As Aria, left Marcus thanked her for bringing them here before going to sit down, on the couch facing the king, and the woman called Gwyneira.
Seeing this Mrazivý went wide eyed.
At the same time Knight Commander Darius slightly shook his and the king's smile turned into a frown. Although Gwyneira kept her neutral expression, not betraying any emotions on her face.
The king then grunted and said, "So you are not even going to bow to your king?"
However, in responds Marcus simply put on his best smile and said, "You are not my king."
Marcus then held out his hands and emphasized his form, which was no longer in the guise of Irene.
The frown on the king's face hearing this turned into a full-blown scowl as he said, "Oh you are in my kingdom, and have even received a title but refuse to acknowledge me as your king."
Keeping up his confident smile Marcus nodded his head and said, "That is right. You noticed, did you not? I have not come here today as Irene Geist, Baronetess of the Kingdom of Borealia. But as Marcus Ferrous, unbound ghost, and great spirit of light and darkness, as well as a man from the same world as this kingdom's founder."
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtAfter saying this the tension in the king's face seemed to reach its breaking point, and anyone could believe he was seconds away from ordering the execution of the person who had upset him.
However, a moment later, all of the tension in the room vanished as the king laid back and smiled.
"I see so that is how you wish to play it. Well certainly as a great spirit I cannot deny your status. Very well speak freely, what is it that you want from the king of this nation."
Letting out an internal sigh of relief Marcus was happy that his plan seemed to work.
He knew that if he came in her as a baronetess, he would have to act subservient to the king, but what if he came as a great spirit.
They are beings that are revered and have whole religions focused around them.
Therefore, even a king should not be able to take him lightly with the status of great spirit.
Of course, Marcus also knew that he did not have the power to back up being a great spirit, as from what he could tell from Recha they were normally beings at the top of this world, but he is still technically one of them.
"Mraz come ahead and sit down." Marcus said beckoning Mrazivý over since she was still in a bit of shock from seeing the way Marcus had acted in front of the king.
Still, she shook off her astonishment, and walked up to her father and bowed before sitting down next to Marcus.
Now with Mrazivý sitting next to him, Marcus grabbed her hand with his own, and said, "I would like you to break off the arranged engagement Mrazivý has with Viceroy Marquis Krenston's son."
Coming right out and saying it, Marcus made what seemed like a completely ridiculous and one-sided request to the king.
Naturally Marcus understood this, but he had no intention to beat around the bush and wanted to come right out and say what he wanted.
Hearing this the king scoffed, obviously not going to simply given in to Marcus' request.
Needless to say, Aria had already informed him of what Marcus wanted since she had been listening in on their conversation, but the shameless manner in which he demanded it was far from what the king was expecting.
"And why would I do something like that. I have nothing to gain, and plenty to lose if I do that. I have already promised my daughters hand in marriage to Marquis Krenston and his son. Even for a great spirit this request is too much for nothing in return. Especially when you are not a great spirit worshipped in my kingdom, or one with a great degree of power. Anyway, what interest do you have in the affairs of my kingdom and family?"
The king then looked at Marcus with a smug smile, he pretty much had all the cards, and was planning to make Marcus dance in the palm of his hands.
Nevertheless, Marcus had no intention of backing down, and said, "I do not care about the politics of your kingdom, but I became friends with Mrazivý when I saved her life after she got caught by a teleport trap in the Ocean Bluff Temple. We spent an entire week down there together, and after meeting a few more times after that, I have grown to like her. So, for my own interests I naturally can not let her be married to Maquis Krenston's son."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe king hearing this made an exaggerated surprised expression and said, "I did not think that great spirits could come to like a human in a romantic sense?"
"Well, that may be true for most great spirits, but I was once human. You understand right that I came from another world before this one, and while may now be a spiritual being, I still have the same thoughts and emotions as before. So, yes, I do like your daughter in a romantic sense, and plan to see where our feeling will lead."
After receiving Marcus' response for the first time the king turned his head towards Mrazivý and said, "And what about you Mrazivý? Do you feel something for him as well? You have a duty to uphold as a member of the royal family are you willing to shirk away from, it to pursue your own selfish desire?"
Trying to test his daughters resolve, the king, was expecting her to back down after the series of questions he had asked, since the way he had worded them made it seem like she would be betraying the kingdom.
But to his surprise she held resolute and gripped Marcus' hand even tighter and said, "Yes, I am willing to abandon my duty. Marcus has done so much for me, and I cannot say that he has not swayed my heart. I certainly never thought I would have the chance to pursue romance, but I cannot give up this chance to be with someone of my own choosing who I care for and cares for me."
"I see so the two of you are both firm on your stance of being together, to try to find happiness. However, Mrazivý is already promised to someone and to break off that engagement would cause me to lose face and gain even more ire from the Krenston house. It is simply not worth it for me to do this with nothing to gain and everything to lose."
With that the king's stance on the matter was settled and now it was time for the negotiations.
Certainly, the king did actually want Marcus on his side.
Not only was he a great spirit, but also a promising forgemaster, and the display of strength he had just demonstrated was beyond even the kingdom's top prodigies.
And if he could reap benefits for the kingdom and make his daughter happy, then it was a win win situation.