CHAPTER 36: I JUST NEED TO GATHER MY THOUGHTS

Ian cleared his throat, shifting uneasily on the chair as the silence stretched. His eyes went from one Queen to the other, the weight of seven kingdoms staring back at him. "So... what happens now?" he asked quietly, his voice lacking its usual teasing edge.

Queen Cassie’s gaze softened for the first time since he had known her. "What happens next, my Lord, is the pledge. Each of us who believes in the imperial bloodline must swear loyalty to you. It is not just ceremony. It is binding."

The words landed heavy in the room. Ian sat straighter, his fingers tightening around the armrests. "Loyalty? Binding? You mean like an oath?"

Queen Kayla stepped forward gracefully, her silver crown glinting in the candlelight. "Yes. Oaths sworn before the heavens and sealed with our mana. It is the way of queens. We bend not to men, nor kings, nor gods. Only to the true heir of the Empire."

Ian swallowed, his usual smirk nowhere to be found. "And you’re sure about this? All of you?"

"Beyond doubt," Khalan said firmly, her voice like iron. "You bear the bloodline, we’re obliged to serve you."

Without waiting for further words, Queen Cassie rose from her seat and walked toward him. She lowered herself to one knee, her eyes never leaving his. "I, Cassie of the Kingdom of Valemont, pledge my life, my crown, and my strength to you, my Lord."

Ian’s breath caught. The sight of her kneeling before him...an image of power bowing to him...was unlike anything he could have imagined.

One by one, the others followed.

Kayla, graceful yet commanding, bent her knee. "I, Kayla of Vale, swear my loyalty and devotion to you."

Khalan’s sharp eyes held no hesitation as she knelt. "I, Khalan of Norvoss, swear my blade and my crown to your cause."

Elizabeth stepped forward next, her expression calm, but her words steady as stone. "I, Elizabeth of Stormhold, pledge my kingdom and its strength to you."

Then Ella, radiant in her golden attire, bowed her head. "I, Ella of Goldcrest, pledge my people and my crown to you, my Lord."

Finally, Evelyn, her voice soft yet carrying an undeniable weight, lowered herself and said, "I, Evelyn of Aurora, bind my loyalty to you, now and always."

Selene of Frostholt came last. Her presence was as cold and sharp as ice, yet her kneeling felt like the shattering of mountains. "I, Selene of Frostholt, pledge my power, my kingdom, and my life to you, my Lord."

Ian sat frozen, his throat dry, unable to look away from the six Queens kneeling before him. His usual sarcasm had abandoned him, leaving behind only silence and the steady pounding of his heart.

When he finally spoke, his voice was low and serious. "I... I accept your loyalty. All of it. I don’t know how I’ll ever live up to this, but I promise I’ll try."

For the first time since he arrived in this strange world, Ian was utterly serious. No jokes. No smirks. Just a young man staring into the weight of destiny.

The air in the chamber thickened as the Queens remained kneeling before him. Queen Cassie slowly rose to her feet, her eyes steady on Ian. "Now comes the binding, my Lord. Words alone do not seal loyalty. Our mana shall serve as witness."

Ian shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "Don’t tell me this involves blood too," he muttered under his breath.

Cassie caught the comment and gave the faintest smile. "Blood is life, yes, but for oaths, mana is greater. Watch carefully, my Lord. What you see cannot be undone."

She extended her palm, and a soft crimson glow shimmered to life in her hand. The energy pulsed warmly, swirling like a flame held captive. One by one, the other Queens stood and mirrored her, summoning their own mana. Kayla’s was a brilliant silver, Khalan’s a piercing steel-blue, Elizabeth’s a deep emerald, Ella’s a radiant gold, Evelyn’s a soft lavender, and Selene’s a chilling icy white.

Ian leaned forward, eyes wide as the chamber filled with dazzling light. "That... that’s incredible," he whispered, unable to hide his awe.

The Queens began to chant softly, their voices weaving together like strands of a single thread. The words were foreign, heavy with power, but Ian felt them vibrating in his chest, resonating with something deep inside him.

The swirling mana rose into the air, intertwining above their heads, forming a great ring of light. It spun slowly, humming with ancient power, before descending toward Ian.

"Wait..mwhat’s it doing?" Ian asked quickly, half-rising from his seat.

"Be still," Cassie said firmly. "This is the mark of loyalty. It will bind us to you and you to us."

