The King's Gamma (#Wattys2024)

Seventy One

"You said you came up with all of this now?"

"Am I speaking in tongues? Yes, I just came up with this. Well, I based it around what I grew up with with the hunter's guilds, but if you're gonna make an alliance, the others will likely come and either seek alliance or declare war on both empires, might as well include them."

"Twenty years..." he says as he stares at me dumbfounded. "We've been stuck on one issue for twenty years and you just waltz in here and figure it all out in less than ten minutes." he starts laughing. "I can see why you adopted her."

"Let's settle the terms then and have your King go over the confirmed plans and aspect." the queen said, visibly fluffing her invisible feathers in pride, much like a proud mother bird.

._._._._._.

Third person pov

The Beast Kingdom was much, much less developed than the Demonic Kingdom.  But their continued attempts at an alliance was precisely to have the opportunity to develop. The king, Goro senior, sat with his seven sons in the Great Hall they used for meetings. They were surprised at the message they'd received from the official, a Bear elder in the Kingdom. There had been major changes to the alliance agreement. In fact, he had happily scrapped the old agreement without the unanimous decision of the court. The message also praised the adopted child of the Demon King and Queen, stating that he intended to introduce the child to their people and hopefully gain a stronger alliance through marriage.

Goro senior found it strange, wondering if the bear had been placed under a spell. The demons were, after all, a strange race. Even after so many years they had yet to understand how the demons worked, what kind of magic and so on they used. Some of the other elders arrived, sharing their thoughts on the strange behaviour as well.

"If there is such a magic, we must control it at all costs."

Many agreed with the elder.

"He spoke of an heir, it is likely that this new adopted heir is the source of such sorcery." Another voiced.

"The heir is said to be travelling with him. We need to be strong against any mind games the child may play."

"Was anything else stated about this child?" Goro junior asked.

"Only that our nation would likely give out every treasure to have the child wed into the kingdom." Goro senior sneered, his wolf-like grin stating that he didn't believe a thing. "It should be time for us to welcome this demon spawn soon."

They followed the King down the large steps and through the city, finding themselves at the entrance with many of the guards.  However, they became restless. The amount of demonic escorts around the ornately decorated palanquin. Twelve demons, large and imposing, carried the palanquin steadily at a speedy pace. Twenty guards stationed around in such a way that none of the flanks were open. Another hundred at the front and two hundred at the back, seeming ready for any kind of attack that could happen. In between the hundred at the front was the bear elder, trotting along in his beast form like a pet on a leash. 

The prideful bear reduced to behaving like a pet.

Goro senior stood still, watching as the demon guard made way for the palanquin to be carried through. It was placed down near them, the Bear beast immediately transformed and bowing to the palanquin as though a god was inside. Was he, the great Goro, invisible? A familiar figure appeared by the door of the closed palanquin, opening it for whomever or whatever was inside.

"Heiji, interesting to see you here." Goro Junior commented. They had become friends over the years as they visited each other with each alliance meeting in the past. 

Heiji looked inside the palanquin, but no sound came. However he nodded and approached the council, smiling as bowed slightly to the council.

"It is nice to see you too, old friend." He looked over the crowd waiting to welcome them. "The King and Queen will be elated to hear that you greet their chosen heir so warmly."

Heiji was no fool. They knew this was a dangerous warning. If anything were to happen to the heir, war would be immediate. The smile on the demon's face confirmed the warning all the more. Goro senior felt a chill go up his spine. He also knew and befriended the demon twenty years ago when he took over the Kingdom. Did they judge too soon? Err too quickly? Heiji retreated back to the entrance of the palanquin, holding a hand inside. The silence among the beasts were palpable, none willing to break it or tear their eyes away from the entrance. It was strange and enigmatic, the magnetism the entrance held in this moment.

The figure that stepped out surprised them. Near gold eyes scanned over them, thick black hair almost hiding the horned crown on top of her head. She was dressed in pitch black, gold and silver threading decorating the hems around the dress. This, they also knew, was the colors solely used by the royals of the Demon Kingdom. Goro Junior felt his heart throb at the sight of the beautiful woman in front of him. A feeling he'd never had before rose in his chest. He shook his head immediately, clearing the thoughts of claiming this woman for himself immediately. He had to focus. Had to keep his mind clear. This woman was still an enigma, and the reason for the strange behavior of the bear elder.

She approached them, and he was sure they all realized that her footsteps were absolutely soundless. She bowed slightly as Heiji introduced her.

"King Goro, this is our new heir to the throne, Princess Millicent. As you have realized, she is human. She will stand in for our King and Queen here today. She has full authority over any decisions to be made regarding the alliance."

Goro senior seemed to watch her with more caution. Something the junior found strange. His father was never cautious even around the Demonic royals.

"Ah, I am pleased to see that you have felt it too, King Goro." Heiji said with a smirk. "That our Princess is deserving of her title. Shall we go in and discuss?"

The discussions took place much like those in the demon Kingdom, the princess explaining all strategies in their current alliance agreements, the full details as stipulated in a contract, and what the next best steps would be to not only help grow both nations, but include the other nations as well. Goro senior's caution turned to admiration. Goro junior was impressed as well, but puzzled himself over his father's reaction and Heiji's earlier question. And over the fact that he was so drawn to a goddamned human. Was this the sorcery they mentioned?

Food was served soon after. The beast elders seemed more refined than they ever had before as they ate and tried to gain the attention of the princess. Many mentioning their eligible bachelor sons to her and their assets. She sat upright, her movements precise, as if calculated, as she ate. Her attention seemed to be everywhere at once, her responses to each question and conversation, four at the time that she was a part of at the time, concise. 

"How did a human come to be adopted by demons?" Goro found himself asking, breaking all conversation off. 

She turned her eyes that he could swear was a duller gold, more brown now, to him. All attention shifting to him as well.

"They kidnapped me and threw me into a pretty dress and told me to stay put as a little doll for their use and abuse." she said simply.

Heiji next to her choked on his food, coughing loudly. A small smile graced her lips. It took a moment for Goro to realize that she was making a joke. Goro senior burst out laughing, along with the elders around them. 

"In truth, I wiped out a goblin horde in the demon forest while having a tantrum and impressed them so much they insisted that I would be their daughter from then on. Heiji even had a sword to my neck when it seemed I didn't intend to go with them."

Goro scoffed. "Your jokes are not that funny, Princess."

Goro's heart throbbed at the sight of the sweet, knowing smile that graced her lips. It was at this time, whether he realized it or not, that a flame of possessive desire took hold of him. Regardless of whether he realized what he blurted out next or not.

"Marry me."