, Julian noticed that Isabel and Julia were not present, which left a small gap in the gathering.
The queen raised her hands to get everyone’s attention and a heavy silence filled the grand hall.
The king then began to speak, his voice steady and commanding. “As you all know, the Kingdom of Apollo has been sharing a border with us. They have been devastated by the plague and, realizing there is no escape from their fate, they have declared war against us.”
The nobles listened intently, understanding the weight of the king’s announcement and the impact it would have on their lives and their land.
The king continued, his tone growing more passionate. “And now, as we speak, they are gathering their army and preparing to attack us.” He paused for a moment, letting the tension build in the hall.
Then, with a powerful voice, he asked, “Who are we?”
The nobles and everyone present responded in unison, their voices strong and filled with pride, “We are the loyal citizens of the Ares Kingdom!”
The room resonated with their declaration, all were ready to fight against the upcoming disaster to protect their family, love and their kingdom.
The king’s voice boomed with authority as he continued, “Yes, we are the proud Ares Kingdom! We will not stand idly by while our enemies threaten us. We will send our own army, and we will destroy those who have waged war against us!”
His eyes swept across the hall, locking onto each noble with determination.
“I want all of you to lead your armies under the banner of our kingdom and secure victory. This is our moment to show our strength and resolve! Together, we will protect our lands and our people!”
The nobles nodded in agreement, their spirits lifted by the king’s powerful words, ready to rally their forces for the impending battle.
The queen turned her gaze to George, the royal commander, and asked, “Royal Commander, what is the number of our forces?”
George bowed slightly before responding, “Your Majesty, with ten thousand soldiers from each duke, along with additional troops from the counts, marquises, viscounts, and our own royal army, our total force exceeds one hundred thousand.”
The queen nodded, pleased with the response. “That is a formidable army. We must prepare them well for the battles ahead,” she replied, her voice steady and confident. The nobles exchanged glances, their resolve strengthening as they realized the scale of their might.
The Duke of Norwish leaned forward and spoke, “Your Majesty, who shall lead the force?”
The king nodded, appreciating the question. “That is an interesting inquiry,” he replied, looking around the grand hall.
“Now, who do you all think should take charge of our forces?”
The nobles began murmuring among themselves, considering the strength and capabilities of each candidate.
As the nobles began discussing potential leaders, several marquises spoke up, boasting about their past experiences in battle.
“I have led my men through countless battles,” one declared, puffing out his chest. “Surely, my family should be chosen to lead our forces.”
Another marquis joined in, insisting, “My lineage has a long history of military leadership. We have faced wars and emerged victorious!”
The hall buzzed with similar claims, each noble trying to secure the favor of the king by highlighting their family’s military accomplishments or connections.
It quickly became a scene of nepotism, with everyone eager to refer to their family ties and friends, rather than focusing on who was truly capable of leading the army effectively.
