In a faraway land, there was a man named Aris Ronegard. He roamed the streets in search of happiness and desire. People didn't look at him. What was so special about him? After all, he was just another man walking down the street. He stopped next to a vendor selling fruit in the alley.
"Does it look good? How much do you sell it for, my dear friend?"
"An apple is 5 menny. We're well served so we're lowering the pirx these days."
The merchant was a very smiling man in his forties. He'd been selling fruit in this alley for over 20 years now. His father had been there before him. This day, he was there with his daughter.
"You're very generous. Our king should grant you more apples."
"Oh no, he gives me quite enough already."
'Then you're fulfilled Dagrus. I'm glad.'
"What did you say?"
"Oh nothing...shall I take one for you?"
Aris thought the king was doing a good job and smiled. However, not far away, a little girl accompanied by her mother seemed to recognize him. She tugged lightly on her mother's sleeve. At the same moment, a young woman shouted at Akis.
"Mom, wouldn't it be..."
"Majesty, I've already told you not to go out when we need you."
By the way, he wasn't just any man.
"Majesty?"
"he he."
He was the king of Arkis.
"But what's so urgent?"
"The Duke De Grey has asked if you're inclined to let his goods through."
"And I've already told him no. I refuse to let weapons pass through my country. He knows that. I have nothing to say to him."
"Majesty, we weren't supposed to touch his merchandise."
The two walked through the streets while Ana looked panicked and Aris strolled along as if he were taking a stroll. Arkis was a big kingdom. Neither too big to be difficult to manage nor too small to be underestimated. Its capital, named Eleena after the wife of Arkis' first king, was a true work of art. From above, you could see that the streets were laid out in the shape of a flower. A flower known the world over as the so-called most beautiful flower in the world: an Eleena. And yes, the woman had the flower's name and the flower was now the capital's representative.
The streets were full and bustling, but some were more specific than others. The shopping street, where our dear apple merchant was, was one of them. Aris calmly strolled along it, buying whatever he found interesting as he went. He would then hand over his belongings to Ana, who would carry them without realizing it while continuing to talk.
"Majesty, Duke De Grey is dangerous, as you well know. Perhaps these weapons were intended for you, since you often oppose him."
Aris continued to hand random objects to Ana, who had unconsciously called a soldier to carry them, who in turn had called a second soldier to help himself.
"Ana, you know very well that the Duke can't make the slightest move because of King Ventis."
Ventis the Great was the face of the human world. The most influential and powerful man in the world. His kingdom was extremely large, and his wisdom was matched only by the grandeur of his realm. It was said that he had killed a dragon without even raising his hand.
"Majesty, despite the agreement signed with the great Ventis, we're not sure he won't let De Grey do it. After all, royalty is all about betrayal."
Aris's gaze darkened as he reached for a bouquet of flowers. All different. He quickly handed it to Ana and resumed his walk towards the palace.
"I know, Ana. I know."
Passers-by soon recognized their king and greeted him appropriately. Many were happy to see him and tried to reach out to him.
"Majesty, how are you?"
"Majesty, I'm a writer. I wrote a book not long ago and I'd like you to have a look at it, please."
"Give it to me.
"Oh, thank you very much, thank you."
The writer stood there with tears in his eyes.
"Majesty, have you seen? I've grown since we last met."
"Yes I've seen, Rokia."
"Majesty, do you need manpower."
"I have enough already, but thank you for your help."
As he slowly approached the steps of the crowded palace, guards stopped the passers-by with their spears. Aris calmly climbed up with his belongings and Ana still as panicked as ever.
"What are you going to do?"
"Send a letter to the duke to give him an appointment. I'm sure he'll lecture me again, but I'm not going to let him play tyrant on my territory. Especially since..."
Aris looked to the horizon. The air was cool and damp, but the sun was shining brightly on the horizon. At the top of the marble steps was the king's palace. A palace the likes of which you'd probably never seen. It was golden and white. The colors blended perfectly with Eleena's golden sky. White posts stood throughout the entrance. A huge reception hall where soldiers and guards who couldn't get into the meeting room sometimes stayed. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, often swaying in harmony with the wind.
The king stood there in his normal clothes until he put on his true royal attire. He appeared at the top of the steps, draped in an immaculate white cloak whose heavy folds fell with the grace of living marble. Fine gold embroidery snaked across the fabric like dawn lights, catching every ray of daylight. His crown, high and ornate, seemed forged in the fire of the sun itself, and his gaze, calm and imperious, bore the radiance of a man who never doubted. All around him, silence fell - not out of fear, but out of respect.
Then he looked back towards the horizon with a dark gaze.
"I'm sure these weapons are meant for me.
Aris turned and walked towards the end of the room. Where two staircases led to the first floor. Ana followed him, while the two guards carrying his belongings stood by without flinching.
"Oh, you can put them on this table here. My staff will take care of it."
As soon as they had put them down, servants appeared, took the belongings one by one and disappeared. The soldiers hadn't even had time to turn around.
Ana desperately followed her king through the palace corridors. One of them was a huge balcony overlooking the capital and its surroundings. The sun wasn't setting on this side of the Eleena, but the view was beautiful all the same.
"Majesty, please slow down. I don't have legs as long as yours."
"I thought you were in a hurry, Ana?"
"Yes, but I still need to be at your height to talk to you."
"Ana, do you know why I took you?
"No, sir."
"Because you're the best woman in the kingdom, if not the world, that's why?"
"Then why am I chasing you around in my counselor's clothes instead of in my queen's clothes as a woman."
"Because I don't want my wife to be my personal advisor."
"You don't want me?"
"No, I don't want you to be a counselor."
"Majesty...Majesty"
Aris turned, sensing the distress of a frightened man.
"To the north, we're under attack to the north, they've already taken Rekiev."
Aris tensed, his anger rising rapidly.