As I kneel there in the Hall of Kings in front of King Kyrel as he sits on his ivory throne recalling the loyal vassals of his court the story of how I saved him from the blade of the Usurper by removing the traitor's head from his body, I glance upwards at his two children, stood a pace behind their father's throne.
Prince Lauris, a young and handsome, if slightly effeminate boy, is openly admiring me like I'm some great hero from legend, stepped right out of the pages of history to be here before him. I don't deny that what I did was heroic, but with the tale King Kyrel is weaving, it dramatically exaggerates the role I played in the Usurper's death.
His younger sister, Princess Ophelia, on the other hand is looking at me while trying not to make it obvious that she's looking at me. When my gaze catches hers, she blushes and giggles softly to herself, averting her gaze as ahe does so.
"And so, Sir ${character name}, for your bravery I bestow upon you the Barony of Kadewall. Arise, Baron Kadewall." The King says.
"You honour me greatly, your Majesty." I say, rising to my feet and bowing to the king. "It is more than I deserve."
"Nonsense ${character name}. If anything, I haven't honoured you enough for saving my life. That is why, I shall give you a boon as well. Whatever you ask, if it's in my power to grant, and it's yours." King Kyrel tells me.
I'm stunned by such an offer.
"M-My Thanks, your M-Majesty." I manage to stammer eventually.
"I'll give you some time to think about it. A King's boon is not to be exchanged lightly after all." King Kyrel says. Then with a smirk and a glance at his two children he adds, "I'd even give you one of them for a year and a day."
Shit... did he see how I was looking at the Prince and Princess while he was wearing his exaggerated tale of my heroic deeds? Is this a jest, or some sort of test of loyalty? Or... could he actually be serious?