The hours of the rest of the day passed by with gruesomely slow determination; like a snail pulling a rock twice its size; like cold honey flowing down a non-angled surface; like it was practically taunting Evelyn. She had to wait a whole day just to wait for Kael to come to the castle, which was practically killing her in its own stead. She could not sleep the rest of that night and it was still only midday. No, it was more that she would not let herself sleep. Her first time in the city got her excited, even though it had practically gone all wrong. Her first time meeting a person of the opposite sex, that treated her more as an equal than a higher up, gave her an exquisite and foreign taste and feeling. This was not normal to her, completely different and new and awkward, and it made her overly curious. It was like a drug she tried for the first time, liked it, and now she needs more to get the same, or a new, feeling. For the first time, she was more interested in something else than taking care of her own being. This had caused her servants to become worried. They have never seen her so frantic and antsy. They feared she was going crazy, or was even possessed. Every time they would talk to her, she would start talking of her adventure in the city and all that had happened. They still thought her insane despite hearing how the guards found her in one of the Garden Districts with a man.
Her servants were the least of it however. It was when her father got word, that all had gone downhill...
"Evelyn!! What is the meaning of this!?" King Godfreud had screamed down the hall way of the Princess's bedroom. He burst through the doorway scaring three of the four servants there, but he did not manage to startle his daughter. She was on the balcony staring out on to the city, almost completely oblivious to what had just gone on. But, in fact, she was not oblivious. In fact, she was prepared. In fact, she had planned this was to happen, though no one knew about her plan.
"What is it that I hear, that you were with some... man, while you were gallivanting through the city without permission? When you're engaged!? Your fiancé is to be here in five days! Something could have happened to you! You could have been robbed! You could have been kidnapped! You could have been raped! You could have been killed, for god's sake! Are you listening to me!?"
Evelyn, who was still facing the city from her balcony view while her father was yelling his face off, she turned now to face her father. His face was red as fire and sweat was pouring from his face like a water fall, as his blood pressure was so high that the veins on his forehead looked as if they were going to explode.
"Yes, I'm listening," she said in the most unconcerned voice she could muster, her face, absolutely apathetic.
"Then why is there no concern for your part? Why is it that I am the only one concerned about this, other than your servants?"
"Because there is no need for concern. I'm here, right? I'm fine, right?"
"That isn't the point! That man you were with could have-"
"That man I was with was the one that prevented all those things from happening. And I am glad of it. He is supposed to be here the next morning, and I have been utterly impatient all day, since the guards found me just before sunrise."
"He!... he's coming here?" Kind Godfreud said, his voice oddly calming fast.
"Yes, he is."
"Oh... well then, I want to meet him first thing when he arrives!"
"That's fine. Can he stay as well, here at the castle?" there was a slight childish plea in her voice, most likely to charm her father into her will.
"I... I will have to think about that when... after, I see him. What is his name, may I ask?"
"Kael. Kael R. Markus…"
"Oh, okay… uh, we shall see. But I am still angry about what you did last night."
"Of course, I know," she said, but even so, she still ran over to hug her father in gratitude.
"Very well. Remember, first thing, he meets me."
"I know," and she kissed him on the cheek before he left to go back to his kingly duties.
The door closed shut and once again, Evelyn was in her whimsical outlook, still waiting for Kael to arrive. The sun was just setting before she finally tired herself out with all the frantic movements and excitements of his arrival, which practically only pertained to herself, that selfish girl. As a matter of fact, she didn't simple get tired, she had actually passed out on one of her servants, who managed to catch her before she fell to the floor. The quickly put her to bed and she was sound asleep, much like how a baby slept after a full stomach of warm milk.
Through the night Evelyn slept without a stir, like she was paralyzed, but in a good way, if there really was a good way to be paralyzed. Even though she had the most indefinite dream, one that would confuse and disturb even the most hardened of men. Though, by the time she woke up, the dream slipped her mind. It was day time, and the sun was bright and shining like a content being. Birds sung in the trees, just outside the balcony, and a cool breeze came through the balcony opening like a welcoming spirit, catching the smell of fresh apples and leaves. Her eyes opened slowly, as she had slept oddly well, despite the forgotten dream. She stretched slowly, and yawned widely as she was feeling rather refreshed since yesterday with all the excitement about...
