Chapter 25 : So I welcomed Royal Guests

Vaelya says, "Is he planning to attack Alnovir?" Lukemir says, "Maybe he is coming here to be friends with your majesty." Vaelya says, "With an army?" Elyar says, "He must be a fool if he thinks he can conquer Alnovir with only eight thousand men." Rionin says, "I think we should prepare for any kind of surprise attack, your majesty. Let's not forget that Lesious killed his father to sit on the throne." 

I think for a while and say, "Elyar, prepare the army for battle. And send enough warriors to every corner of Alnovir to secure our kingdom from any kind of surprise attack. But remember this: when Lesious arrives here, he mustn't notice that we are prepared to counterattack." Elyar says, "As you wish, your majesty." Elyar leaves. 

Vaelya says, "I think we should attack before getting attacked." "No, Vaelya. Let's wait and see what he is bringing with him. We will be prepared to act according to that." I say with a smile.

After a couple of hours, Nordial informs us that Lesious has entered Alnovir. I say, "Show him how we welcome our guests in Alnovir." Nordial says, "As you wish, your majesty." Nordial leaves.

Vaelya says, "You don't know his intention, Agni. He may be coming here to harm us. Even so, you are welcoming him! Why?" I say with a smile, "Before everything else, He is our Guest. And a guest is considered to be equal to God Vishnu. So we have to welcome him first. But we will be prepared to counterattack if necessary."

Vaelya says, "Alright then, what's next?" I get up from the throne and say, "I'll go to meet him at the gate of Caelgrand. You, Lukemir, Gornor, and Rionin will be with me." Vaelya says, "Why?" I say, "It's a part of showing politeness and hospitality to meet the guest halfway." Elyar says, "Then let me come with you, your majesty." I say, "No, Elyar. You are the general of the army. You may need to order the army to counterattack. So, you can't come with us. Now, let's go, Vaelya, Lukemir, Gornor, and Rionin." Luke, Gornor, and Rionin say in unison, "Yes, your majesty." We leave the royal court. 

We wait at the gate of Caelgrand for a few minutes. Then Nordial leads a carriage with an army of thousands to the gate of Caelgrand. Nordial gets down from the horse and comes to me. He kneels before me. I say, "Stand up, Nordial." Nordial stands up. 

A man and a woman with royal dresses get down from the carriage. They come to us. I say, "Welcome to Alnovir. I am Agni, the king of Alnovir." The man says, "I am Lesious, the king of Hamarland. Thank you for welcoming me, King Agni. It's an honor to meet you. This is my sister, Lelia." Lelia bows and says, "It's an honor to meet you, King Agni." I say with a smile, "It's an honor to meet you too, Princess."

Lesious says, "You didn't have to come all the way to the gate of Caelgrand to welcome us. You even send some men to welcome us when we enter Alnovir." I smile and say, "It's a tradition for making guests feel at home. Now, let me take you to our home. Come, King Lesious, Princess Lelia." Lesious says, "Thank you, King Agni. But before that, may I have your permission for letting my men camp near the wall of Caelgrand?" I say, "Sure, there is enough space on the South Side. Our army will help them if they need anything." Lesious says, "That won't be necessary, as they already brought all their necessities. But I appreciate your concern, King Agni."

We come to the palace with Lesious, Lelia, their two ministers, and four bodyguards. Rionin leads them to their rooms in the guest house. After that we offer them lunch. 

In the afternoon, we all sit in the royal court. I say, "King Lesious, I am happy that you came here to our Alnovir. Please forgive us if there is anything lacking in our hospitality." Lesious says, "Thank you, King Agni. I am really satisfied with your hospitality. There is no lacking in that. Alnovir sure is living up to its new reputation."

- "I am honored by your kind words, King Lesious. Residents of Alnovir are responsible for that."

- "King Agni, if you don't mind, may I ask you a question?"

- "Sure, King Lesious."

- "From what I know, the new Alnovir is one of the strongest kingdoms in this world. But your politeness and hospitality present you otherwise. Wouldn't that concern you?"

I laugh and say, "Of course not. As a child of God, one should always be polite and kind to others. And showing the best hospitality to guests is a very normal thing to do. But make no mistake. I treat individuals as their nature. I won't waste my politeness and kindness on any evil-minded persons." 

Lesious says, "What are your thoughts on black demons? You've surely heard of them, right?" I pause for a moment and say with a smile, "Yes, I heard about them. They have attacked many noblemen's houses from various kingdoms and abducted their slaves. Some even call them Night Angels. Since they haven't attacked my kingdom, I don't think about them. What are your thoughts about them, King Lesious?" Lesious says, "They haven't attacked my kingdom either. But stealing slaves is a crime. So they are not good ones, as commoners say they are." I say, "Yes, definitely."

Nordial comes to the royal court and says, "Your majesty, a couple with a newborn baby wants to see you." I say, "Let them in." Nordial says, "As you wish, your majesty." Nordial leaves. I say, "King Lesious, do you mind if I talk with my people for a moment?" Lesious says, "Of course not."

