There was no time to lose. Hence without delay, Kasser went to pay his respects to the Sword King as soon as he was settled in.
Having two kings sitting across from each other in the Great Hall, created quite a rare sight to see as it was uncommon for a king to visit another kingdom.
However, the kings from the five kingdoms would occasionally run into each other, as they all paid frequent visits to the Holy City, unlike the Desert King. So, whenever the occasion arises, they would meet up for a meal or drink as there was no reason for them to be hostile towards each other. In the Holy City, they were only guests as Sang-je was their host. The companionship they shared in the Holy City was more of a private matter, not as a king.
“It’s been such a long time, Desert King.”
“Yes, it surely has been. As I was only a boy on my last visit. I truly appreciated the warm reception you’d given me last time. Your kindness was more than I deserved.”
The words were more than just a flattery out of courtesy as Kasser meant every word he just said. He’d truly received the most welcoming reception when he had last visited the Slan Kingdom as a delegate. And just like today, the Sword King himself had come to greet him in person and a huge banquet was held to welcome his visit. The king had also treated the young prince, who was yet to come of age, as the head of the diplomatic mission with respect.
After he had returned from his mission, Kasser had unwittingly shown his personal appreciation toward the Sword King before the late king, his father.
[The Sword King was truly a man of virtue.]
He immediately realised his mistake as soon as the words left his mouth. It was an inappropriate remark when he was supposed to give reports based on objectivity. More so, it was imprudent for a prince to make comments on the kings from other kingdoms. But without telling him off, the late king intoned instead,
[The Sword King is indeed a right-minded person.]
Neither for good nor ill, the late king never tended to make comments on others. Therefore, that particular remark of his father had left a great impression on Kasser’s mind ever since. Although a part of his reason for accepting the invitation was out of his defiance towards the Sang-je, it was all the more because of the pleasant impressions he got from the Sword King in the past.
“You speak with such modesty, but a mere boy wouldn’t have been able to pull out the role of a delegate with such perfection. As a father, there’s nothing else I would wish for if the prince could be just as half good as you.” said the Sword King with a hearty laughter.
“I am afraid I hardly deserve such high praise.”
“You have no idea how much I was worried about getting another turn down from you. I even warned the warriors about the consequences they’ll face if they ever fail to bring you back to the palace. However, this does not make us even for the last time.” said the Sword King as he reminded Kasser of the last time when his invitation was declined. Three years ago, when Kasser was returning to his kingdom with his newly wedded wife, he had kindly turned down the Sword King’s invitation to make a stop at his castle on the way.
Well knowing that the Sword King was only jesting with him, Kasser chuckled as he replied,” As far as I’m concerned, I believe we’re now even as you’ve also turned down my invitation not long ago.”
When the last active period was about to come to an end, Kasser had sent an envoy to officially invite the prince and princess of the Slan to his kingdom. However, his invitation was declined for some reasons on their part.
“Is that how it goes then?” said Richard the Sword King as he broke into laughter.
“But I hope you didn’t find the refusal offensive. As there was an inevitable reason for turning down the invitation. It wasn’t my arbitrary decision after all.”
“I didn’t find it offensive in the slightest. As I know that you wouldn’t manage the affairs of the state with your personal feelings.”
Richard’s eyes had slightly widened before he laughed approvingly at Kasser. At the same time, he was reminded afresh of how quick the years go by when the image of the young prince, who was all rigid with his reply either a yes or no, flashed across his mind.
The conversation lasted for another while with topics like the damages inflicted in both kingdoms during the last active period. But with not so much importance. Then, when there was a momentary silence during the conversation, Kasser glanced at the servants who were standing at the corner of the room before he asked, “May I have a moment to speak with you in private?”
Richard seemed baffled by the sudden request. Knowing that it was a tall order to ask, Kasser had contemplated it over and over, since the moment he first encountered the Sword King.
However, the only people he could possibly ask for advice were ‘the kings’. And among all the five people in the world who could answer his question, the Sword King, who was sitting right across from him at the moment, was without doubt the most reliable person he could confide in.
“I am fully aware of my insolence for asking such a request all of sudden. However, I wish to seek advice with regards to a king’s Praz.”
Richard, who had been staring at Kasser without a word, gave a nod as he said, “If that’s what it’s concerned, we surely can’t have any ears around us.”
At Richard’s gesture, the servants hurriedly left the hall. Soon, only the two kings were left alone in the empty hall.
“As you are aware, we can’t have a long talk, Desert King.”
Private audiences between the kings could lead to sensitive diplomatic issues between the two kingdoms.
“Yes, it wouldn’t take long.”
“Then tell me. What is it about?”
“I’ve learned that the king’s Praz will soundly settle down upon rising to the throne. And it accorded with my experience as well. Please correct me if I’m mistaken.”
“No, not at all. You’re more than right. That happened to me as well.”
“Then, have you ever experienced any sort of changes in the Praz after that?”
“Changes in the Praz…?” asked Richard as he stroked his chin following with a murmur of a “umm…”.
“Can you be more specific about the changes?”
“It’s almost as if it is invigorating my body even more than it had before.” Kasser had saved on the details as he was yet to gauge all the changes that were happening to him so far.
“Do you have an inkling of what might have caused the change?”
“That’s….” Kasser was left speechless as he hadn’t thought of a way to explain it. He couldn’t just bluntly say that it was after his intercourse with his wife.
“It happened…after my marriage.”
“Marriage?” repeated Richard with a puzzled look. But as soon as he’d caught a glimpse of Kasser’s troubling look, wrinkles creased around his eyes. Richard had then let out a guffaw and Kasser dropped his gaze to the ground as he was abashed.
“I can see that you’re very much enjoying your marriage so far, Desert King. You just practically rubbed the salt in my old wound.”
That reminded Kasser of the fact that the Sword King had lost his wife a very long time ago. As Kasser was still young back then, he had no notion of the particulars. But he had heard that the Sword King was in so much agony that the state funeral lasted for almost a month in the kingdom.
In the past, he’d only regarded it as no more than a gossip. But now he feels like he could finally empathize with how the Sword King must have felt back then. The bare thought of Eugene to be gone forever from his side was enough to make him despair. Kasser reproached himself for his imprudence as he seemed to have unnecessarily twisted the knife in the wound of the king.
As Kasser looked very much perplexed, Richard quickly waved his hand as he said “I was only jesting with you. It was such a long time ago. However, I can confidently say that it’s only natural for you to be bursting with vitality during the early years of marriage. But I guess I can’t quite regard you as newlyweds anymore as it’s already been three years since you got married…. “
Although they have been married for three years, it’s only been three months since their real marriage started. So, they were practically newlyweds. But Kasser held his tongue as he couldn’t explain all the minutiae to Richard.
“Nevertheless, I believe the matter is not negligible seeing that you’ve come to ask for my advice. You really must have experienced some significant changes.”
“Yes, I have.”
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After taking a moment to ponder, Richard said, “I think I’ll need some time to reflect on it as it’s been such a long time ago.”
“I don’t mean to give you any pressure. However, please let me know if anything comes to your mind.”
“I certainly will.”
With that said, Kasser excused himself as there were quite a few people whom he had to meet before the evening banquet. A large number of people, including delegates and the merchants stopping by the Slan Kingdom, were waiting for a chance to have an audience with him.
There was a quizzical look on Richard’s face when he wheeled around after seeing Kasser out. Turning his head back to the door, he stared steadily into where Kasser had just disappeared to. Then with his eyes narrowed, he murmured “Change…. So that wasn’t just a coincidence which only happened to me?”