Since his interaction with his General, the King had a constant frown on his face. Walking through his garden, the wind would blow the fresh scent of the flowers surrounding him, just so slightly lightening his mood.
As he walked on, the frown on his face would intensify the closer he got to a white hut at the end of the flowery path. A few steps away from it, he took a deep breath before walking in, his composure back to his usual dignified self.
"Guildmaster," the King said, laying eyes on a woman seated on a bench. She was facing away, as if not hearing him, her shoulder-length red hair fluttering along the breeze.
After staring at the flowers hanging from a nearby branch for a while, she finally turned her head to face the King, revealing a set of red eyes matching her hair, along with a few streaks of wrinkles that definitely did not diminish her beauty. On the contrary, these signs of aging added to her appeal, making her look like a mature, gorgeous woman. A woman that was no doubt kingdom-toppling beauty in her younger age.
"You're one difficult man, Glor," she said lazily, calling the King directly by his name, not even bothering to stand up for formalities.
"I've been busy," Glor said, taking a seat across from the Guildmaster, his face unchanging.
"You've been... busy? Oh really?! I have asked for an audience for days now! And now you suddenly summon me to such a location without any explanation?!" The mature woman immediately lashed out, letting her frustration go all in one go.
The King did not answer her, keeping an empty face.
"Hmf," The Guildmaster sneered, facing the King's complete silence.
"So tell me, what is it that kept the all-powerful King so 'busy' ?"
"I need a few favours from you," Glor finally spoke, staring at the mature woman eye to eye.
"You already know of the demonic invasion... the borders are barely holding on."
"Why don't you go to your devoted Dukes to ask for help?" the Guildmaster laughed, her small chuckles resounding like music throughout the garden.
"You know well the situation between us." The King, for the first time, glared at the woman, quickly reverting back his expression.
She grinned in response, turned her head back outside, caressing a nearby rose.
"Men and their constant struggle for power..." she said, slightly tapping the rose's thorns.
"You know, if you had appointed me as one of the Dukes, this internal situation of yours could've been avoided. With the connections I had, it would be as easy as flipping my hand to have these bastards under my leash." She clenched her hand, crushing the rose to smithereens, not a single wound seen on her palm as if the thorns were non-existent at all.
"I already told you so many times, that position was impossible to give you with your status..."
"You really haven't changed at all, your highness!" Bursting like a volcano, the Guildmaster stood up, storming out of the wooden hut.
"Aphrodite!" Glor shouted, making her stop in her steps. The King did not shout out of anger, nor in his usual overbearing manner. No, it was a soft shout, as if calling out a close friend.
"You're the only one I can trust..." he added, as he removed his crown, leaving it on the table in the middle of the hut.
Aphrodite looked back, then sighed deeply at the rare sight in front of her.
"You really did not change," she whispered warmly, sitting right next to Glor.
"So... why did you refuse my audiences these past few days? I was ready to help you train the hero. With him under my guidance, there shouldn't be any worries for these invaders. It's just you and your stupid pride..."
"There is no hero... the ritual failed."
"How?!" Aphrodite's eyes widened, almost jumping off her seat.
"It was partially my fault... but that doesn't matter. What matters is we found a solution, and an expedition has been sent to the East. If they return successfully, another ritual could be performed."
"So you want me to mobilise my adventurers to help you reinforce the borders to save you time?"
"That is one of the favours I ask of you..."
Aphrodite rolled her eyes, hearing Glor asking for more.
"Oh, you want more? You're already asking for too much! With the adventurers in the borders, it will be harder to keep the dungeons and magic beasts in check!"
"There is a mole... now a Demon Lord is heading towards the kingdom's last hope."
"I want you to investigate more on the matter and send out a team to protect my men."
"You really should've given me that Duchess position, Glor..." Aphrodite sighed upon the stacks of requests she received.
"I WILL, if we manage to go through this..."
"The other Dukes would never allow a commoner such as myself... I don't need it anymore anyways, you already know how far I've gone," Aphrodite chuckled, picking up Glor's golden crown, caressing the priceless jewels embedded in it.
"We will go through this, just like the good old days, don't worry." Aphrodite smiled warmly, carefully placing the crown back on Glor's head.
"Now get up and do what you do, Your Highness!"
Hearing her words of encouragement, the King slowly stood up, his dignified demeanor back—stronger than ever.