King

Arnya left mentioning that she needed to change out of her training clothes into something more suitable for the court. She instructed me to wait here and so we could go in together.

I amused myself in the meantime by watching the dogmen continue their training. The one I took as the leader barked out orders, literally: his words sounded more like the barking of a dog than speech. At each sound, the trainees swung their swords over their heads with a yip of defiance. I lost had track of the number of times they went through the drill when a finger tapped on my shoulder. I turned to see Arnya wearing a simple green gown that matched her hair color.

“Shall we go and end this engagement officially?” she asked.

“Sure.” I gestured at the dress. “But should I wear something…nicer?” I wore the clothes the court alchemist, as I was coming to call him in my head, had in his closet. They were clean, sure, but shabby and threadbare.

In response to my question, Arnya laughed. “I’ve never seen you wear anything but your nasty alchemical robes, Rei.” Without another word she swept ahead, leaving me to trail her through the castle grounds.

She led me to the largest building in the castle. I followed her through a central hallway that ended with large wooden double doors. A dogman guard on each side of the doors opened them for us, giving me a look of the throne room.

It was smaller than I expected, paneled with engraved wood on the walls and ceiling. The center of the room, naturally, was a single throne of wood and stone. Atop it sat the king. I had glimpsed him briefly around the castle in my time here so far, but this was my first time getting a good look at him.

I did a double take. On the first glance of his face, I thought this man was Professor King, my teacher back in my world who had given me access to the machine that took me here. But on a closer look, the resemblance was less direct. Although he shared the facial structure and body type as the aged Professor King, this man’s face had an odd ageless quality to it, making his age hard to determine. By looks alone, he could have been anywhere from 35 to 60.

Arnya knelt on one knee, gesturing me to follow suit. She said “thank you for the audience, your majesty.”

“Of course, of course. When my only granddaughter and my court alchemist wish to speak to me on an urgent matter, I can think of no greater priority. The Council of Lords can wait.” His voice was booming and powerful, like it was used to commanding armies. “So to what do I owe the pleasure?”

Arnya launched into an explanation that we discussed things and mutually agreed we wanted to break off the engagement. When she finished, the king looked at me.

“Alchemist? Is this true?”

“Yes.” After a moment, I added “your majesty.”

“And she didn’t…” he looked like he was searching for the right word, “coerce you into this arrangement?”

“No!” I exclaimed. How could he accuse his own granddaughter of something like that? “I’m saying this of my own free will.” Obviously!

The king sighed and scratched his chin. “Well, if you both wish it, I suppose I have no reason to refuse…” He shook his head. An advisor who I hadn’t noticed before stepped from behind his throne and whispered something in his ear. The king nodded and said, “I’d like to speak to my court alchemist alone for just a moment.”

The advisor swept out of the room, as did the pair of guards in a corner. As Arnya turned to go, I gave her a thumbs-up. She looked blankly at my hand for a moment before leaving. The doors slammed behind her, leaving me alone with the king.

“You can speak honestly, Rei,” he said tiredly. “Really, why would you give this up? I know my granddaughter can be strong-willed, but you shouldn’t cave to that—”

“Like I said, I’m doing this because I want to,” I cut him off. As he raised an eyebrow, too late I realized I had just interrupted the king. “Your majesty.”

He shook his head in bewilderment. “It makes no sense. Our arrangement was that you would turn your talents to my service as court alchemist. In exchange, I offer you a place in the palace, protection from the Witch Hunters, and the princess’ hand in marriage. Why give part of that up? I will not let you exit the bargain; even if you release her, you will continue to serve me.”

“She’s not—it’s not—” how could I argue? Their value system was so different from ours. “Marriage should be for love,” I finally said, “not money or power or whatever. Arn—I mean, the princess, doesn’t love me, and I…” I paused and was surprised at the pause. “I don’t love her.” I didn’t think I was being noble or anything. I was just trying to be reasonable.

He shook his head again. “I had no idea you were such a romantic.” He sat back, looking more regal. “You’re certain about this? You’re losing access to Lordship through this marriage. A permanent safety from the Witch Hunters for yourself and your apprentices. And you know the princess will still be married off to someone whether she likes it or not. She’s too valuable a political resource to give up.”

“Is that how you use people? As resources?” I couldn’t hold back my words. This was the fantasy world I had always dreamed of entering?

“You’re young. You still don’t understand how the world really works.” He dismissed the mood with a wave of his hand. “But, very well. It’s done. I’ll sign your annulment today. You are dismissed, alchemist.” He looked like he was holding back annoyance.

I turned and hurried out, but as I put my hand on the door, the king called out. “Oh, alchemist, before I forget. I’ve almost exhausted my supply of the Potion of Youth. Brew me some more by the end of tomorrow.”

Hoping I hadn’t understood correctly, I carefully asked “what do you mean, your majesty?”

“What do you mean what do I mean?”

“Could you…clarify what you mean by Potion of Youth?”

“The Potion of Youth that keeps me young and healthy at my old age. The potion that impressed me so much that I asked you to become my court alchemist. The one you’ve brewed for me every week or so for the past year?” He seemed confused. “Honestly, I had heard you’ve been muddled as of late, but this is absurd. Well, go on then, I do need to return to work.”

I beat a hasty retreat, my brain whirring. A potion that I—no, that the court alchemist brewed regularly? I still didn’t know how to do any alchemy!