The King | Maxon Schreave

Chapter Five

I blink several times when the main stage projector lights up, dazzling me as it goes by. Smoothing out the sides of my suit jacket, I walk around the room with a circular gaze, watching the technicians work hard to make this Bulletin a memorable event.

- Your Majesty," Gavril bows to me. Are you ready for the recording to begin?

- Good evening, Gavril," I greeted him with a nod. Yes, all that is missing is Lady America, but she should be here soon. Besides, I would like to talk to you after the show.

He seems to know what I intend to talk to him about, for he does not give up and answers in a placed voice:

- Yes, Mr Illéa told me about that. I would just like to find a quiet place to talk.

- Don't worry," I said with half a smile. We will be safe from indiscreet ears.

Gavril nods his head, reassured, then leaves to give his last instructions. I retain a snicker as I think of his concerns about the secrecy of the Northerners; after tonight, none of this will need to be hidden. I intend to be completely transparent with my subjects.

Lifting my eyes from the cards that have been prepared for me, I catch the gaze of America who has just appeared on the set. Dressed in a dark evening gown, she seems intimidated and vaguely lost, placing her gaze around the room. Rising from my seat, I walk over to her and take her hand and kiss her.

- Good evening, dearest. You look lovely," I said as I looked at the tiara glittering between her red locks.

- Thank you," she says, blushing slightly. I am not yet used to wearing this, but Lucy has outdone herself.

- Remind me to thank your maids on occasion," I said with a wink. Not too anxious?

- Yes, and yet it is not the first time I've been almost alone on the set. But the tiara makes things more complicated," she chuckles.

I nod my head and nod my head, then I quickly explain how the show will unfold: a more political first part, with the intervention of some of the advisers, and then her entry on the set, where we will publicly announce our engagement. One of the technicians signals to me that we can begin, so I draw her towards me and plant a kiss on her temple, inspiring the sweet smell of her hair.

- Wait!" she calls out to me as I turn around to the stage.

I stop abruptly and she lets out a small laugh as she climbs up on tiptoes to readjust my crown which is leaning a little too far to the side.

- I wouldn't want anyone to think I'm responsible for your inappropriate outfit," she laughs.

- You know I wouldn't mind at all," I said with a devilish smile.

- Go on, get out of here!" she ordered me with a last chuckle.

It is always with the same silly smile fixed on my lips that I sit in my seat in front of Gavril, who looks at me with an amused look. Off-screen, one of the cameramen counts us down, and I regain my serious look when the red light indicating live broadcasting turns on.

- Good evening, Illéa, Gavril begins soberly, and thank you for finding us in this special edition of the Bulletin, with a very special guest. Please welcome Maxon Schreave of Illéa!

- Good evening, dear people, and good evening Gavril, I say with a brief smile. Thank you for being here in these difficult, and sometimes tragic times for some.

I take a deep breath under the encouraging gaze of America, who is watching me from behind the scenes.

- As you know, the day before yesterday, the palace in Angeles was the target of a terrorist attack by rebels from the south of Illéa. This bloody assault has left many lives behind, and it is with great sorrow that I must announce that your dear King and Queen and my beloved parents, Clarkson and Amberly Schreave, lost their lives there, I announced in one fell swoop.