Chapter 2: Doors
While I'm standing behind her, I nervously play with my fingers in front of my chest. The massive white doors with gold patterns clack open.
It startles me a bit.
"Don't be nervous. Hands at your sides," she says as she glances back at me—wearing a really scary smile this time, like she's forcing my compliance.
How the hell do you expect me not to be nervous when you look like you're gonna kill me and eat my non-existent children, lady…
I jump. My whole body tenses, jerking upright like a robot. She turns forward again and starts walking. I'm a bit slow, still following stiffly, moving like a toy soldier stuck on "attention mode."
She reaches her spot before the throne and kneels.
I snap out of my robot posture and rush to kneel behind her, looking down. I place my fist against my chest and take a deep breath.
Only now do I notice people lined up on both sides behind me. Deathly silent. Not even a whisper.
"YOUR MAJESTY, KING RAYMOND OF THE SHADOWFALL KINGDOM ENTERS! PLEASE RISE!"
I look behind me and see the entire audience standing. I start to rise too—
"Not you," she commands quietly.
I freeze and lower my head immediately. I hear footsteps, then the king taking his seat on the throne.
"Shannon, proceed."
"Yes, my great king."
She stands, steps to the left, turns, and gestures down toward me with her right hand.
"I wish to introduce my king's benefactor, Sir Hero. Your Majesty, if it may please the court, Sir Hero is unfamiliar with our customs and mannerisms. I beg of you to forgive him for any misunderstanding this may cause."
I glance at her. Her head is bowed as she speaks.
"Granted."
Shannon straightens and walks to stand at her place with the other five knights.
There are six knights on each side. Twelve total. All watching.
"Rise, Sir Hero, and lift your head."
I stand and look at the king.
He's dressed in a black, wide-sleeved ceremonial gown with golden patterns and a square crown. Except for the crown, he looks exactly like an ancient Chinese emperor—or one of those old martial arts masters—with his long grey hair, beard, and thin mustache.
The king leans on his right hand. Then he raises his left hand and lowers it.
Behind me I hear movement. I glance back and see the entire audience—well-dressed nobles—taking their seats. Their outfits are colorful. Some wear black masks. A few figures in white stand at the sides with clipboards, monitoring the crowd.
I look back at the king. He's sitting upright now, smiling warmly.
"Sir Hero, you saved my life. Please speak your name."
"Kaijuu Ryu."
"Sir Kaijuu, I can grant you rewards—anything you desire, as long as it is within my power."
He pauses thoughtfully, raising a hand to silence me.
"However, before you answer, I wish to present you with the hand of any of my daughters. Pick as many as you wish."
He gestures to a man standing beside a golden rope on my left. The man grips it firmly with both hands and pulls. Weights drop on either side of a curtain.
As the weights slide down, the curtains smoothly open—revealing a stage display of women dressed… well, erotically. I quickly count—five on each side. Ten total.
They're incredibly beautiful. Some look embarrassed. Some comfortable. Some stare at me with seductive eyes.
"In addition, I also offer riches and land. Without you, I would not be here today."
I start inspecting the girls, letting my gaze linger. Some wave shyly. I wave back. One with shoulder-length pure white hair winks at me.
"Now, speak your desires."
I snap out of my admiration trance, fix my gaze on the king, and take a deep breath.
"Permission to speak freely, Your Majesty."
"Granted."
I clench my fist against my chest, exhale, open my eyes—
"I want those doors."
I point at the throne room doors behind me.
Everyone freezes.
"You want WHAAAAT?!"
The king goes pale.
"The doors. And the frame leading to the throne room."
"But… but…"
"Can Your Majesty not part with those doors?"
I tap my chin thoughtfully.
"I can… but it—"
The king clears his throat. The audience murmurs. Clipboard scratching intensifies.
Silence returns.
"Very well. I'll contact the contractor to have doors like those made."
"Your Majesty."
I interrupt him. Shannon's glare drills into the side of my skull.
"I want those doors specifically."
He pauses… collects himself.
"Very well."
He gestures to a knight on my right.
"Fetch me the head assistant."
"As you command, my king."
The knight bows and runs off.
The king continues, "Sir Kaijuu, please wait for the assistant so we may establish a timeline for your wish."
He raises his arms toward the girls behind him.
"Will there be anything else? Riches? Land? At least one of my daughters?"
I close my eyes to clear the… visual distractions.
"There is another door I want, but I humbly request to discuss it in private."
When I open my eyes, the king and all twelve knights look at me like I just slapped them with a fish.
"Another door… seriously? Do none of these girls strike your fancy?"
"They do, Your Majesty. However—"
I raise a finger.
"Judging on looks alone is unwise. So I must respectfully decline for now."
The king looks left, right, then behind me in a panic.
He clears his throat.
"Sir Hero, I must insist. Would you at least tell me your preferences? Perhaps one of them may interest you."
This guy reeeaaally wants to pawn a bride off on me…
I think. And think some more.
Yeah, why not.
"Well…"
Every knight—including the king—leans back like I'm about to explode.
I haven't even said anything yet.
"I want an intelligent girl who's not afraid to work hard. Someone who can be my assistant. She must also be absolutely loyal. If Your Majesty cannot comply with the—"
"Roka."
He cuts me off. I blink.
"—loyalty…"
I trail off.
The king continues, eyes closed.
"Loyalty. What exactly do you mean by that? Speak freely, Sir Kaijuu."
I gather my thoughts.
"You see, Your Majesty… before I came to Shadowfall, I was betrayed. Someone I trusted leaked information about certain methods I use. It caused me great despair. I don't want to go into detail—not here. But in private, if you demand it, I will."
"Betrayal… I see."
He sighs sadly.
"If it is protection from betrayal you seek, we have methods. As for your preference, someone does come to mind… however…"
He looks nervous.
"I'm not sure she's fit for marriage. I mean… her last—"
He sighs again.
"These girls here are better suited for marriage. And they are beautiful, wouldn't you agree?"
Ah. He said it himself.
I look at the girls. They look miserable now—breaking poses, annoyed, fidgeting.
I look back at the king.
"Two things, if I may. First… is the one you speak of not beautiful? And second… may I request that your daughters be excused? It's getting a bit… distracting."
The king glances back. He sees the mood.
He closes his eyes. "Forgive me."
He gestures. The curtain drops. I can hear impatient shuffling behind it.
"My daughter Roka—"
Shannon steps forward, loud and urgent, bowing beside me.
"I beg forgiveness for interrupting, Your Majesty, but Princess Roka hasn't—"
The king raises a hand to silence her.
"To answer your question, Sir Kaijuu: it's not that she isn't beautiful. It's just…"
Another sigh.
Then the door behind me opens. A man in a white tuxedo enters.
"Head Assistant Loyd."
"My king."
He walks silently, bows, then stands to the king's right.
"How soon can we renovate the throne room?"
"My king??"
"Actually…"
The king covers his mouth as he whispers. I only catch: gotcha gotcha gotcha.
"I see. One week should suffice, my king."
The king whispers more. Again: gotcha gotcha gotcha.
"Princess Roka… I see. As you wish, my king."
Loyd bows and leaves.
The king rises. I hear the audience rise behind me as well.
"Sir Kaijuu, please accompany me so we may discuss the rest in private."
He looks past me.
"We shall reconvene one week from today for the official reward ceremony."
He turns and gestures for me to follow. Shannon joins behind him. I follow them both.