Road of the Heavenly Light

7-1: King Consort

"Are you nervous?" Laura asked. She and Felix were sitting in a carriage headed to Falmar's capital. It was the first day of their two-week vacation, and they had arranged to spend one week at each of their homes. This meant that Felix would spend a week with Laura's parents.
"Hardly. I've met your parents before, they're decent people."
"Yes, but that was when we were trying to avoid a conquest of the continent, and with everyone else around."
Felix laughed, "I've had to tell Glen's parents about the trouble he gets into with girls, how bad could the parents of my girlfriend be?" Laura smiled back at Felix before returning to the book she was reading.
"Are they like you?"
"Not at all," Laura chuckled, "they're very open, and especially when they're in private circles they don't care much for formalities. It's when they're dealing with official business that they get scary. Even worse than I was when I came to Royale High." Felix just hoped her parents didn't consider their relationship 'official business'. Laura was easy to handle when she was at her most formal, but that was because they were of the same age and in a school setting. Her parents were the king and queen of an allied nation. Maybe this was a little scary.
"We've arrived!" the driver shouted, and the carriage stopped. The duo stepped out into the courtyard of the Falmar palace. Two footmen took the luggage and brought it away, towards the bedchambers, Felix assumed. He and Laura were about to head into the palace when the doors opened and her parents walked out. King Robert and Queen Alice were both wearing red mixed with gold and looked quite a lot more imposing than they had when Felix had first met them. The two duos walked towards each other and stopped when they were in front of each other. Felix was reminded that these two people were some of the most powerful people on the face of the continent.
"Father, mother, it's good to see you again," Laura greeted them.
"Indeed. Your last letter was very promising," her father answered.
"Felix," her mother said, "how wonderful to finally meet you under more peaceful circumstances."
"Your Highness, it's a pleasure to see you."
"Oh, no need for that!" the queen laughed, "just 'sir Robert' and 'miss Alice' is fine!"
"Felix, how about I show you around the palace?" Laura suggested. Felix nodded, and the four went around the palace. It quickly became clear that this place was way bigger than his father's estate. Royals really were on another level... There were so many rooms Felix immediately forgot the purpose of. Thankfully, his bedroom was close to Laura's. That should at least make sure he didn't get lost...

After touring the palace, Laura suggesting visiting the market, and Felix agreed. He bought a beautiful necklace for Laura, and received one of his favorite books in return. After tasting Falmar's best soup, he also made sure to buy something for Alexander and his father to bring home. Once they'd finished that, they went back to the palace for dinner, which was a far more busy affair than at home. It wasn't just him, Laura, and her parents. The queen's ladies-in-waiting were also there, and so were their husbands and the king's other friends, including a man Felix immediately recognized as Eleanor's father. The cuisine in Falmar was quite different from Aurion's, as there were fewer spices and a lot more meat. It was likely because Aurion's climate was a lot warmer, allowing a greater variety of things to grow. Nonetheless, the food was delicious. Most of the conversations were about business and foreign relations and hunting, so Felix didn't say much or pay attention. Thankfully, everyone left after dinner, leaving the four of them to play cards together in the drawing room. Laura was slightly hesitant, as she hated card games, but eventually gave in and joined. Felix had played plenty of times before, but King Robert and Queen Alice were both formidable opponents.
"Alice, dear, does your hand contain royalty?"
"It does."
"A king perhaps?" Robert inquired. Alice placed the king of hearts on the table, clearly pleased to have bested her husband. "Perhaps now is the right time to discuss Falmar's next king." Felix immediately froze.
"Father."
"I know you don't want to discuss it, but it's important that Falmar's future is secure."
"Your father is right," Alice added, "just look at Wyvernston. King Leonard and Queen Charlotte died so young, Prince Drake was only four years old... One day you could have a family and the other you could be the last member. It's important Nicholas and Gerard's bloodline stays safe."
"Felix and I are not even engaged! Of course, I hope that will one day change, but there is a chance things won't go that way. You cannot just pressure him like that!" Laura stood up, "I am retreating to my quarters for the night." She walked out, leaving Felix alone with her parents. Felix was panicking, so he quickly withdrew as well. He hadn't seriously given the matter of him possibly becoming Falmar's king consort in the future any thought. Glen had teased him, but it was now hitting him that he could actually get that position. He had never been too excited about the position of duke, and had seriously been considering turning it away so Alexander could inherit it after his brother had begun maturing and becoming interested in tactics, in spite of his previous reservations against his brother inheriting the position. But now he had the position of king to worry about. Who could even give him advice? There weren't many king consorts on the continent... Amaya's father had passed away many years ago, as had King Leonard of Wyvernston. Astrid's father was shrouded in mystery and was never crowned king consort, and every other king was a king regnant. Sure, being a king consort was in some ways better than being a duke, as all the power went to Laura in this case, but it was still a king consort. His father would of course immediately accept that Felix couldn't inherit the dukedom, but Felix had no idea how Alexander would feel... Maybe Felix would ruin his brother's plans for the future by passing the position of duke onto him... And what if Alexander wouldn't be able to handle the pressure of the rough studies he'd have to do for the position? Felix couldn't sleep, his head was too filled with questions about the future. This was only supposed to be a quiet and peaceful vacation...