章 15: A Royal Audience

Blood flowed from the lifeless body.

"HEY YOU!"

A man with bright, golden hair, hidden beneath a hood, suddenly bolted as he heard a voice behind him. Someone had spotted him near the scene. It was still daylight, and although the area he was in had a few people strolling about, the tavern was tucked away in a narrow alley.

Panicking, he sprinted as fast as his legs would carry him. Then, in the distance, he spotted an empty carriage.

Without hesitation, he wrestled it away from the horseman and, tossing a small bag, he shouted, "Sorry, here's my payment!"

After his frantic escape from the tavern, the golden-haired man had to lay low for a while. He knew he couldn't simply stroll around the enemy's place, not after what he did. So, he spent the next hour navigating through the winding streets and hidden passages of the city.

He carefully avoided the main thoroughfares, where guards and watchful eyes would surely recognize him. Instead, he chose the quieter, less-traveled routes, where he could blend in with the common folk going about their daily business.

With each step, his mind raced. He needed to see his father, urgently. There were matters of great importance that required his attention, and he couldn't afford any further delays.

Then the man with the golden hair walked towards the palace. The palace was huge and looked amazing. Tall towers made of fancy white stone reached up to the sky, and colorful flags moved with the wind.

However, his path to the palace was abruptly halted by a formidable guard. The guard's stern expression showed no sign of sympathy.

"Stop right there," the guard commanded, blocking the man's way.

With determination in his eyes, the man declared, "I am Prince William!"

The guard, upon looking at the man's tattered and dirty clothes, couldn't help but chuckle. "You? A prince? In those rags?"

In response, the young man stood tall and declared, "I might be a bit disheveled, but looks can be deceiving." With a flourish, he removed his hood, revealing his stunning golden locks that shimmered in the sunlight.

The guards, taken aback by the sheer beauty of his hair, exchanged fearful glances. Superstitions ran deep in these parts, and such golden hair was often seen as a sign of divine favor.

With trembling hands, they quickly opened the palace gates, allowing him to pass. The man with the golden hair strode into the palace, determined to meet his father, the king,

________________________________________

In the big rooms of the Otheonate Palace, there were fancy, gold-colored pictures hanging on the walls. These pictures showed the brave things that people from this kingdom did a long time ago.

The people in the pictures all had golden hair, and this golden color meant something important. It showed how strong and brave the people from Otheonate had been for a long, long time.

The young man with beautiful Golden hair walked in. He didn't wear the fancy clothes people here usually wear. Instead, he had on plain, travel-worn clothes. As the man with the golden hair made his way through the palace halls, some knights recognized him and began to murmur amongst themselves.

"Isn't that the king's son? The one who's hardly ever here in the palace," one knight whispered.

"Yeah, I heard he's off on some secret mission for his highness," another knight replied.

One of the knights, feeling bold and say, "I heard he's been away because he's planning to take the throne away fro-"

Before he could finish his sentence, the golden-haired man turned to him with a stern look and said, "Shut up, or I'll have your rank demoted."

The other knights quickly fell silent, realizing they had crossed a line and not wanting to incur the man's wrath.

As the young man walked further, a message reached the king. The king's face lit up with joy, and he got up from his fancy chair, his fancy robes flowing behind him. He welcomed his son with a big hug.

"William, my boy!" he shouted, his voice loud in the big room. "You're back!"

William felt like resisting but he still let his father hug him and His gold hair sparkled like sunlight.

"Father," he said, forcing a small smile. "It's nice to see you again."

William couldn't hold back his frustration any longer. "Father," he whispered seriously, "I figured out another accomplice who collaborates with the knight you sentenced to death."

The king's face grew serious as he listened to his son. When William handed him a small box, a sense of unease settled over the room. Carefully, the king opened the box, revealing a square glass of bottle containing a strange, glowing dark liquid.

His eyes narrowed as he examined the outside contents of the bottle, his mind racing with thoughts of the implications.

Without hesitation, he called for Benjamin, the trusted palace butler, and instructed him, "Benjamin, invite Marquess Mathias for dinner. I need to see him today."

William heard his father's request and his face contorted with furrowed lines on his forehead. He had never held much affection for Mathias. The king, however, chuckled at his son's visible discomfort, teasing him gently.

"Ah, William, I know he's not your favorite person, but sometimes we must entertain the company of those we'd rather not. Besides, Mathias may have valuable information about this... mysterious liquid," the king explained, his tone understanding but firm.

The king continued with a smile, "That's why you also need to go with us!".

" NO! YOUR MAJESTY," William objected.

"But your mother will be there too, she might get angry with you if you don't come," the king gently reminded his son.

Caught between the warmth of family and the impending presence of Mathias, William sighed, realizing he couldn't refuse.

"Very well, Father," he said, resigned to the upcoming encounter. "I suppose it's been too long since we shared a meal."