CHAPTER 35: ARRIVAL OF THE QUEENS 2

The palace doors creaked open, and Ian stepped inside. His heart was pounding in his chest, but he forced a steady smile, refusing to let his nerves show. The grand hall stretched out before him, lined with banners from six kingdoms, each throne placed in a perfect half-circle at the far end of the chamber. Upon those thrones sat the Queens of the realm, their gazes sharp and regal, their presence almost overwhelming.

Ian stopped a few feet before them and bowed politely. "Your Majesties," he said, voice respectful yet carrying its usual unbothered tone, "I greet you all. I am Ian Grey, Heir to this Empire....though I suspect you already know that much."

The Queens exchanged glances at his words, some with faint smiles, others with curious frowns, before one of them .... the one who had hosted him until now...spoke first.

"You may be unserious in manner, but you are in no ordinary place, My Lord," she said with calm authority. "Still, you have greeted us properly, and that will be remembered. Before we begin, there is something that must be done. You are to be tested in our presence, so that all doubt may be removed, and truth confirmed with our own eyes."

Ian sighed lightly, though he gave a half-smile. "Another test? Fine then. What must I do this time?"

Piper, who stood off to the side, stepped forward with the familiar orb in her hands. She bowed deeply before the Queens, then presented it to Ian. "The same as before, my Lord. Place your hands upon the orb."

Ian raised an eyebrow. "Ah, this glowing ball again. Very well, but if it explodes this time, I will not be held responsible." His jest earned a small chuckle from Chloe, though she quickly silenced herself under the weight of the room.

Ian placed his hands on the orb. Instantly, the chamber was bathed in brilliance as the orb flared to life, cycling through colors in a dazzling display that outshone even the chandeliers above. Red, blue, green, gold, silver, violet...all bright and pulsing, weaving together in an endless dance of light.

Gasps filled the room. Even though they had heard of it, witnessing the phenomenon was something else entirely. The Queens rose from their thrones almost as one, their expressions shifting from composure to awe. Then, in a moment that struck Ian dumb, they each bowed deeply to him.

"Lord Ian," they said in unison, voices carrying a weight that echoed through the chamber.

Ian blinked, utterly bewildered. "Six Queens bowing to me? I think I must still be asleep."

Queen Cassie, the one who had first taken him under her wing, straightened and fixed her gaze firmly on him. "It is no prank, My Lord. The proof before us leaves no room for doubt. You are what has been foretold, though none of us expected to see it with our own eyes. From this moment, you are no longer merely a guest. You are our Lord."

The other Queens nodded solemnly, and one of them gestured toward a seat that had been arranged before them, a tall, ornate chair draped in fine cloth.

"Please, sit, my Lord," Queen Cassie said. "It is your right that we do not take our seats until you have taken yours."

Ian stared at the chair, then back at them. "You are telling me that I, a man who just yesterday barely managed to summon a flame no bigger than a candle, am to sit before six Queens while they wait on me? This world is stranger by the hour."

But despite his words, curiosity and a hint of pride pulled him forward. He approached the chair and lowered himself into it. Only after he had settled did the six Queens return to their thrones, their movements graceful and deliberate.

Once they were seated, Queen Cassie spoke again. Her voice softened but carried authority. "Allow me the honor of introducing myself properly. I am Queen Cassie, ruler of the Kingdom of Valemont. It was I who first received you into my care. It is my duty to ensure you are guided rightly."

The Queen seated next to her inclined her head with elegance. "I am Queen Kayla of Vale Kingdom. I welcome you, my Lord, and I pledge myself to whatever course your path shall demand."

The third Queen leaned forward, her eyes sharp as steel. "I am Queen Khalan of Norvoss Kingdom. Few things surprise me, but you do. And so, I will watch carefully where your steps lead."

The next, adorned in storm-colored silks, gave a respectful nod. "I am Queen Elizabeth of Stormhold Kingdom. We stand upon the edge of change, my Lord, and I pray your strength will not turn to ruin but to salvation."