The ring of light lowered until it hovered just above Ian’s head. Then, with a rush of warmth, it dissolved into him, seeping into his skin like sunlight. Ian gasped, gripping the arms of his chair as he felt the energy wash over him. For a moment, it was as if eight hearts beat within him, seven voices whispered in unison, seven crowns bent their weight toward him.

When the light finally faded, the chamber fell silent. The Queens lowered their glowing hands, their mana dispersing into the air like fading embers.

Cassie was the first to speak, her voice calm but resolute. "It is done. By mana and by oath, we are bound to you, my Lord. Betrayal would mean death, for us as much as for you."

Ian let out a shaky breath, leaning back in the chair. "Well... no pressure then," he muttered, though his voice trembled.

Queen Selene stepped forward, her cold gaze cutting into him. "Do not jest, My Lord. You carry the empire’s destiny in your blood. Treat this bond with the weight it deserves."

Ian did not retort. He only nodded slowly, the gravity of the ritual settling heavily upon his shoulders.

The silence after the ritual stretched for a few heartbeats, the faint residue of mana still shimmering faintly in the air. Ian sat very still, unsure what to say. It was Queen Cassie who finally stepped forward, her voice steady, her tone softer now than it had been before.

"My Lord," she began, inclining her head. "Even though you are not yet prepared to shoulder the full weight of leadership, know this...no council among us shall ever be held without your knowledge, no gathering of this circle shall take place without your consent, and no decision concerning the Kingdoms shall be carried out without your permission."

The words landed heavily, not as a suggestion but as law. The other Queens bowed their heads in agreement. Queen Elizabeth added, "Our crowns bend to your will. Where once we decided together, now it is you who stands above us all."

Queen Kayla followed. "We may guide, we may advise, but the final word rests with you, my Lord."

Ian swallowed, his usual humor absent. For once, he understood without needing further explanation. "Then... I’ll do my best not to mess it up," he said quietly, and though his tone was humble, there was a steady fire in his eyes that had not been there before.

Queen Khalan, stern and sharp as a blade, gave a single approving nod. "Then you are already ahead of most men who would crave such power."

Queen Cassie allowed the faintest smile to touch her lips before she turned to Piper, who had been standing quietly near the edge of the chamber, watching everything with an expression that had slowly shifted from pride to reverence. "For now, he must return to his training. Piper, continue with his lessons. He must be sharpened quickly, but do not break him. He is to be strengthened, not worn down."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Piper replied, bowing deeply. When she turned to Ian, her posture had changed. Where earlier she had treated him as a student under her care, now her bow was lower, her tone more respectful. "My Lord, if you will follow me, I shall take you back."

Ian stood, glancing once more at the circle of Queens who were still watching him with a mixture of awe and expectation. "Then... I guess I’ll see you all again soon."

"You will," Queen Selene answered, her icy voice certain. "And when you return, you will be stronger."

Ian gave a short nod and stepped away from the table. Piper moved beside him, walking a little behind rather than ahead this time. The heavy doors opened, and as Ian passed through, he felt the shift clearly...he was no longer simply a guest or a curiosity. He was their Lord, and the weight of that truth followed him out of the chamber.

They returned to the estate where Ian had first been brought the day before. The air was cooler now, the sun beginning its descent, bathing the yard in a gentle gold. Ian stepped out slowly, his movements heavier than before, as if the weight of the meeting still pressed on his shoulders.

Piper and Chloe followed behind him, but when they reached the open yard, Ian did not move toward the training grounds. Instead, he sank onto the stone bench beneath a flowering tree, his elbows resting on his knees, his eyes distant.

"I will train later," he said at last, his voice low but firm. "Right now... I just need to gather my thoughts."

Piper tilted her head slightly, studying him. The sharpness that usually accompanied her tone was gone. "Of course, my Lord," she said gently. "You have carried much today. No one would expect you to leap from such a council into training drills without pause."

Chloe, who had been unusually quiet on the way back, stepped forward and placed a hand on Ian’s shoulder. "You don’t have to explain yourself. Anyone in your place would feel the same. Take the time you need. We’ll be here when you’re ready."

Ian gave a small nod, grateful yet unwilling to speak further. He leaned back against the bench, letting the rustle of the leaves and the faint scent of blossoms calm him. Piper exchanged a glance with Chloe, and without another word, both women withdrew, giving him the space he clearly needed. The yard grew quiet, leaving Ian alone with his thoughts, the silence wrapping around him like a cloak.