Abyss - Book Five of the Alpha Series - MxM

Chapter 3

I bathe and pull on the formal clothes that Loan has demanded of me. My closet has been raided, I no longer have the multitudes of civilian wear that I've found so comfortable. The light colors that resemble the Solomonari robes have been adapted into long sleeves, vests, and coats. I pull on my tall socks, tucking the ends of my pants in, sighing at the get-up as I look into the mirror.

This has not been me for so long, I struggle with the person looking back at me. I tug absently at the collar of the freshly pressed shirt and turn my attention to Loan. "There are going to be some major rule changes after this coronation. This is absurd."  His expression is less than shocked that I would feel this way as he fixes my coat. 

The light colors play off my tanned skin and dark hair, I see he's had it embellished with small gems and colored beads. "Also. Monks are supposed to be humble. This is a bit over the top, don't you think? It's just dinner. "

Loan stops me with a hard look. "Nicolas, you have to start making the impression that you aren't these people's friends. You are their king. If the dignitaries see you looking like a common street rat, you will lose every last ounce of their respect. I know Verando told you that it was assured but we can very easily lose their support if we don't play our cards right. I know you somewhere deep in that subconscious of yours there is some royal breeding so." 

He gives my coat a firm tug. "Act like it. What better way to practice than on your friends."

I feel stiff, overly dressed but at least I can forgo a wig since my startling red hair is one of the many things 'exotic' about me and I've been told exotic is a good thing. Ana curtsies as she comes him and I smile at her dress, it's nice to see her in something other than the run down, skimpy outfit they had her in at The Manor. "Thank you for the dress, Your Majesty." She hides her smile, she appears to like it too. 

I want to tell her to call me Nic but I know Loan would have an aneurism. My expression must convey that because I see her eyes light up as she glances up at me. "Of course. You are a part of what I'd consider my court." And ever-growing it was. Unfortunately, my father's own court had been so corrupt it was practically nonexistent. 

Towards the end of his rule, he was doing things on his own for the most part and leaving my people to fend for themselves. Loan had appointed some officials, gaining the title as my Steward himself, but I wasn't all to keen on any Loan loyalists being so close to me. While Loan had proved to be an ally more than a foe, I could tell by his mannerisms and the way I was kept in seclusion that he still harbored the feelings from when we first met. 

He wanted to be in my position and my people didn't want him. 

"Lady Ana, Your Majesty. Steward." Art Christian, an older gentleman I appointed my Master of Ceremonies, greats us as we walk down the hallway. He was one of the few stragglers from my father that I actually cared to keep. I remember him from when I was a child, I remember him being kind and while he doesn't necessarily hold a position of power, I'm wary of anyone close to me. 

 It would appear as though my life had gained value since my father's passing for as a child, I merely wondered the halls unchecked but then, I wasn't the hopeful king. "I've assembled the court and your cohorts, "

"Thank you, Christian." I try and keep my formal composure. I've been putting off this meeting for far too long but making a statement is what I've been advised to do considering when I return, we will be under my rule and there will be additions to the guard as well as the additions of a whole new government. 

While I have a well thought out plan of how I want this to go, old habits are hard to change and I've received unwelcome pushback from my advisors that a more 'liberal' government wouldn't be accepted by the people. I've opted to keep the information close to myself, to be revealed when I was sworn in and there was nothing they could do to stop me.