A couple with a newborn baby in its mother's arms enters the royal court. The father says, "Long Live King Agni." I smile and say, "Thank you. And you too. Your name?" The father says, "Your majesty, I am Jeniel, and she is Enila. I am a farmer of Daligon village. Two days ago, my wife gave birth to a boy. If your majesty didn't build the road or the hospital, my wife and son wouldn't be alive today. So, we come to say, "Thank you, your majesty." The mother says, "Thank you, your majesty." 

I get down from the throne and come to them. They are about to kneel. I say, "Hey, don't kneel. Listen, Jeniel and Enila. It's my responsibility to look after you as your king. You don't have to thank me for that. I am happy that you came all the way to show your gratitude. But the mother needs rest now." I look at Lukemir and nod. 

I look at the baby and touch his nose softly. Jeniel says, "Your majesty, we are throwing a party for our son after a week. I heard that you accept invitations from commoners. I know I am not capable, but we want your majesty to bless this party with your presence." I smile and say, "Of course. I only eat fruits. So, remember that." Jeniel says with excitement, "Yes, your majesty." They seem very happy.

Lukemir brings a plate to me. There is a necklace and ten gold coins on the plate. I take the plate and give it to Jeniel. Jeniel says, "No, no, your majesty. I can't accept this. We just wanted to thank you and invite you, your majesty. We don't want any of this, your majesty. Please, your majesty, we can't accept this." I say, "This is not for you two. This is for the baby. Keep the necklace safe and give the necklace to the boy when he is old enough. It's an order. And this money is for his education purpose. Take these, Jeniel." 

Jeniel and Enila look at each other. Jeniel says, "Then we will only take the necklace, your majesty. Because it's his first gift, especially from your majesty. And I can say with confidence that under your rule, I can give my son higher education and a bright future. Your majesty, I want to support my family by myself. That's why I can't accept these gold coins." I smile and say, "As you wish, Jeniel." Jeniel takes the necklace and says, "Thank you, your majesty." "Welcome, Jeniel. Give your address to Nordial. I'll come to the party." Jeniel and Enila say in unison, "Thank you, your majesty." After that they talk with Nordial and leave.

Lesious and Lelia are shocked to witness all this. Lelia says, "That's a very rare event." Gornor says, "No, Princess. It's very usual here." I say, "I am really blessed with such kindhearted residents." Lesious says, "And they are too, King Agni." I say, "I try my best to treat them right. Pardon me, King Lesious. I haven't asked you your purpose for this visit. May I know now?" Lesious says, "You don't have to apologize, King Agni. And the purpose is simple. We heard so much about you. So we decided to come here and see you." I say, "Then I recommend you stay with us as long as you want. And visit some cities and villages. Then you will fall in love with Alnovir." 

Lesious says, "As much as we want to stay, we can't. I can't stay far from my kingdom for a long time. We will leave tomorrow." I say, "It's your decision, King Lesious; I can't force you. Evening has come. You should rest now. We will talk at dinnertime." Lesious says, "Yes, King Agni."

I return to my room. Vaelya follows me to my room. She says, "Agni, I have a suspicion about him." 

- "I am not sensing any threats from him." 

- "But he is very eager to know your thoughts on black demons. Do you think he knows?" 

- "No, I don't think so. But there is no need to be careful."

Emelin says from the doorway, "May I come in, Brother?" I say, "Of course, sister." Emelin enters my room. I say, "Why are you so excited, sister?" 

- "I got to talk to Princess Lelia. Ah! She is very beautiful in person." 

- "She is?"

- "You don't know! Leila is the most beautiful woman in the whole world."

- "That's exaggerating, sister."

- "No, it's not. Everyone says that. And today I got to see her up close. Ah! How beautiful a person can be!"

I look at Vaelya. She is smiling at Emelin. I say, "My question exactly." Vaelya quickly turns at me. I quickly turn at the window and say, "I meant the moon." Emelin says in a playful voice, "I am going to leave you two at your business. Bye!" Emelin runs to the outside of the room. 

Vaelya hesitantly says, "I am going to my room. See you later, Agni." I say, "Alright, Vaelya. See you later." Vaelya leaves in a hurry. I sigh and surrender myself to the bed.

Later at night, Ferminaka knocks on the door and says, "Your majesty, King Lesious wants to speak with you." I smile and say, "Let him in." Ferminaka says, "As you wish, your majesty."

Lesious enters my room. I say, "So now you are going to tell me about the true purpose of this visit, King Lesious?" King Lesious smiles and says, "You are a very wise man, King Agni." I laugh and say, "That's an exaggeration, King Lesious. Take a seat. And say what you want to say." 

King Lesious sits down on a chair. He looks at me and says, "You are one of the Black Demons. Aren't you, King Agni?" I smile.