*Clip-Clop*

Heavy footsteps resounded through the silent hall. Everyone looked at the source. Even Adrian darted his pitch black eyes to that direction.

A middle aged man with a muscular body walked down the stairs and was approaching the table. Every one of his footsteps, his movements were giving off an air of dominance. His back was straight, as if he were a pillar- supporting the entire nation. His thick facial hair only added to his masculinity. He was wearing a black coat, embroidered with many medallions- medallions which he earned in battlefields.

But the trait that made himself stood out the most was undoubtedly those silver eyes that would made him stand out even amongst the other silver eyed royals, let alone others. The silver on his eyes had a tint of red mixed in. This silver even attracted more attention than the silvery white crown on his head.

His overall demeanour and appearance was only second to that of King Leopold De Auras of Aurgoth. Barring the High King and the Everking back in his ‘home’ country of Nemphis and of course- himself, the King of Aurgoth was definitely the most Majestic figure Adrian had ever seen.

But even he, king Leopold De Auras of Aurgoth was missing something the King before him had- bloodlust- endless bloodlust.

The eerie sanguine aura he was giving off was something someone had to earn- someone had to achieve through practice; and that practice was- killing. Who knew how many he had to kill to nurture that aura? And were all of his victims foes?

The King stood beside the head seat of the table, prompting all the three princes to stand up and bow. “Greetings, Royal Father.”

The King did not even a glance as his silvery red eyes met those of the abyssal ones of Adrian.

“You have grown up.” His casual speech was filled with authority befitting of a King.

“Long time no see.” Adrian smiled. His voice was as casual as always. “Uncle.” His smile grew wider.

The king’s face lightly flinched while he was sitting down, light enough to evade the notice of others- but not Adrian, the Queen nor the lady sitting beside Sera.

The Queen sighed inside her mind while Sera’s mother smiled.

The king sat down on his royal chair and gave Adrian a look. “We will speak after breakfast.”

Adrian nodded before looking ahead, at the tens of dishes ready to be devoured.

In a matter of half an hour, everyone finished their breakfast. The King was the first to leave. The three princes followed.

The Queen gave Adrian a smile before leaving herself.

Adrian’s aunt looked at her daughter and her nephew. “You two take rest for now. A servant will inform you once brother is ready to talk.” She smiled and got up.

Soon, the two cousins were the only ones left at the dining table. The maids and servants were busy cleaning taking out the empty dishes and cleaning the table.

Adrian looked at his cousin. “Come. I am still tired.”

Sera sighed and shook her head in defeat.

******

The diplomatic hall of the Blackwind Fortress.

The mid sized room was silvery like all other halls, corridors and rooms of the castle. But there was a golden hue everywhere throughout the room thanks to the exquisite light magic circle rotating on the ceiling.

It was specially imported from the Kingdom of Nemphis- a product made by the very hands of the previous queen herself.

There were exotic trees decorating the entire chamber. Sweet floral scents permeated through the room.

But the articles that stood out the most would definitely be the portraits hanging on the wall- of crowned men, all with silvery red eyes but in different scenes.

The scenes depicted their greatest achievements- some changed the course of history of the Kingdom while some majorly affected the Confederation as a whole.

There were only three pieces of furniture in the relatively large room. But every one of them could be called pieces of art.

The round table at the center looked simple. But there was a marvelous looking magic circle drawn on it with engraved silver crystals. Its effect- unknown.

The two extravagant sofas on both side of the round table faced each other. Both of them were made from exotic woods and intricately designed by the most expert of craftsmen.

On one of them sat a herculean man with facial hairs and a crown on his head- the King of Darkshore, Sebastian Storm.

On the other one, a youth with otherworldly looks was sitting casually, not bothered a bit by the status of the man in front of him. Why would he bother? He was the highest paid man in the Confederation after all.

“Who knew that child bore by my sister would sit before me as an equal?” The man spoke.

“Fate plays in mysterious ways…” Adrian smiled. “Un-cle.”

The king’s face flinched again. “You are not here as my ‘family’. You are here as the Royal Advisor of Nemphis.” He scowled.

“As your wish, your majesty.” Adrian shrugged as he rested his back on the lavish sofa. He placed one of his legs on the other, crossing them.

“Three decade ago, they sent an envoy. And now, it is a prestigious Royal Advisor- a Darkshoric at that. It is time again, isn’t it?” The man asked as his reddish silver eyes turned serious.

“Indeed.” Adrian answered.

“Like always, we agree. But the conditions- they need to change.” The king knitted his brows.

“Oh. What change?” His indifferent face belied his speech.

“They need to pay us with more high grade magic crystals. We demand a 20% increase.”

“You know that 20% increase is a lot, don’t you?” Adrian smiled. “After all, the base amount is astronomical by itself.”

“Yes. But it is a failed cause anyway. The only reason we send the soldiers to their death is simple- magic crystals. And we have ambitions of ourselves. I can’t send precious manpower for cheap.” The crowned man’s face was completely nonchalant.

“But I have a proposal.” The smile on Adrian’s face grew wider.

“One you cannot refuse.”