The parlor of Ruby Palace wasn’t like the one at Pearl palace. Unlike the pastel and light tones of the Pearl palace, this one was adorned with deeper colors and aesthetic furnishings.
It looked richer and more regal.
I was busy admiring the paintings in the room when the door opened behind and I heard a loud and clear voice reverberate through the room.
"Baron Ocean Ryujin."
I turned around seeing the man, Roger Vous Ferin Marismus, and walked over to him before getting on my knee in front of him.
"Glory to the Sun of the Sestia, I, Baron Ocean Ryujin is deeply honored to be in your presence."
I could feel his eyes boring into my skull as I stayed kneeling in front of him, my Dragon’s blood boiling underneath my skin as I was kneeling in front of a human who wasn’t even worth of respect.
"Rise, Baron Ryujin." He said and I stood up.
"So, I finally get to see you, huh? I thought I’d never have a chance since Duke Aurelius told you shied away from etings." He said.
"Have a seat," he gestured towards the armchairs before taking a seat himself while his Aide Viscount Jordan stood behind him with his hands at his back.
I sat down facing the person who was placed on the throne because of the conspiracies of his wife. The man whose family was in shambles and filled with so much toxicity that no normal person could handle.
[Goddess of Wisdom says that it was hard for a human to not turn to evil side if all around him was evil.]
[Giver of Gifts says that only the few with a strong heart can withstand the evil.]
"Will you guys stop with the random discussion?" I snapped at them internally making their notifications disappear.
"You were summoned by the Queen, weren’t you?" He asked right away.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Did she talk about your involvent in the building of Magic Gate?" He asked.
I liked this thing about Roger, he was a man who addressed the subject right away without any hesitation and it would also save my ti.
"Yes, Your Majesty." I answered.
He released a deep sigh, "And what did you say?"
"I answered honestly, Your Majesty... about your trust in and also my intentions."
His thick brows twitched as he leaned ahead.
"Intentions?"
"Yes, about my intentions of doing my best to help Your Majesty develop this nation and bring happiness to every citizen." I said making him stare at for a mont.
A surprised throaty chuckle left his lips before he gazed at with a bemused expression.
"Her Majesty also seems to be driven with the sa goal that’s why she wished the best in my endeavours." I said placing my hand over my chest.
"She did, did she?... What else did you talk about?"
"She asked a little about my family’s na and history and was happy to know that my ancestor had ties with His Majesty Rudolph the First." I explained.
"Did you?"
"Yes, I only got to know of it last year after I inherited the title because of... my parents’ untily death."
I was having quite fun acting while keeping my face concealed, except for my tone he would have no idea what kind of expression I was making behind the mask.
"Is that so? You have my condolences." He said and I nodded.
"Did you damage your face during the death of your parents?" He asked.
About ti, I was wondering when he would ask about my face.
"No, Your Majesty... It was during the explosion that happened in the magic stone mine." I answered.
"The Magic Stone mine that you bought here in Sestia?" He asked and I nodded.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"That mine is quite an ominous place, isn’t it? First it beca quite a hassle for Duke Aurelius and then even for you."
"Apparently... but after that one explosion everything is going fine." I said.
"But I have been curious about your face." He prompted and I almost rolled my eyes.
I touched my mask gingerly and averted my eyes feeling his curious gaze on .
"She must have asked you about it too, didn’t she?" He asked.
"Yes, Her Majesty did." I spoke in a low voice brushing my gloved hands together.
"Did you show her your face?" He asked.
"No, Your Majesty." I said, "My face... I can’t possibly show such a horrible sight to Her Majesty. But, since she insisted... I showed her my hand instead."
"Your hand?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I could see his curious gaze lingering on , even though he knew burn scars would be quuya ghastly sight he seed curious enough to see those.
"Is it so bad that you have to cover your whole face?" He asked and I sighed.
"It is, Your Majesty."
"Let decide that." He said, "You cannot be exempted from your attendance at the etings or royal occasions without a genuine reason."
[Goddess of Wisdom finds the King heartless.]
[Giver of Gifts says it’s cruel to ask one to show the scars that make them feel miserable.]
[Defender of Divine Glory asks Goddess of Wisdom and Giver of Gifts to stay back and watch.]
He’s had enough of them I guess.
"I apologise for that, Your Majesty. But I..."
"Like I said, let be the judge of it. Show your face."
A direct order, huh?
I couldn’t resist against his word now. But then again, I wasn’t unprepared, I would love to show him what I was hiding behind my mask.
"As you say, Your Majesty." I spoke in a low, defeated voice.
I brought my hand up and slowly removed the strap that was holding my mask to my head. With reluctant movents I removed my black mask, revealing my face avoiding his gaze.
I heard him gasp loudly along with the aide who stood behind him.
My face was currently a masterpiece of the make-up skills of my maids. At this mont, the left half of my face was a disfigured ss of dark brown leather. The scar etched from my forehead towards my cheek only sparing my left eye while half my nose was also painted over with its edge stretching over towards my felt ear.
Roger’s face was drained of blood while Viscount Jordan’s face turned green and he covered his mouth to keep himself from puking.
"She must be... startled." Roger spoke trying his best to keep his disgust off his expression but I could feel it seeping into his voice.
"She was," I answered.
"It’s because of this that I cannot show myself in front of people... they ask to show my face thinking that it might not be that bad of sight but..." I brushed my fingers tenderly over the make-up.
"I cannot withstand the disgust their eyes show when they see it..." My voice choked into my throat as I put on an act of an extrely distressed victim.
"Put your mask back on Baron." Roger ordered and I put the mask back on strapping it back in place feeling a small smirk take over my face as it was finally over.
"I apologise that you..."
"I should be the one to apologise, Your Majesty. I showed you such a horrid sight."
I clenched my fists letting my frustration show and heard him clear his throat.
"I... I understand now so... I’ll allow you to be exempted from the obligatory etings but you have to make sure that your representative does a good work in your absence." He spoke making smirk.
All done, I guess.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
He stated quiet for a mont before I stole a glance at his Aide who was trying his best to maintain a composed expression. Viscount Jordan was his long ti Aide but what Roger didn’t know was that Jordan was also a double-faced man who reported of the King’s activities to Katherine on regular basis.
He would most definitely tell her about this eting as well and I was waiting for her reaction on it as well. The main reason for to use these burn marks and acting like an upright nobleman was because I didn’t want their unnecessary attention.
Katherine must know that I was one of the Leaders of Underworld but considering my acts even from the perspective of the Head of the Underworld, I wasn’t a criminal minded person. I had secrets but none of them could be revealed unless they knew what kind of things I was hiding.
It was fun to throw them into the darkness and let them probe around trying to look for sothing while I watched them from the sidelines.
I returned back to Ryujin mansion from the long etings with the so-called monarchs of Sestia and my resolve was even more stronger to make Eric the King in future and later an Emperor, after rging the kingdoms.
But for that, I needed to have Denril in my hands as well. I still had so ti before I could start work on that so, I decided to finish the backlog of work that was pending before I could set out on a new adventure.
User Comments
0 comments from readers