Beside her, a Queen with golden hair and a radiant smile lowered her head. "I am Queen Ella of Goldcrest Kingdom. It is a great honor to stand in your presence, my Lord."

Finally, the last of them, her robes shimmering like frost, rose slightly as she bowed. "I am Queen Evelyn of Aurora Kingdom... though I will not be the last. Beside me stands Queen Selene of Frostholt Kingdom. Together we extend our loyalty and our recognition of you as our Lord."

One by one, their voices had filled the hall, heavy with respect. Ian could hardly believe what he had just witnessed. Six monarchs, powerful beyond his comprehension, had introduced themselves to him not as rulers above him, but as subjects before him.

And all he could think, staring at them, was: What on earth have I gotten myself into?

Silence lingered for a moment after the introductions, the weight of everything settling over the chamber. Ian shifted uncomfortably in his chair, drumming his fingers against the armrest as if he were back home waiting for a lecturer to finish a long speech. Finally, Queen Cassie leaned forward, her hands folded gracefully.

"Now that the truth has been established before all of us, we must speak on what comes next," she began. Her tone was careful, but there was no mistaking the firmness in her eyes. "You are not prepared, My Lord. Not yet. You have strength in your blood, but strength without guidance is as dangerous as an unbridled storm."

Ian gave a small snort. "So, in simpler words, I’m basically a clueless heir with the potential to set everything on fire? Sounds about right."

A few of the Queens allowed themselves faint smiles, though they vanished as quickly as they came. Queen Kayla spoke next, her voice smooth but stern. "No ruler is born knowing how to lead. You must be taught, groomed properly into the leader you were destined to be. You must learn discipline in both mind and power. Otherwise, all this will consume you, and with it, us."

Queen Khalan’s eyes narrowed. "You carry the bloodline that binds all kingdoms together. If you fall, so does everything else. Do you understand the gravity of this?"

Ian raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, I hear you. Serious faces all around. No jokes allowed. Got it."

Queen Cassie exhaled, clearly suppressing her irritation. "You will be trained. I have already arranged for someone to begin with you immediately. Piper, the warrior who guided you yesterday, will continue to instruct you in the basics. She is loyal and skilled enough to handle your stubbornness."

Ian glanced at Piper, who stood at attention near the side of the hall. She didn’t flinch, didn’t even blink, just met his gaze with the same fierce eyes as before. Ian groaned under his breath. "Of course. The one who makes me feel like a schoolboy every time she looks at me. Figures."

Queen Ella’s voice came softly, but her words were clear. "Beyond combat, you must also be taught the ways of ruling, of understanding this Empire and the duties that come with the crown. That burden is heavier than any sword, my Lord."

Queen Elizabeth added, "We will each see to it that you are taught. Law, diplomacy, history, strategy...these will be placed before you. It will not be pleasant, but it is necessary."

Ian shook his head slowly, muttering, "From karate classes to fireball lessons to suddenly being handed an empire." He murmured to himself...Then louder, he asked, "And when do I get announced as this so-called heir of yours? When do the parades and crowns come rolling in?"

The chamber stiffened at his words. Queen Evelyn spoke gently, though her expression was serious. "Not yet. You are too vulnerable. To reveal you now would paint a target upon your head, and the enemies of this Empire would not hesitate to strike. For your safety, you must remain hidden until the time is right."

Queen Selene, her frosted robes shimmering faintly in the light, leaned forward. "Consider this a season of shadows, My Lord. While you learn, you must remain unseen. It is the only way to ensure your survival until you are strong enough to stand on your own."

Ian sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "So, in other words, I’m to stay in hiding, train like a monk, read like a scholar, and act like I know what I’m doing until you decide I’m ready for the spotlight. Is that the plan?"

Queen Cassie’s eyes fixed on him, unwavering. "That is exactly the plan. And you will follow it, whether you find it amusing or not. Because this is no longer only about you. It is about all of us, and the Empire itself."

Ian fell silent at that, his usual smirk faltering as he finally understood the seriousness of her words.