Home for the Few - The Awakening of the Silenced Ⅰ

XIV. A worthy suitor.

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   "I offer you the hand of my daughter, Kaira, for your firstborn: Farkas. On the condition that you lead Serendipia straight into progress," Sauro said confidently. After the announcement, he leaned back in his chair, satisfied with his brilliant idea.

   Once again, the three men found themselves in the King's private office early in the morning, ready to reach an agreement. There were fewer guards this time, and the hounds seemed more at ease. Grimn was there, loyal and willing to do anything for his King.

   Farkas let out a small laugh, incredulous at what he was hearing. Vilkas looked at his son, then turned to Sauro and exclaimed, raising his hands:

   "It's not with me that you need to negotiate. I'm the captain, the owner of the fleet, and every bolt on those ships. My son is the engineer, the mind behind the machines."

   "Am I supposed to strike a deal with him?" A grimace of disgust crossed the King's face. "He's just a boy!"

   "I'm the same age as the Princess, and yet you don't seem to have a problem offering her to the highest bidder," Farkas replied, angry but keeping his composure. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed one of the guards shifting uncomfortably at his remark.

   "Listen, boy, I don't care how things work in your lands. Here, things are done this way, always have been, since the beginning of time." The King tapped insistently on his desk with his index finger. "My daughter's hand is merely the vehicle that will carry you to becoming the successor King."

   Farkas started laughing, surprised, thinking it must be a joke. This was definitely not what they had planned when they left their home behind in search of new lands—it was far more than they could have ever imagined. Scratching the stubble on his face, he glanced at his father, who nodded in approval of his decision.

   "When can I meet her?" the young man said with a smirk. The three of them stood up, and with a glint in his eye, the young man shook Sauro's hand.

   They agreed on the final details: the meeting would take place during the festival. If by then they managed to prove the worth of their inventions, Farkas would marry the Princess, the King would name him Prince, and he would teach him how to rule the kingdom for when his time came. As Sauro said, there was plenty of time until then.

   Vilkas and Farkas were travelers, but they hadn't exaggerated when they said they had spent four years surrounded by nothing but water. For the first time, they wanted to settle on land, and just like that, a stranger had offered them an entire kingdom. An offer too good to refuse.

   Farkas didn't much like the idea of marrying the Princess; in his culture, a human being would never be considered a mere object. Besides, he had always been more attracted to men. He liked women, but not that much.

   Perhaps, by a twist of fate, they would get along, or the King would die soon, and he could finally free the Princess. He had to talk to Kaira, introduce himself, and make his intentions clear. While they finalized the details, Farkas mulled over the situation in silence. He glanced toward one of the young guards who always accompanied Sauro; he'd heard him called Grimn. The intensity of Farkas's gaze made the guard's cheeks turn red. Farkas smiled, satisfied, until he remembered the absurd agreement he had just sealed.

   He would find a way to make things work. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that it was all madness.

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