Northern Xing Palace

[Zane]

There was the huge palace of the Norther Xing Kingdom.

"Keixth," he whispered to the fiddling royalty kid, who looked determined and swayed at the same time.

"We're here."

[Kai]

"mmuurrr. . . . . hmm. .oh. . .you said something zane?" Keixth asked.
he was thinking of what would he say to the emperor.

[Zane]

He smirked. "It's time to meet your soon-to-be bride."

[Kai]

Keixth glared at zane.
"not funny. . . " Keixth said.
"we're meeting the emperor not the princess" keixth said

[Zane]

He smirked. "You'll be meeting her for sure too."

[Kai]

"I hope not!" Keixth exclaimed.
then someone approached them and said.
"are you prince keixth?"
"yes i am.." keixth answered.
"then follow me" the person said.

[Zane]

"Lower your voice," he said. "You don't want to make war with this kingdom because of misheard nuances."

Then a person approached them and brought them to the throne room. Along the way, a beautiful girl stopped them. "Prince Keixth?" she asked, and looked at both of them. "Oh- sir Zane," she smiled warmly to both of them. "It's a pleasure to see you, both of you."

[Kai]

"well i'm sorry i'm loud sir zane" keixth said

Keixth stopped when someone called him.
Then he saw a girl about his age.
"uhmm. . yes? how may i help you?" keixth said. Unknowingly oblivious as to who the girl is

[Zane]

Zane wanted to face palm. Really.

"Ah," Zane greeted. "It's wonderful to see you again." She was a very beautiful girl. Long black hair, perfect face structure and all that is considered agreeable.

"Allow me to introduce you to a good friend of mine," he smirked. "Prince Keixth, this is the sole daughter of the Emperor of Northern Xing, princess Xia."

[Kai]

and that said. . . Keixth became speechless. Zane said what again? keixth thought.
Keixth then glared at zane.

"errrm. . Hi. . uhh. . nice meeting you." keixth said. and held out a hand to have a handshake.

[Zane]

Zane smiled, and almost laughed as the princess looked at his hand. And whispered. "Are you seriously going to shake hands with the princess? That's not part of their culture, you know."

[Kai]

Keixth then stared at the princess. .
"uhmm. . . i guess you don't do handshakes here then. ." keixth said and withdrawed his hands and just bowed at the princess.

"well. . i'm more accustomed to our culture. . " keixth said to zane.

[Zane]

"Sorry, I should've told you sooner," he whispered. "But don't worry about it."

The princess was waiting patiently for them. And when she finally saw an opening she spoke, her voice gentle. "Allow me, please, to escort you to father."

[Kai]

keixth then was surprised by the gentleness of her voice.
"uhmm. . sure. if you may" Keixth said.

"then please tell me now if i need to know something about the emperor" keixth whispered to zane.

[Zane]

The princess bowed, before turning her back to them, her clothing long and sophisticated and stuff like that.

"Thank you, princess," Zane said and whispered back to Keixth. "Ah, stay on your toes. The emperor here is nothing like your grandfather. Strict and firm, and very business-like."

[Kai]

"is that so. . .so he's the exact opposite of grandpa. . . " keixth then tought of some ways he could negotiate with the emperor. Keixth didn't notice that they were nearing the door to the court room.

[Zane]

The doors opened and the princess ushered them inside. A long way towards the end was the throne on a stage of some sorts.

There, the emperor was seated, stern-looking and such.

"Are you ready, royalty kid?" he asked and followed the princess, not waiting for Keixth.

[Kai]

as they followed the princess zane asked him if he was ready to meet the emperor.
he looked at the emperor. He was a serious looking guy. with white hair streaking is already balding hair.
"I'm ready. ready as i'll ever be" keixth said.
as he took a step forward.

[Zane]

"Good luck then," he said to Keixth.

As he stepped back, the emperor held his hand high. "Zane," he called out, "We shall talk later. But first, I must attend to the prince."

He bowed. "Yes, your highness."

"Prince Keixth Calum Chien," the emperor acknowledged. "What is it that you wish to talk to me? Certainly you're not going against the engagement, yes? I would not appreciate that."

[Kai]

"yes, your highness" Keixth bowed.
"about that. Regarding the engagement. I am curious as to what's the reason behind it. If I may ask, your highness. Not that i am against this engagement and all." keixth said.

[Zane]

"My daughter chose you," he said, simple and straightforward. "And you are a capable man, toughened by being part of the military, skilled with alchemy - as you are a state alchemist, yes?"

He looked at Keixth somberly. "It is good relations between the two nations. I would really hate for this engagement to not be pursued. I'm not a man of good patience, you see."

[Kai]

"yes i am your highness." keixth answered.
"actually you see I am not certain of this engagement. but if you may allow an allotted time for me and or for the princess. Since we haven't even known each other for that long." Keixth answered.

[Zane]

"A compromise, prince Keixth?" he asked, his voice becoming louder. "You do not like it then? You think marrying my daughter is not enough, that time needs more merit for it to be certain?"

The emperor looked mad. Angry.

And at the brink of war.

[Kai]

"Your highness, I am not saying that if you could only spare time for me and the princess to get acquainted. And if we rush the wedding it would only conflict with my missions in the military.
Keixth scrunched up his fist as he was bowing.
*this much more difficult than i thought it was*

[Zane]

"Not necessary," the emperor said; Zane watched how things were going and it didn't seem to bid well for the royalty kid. "Once the engagement has been publicly announced, your services to the military will be rendered null. A king-to-be is in need for diplomatic reasons more."

This is bad.

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