Whoop de doo. It seems I can't keep my word. After just about a week I couldn't help but write a new chapter. I think they call it passion or something like that. I hope my fire doesn't get smothered by the amount of work I have due next week. As always have a great day or keep on having one!
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The roof stood with the morning sky as the sun's rays poured down through the glass ceiling. The transparent roof was made out of square glass tiles that all curved outwards from the floor, in a half cylindrical form. The walls were dazzled with white paint with aesthetic pillars lining the wall to break up the rectangular rooms' flat geometry. In-between said pillars were tall arch windows with golden trims, creating a perfect view outside towards the holy lands of Mariejois. On one of the two longer sides of this grand room nestled an enormous semi-circle balcony with marble railings that looked out towards the redline and the endless city that stretched towards the horizon.
The rivers that traversed the continent of the Redline shone in the rays of the waking sun. The rivers intercepted through large manors and forests which created a grand experience to onlookers. Large stone walkways spanning hundreds of metres wide were filled to the brim with plump World Nobles and their entourages of Knights as they travelled along the seemingly endless pathways. Back inside the castle, large tiles took up the whole floor of the dining hall with any blemishes polished away. The centrepiece of the room was a large rectangular dining table that extended from one side of the room to the other.
The table was draped with white silky smooth cloth that hung a couple of inches below the top of the table's legs. The table of course being sourced from Elbaf, with it being made out of Adams Wood. The surface was plated with fresh food from a wide array of islands, the food sat atop finely handcrafted plates. The table was also adorned with two sets of silverware and four lavender chairs situated at the four sides of the table. One seat was already occupied by someone by the time Louncent arrived for breakfast.
At the opposite end of the room sat the imposing figure of his Grandfather. He sat with boundless eyes as he stared at his hands in thought. The servants stood in the shadows like statues, trying their best not disrupt Ginsons thoughts. A light knock on the wooden frame sent a soft echo throughout the room. Louncents soft footsteps ricocheted around the room as the noise went to a gradual stop once Louncent reached his chair opposite his Pops. A servant gripped the back of the chair as they pulled it across the tiles. Louncent took his seat, not before greeting his Grandfather. Nothing much of note occurred as they both sat in complete silence, with the only audible noise being teeth grinding food apart.
After a silent breakfast Louncent looked up at his unusually silent Grandfather. Any normal human would be out of sight due to the ridiculous piles of food stacked upon one another. However, Ginson was no ordinary man as with his ridiculous height his upper body was easily seen through the assortment of food. A serious expression was set upon Ginson's face instead of his usual giddy mood. The sunlight from above somehow did not manage to light up the shadow that covered his eyes. A soft sigh escaped from his lips as he looked down at his Grandson.
"Follow me." Ginson stood up from his chair as he looked over his shoulder to check if Louncent was following.
His grandfather gave a swift hand sign and all the servants left them alone in silence. As Louncent followed his Grandfather through the halls of Pangaea, he sensed a seed of doubt growing within himself as he looked ahead to his Pops. A feeling of dread was seen on Louncents face as his Grandfather sauntered higher and higher up the stairway. Not before long they reached a courtyard at the top of the castle. As soon as Louncent stepped out of the archway he was met with an unfamiliar surrounding. Finely levelled grass swayed in the soft winds as the hedges that lined the boundaries of the garden were budding with flowers. In the middle of it all stood a large fountain with three tiers with a large fish spouting water from its mouth. Ginson was already sitting on the other end of the garden by the time Louncent arrived, looking up at the clear blue skies. Before Louncent could join his Grandfather, the boy felt an invisible hand pushing him to sit, and so he did.
A deep exhale was released from Ginsons mouth before he started talking. "Louncent, there's something I have been meaning to tell you." Curiosity crawled up Louncent's spine as he leaned in closer. "There shall soon be a great weight saddled upon your shoulders in the near future and I am hoping to prepare you for it. I shall test your will and fortitude and you must speak to me with no silver tongue or lies. You shan't speak to me as Grandparent, but rather a superior. So, as a proud member of the 19 families of Mariejois, do you pledge your allegiance to the Gorōsei and the World Government?"
After being bombarded out of nowhere with an artillery of statements, Louncent was now left with an armoury of questions. However before he could arrange his thoughts the pressure of his Grandpa's gaze took Louncent by surprise. He felt like he was about to go unconscious with his mind ablaze. Louncent was perplexed to say the least. As the unknown power made him fall to his knees. He had never known or felt this much exhaustion in his life and was left with even more questions. Had his Grandfather found out about his grievances with the celestial dragons? Has Louncents facade cracked? Before Louncent could get the chance to pass out the pressure subsided. Louncent's mind was woozy as he slowly climbed to his feet on his quaking legs. Supporting himself on the fountain edge, he felt a bile rise in his throat as his tasty breakfast went out the wrong end, his food slowly cascading down like a waterfall.
"What was th-" Ginson quickly cut him off. "Just answer my question, boy." He was no doubt being pressured into giving his true answer. "O-of course. As a proud member of the Tenryūbito I shall always pledge my allegiance towards the Government and its cause." The words tasted about as vile as the vomit that just left his throat but he felt a sense of shame for lying to his Grandfather.
A sharp glare crossed Ginsons eyes as he looked down at Louncent with disappointment. He exhaled a single sigh of disappointment before his eyes caught Louncents. "There is no need to lie to me, boy. I already know of your thoughts towards the people of this land. I had only wished to hear the words from you, but it seems you have failed at something as simple as that. I had felt it in you, when you first laid your eyes upon the likes of Saint Rosward and Saint Mjosgard, you despise them. You festered your hatred with each rising moon and I turned a blind eye. I know I raised you with better than this. There is no need to look down upon them. They may not see us as equals but we have to see them as equal. You don't want to be smited by God's Knights. I know that we may not see eye to eye but I hope I can fix that someday, Louncent. For you and me both." His words were now as soft as a feather compared to his earlier sharp spoken words. The giant walked up to Louncent and knelt down as he put his hand on his head. "You were raised to hold great purpose in the future. I have faith in your abilities, do not let me down."
Ginson then stood up with a cold shoulder and let his Grandson think about his decision. 'My boy, should you find yourself denying your fate, then so be it. However, if your hatred towards the Tenryūbito still burns with zeal, then I can only pray for their forgiveness.' Ginson look over his shoulder as he walked out of the garden, hands behind back and sorrow sewn on his face.
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I know it isn't a long chapter but I sure hope it kept you entertained. Leave any advice or criticisms in the comments as well as any ideas for the story to my PM. Wish you the best of days!