CHAPTER 144: TALK OF ALLIANCE

"Yes... I am insane," Lucas admitted, his tone carrying both a wry edge and conviction that made Henrietta’s brows furrow. He straightened his robes, his eyes already fixed beyond the courtyard as if he could see the throne room waiting for him.

Henrietta stepped forward quickly, her voice tight with urgency. "Insane is an understatement. Do you even understand what you are about to do?"

Lucas turned to her then, and the flicker of determination in his eyes made her heart sink. "Do you think I don’t know that? Of course it’s reckless. I would rather take the risk than sit back and wait for the inevitable."

She pressed her lips together, searching his face for any sign of hesitation, but she found none. The young man before her looked almost frightening in his resolve. "You’ll get yourself in big trouble," she whispered. "There’s no way to convince you, is there?" She asked.

Her question went unanswered. Lucas was already gone.

_______

"I seek an audience with His Majesty," Lucas said firmly, "It is a matter that cannot wait."

one of the guards nodded and disappeared into the chamber beyond, while the other remained.

From within, a commanding presence emerged. Draped in regal robes that shimmered faintly under the torchlight, the King himself stepped forward, his expression unreadable, his gaze sharp enough to pierce through any pretense.

Lucas went down on one knee and bowed low before the king. "Your Majesty," he greeted with a calm and respectful tone.

"Rise, young alchemist," he said warmly, his voice carrying authority that filled the hall. "Tell me of your progress in your studies. How fares your path in alchemy?"

Lucas straightened and lifted his head, his eyes meeting the king’s with quiet composure. "It fares well, Your Majesty. I have made significant progress. The intricacies of compound mixtures and pill refinement are clearer to me now, and I have already begun to master formulas previously thought beyond my level."

The king’s smile widened ever so slightly as he walked to his throne and sat on it, his large hands resting on the carved armrests. "That is good. You are a son of this court, Xavier, and I will remind you again, never hesitate to ask if you require resources, rare herbs, or refining materials. You are not to hinder your growth because of lack. Speak freely of your needs, and they will be met."

Lucas bowed his head once more, his expression grateful. "Your kindness honors me, Your Majesty. I shall not forget it."

King Alden studied him for a moment, his gaze sharp but not unkind, before finally tilting his head slightly. "And now, tell me," he said with measured curiosity, "what is it that has brought you before me today?"

There was a pause. Lucas’s expression grew solemn. He lowered himself into another bow, one hand pressed firmly over his chest. His voice carried a weight of sincerity and urgency as he spoke. "Your Majesty... it is pertaining to the interest of the kingdom itself."

The king’s brows lifted slightly, though he did not interrupt. Lucas raised his head enough to meet the monarch’s gaze, his tone steady and without hesitation. "I have heard from Princess Nyx that Your Majesty seeks to form an alliance with the Empire of Rus."

King Alden’s face gave nothing away at first, but there was no denial in his silence. At length, he inclined his head, his eyes narrowing in keen observation. "Yes," he answered at last, his deep voice firm. "It is true. And I am not surprised that you have heard. You are a member of my inner court, after all, and in such a circle, little remains secret for long."

Lucas straightened his posture, his hands clasped respectfully before him. He took a breath before continuing, his words clear, deliberate, and laced with conviction. "Your Majesty... I believe I can forge for you a far stronger alliance than that which the Empire of Rus can offer. If you would permit me the chance, I will show you a path that would strengthen the kingdom beyond expectation."

The king’s composure shifted. His eyes widened faintly, and he leaned forward in his throne, his expression carrying genuine surprise at the boldness of the claim. He studied Lucas with the keen gaze of a seasoned ruler, weighing the young man’s words in silence.

The King leaned back on his throne, his hand stroking the armrest as his piercing eyes fixed themselves on Lucas. His voice, though not raised, carried the weight of authority. "Do you hear yourself, boy? Offering an alliance is far beyond your station."

The statement Lucas had made had clearly unsettled him, it was unheard for someone his age to speak so boldly before the throne.

Lucas, however, did not bow his head or falter. He stood straight, his hands clasped behind his back in measured composure, and though his heart beat a little faster under the king’s scrutiny, his gaze did not waver. "Your Majesty, I understand how it sounds," he began, his voice calm yet firm. "But I do not speak empty words. The alliances you have secured thus far rely on tradition, politics, and fear. They are strong, yes, but brittle."