She suddenly remembered, and jumped out of her bed, sending the comforter, sheets, a few pillows flying off her bed, which there was a soft rasp upon the floor where they waited for servants to put them into their proper places, and herself in hard thud and groan as a sheet wrapped around her ankle. She got off the floor and looked at the mirror and detested her hair, as it was wild and tangled into a mess, in which the term "bed head" comes to mind. She grabbed a brush and fixed her hair as best she could, taking a load of time as her hair would not cooperate. She changed out of her sleeping wares and quickly got into a less formal dress, or at least, something that seemed less formal. She certainly wouldn't dress up too much, as that might imply something to everyone, something that she didn't really wish to express too loudly.
Meanwhile, down by the gates, the guards were standing duty, like good guards would. The gates were cast iron, barred in a design that showed artistry that emanated power and fear. One standing on either side, the guards were both quite intimidating to look at. With bright blue armor on their seemingly massive bodies and with knight like helmets on their heads with visors down and with enormous halberds with sharpened blades on them, they were possibly the most extravagant and dangerous to bestow upon, which made them good Castle Gate Guardsmen. However, this look of power and danger did not stir anything within Kael. Oh no, he was a (somewhat) straight man that would not be fooled by any psychological display. In fact, just to fool around, as he had known what the gate guards looked like before he had even arrived, he chose to wear some... awkwardly formal clothing. He bestowed upon them a deep purple tailcoat jacket, buttoned with wine red buttons and pearl couplets at the sleeves; a metallic blue vest underneath; a pair of black and white shoes with points at the toe and a strap with a bright silver buckle; deep purple dress pants; pure white gloves; deep purple top hat with a velvety band; a redwood cane and gold monocle to top it all off. It was actually quite a show to see such a site stroll by, as the color suggested slight mockery of royalty, as purple is considered royal color. But Kael knew of this and still approached the gate guards with his look.
"Hello chaps," he said with a great smile upon his face, tipping his hat off to them. But they said no word of response, like he was never actually there.
"Might I be able to go inside please?"
Still no answer from them. They almost seemed like empty suits of armor if the halberds didn't bob every now and again.
"Good sirs, I am speaking to you, may I be graciously allowed into the castle," Kael said, now with a little frustration in his voice.
The guards still ignored him. This was annoying Kael, though this was still part of his act. He removed his monocle and acted as if he had some sort of stain on it, wiping it clean using a cloth he pulled from a pocket inside his jacket. He put the monocle back on his eye, and then swung his cane at the helm of the guard to his left. Almost mechanically, the guard blocked it and faced his bladed halberd at Kael, as did the other guard. Still, however, no word.
"Very good, I didn't want you guys to be sleeping on the job. But, now that I have your attention, can you please let me in?" he said with a smile. A mad man, the guards thought.
The guards removed their halberds from Kael's direction and one replied with, "Do you have an appointment with the king?"
His voice was metallic, apathetic and plain, deep and young, but emotionless.
"Uh, no..." Kael replied back, rubbing his chin and looking away as if he was pondering.
"Then I cannot let you pass, move along, sir."
"But I do have one with the king's daughter," Kael said, putting his finger in the air.
"She isn't taking visitors."
"But I'm expected to see her today," Kael said, pointing at the castle now.
"She isn't taking visitors."
"But she wanted me to be here," Kael said, pointing at the ground now.
"She isn't taking visitors."
"But she had asked me to come," Kael said with his wrists at his shoulder and his palms up.
"She isn't taking visitors."
"But I'm sure that she-"
"She... isn't.... taking.... visitors," the guard said, emphasizing every word with his helmet getting closer and closer to Kael as each spoke each word, "By order of the king, now move along."
He reported back to his post and stood there like a statue, as he was before. Kael could tell that the guard was getting a little annoyed, but the guard could also tell that Kael would not leave. And so it was a battle of standing, which the guard had done on days end, with a shift change about every four hours or so. Indefinitely, Kael only crossed his arms and waited. Then a messenger came from the castle doors, ran around the fountain (which was reluctantly in the center of the pathway that lead into the castle), and down the long stretch of path to the gates. He peered through the gates and stared at Kael, analyzing him up and down before continuing his business. What and odd way to dress, the messenger thought.
"Are you Kael?"
With a charming smile and tip of the hat, he replied, "Yes that is me."
"Guards, let him through, he is expected today."
