29 Becoming Governor
3rd of Letzernat, 300 M.K.E (1 day later…)
As the sun slowly reared its head over the horizon, Howard exited his room and walked up the stairs to get on the deck of ship. As he stood around nearby one of the wooden railings, he looked onward the city of Parados.
It was just yesterday he went through all that hassle to leaving the city at Kant Maybale. Now, he was returning back with a 'new' name and identity, Howard Orwell Bright, the old name he took in his previous life.
Once the ship docks on the port with the help of a few row boats, a bridge is lowered down to allow Howard to walk down to the shore alongside Knight Adam, where a carriage was patiently waiting for them. Despite still being dressed in the clothes the sailors provided him, the knights bowed down to welcome him, albert reluctantly.
The carriage exterior was dull, the wooden planks and frames exposed to the sun and eyes of the men around her. It looked as if it was built for one job, to bring its passenger wherever they needed to be, and nothing else.
The two men hops inside the primitive vehicle drawn by two strong steeds. Inside, he found a plush velvet interior, with cushioned seats and intricate wooden carvings depicting people, fighting demons coming out of the earth.
The luxurious interior of the carriage contrasted with its rugged exterior. It appears that despite everything, Danial wanted to provide his son any level of comfort he could. Right in front of them were a cupholder, featuring a nice glass wine cup. Next to it was a bottle of wine, a drink Kant had enjoyed the moment he turned 14.
"Would you like a sip?" Knight Adam asks, pointing at the wine bottle.
"I appreciate the offer, but no thank you. I rather not get wasted before I meet his majesty," Howard replied.
"Alright. Suit yourself."
As Knight Adam went to grab the bottle of wine, to take a little sip of royal delight, the carriage starts moving without any warning, causing him to spill a little on Howard's leg. Knight Adam apologizes for his mistake, and keeps the bottle back, taking it as a sign from the angels to not drink anything.
The two eventually arrive at the bathhouse, located in a rich area near the palace. The entire facility had been cleared out, to make sure that he can take his bath all alone. Although an unpopular decision by anyone effected, barely anyone uses the bathhouse this early in the morning.
Howard made sure to take his time, to cleanse himself of any sweat and dirt that stuck onto him while he was asleep on board, and to use as much of the scented soap he can. Once he had finished, he dressed himself in the garments Knight Adam carried around in a big leather bag, to make him presentable to the king.
His new attire consisted of blank pants being held up with a leather belt. Hidden underneath his brown waistcoat, was a black dress shirt with an intricate brown pattern etched into the clothes. To match the dress shirt, Howard put on a similar black coat with an identical brown pattern on it.
The clothes were meant to signify that Howard was a commoner, a nobody who just received a big bag of gold to spend on some nice clothes before he left his hometown to the city of Parados. As for the stop at the bathhouse, it was meant to be some kind of request he asked from the king, to visit the bathhouse, to bathe and clean himself in it, before he left.
The story Danial wanted to stick to, was a story of a commoner who was a 'puppet' to the king. He was supposed to be some figurehead, a way to control the rebellious state directly. Any letters he would send to Howard were meant to act as instructions he must carry out for the king.
In reality, this was meant to be a pile of excuses the king can use to justify any action Kant takes. It will allow him to do as he please, while enabling a secret communication channel with him and the family. It was all stated in that letter Howard got when he first came to the safehouse.
Once Howard was finished adjusting his clothes and examining himself on the mirror, he walked out of the chamber and entered the carriage. The driver, who was already given the route they must take, drove him over to the royal palace.
Unlike the city of Parados, which deemed him as unimportant and insignificant to them, Howard's arrival to the palace was greeted with a symphony made up of trumpets and drums. The carriage stops outside a red carpet, that carved a path through the dirt and stone to the royal palace.
As he entered and walked among the halls of the structure, he looked around and pretended to look amazed at what lied before his dull eyes. Colored sculptured 7 feet tall and photorealistic artwork was placed all over the walls.
Despite everything, Howard could not help but appreciate the beauty of artwork, and appreciate the skill of the artist who put their blood, sweat and tears to craft such masterpieces.
"Hey, we are getting closer to the throne room. Be on your best behavior in front of his majesty," one of the knights warned him.
"Alright, I understand," Howard replied. He leans in towards Knight Adam to ask him a question, and put up another act in front of everyone around him, this time of a nervous man wanting advice from a knight before he enter the throne room.
"Hey, eh… how do I present myself to the king… correctly? Do I just look down while I am walking or…" he asked Adam for assistance.
"Just look straight while you are walking, and look down while you are kneeling. That is all you need to do," Adam quickly answers.
"And what about when… you leave?"
"Leave?"
"Yes, leave. Like… how I properly leave? Do I just stand up and start walking backwards or…"
"Stand up, turn around, and walk back. Don't overthink about it too much," Adam advices.
"Noted. Thank you."
Howard eventually made it to two wooden doors twice his size. It had a checked square pattern and two gold knobs. Inside, Howard presumed to be the throne room, where the ceremony will conduct. He hoped it would be short and sweet, and not dragged out for no reason whatsoever. He rather not give them some extra time to stare at his face.
Before they entered the throne room, they let the man compose himself. He took in a deep breath and wiped off any sweat off his face. Once he was confident that he was ready, Howard instructed the knight to open the door.
The door opened to reveal a colossal room held up by beams of stone. On the floor was a red carpet that led to a golden throne on the other end of the room. Occupying it was a muscular man adorned in his royal attire of white and gold.
Standing beside him were figures Howard did not recognized. However, upon taking a quick glance at their clothes, he figured out these were heads of government departments, all assisting Kant's father to run the kingdom. Occupations Howard knew was stuffed by the members of the five families.
Howard starts to slowly walk towards the king, only stopping just 15 feet away from him. He then kneels down and bow. One of the men standing beside Danial walks forward and takes out a scroll. After unravelling it, he starts reading out the contents out loud for everyone to hear.
"Mister Howard Orwell Bright. You have been chosen by the crown, to honor their son's wishes, Prince Kant Icarus Maybale the First, as the suitable candidate for the position and title of Governer of the unincorporated territory of Lukeword," he states.
"Do you accept this position of power, and carry out the duties and responsibilities handed to you?" the man questions.
"I do," Howard answers.
"Do you vow to never abuse your new standing in society, and conduct yourself in a noble and honorable manner, and to uphold the principles and values of the crown and the people you will govern?"
"I do." The man nods approvingly and proceeds.
"As governor, you are responsible for the administration, governance, and the well-being of Lukeword. You will be expected to maintain order, and keep the rebellious territory loyal to the crown. Do you understand these set of responsibilities."
"Yes, I do," Howard answered, wanting to add something more to his response to not make it feel stale. The man, satisfied with the responses, steps back.
"Mister Howard Orwell Bright," Danial speaks up.
"In the name of the crown, and on behalf of Prince Kant Icarus Maybale the First, I hereby appoint you as the governor the unincorporated territory of Lukeword. May you govern justly and bring prosperity to your new land, and its subjects."
With a respectful nod, Howard accepts the appointment.
"Thank you, your majesty. Thank you."
