Chapter 353 - 353 Before The Meeting

'It is finally done.'

Standing up from the work bench he was at, Marcus looked at what he had been painstakingly working on.

'It has gone through many different design changes, but I think this is the best one.' Marcus thought as he looked at the coat of arms he had come up with for his house.

During the kingdom's meeting, he would need to submit it so that it could go into the heraldry archives within the kingdom, and his house would have a recognizable symbol.

'Though this is the least of my worries for the meeting.'

Clapping the sides of his face, Marcus got himself ready for what was to come, believing that the preparations he and his supporters had laid forth would be enough.

Then once he was certain he was ready he left the room he had been holed up in and went back to Mrazivý's room to meet up with her.

There were still a couple hours before the kingdom's meeting was going to start and he had promised her that they would have breakfast together.

'This place certainly is livelier than it was a couple weeks ago.'

Walking down the halls, Marcus made note of the far larger number of people moving around the castle, but that was only natural since hundreds of nobles from across the kingdom had arrived at the royal castle and were staying within the visitor's wing.

Still Marcus having become fairly adept at navigating the castle during his stay, used some less traveled corridors, and quickly made his was to Mrazivý's room.

'Looks like Heward and Diana are here.'

As he approached Mrazivý's door Marcus could see that her two protectors were posted outside her room.

Of course, this was because with the huge influx of guests the chances of an assassin entering the castle were far higher, like with what Soith had attempted.

Still, it was still unlikely that any assassin would be able to get a high-profile target in the castle without alerting the powers within in.

"Good morning, Lady Irene. Her highness has been expecting you." Diana said, greeting Marcus.

However, opposite to Diana's greeting, all Sir Heward did was give a disapproving grunt before standing aside and allowing Marcus to enter.

Opening the door, Marcus quickly smelled something burning, before hearing a loud shriek, followed by the sound of metal hitting the floor.

Rushing inside Marcus found Mrazivý in her kitchen along with a maid, and it appeared that Mrazivý was attempting to cook something, but was not being very successful.

"Your highness I told you need to slow down. Cooking takes patience, and moving like a whirlwind is just going to set you back when you drop things like just now." Her maid Aisha said, looking at Mrazivý who had just dropped a pan.

"Did I come at a bad time?" Marcus said teasingly.

Looking up Mrazivý looked at Marcus and then the mess she had made before, standing up and saying, "No you are right on time. I was trying to make something for you, but it looks like my cooking skills are far from adequate. Aisha, would you bring the backups we got from the kitchen."

After saying that Mrazivý walked defeatedly out of the kitchen and into the dining area, where she sat down and slumped over.

"Sorry it did not go well, but I appreciate the thought. So, what were you trying to make." 

Sighing Mrazivý said, "I was trying to make turnovers using the fruit from the atrium that you liked, but as you saw it turned out a disaster. Even with Aisha's help I ended up burning them.

Patting her on the should Marcus comforted Mrazivý telling her that he had been pretty bad at cooking at first as well, and that it just took time and patience to get better at it.

Then a few minutes latter Aisha came out with a tray of muffins and set them on the table allowing Marcus and Mrazivý to have their fill of the delicious pastry.

"Kokki's skills really are top notch. These muffins are delicious." Marcus said as he stuffed a berry filled muffin into his mouth.

At the same time Mrazivý halfheartedly ate one of the muffins obviously still upset at failing to make Marcus breakfast herself.

"So, have you heard anything about Marquis Krenston? Is he planning to make a fuss?" Marcus asked wanting to know what to expect.

"Yeah, I heard that he is not going to go quietly. He is apparently livid that my father broke off my engagement with his son and has personally come here to the meeting to voice his complaints, even though he would normally send a proxy." Mrazivý said, sitting up and looking serious.

"I see. Well, it will be fine, even if he makes a scene, in the end it will not change a thing."

The two of them then got ready for the meeting as each of them had their own roles to play.

"I will be going on first, see you there and good luck." Marcus said, giving Mrazivý a hug before leaving.

After that he exited her room and began heading towards the great hall where the meeting would take place.

'Woah.'

Entering into the great hall, Marcus could see that the once empty room he had seen when he first arrive was no more, and chairs, tables, and all manner of furniture were plentifully distributed throughout the room.

And along with the furniture was a sea of nobles, many talking amongst each other, some having taken their places and sitting quietly waiting for the meeting to begin, and others having made it over to the refreshment area where they were enjoying what the kingdom had to offer.

'Ah there they are.'

Spotting his friends Marcus began navigating through the crowd, and soon made it to his targets.

"Adriana, Clarisa, it is good to see you here." Marcus said, walking up to his two friends.

Turning around the two of them smiled when they saw Marcus and waved him over saying, "Irene it has been too long come over here and we can catch up."

Integrating himself into the group that Clarisa and Adriana were apart of, Marcus quickly noticed that some of the young knights he had taught a lesson to were there as well, and when they saw Marcus some of them shuddered.

"Irene, I saw your match against Gurrom, and I could not believe how strong you were. That massive iron sword you summoned was beyond anything I have ever seen." Clarisa said, raving about how impressive he was during his fight.

Smiling and nodding his head, Marcus indulged the group of knights he was talking to, telling them about his fights and elaborating on the spells he had used.

"To think you could wield a tier six spell. You have gotten even stronger than before." Adriana said, a bit astonished that Marcus could use such powerful magic.

After that Marcus tried to steer the conversation away from the tournament, asking where Clarisa and her friends were going to be posted.

"I am being sent to a town called Trostenwald up in the northwest, in between Loursend and River Landing. Apparently, it is a coal mining town, but other than that I do not know much expect that I will be junior of five knights posted there since the senior knight recently retired." Clarisa said, looking a bit nervous about her first post as knight.

"Well, you are in luck today. I happened to have passed through Trostenwald twice and while I may not be an expert, I can at least tell you what I know."

Marcus then told Clarisa what he knew about Trostenwald, giving her a bit more insight into the place she would be working.

The other three young knights that were around then told Marcus where they were going to be posted, though he did not really care about them, but did register that one was being sent to the town of Klopot due to the trouble they had with trolls during the last winter.

'Looks like Jasper is getting the extra help he needs.' 

Thinking about the small town that he had passed through on the way to mine the celestial platinum, Marcus had though that it seemed to be lacking military power. Only having two knights who were by no means veterans to protect the whole town and Baron Jasper.

"So, you are Irene Geist." A voice said from behind Marcus.

However, even before he turned around Marcus could tell whoever was talking was no normal person, since everyone around him had begun bowing.

Turning around Marcus saw a middle-aged looking man, who was flanked by two strong knights on either side of him.

Yet he immediately noticed the deep blue hair atop this man's head denoting him as a member of the royal family.

"Yes, I am Irene Geist your Highness. What might I do for you?" Marcus said following suit and bowing.

Scoffing the man looked at Marcus with contempt, before saying, "If you want to do something for me you could join my side instead of my brother's. Though I doubt that will happen since you are apparently glued to Mrazivý."

Raising his head and smiling Marcus now knew who he was talking to and said, "So you must Third Prince Reigen. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"Have you not heard it is second Prince now." Reigen said swiftly.

"Oh, sorry that is right, Soith was disowned. Excuse my ignorance second prince.." Marcus said, in an almost mocking manner obviously not caring about Reigen's position.