Chapter 246: The Accolades
King Heimdal entered through the heavy wooden doors of the justice hall. Knights stood rigidly at attention, polished armor gleaming under the morning light. He walked with measured steps, each one deliberate and unyielding. His deep golden robe trailed behind him, trimmed with white fur that kissed the cold stone floor. A golden crown rested on his head, heavy with rubies and diamonds.
Knights bowed low as he passed, fists clenched over hearts in silent salute. Courtiers stepped aside, heads bowed in reverence, their whispers falling silent in his presence.
Lara lifted her head and watched the King’s grand entrance. When everyone else was bowing down, she watched him curiously. She had seen kings entering their court only in movies. She thought then that the bows and rigidness of the knights were an exaggeration, but witnessing it firsthand, Lara did not know how to feel.
Suddenly, King Heimdal turned his head, and for a moment, their gazes locked. He had the same obsidian eyes as Alaric. He stared at her, his gaze stern, sharp and unyielding.
General Odin’s senses were keen. He felt that something shifted in the air and when he looked up, he found the king staring at the person standing beside him — Lara.
His heart almost skipped a beat. He swiftly placed at Lara’s back. Of course, she understood the gesture. She looked and bowed.
The king ascended to the platform and settled into an ornate seat with a slow exhale, and the hall erupted in a unified chant of loyalty.
His gaze was stern, eyes sharp and unyielding, surveying the room with the confidence of one who held absolute power.
He surveyed the room with the confidence of one who held absolute power, his eyes sharp as the eagle’s. It lingered a little bit longer on Lara’s before it shifted to the three princes standing below the platform.