Death Ascension - Chapter 91

The next day.

The sun was high up in the sky when Mikael and Deon went out of their bed chamber– A typical day in the life of a young royal.

The palace was so peaceful that Mikael felt like their ant colony adventure, with all its thrill and stress and glory, seemed like it happened ages ago.

As they made their way to breakfast, Butler Sebastian informed Deon of his day’s schedule.

Apparently, the king had sent out an invitation to Sir Finn and Dame Nora early that morning and the prince was expected to accompany them during their audience with the king later that afternoon.

Deon donned his royal garments and leisurely waited for the appointed time in the castle’s throne room.

“I see you’re already here, son.” The king engaged in small talk as soon as he arrived. He strode toward his seat with a regal gait, his purple cloak swishing majestically in his wake.

The moment he sat, a grey-haired official announced Sir Finn and Dame Nora’s entrance to the court and the creaking sound of opening double doors echoed across the wide room.

As usual, Sir Finn maintained his composure even at the presence of the king while Dame Nora fidgeted behind him.

“I greet your majesty, the king of Heinken Kingdom,” Finn elegantly bowed.

Deon, sitting to the king’s left, smiled at Nora’s awkward imitation of Finn’s bow.

“Sir Finn, I heard from the third prince that one of the rewards you desire is citizenship in my kingdom. Is that correct?” the King asked.

“Yes, your majesty.”

The king then asked the question that plagued Deon’s mind since they entered, “Your court etiquette is so impeccable that it makes me wonder whether you are royalty yourself,” the king leaned forward with a curious expression, “Where did you come from?”

For the first time since entering the court, Finn looked mildly flustered but he managed to keep his calm façade when he answered, “I come from the East, your majesty.”

“The East? Do you mean the Eastern continent, Aelgard?”

“…Yes, your majesty…”

His short answer left everyone in the room in shock. The Eastern continent had always been veiled in mystery. Some historians say that it is the land of dragons, others claim it is of Elves, dwarves, and other intelligent races who kept to themselves and avoided contact with humans, but Sir Finn in front of them looked undoubtedly human—aside from his otherworldly beauty, that is.

Despite the obvious curiosity of the people present, Finn did not expound on his origins while the king deemed it unnecessary to dig deep into Finn’s story now that the extraordinary Almagi will soon become his citizen.

“Your majesty, please excuse my rudeness but I would like to revise one of my wishes.”

“Speak,” The king leered at the obnoxious Almagi who spoke without first asking for his permission. Then he remembered his eldest son’s words that Finn was quite a cocky person.

“I understand that placement in the Royal Almagi Order that serves directly under the king may be too much to ask. Hence, I propose that I serve under the third prince as his direct subordinate, instead.”

Finn smiled at Deon as if sharing an inside joke that no one could understand.

Everyone in the court thought Finn had gone insane. After all, there was no greater honor for an Almagi than to join the king’s personal army, but Finn cast away that opportunity to serve the prince known for his cowardice.

The king looked taken aback. Deon might be his son, but the king also thought little of his youngest child. If a person as talented as Sir Finn made such a suggestion, the king could only wonder whether he had ulterior motives.

However, a king cannot go back on his words.

‘I’ll just ask the Captain of the Almagi Order to keep an eye on him.’

“Very well, write your name in the registry and recite the oath.”

Finn raised his right hand and recited the oath that bound him to serve Deon to the best of his abilities.

When Finn was done, the king turned his attention to the Dame. The old official explained to Nora about the sparring arrangements to which the Dame enthusiastically agreed.

After their audience with the king, Finn and Nora walked out of the throne room, but as they passed by the guarding knights, they heard terribly malicious comments.

‘That’s her… the commoner slut who seduced the third prince.’

‘What? She might have a fine face and a great body but she’s not even whole. There are so many noble ladies for the prince to choose from… Why would he take this slut?’

‘Who knows? Maybe she’s great in bed.’

‘Ah! An older woman with experience… I see…’

‘So, during the spar, we have to make sure to take away her other arm.’

‘Yes. how dare she taint our knighthood with her dirty blood?’

The knights didn’t even bother to lower their voices. As if they wanted Nora to hear their plans.

But Nora continued to walk away with her head held high– Her dignity now reflects her master’s dignity. If she did not hold herself back, she would drag down her liege’s already poor reputation.

Her palm itched for the rough handle of a sword. She wanted to cut down something. She wanted to release her frustrations.

‘Just wait and see…’ Nora’s black eyes coldly stared at the laughing knights, ‘No matter who I fight, I will tear them all to shreds.’

When they turned into a corner, Nora and Finn heard bounding footsteps,

“SIR FIN! DAME NORA! WAIT!” Deon was seen running toward them with a happy expression.

“My liege…” Nora knelt and put her fist onto her chest.

Although embarrassed by her excessive greeting, Deon went on to address them, “I received permission from my father to personally show Sir Finn’s laboratory. Now that you’re my direct subordinate, all expenses will be paid under my name so feel free to ask me for any material you need, Sir Finn.”

Deon thrust out his chest in pride.

“Of course, your highness. This is exactly the reason why I chose you in the first place.” Finn smirked as if everything was going according to his plan.

–Chapter end–