Damianos knew better then to ask the Empress to repeat herself but he doubted if he had heard her correctly. 'A daughter? His daughter? How was that possible?'
Thankfully, the Empress of Vask answered his question as if seeing the confusion on his face. "Almost five years ago you visited one of our camps and took part in a Traditional Service* to my woman. All of them conceived. This one is the eldest and coincidentally the strongest of them all. In honor of your new reign and our treaty, we offer her to you as a daughter."
In the throne room stood only the most necessary officials from both Vask and Akielos to stand as witnesses of the Peace Treaty between both nations. Damianos had positive connections with Vask so the meeting went rather smoothly and afterwards it was customary for nations to prepare gifts for the other. However, neither side expected such an outcome although the Vaskians were not as shocked as the others.
Murmurs began to sweep through the small crowd, concerned for the legitimacy of the child's blood and such things, but the man beside the King quickly ordered them to silence. However, their concerns were valid. Though Damianos knew the story itself was true, to declare something as bold as presenting an heir of the king, he needed proof.
His voice rang out through the throne room as he ordered, "Very well. Show me the child."
From beside the Empress, a woman stepped out to the front holding a hooded child in her arms. The caretaker set her down on the floor to stand on her own and removed the veil that was over her head. For those close to the King, it only took them moments to see the similarities between the King and the little girl. For Damianos, he knew immediately that this child was his.
She had sand tan skin, lighter than his own, but the thick, wavy dark brown hair that fell over her shoulders matched his. The child had plump pink lips and round cheeks yet her features resembled his so closely that no one could deny she was his. However, it was her eyes that called everyone's attention. Behind her long dark lashes were a pair of light hazel-green eyes, a unique Vaskian trait that gave her the most distinct beauty. She was a child that anyone would want to sing praises over, truly worthy of the title Princess.
Damianos' surprise was quickly taken over by excitement and ordered the child to be brought to him. Though the girl and her caretaker were immediately escorted towards his throne, he stood and made his way down the throne room steps anyway. He met them at the bottom, his eyes never leaving the little girls small figure. He noticed the girl wore a stern expression and held tightly to her caretaker's hand but obediently followed until they were only a few steps away.
In that moment, he realized that being approached by someone as large as he was must be intimidating for a child, not to mention the stress of being presented to him in a grand throne room in front of a crowd. He dropped to one knee without giving one thought as to what the people around him were thinking. In almost a whisper he said, "Do not be afraid. You are welcome here."
"I am not afraid," the child said firmly in a heavy Vaskian accent. Damianos raised his brow at the child's unwavering declaration. He wasn't sure if she was brave or truly fearless. In any case he smiled warmly as he learned something new about his daughter.
"Is that right? No, it seems you are not." He chuckled and held his hand out to her, inviting her closer. "Come then. Let me see you."
She gave her caretaker a glance before releasing her hand and taking a few conscious steps towards him. She paused and for a moment she took all of him in. His olive skin, dark wavy hair, his gentle eyes. Though she was meeting him for the first time in a land with customs she was not accustomed to, there a was something familiar about him. Her instincts took over as she stepped passed his outreached hand and right into his chest.
"Appa." She called him 'father' in her native tongue and buried her head in his shoulder instinctively to hide her face.
Damianos wrapped his arms around the girl and held her delicate frame close. He caressed her soft hair and took in the sweetly faint aroma of vanilla that lingered there. When he looked down, he noticed her face pressed against him with no sign of moving. At the same time he became aware of the silence that fallen across the throne room. He, too, felt like this moment was being shared in front of an unwanted audience.
He stood, picking up the child in his arms and protectively holding her head in his hands. Though moments ago she witnessed the man speaking to a child as Damianos the father, when he stood tall and addressed her with a firm tone she knew she was now dealing with Damianos, the King. "There are others. Her siblings. What about them?"
"They belong to Vask," the Empress replied simply. "You were aware of these conditions when you slept with my woman."
He grit his teeth but couldn't refute her. She was right. Damianos knew he had no right to question them or any right to his children for that matter, but knowing there were others like the one in his arms made him wonder. He couldn't help being passive aggressive though. "I trust they are being well taken care of by your people."
The good Empress did not take offence but clearly saw the concern in his eyes. She respected him for it. "Rest assured, King Damianos, they are all being raised as she was. In the ways of my people." She paused but then offered a slight bow as she added, "I trust you will care for her, not as a peace offering but as a daughter of the royal house."
It was not her place to assume what the King would do with his gift or how he would care for it but she overstepped her boundaries to confirm the girl would be accepted. He nodded. "I formally accept your gift."
With his mind at easy and the exchange of gifts finalized, he addressed the court in a firm voice and officially dismissed them. The Empress and her officials would begin to make preparations to leave for Vask in the morning and the Akielon court would await to hear an official decision about the apparent heir to the throne. Damianos took his leave, exiting the room through a private hallway with his daughter in his arms.
AN: Just a bit of set up for the rest of the story. I'm hoping for this to be a short and sweet story with about 10 or so chapter. We will see lol Hope you enjoy! Please, leave a comment! Thanks!
*See Prince's Gambit, chapter 10 for details.