Your Majesty

Ui, tired from the concert, and unsure of what to do, could barely move her legs and walk. Miront escorted her in front of the King’s table, where the King was sitting down, waiting for his meal.

Miront then discreetly pressed Ui to kneel in front of the King, and then did so himself.

“Where is Bourin? Is he working even now? Bring me that boy this instant.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” One of the King's attendants hurriedly walked out of the room, looking for the Duke.

“I look away for an instant and that boy buries himself in ledgers and documents,” joked the King, yet Ui sensed a slight annoyance in his tone. He then changed his expression to address her. “That was simply lovely, girl.”

“T-thank you, Your-Your Majesty.” She barely managed to piece her words together in a natural volume. She could not tell if the King was being half-hearted or honest.

But more importantly, in front of her was the man who made her and the entire island suffer unnecessarily. Perhaps she could’ve tried her luck and attempted the Song of Dreams, and taken out the source of the island’s suffering then and there. It didn’t feel right that a single man like that was able to plunge a whole island, countless lives, into chaos. But she was unprepared, hesitant, doubtful, and above all, didn’t believe it was the only way forward. Not after meeting so many people wanting peace. She took a quick glimpse at the Royal Mages surrounding the room, with Prishu and Cro especially serious at the time. Fighting was not an option.

The King let out a resounding laugh. “You sure are shy, girl.” He chuckled to himself. “Not at all like the girl I just saw on stage.”

Ui bowed her head. Unlike the concert, the weight of that situation, with all the eyes focused on their interaction, crushed her spirit.

“What did you say her name was?” the King asked his servants.

“Ui Lront, Your Majesty,” a servant answered.

“Ah yes the Lronts. They’ve served our family faithfully for generations. Great with numbers. I didn’t realize they had two children, and a Royal Mage and Singer too!” The King’s words came with a slight hint of admiration.

Ui remained kneeled, looking downwards, unsure of when to talk. She had been instructed to talk only if there was a question directed at her, and none of them seemed to come her way. Luckily, Duke Bourin walked into the room before the situation became too uncomfortable.

“You can rise, miss Lront,” the Duke stretched his hand towards Ui, who took it and carefully rose from her kneeling position.

“Thank you, Your Grace,” said Ui. His presence was comforting in a way she didn’t expect. The Duke smiled at her before turning towards the King.

“To what do we owe the pleasure of your unannounced visit, Your Majesty.”

“Please Bourin, I know you don’t respect me like that, don’t pretend...” The King looked around the room after taking a sip of his drink. “I’ve heard this island has grown quite prosperous. No doubt thanks to your efforts.”

“You honor me, Your Majesty.” The Duke bowed.

“You’ve shown me tonight there’s a special kind of beauty in this island.” The King glanced at Ui, who looked away awkwardly. “I’ve heard rumors of its food and culture growing increasingly… unique.”

“It is my goal to make this island thrive,” the Duke responded.

“And thrive it has… though I hear the natives remain… resistant… to expanding our mining operations.”

Ui could no longer focus on anything else in the room, with the King’s conversation echoing in her mind.

“They possess strange magics and a culture full of mysteries, Your Majesty,” said the Duke. Ui noticed the Duke remained admirably calm even in that situation.

“Are your Royal Mages not enough?” asked the King, almost tauntingly.

“The casualty price was far too high when we tried. There is profit to be made elsewhere on the island.”

The King scoffed. “I’m sure you understand this isn’t about profits, Bourin. What do you think our soldiers feel when they see the enemy overseas charging at us with weapons powered by the rocks from that mountain?”

A solemn moment overtook the room. Nobody was eating or talking, everyone’s attention was focused on the King’s words.

Suddenly the King’s large burst of laughter cut through the silence. “But what would your King know? This is your island and you contribute generously.” The rest of the room was filled by sparse, awkward laughter. “Why is it that you still haven’t married, Bourin?”

Save for a few interested marriage prospects, most of the room seemed to follow the King’s example and the dinner was resumed, except for Ui, still paralyzed next to the Duke, and Miront, kneeling next to her.

“Once my land prospers, I will marry,” said Duke Bourin. He never dropped his confidence in front of the King.

The King burst into laughter once more. “You never lose your sense of humor, Bourin. Is this not prospering?” The King pointed all round the room.

“Not when there’s still so much work to do.”

“Well you’d do well to hurry. You’re not getting any younger.” The King bit into his food. “I’ve heard there’s been… intermingling… on this island. Despite you living on this island your whole life, you understand it would be… undesirable for nobility to mix with the… aboriginals.”

Ui clenched her fists, but Miront managed to grab her hand, and looked at her with one eye, threateningly. She remembered what Miront had said, and tried to remain composed. For the first time in what felt like her whole life, she forced her emotions to fizzle out before they could surface. She buried her Udari self deep inside, and forced a composed breathing on the surface as her hands and feet went cold.

The King spoke once more. “The Lronts have served you well and no doubt have been partially responsible for your island’s prosperity.” The King grinned at the Duke. “Why don’t you reward them by taking their daughter’s hand in marriage?”

Ui struggled to consciously control her breathing when she heard those words.

“I will marry when this island is peaceful, you have my word,” answered the Duke. Ui was happy about everything the Duke was saying. She really did have the right idea about him. “And no doubt to someone at least comparable to Miss Lront.”

Being complimented in such a public fashion, Ui froze and her eyes widened. All the nobles present could hear Duke Bourin, and no doubt, many were jealous. Miront once again looked at Ui, and smiled.

The King eyed Ui. “Well, if you’re not marrying her, Bourin, maybe I’ll take her back to the mainland with us. We could find someone that appreciates her… talents.”

All Ui could see was a King surrounded by darkness. She loved her island. She would never leave it, especially not for the sake of someone like that… But the Duke’s hand grabbing hers brought back what little colors that room had.

“She’s working for me at the moment. When her assignment ends, we can ask her what she wishes.”

“What she wishes?” The King burst into a loud, lengthy laughter. Anyone else laughing like that would’ve been stared at, but that whole room stayed respectfully quiet instead, until it was over. “This is why I love this boy. You’re so different! And effective! I wish I could bring you back to manage some territories on the mainland.” The King finally showed the composure that Ui assumed a King should have. “Go eat boy, food is getting colder, and you ought to enjoy your youth. You too, girl.” The King smiled at Ui, who barely managed to bow. The Duke was instructed to sit next to the King, while Miront escorted Ui back to her table.

Ui blurred out the rest of the night. The food was just as monochrome as the room, and at times too hot or too cold, too flavorless or too overwhelming. Nothing on those plates could fill her appetite, nor return what she felt right after the concert.