The guards sighed and then opened the gate to let Kael through. Kael, as an odd and charming gentleman that he was, walked past the guards and followed the messenger to the castle. The guards closed the gates and resumed position.
"That wasn't Kael the Judge, you don't think?" asked the other guard, who had a lighter voice that his comrade.
"Nah, can't be. Did you see how small that guy was?"
"I guess so... Who was he, anyways?"
"I have no clue..."
The messenger led Kael, who was now thoroughly proud of himself, into the castle. Just beyond the door, there was a grand entrance way. Two sets of stairs on either end of the room, that cascaded down with a slight curve. Between them was a long hallway. On the floor was carpet, marked with the insignia of Britannia, which was the Woodland Stag, and lined with designs fit for royalty. On the walls, tapestry hung, with lords and ladies alike, most likely those that were relatives of the royal bloodline. Servants ran about here and there and disappeared behind doors or through hallways that lead to more doors and hallways. Kael was rather impressed with the architect that was imbued into the stone of the castle itself, and the artwork. He whistled to himself as he walked in, taking in the majesty that the castle beheld. A small scream came from above, and Kael looked up to see Evelyn at the top with a big bright smile. She ran down the stairs as fast she could, stumbling a few times, though she managed to catch herself. When she finally made it down, Kael took off his hat and prepared to bow proudly, but Evelyn was too fast for him as she embraced him. Her grip was rather impressive to Kael, but it was still loving, like a mother who hasn't seen her son in years. She let go of him, and smiled with a bright, youthful smile. Kael only smiled back.
"Oh!" she said, suddenly realizing what she had to do first, "You have to meet my father, he wants to know you first, before you can stay here."
"Um, okay?" Kael said, for once, oddly confused. He was usually prepared for all of this. In actuality, he was, but still, this was different. Evelyn pulled him by the arm through the hallway between the stairs, and into a larger room, most likely a median between the entrance and throne room where lords and ladies alike can discuss their things while waiting for their appointment with the king. However, Evelyn flew through the room with Kael by the arm and entered the throne room through doors opened by two guards. Kael was brought into the throne room, and the king was at his throne, talking to his advisor. Evelyn left Kael in front of the throne, and walked up to her father. She interrupted him, kindly of course, and brought his attention to Kael. He looked to his daughter first, and then to Kael, and then brought his full attention all at once. In the little time it took Evelyn to call her father's attention, Kael managed to remove his mockingly colorful clothing and brought himself down to simple black leather sleeveless top and combat pants. However, he did not remove his shoes, or the top hat. His arms were behind his back and his body straight up, like that of a soldier at ease. It was impressive and odd in its own way, as the king, Evelyn, the guards around the throne room, and the advisor were impressed and disturbed.
"I am Kael R. Markus, son of Art Markus. I have no homeland, as everywhere is my homeland. And now I ask that you make Britannia a home to me as well," Kael said, removing his hat and bowing lowly in uttermost respect, despite his choice of clothing.
The King Godfreud was rather impressed.
"I knew that Art had a son, but I knew not that it was you."
"So you do know my father," Kael said, now himself being impressed.
"Yes, I did, but he has moved on now, he traveled elsewhere. He has helped Britannia, in the long run of her age and glory, and has even managed to settle a peaceful outlook between our nation and our long lived rival, Espada..."
"Was the engagement apart of his plan as well?" said Kael, curiously.
"No, it was not, it was Espada's idea of a true peace and union of two powerful nations. Your father only led us to peace."
How interesting, Kael thought to himself. His father would have suggested such a thing, but his absence in the idea made things less obvious and more obscure. But this did not bother Kael.
"However, since you are the son of Art, I am sure to find that you will help in many ways and do many things for my daughter, since she has found a certain interest as you. But forget not that she is engaged to be married. No relations other than that of possibly a guardianship will be allowed, though even that is ill-advised. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Your Highness," Kael said quickly with a bow, just as low as his first.
"Very well, he can stay," King Godfreud said calmly.
"Oh! Thank you, daddy! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Evelyn said, hugging him and kissing him on the cheek before pulling Kael out of the throne room with the speed of the wind. In seconds she was out of the throne room and behind closed doors. The deal was done, and the seal set in place. Now, King Godfreud must wait and see what would happen. Art Markus was a great man, a great scholar, and an angel who brought many things that helped Britannia grow. Hopefully, his son would do the same, and possibly more...