Mythran's Master Of All

It was decided by everyone, except for Ren, to leave such an important decision for last, and they all settled down for a long day of meetings. Commerce, trade, taxes, zoning regulations, infrastructure financing, balancing the budget, and everything else that was the bread and butter to government officials no matter where they worked, was discussed all morning until the King decided that he was hungry and declared that it was lunchtime.

Ren had thought about leaving several times, and each time he had resolved to just get up and leave, Princess Diana caught his eye and she discretely shook her head no. He was unable to resist staying around and ask why he shouldn't leave, and when the king had declared lunch, he knew this would be the best time to find out. When everyone stood up to gather their things, he quickly made his way over to the table she sat at.

“Your Highness, why do you want me to stay around?” Ren asked. “I need to go and visit representatives for the High Elves, then I need to get back to Aurora for another important meeting.”

“You've brought forward two problems for the kingdom as a whole to consider.” Princess Diana said. “You can't just do that and leave, despite your agenda to meet with as many high ranking people as you can in a single day.”

Ren could feel her emotions and she wanted him to stick around, and he sighed. “I'm sorry I didn't come back right away with an offer.”

Diana's face went red. “This isn't about that.” She said. A bead of sweat appeared on her forehead, and she sighed. “Okay, not just that.” The sweat disappeared. “If you aren't here when we finish the normal meetings, neither problem will be looked at until you are here to petition the King again, assuming they will let you bring it up again after abandoning this attempt.”

Ren sighed. “I don't suppose there's any point in asking you to try and get the king to speed things up, is there?”

Diana smiled as her father came over to the table. “Of course you can join us for lunch, Lord Ren.” She said loudly for everyone to hear. “It's a little unorthodox, but a welcome change.”

“I agree.” King Alamast said. “Lady Eleanor might enjoy seeing someone else sit at the table with us.”

No sweat appeared on his face, so Ren had to assume it would be true. He turned and nodded to the maids, and they stood up with Patty and came over to him, with Xuunah and Officer Holly on either side of the group and Artemis at the back to guard them.

“Several other someones.” Diana added.

Ren chuckled. “Lead the way, Your Highness.”

Diana and her father, King Alamast, led Ren and his group out of the meeting room and down several hallways to their private dining area.

“Mother! We have guests!” Diana exclaimed loudly as the door to the dining area opened. Ren felt a spike of annoyance from the person in the room, which he assumed was Lady Eleanor, and the annoyance was quickly suppressed and replaced with both curiosity and cunning.

Ren thought that was a bit weird, considering the circumstances, and then he realized that she would almost always be in this position and would try to give herself the best advantages no matter who showed up. He nodded mentally and followed Diana and her father into the room.

“Lady Eleanor, may I present to you Lord Ren and his... ah...”

“Mistresses and recently personal guards.” Ren said and pointed to his maids. “Mayor of my capital city.” He said and pointed to Patty, then motioned to Xuunah and Officer Holly. “My offensive guards.”

Lady Eleanor nodded to each as Ren spoke, then she turned back to Ren. “Lord Ren, it's nice to see you again.” Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she stepped forward and held a hand out. Ren's Etiquette skill kicked in and he stepped close and bent over slightly as he reached for her hand, then he realized what he was doing and equipped a gauntlet to cover the skin before their hands touched.

Princess Diana and Lady Eleanor gasped at the sight, and Ren felt anger from the king.

“How dare you!” Lady Eleanor nearly yelled and pulled her hand back before the formal greeting could be completed. Ren felt her embarrassment as she made a fist and turned away.