Pushing his way past the metal bar, King Harold walked through the courtyard of Duloc. The concrete was gray and bare, giving off a depressing ambiance. Forcing back the gloom, King Harold kept his chin up and his stride filled with purpose. He had business to do.
Reaching the door, he lifted the intricate knocking handle and banged four times. The door was quickly opened by a guard. "Yes?" he asked, and then hesitated. Flipping open his visor, his cold blue eyes turned warm. "Oh, your Highness. Please, come in."
"Thank you." King Harold stepped inside. "I need to speak with Iris and Duloc; it's urgent."
"Right away, sire; please follow me." The guard turned and walked submissively through the palace, and King Harold followed, his steps unfaltering.
"My Lord, my Lady; you have an important guest. The king," the guard announced, as King Harold entered the throne room. Lord Duloc and Lady Iris stood quickly, and King Harold bowed to them and they to him.
"To what do we owe this honor, your Majesty?" Lord Duloc asked.
"Actually, if you agree to my coming proposal, it would be more accurate to say I'd owe you," King Harold answered politely. "Fairy Godmother has had Lillian and me lock our daughter away in a castle; and we have to wait for a worthy man of high status to free her."
"Yes, and?" Lady Iris asked.
"Well, while Lillian and I both think your son is the right match, Fairy Godmother has a different idea. However your boy is three to four years older than hers."
"Do continue," Lady Iris answered.
"I'm wondering...I'm hoping," he amended, "You will begin training him in swordplay, and enroll Marilyn into the tournament we'll be having when our daughter is mature."
Lord Duloc looked thoughtful. "Does Fairy Godmother know you're here?"
"No," he answered right away. "She would turn me into a pile of ash if she did. But I do not want the son of somebody so manipulative to get involved with my Fiona. I've witnessed her power firsthand, and, I might add, I don't want her to be my daughter's mother-in-law."
Lord Duloc looked at his wife, then returned his gaze to King Harold. "I hardly know you, or your wife. But I will agree to this on one condition," he said, "That you are aware of and do not object to the fact, fact, that we only enroll him to obtain higher status."
"And," Lady Iris filled in smoothly, without missing a beat, "That we are to hold the tournament instead."
"Yes," Lord Duloc answered, "Things here have been so slow. I want people to remember us. And you, your Majesty, have been working yourself to the hilt. Take some time off; let us handle this."
"Fine," King Harold said quickly. He wouldn't object. After all, he too wanted to connect their power.
"Good," Lord Duloc said briskly. "We shall enroll him in the soonest fencing class...I don't care where it takes place. I should send him overseas if I must."
"Indeed. We shall train Marilyn to care about nothing else," Lady Iris said dismissively. "Go home now, and tell your wife all is taken care of."
King Harold was grinning as he left.