Peace
Title: Peace (Story#4 in My King universe)
Author: skybirdday
Challenge: Strawberry#1 - strawberry, Margarita#2 - aim, Banana Cream#2 - knock
Series: My King (1st in Eastern Kingdom Arc)
(This event happens one year later from Choices so King James is 11 years old)
There was a knock at the door and voice said "Enter," as the door opened to let in a young woman into the room before she closed the door. She turned to the person in the room and said "You wished to see me, my king?"
"Yes, Lady Athena. I wanted to tell you that I know everything about you. I learned it all from asking Father Ian. But I also wished to say that I understand why you wanted to keep your identity a secret and I shall also keep it so."
"Why? I hid the truth from you. How can you trust me? Shall I resign, your majesty?"
"No need. You are normally a truthful person and you serve and protect me. I shall keep your secret until the time that you see fit to reveal it to the others. I wanted to tell you that, but I sent for you originally to help me. A group from the Eastern kingdom is coming to visit and I want you to help me with them."
Athena nodded. "Yes, your masjesty. I remember that you were reminding us of the
visit a few weeks ago. Everything is in preparation for their arrival"
"Thank you," said the king. "They are coming in a couple of days and want you to greet them."
"Yes, your masjesty. I shall bright and early."
"Thank you, Lady Athena. You are dismissed."
Athena nodded and turned to open the door and left the room, closing the door behind her.
Two days later, Athena, Leto, and Gwynn were waiting on their horses near the gates to greet the visitors from the Eastern Kingdom. Athena turned to Leto and Gwynn and said "What do you think the visitors will be like?"
"I do not know. I have never met anyone from the Eastern kingdom. My father has and he was a great warrior who fell in battle. "
Gwynn smiled. "I wish to see the women and see what men of their kingdom like. My father used to say that in each kingdom, there are different ideals and forms of beauty."
Then a voice rang out. "Make way for the honored and beloved son of our kingdom - King Isamu. Son of the Sun and Moon. Make way!"
Then a little man came towards them, holding a large red banner that was twice as large as himself.
"What is he wearing?" asked Leto. "It looks like a blue robe."
"It is a kimono. They use them for special occasions and celebrations," said Athena.
"Look there! How many are they?" asked Gwynn.
"By the one! There must be a hundred of them!" said Leto.
Then the little man stopped in front of them and said "I seek the Lady Athena."
Athena carefully got off her horse and went to meet the man. "I am Lady Athena."
The little man bowed deeply to her and said "I am Haru, servant of the great Isamu, son of the late Aoi. My lord wishes to find our quarters and to meet your king. The rest of us will follow me as I lead them in."
Athena nodded. "Follow me," she said as she got back on her horse and began to lead them up the roadway into the castle. After settling the horses in the stables, they went into the castle where Athena, Leto, and Gwynn showed them to their rooms. Haru turned to Athena and said "Where is your king?"
"You will meet him for dinner. For now, I will let you unpack."
Haru nodded as Leto, Athena, and Gwynn left the group to unpack and settle in.
Two hours later, all sat at two large retanglar tables. Those from the palace and the group from the Eastern kingdom talked amongst themselves. Athena reached for the opened bottle of wine and felt something glide across her hand. "Sorry, I wanted to fill up my glass."
"It is fine. May I pour you a glass?" asked the tall dark man with kind brown eyes.
Athena nodded and watched as the man poured some wine into her glass and then his own before setting it back into place on the table.
"My name is Athena and you are, sir?"
He smiled. "I am Daisuke, the advisior and a warrior to the king."
Athena smiled back. "I am pleased to meet you, Lord Daisuke."
"And so am I, Lady Athena. Many that live here come from other places in this kingdom. Where do you hail from, beautiful one?"
"I was born here. My father served King Stephan."
"Ah, Isamu remembers the old king and he also remembers one of the children at the palace being nice to him here."
"Ah," said Athena with a nod.
"Forgive me for being bold, but is any man courting you?" said Daisuke softly.
"No, I am seeing no one."
"Would it be good if I courted you, my lady?"
"Yes," said Athena shyly.
Daisuke reached for her hand as he stared into her blue eyes, but Athena met him halfway and he bent down and kissed it.
Then a large man in whote came forth into the hall holding a covered dish. "Your majesty, may I come forth?"
King James smiled. "Of course, Cook. You may enter with the surprise.
Cook entered with a broad smile, carrying the covered dish proudly as he set it on the table. "King Isamu as a guest of our kingdom, I have made something special for you."
Isamu looked at the dish and asked the Cook "May I lift the lid to look?"
"Of course, your majesty," said the Cook with a nod.
Isamu lifted the lid and smiled at what he saw. "Hana, look!" he said to his wife.
Queen Hana smiled. "Oh, Isamu, it's your favorite - strawberry cake."
Isamu turned to look at King James. "Thank you, your majesty. Thank you, Cook. How did you know?"
"I have a source who told me that you liked that dessert."
"Ah, you are to be commended. Your people have been very kind to us."
Then the Cook cut the cake and began to serve everyone as they talked and ate. Then as plates were cleared and drinks were drank, King James said "Everyone is excused who wishes to depart for bed early."
Many left then including Daisuke who kissed Athena's hand one last time. Athena and a few others helped Cook clear the dishes. Then as Athena went to go down the hall to her bedroom, she heard a voice say "May I talk to you?"
She turned to see who was speaking to her. "King Isamu, Queen Hana, of course we can talk. What did you two wish to speak with me about?"
"He wishes to speak you," said Queen Hana with a smile. Then she turned to her husband. "I shall see you later in our room," she said, giving him a kiss before leaving in the opposite direction.
"I wanted to thank you for the idea of the strawberry cake. You remembered that since we were children?"
Athena nodded. "Your father, King Aoi - his cook taught our Cook at the time how to make it. The present Cook is the son of the old one, who taught it to him."
Isamu nodded. "You were a good friend to me when I had none. I simply wanted to thank you for that and the cake. And I wish you good luck with Daisuke. He is a good man and he is happy now. Good night, my friend," he said, leaving her to head in the direction where his wife went.
Athena smiled as Isamu disappeared before she went down to her room, changed for bed, and went into a blissful sleep
.