The king’s eyes narrowed. "And you claim to know better? You claim you can give me something even my council has failed to build?"

Lucas inclined his head out of submission and respect. "Not claim, Your Majesty...promise. I have studied what others overlook."

The king leaned forward, his gaze hardening, weighing every word and every gesture of the young man before him.

"Tell me then," he said in a tone that was calm but laced with scrutiny, "what empire do you speak of?"

Lucas knew the king’s temperament well enough to expect his words would be met with skepticism, perhaps even scorn, but he answered without hesitation. "It is the Great Lechia Empire, Your Majesty."

The moment the name left his lips, a heavy silence followed. The king’s lips curved into a cold smile before he let out a low, rumbling laugh that echoed through the hall.

"Great Lechia?" The King repeated with amusement, though his voice carried an undertone of disdain. "Boy, you amuse me. Of all the empires in this world, you dare to bring up that one? Hah!" He shook his head and leaned forward, his hand gripping the carved armrest of his throne. "No. I will not hear it. I want nothing to do with that empire."

Lucas remained composed, his posture steady even under the king’s piercing gaze. "May I ask why, Your Majesty?"

The King’s laughter faded into a scoff, his face hardening. "Because of its empress," he said, spitting the word as though it were bitter on his tongue. "Her reputation precedes her....A woman that’s ruthless and cunning."

Lucas bowed his head slightly, acknowledging the king’s words, though inwardly he weighed the weight of what had just been said. "As you wish, Your Majesty," he replied calmly. "But sometimes the strongest alliances are born not out of admiration, but necessity."

"Then tell me, Xavier, what is it that you plan to propose to the Empress? Surely you must have given it thought, if you are to stand before her with words that could sway the fate of kingdoms."

Lucas inclined his head respectfully, his posture calm and unshaken by the king’s penetrating gaze. "Your Majesty," he said evenly, "I am working on it. When the time comes, I will bring my proposal directly to you first. Only after earning your approval will I dare present it to the Empress herself. I understand the gravity of what this alliance means, and I will not take it lightly."

The king’s brow arched, his expression unreadable. "Working on it?" he repeated, almost as if testing the weight of Lucas’s words.

Lucas allowed a small smile to form on his lips, though his tone remained serious. "Yes, working on it."

The king leaned back in his throne, his hand rising thoughtfully to his chin. He had already witnessed Lucas create a potion that defied the limits of even the most renowned alchemists in the kingdom, a feat that had stunned everyone. For him to speak now of a project, vague as it sounded, stirred a spark of intrigue in the monarch’s mind. There was a tone of certainty in Lucas’s voice that was difficult to dismiss, an unshakable confidence that suggested he truly believed in his ability to bring forth something remarkable.

The king’s eyes gleamed, sharp and curious, the weight of his authority tempered by a newfound interest. Lucas’s talk of the project had piqued him more than he expected. It was not mere bravado.

"Xavier Alden," the king said at last, his voice deep, commanding, and carrying the weight of finality, "you have spoken of this project with, but words, no matter how eloquent, remain empty without proof."

Lucas bowed his head respectfully, keeping his tone calm and measured. "Your Majesty, I understand. I would not dare to bring something before you unless I believed it had true worth. Give me time and resources, and I will show you results that speak louder than my words."

The King studied him for a long while, his fingers drumming lightly against the carved armrest of his throne. Finally, he rose to his feet. "Then you shall have that chance. Go and work on this project. See it through. But mark my words..." he stepped closer, his piercing eyes narrowing slightly, "if it is worth the effort, I will consider the alliance with Great Lechia. However, it will be on my own terms, not theirs. Valerion will not bend to the whims of foreign powers, no matter how enticing the proposal."

Lucas raised his head, meeting the king’s gaze steadily. "I would expect nothing less, Your Majesty. My only intention is to prove that this endeavor serves the crown first and foremost. Whether or not Great Lechia gains from it is secondary. What matters is that Valerion thrives."

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of The King’s mouth, though it carried no softness, only approval of Lucas’s composure. "Good. That is the answer I wanted to hear. Go now, and return when you can place something tangible before me. I do not deal in half-formed promises."

Lucas gave a firm bow. "As you command, Your Majesty."