Obscure Old Tales

Chapter 2: The winning hand

Raeb did not enjoy his coronation.

As if he had not had already announced himself to the kingdom, he had to give his blessing to all the knights who kneeled into his allegiance, he had to give handshakes to all royal families, faking a smile and acting in his best to emulate kindness. After they moved back into the palace Raeb awaited in a chamber soon-to-be turned into the new royal office as all other's kings did.

"Oz has not responded on the advancement of the queen; however, they still keep the anti-mage policies even though their factions are heavily influenced by politicians that have stepped out of the broom closet."

As in one of his favorite movies about the old ways of crime families he had every single royal offer him a gift and talk about his current problems aiming to strike a deal with the favor of the newly crowned king, one by one he heard, one by one he judged. As the child of the ultimate Don ever to down a crown Raeb had a royal duty to his kingdom and denizens, but he too demanded to those with a duty to the crown, he negotiated as his mother taught him, and soon the night had carried close to midnight.

"... furthermore, the provinces in the east have not reported advancements of the winter clawing into the land."

Shajae had taken note of the negotiations keeping track of the dismay, the arrangements, and even future compromises he would soon take on. The twins Hansel and Gretel were there to always protect him. Clad in their royal guard uniform they made sure the minor royals would not attempt anything against the crown, it was a procedure and a display at the same time.

"The thing in importance right now is to keep the kingdom from the brink of war, for now all that suffices is to keep an all-human committee to be the king's bureau and slowly transition to an open diverse cabinet for the kingdoms."

Spoke lord Mannix handing in the document Raeb would use to name his main board of advisors, The man was quite into his fifty's, white patches had begun on his sides, he had dark skin and black hair, he had a tech monocle on one eye copper colored as his suit.

"There could be outrage."

He warned.

"Maybe we need it."

Raeb assured tilting his head knowingly.

"So far, Products and humans have been separated by a society that got so used oppressing the later that the system just no longer works. Maybe it is time to live as one society."

Mannix nodded agreeing to the demands of the king, so far, he had managed to convince his stepdad's old guard into softening the laws, especially since the takeover of a fort back in the northern lands. Prince Wilhelm had not even known it yet, but he was soon going to be the image in the fight against the ever-winter and the queen, what Raeb needed, a hero like type to inspire the troops.

Shajae scribbled down then stopped.

Mannix stood from the chair he had sat back at the beginning of their negotiation, his holographic robes from the Ufalme Lands beginning to project a more triangular shape. Raeb was sure the outfit would make some conspiracy theorist ramble online about a pyramid headed scheme.

"That would be all, I'll have the invitations coming for the upfront houses, however I do not promise their assistance."

"Be sure I'll take no offence, as long as they respond."

Assured the royal as he buttoned his suit.

Gretel and Hansel opened the chamber's doors; Mannix came out with a smile, followed by the King and his company.

As they descended to the main ball, sounds filtered through the walls, sometimes muffled, sometimes blocked by Raeb's own unwillingness to pry on the royal houses and their secrets. For so long a bore for him, for so long a façade. He was done listening to their nitpicks and their deliriums, he sometimes wondered when would the monarchy stop? Were the people ready to make justice by their hands? He knew the creed of the houses, the principle on which they were founded: