"Your Majesty, the throne awaits your arrival." Aditya lightly nodded and pushed the two golden giant doors apart to walk into the throne hall. When the doors were opened, Aditya could feel everything in the throne hall shining. For a moment he was stunned by how magnificent and glorious the throne hall looked.
Humble braziers hanging from each of the sixteen soapstone columns light up every part of the throne hall and cover the hall in warm oranges and dancing shadows. The relatively simple stonework on the domed ceiling dance in the flickering light while statues and marble icons look down upon the porcelain floor of this marvelous hall.
A beryl rug runs down from the throne and marks the closest spot people can stand when they address the royal highness while pointed banners with golden crowns droop from the walls. Between each banner hangs a torch, many of them have been lit and in turn illuminate the murals of divine beings below them.
Vast windows are enclosed by curtains colored the same beryl as the banners. The curtains have been adorned with jewels and fancy tassels.
A noble throne of onyx sits beneath an almost entirely close baldachin (canopy) and is adjoined by six similar, but smaller seats for visiting dignitaries.
The throne is covered in symmetric sculptures and fixed on each of the front legs is a lavish demon wing. The thin pillows are dark beryl and these too have been adorned with adorned ridges.
Those listening to their royal highness can do so on the plethora of lightly illuminated iron benches lined up perfectly symmetrical. Those of higher standing can instead take seats in the embellished balustrades overlooking the entire hall.
"Your Majesty, do you like it?" Aditya nodded his head as he looked around.
"Yesterday I hired some men to do some renovation to the throne hall." Amber did not wish her King to sit on the throne that was used by Sebastian. So she asked for all the pillows and rugs and other things to be changed. She even went as far as to add a canopy above the throne.
Aditya secretly was very pleased with what Amber did.
Aditya slowly walked in and stepped toward the throne. Following Aditya, everyone also walked into the throne hall and stood right in front of the throne. He slowly climbed the stairs. He first touched the throne and then sat on the throne with his head raised.
Even though others did not notice it, in fact, Aditya was a little nervous about the whole thing. His movement was a little stiff. This was the first time he was sitting on the throne in front of so hundreds of people.
Amber took the golden crown that had multiple rubies embedded in it from the servant and then walked toward the throne. As she walked, she attracted the eyes of everyone. Many couldn't help but feel how beautiful Amber was.
Today was a special occasion, Amber made all of Aditya's generals dress up properly. Other than Aditya, everyone's dress was dazzling and radiating in elegance.
Today Amber wore a long beautiful white robe that covered her whole body. The white silk exposes her curves, giving the man a breathless, seductive feeling. Even though she had covered her body, her charm was leaving men breathless.
After Amber reached 2nd-order with her body cultivator, her powers increased and her charm and seductive powers increased. Every step she took was filled with a unique form of charm and seduction that seems to captivate the men's eyes. Every time she took a step holy mountains seemed to sway as if begging for some attention.
Gulp!
Even though Aditya pretended to be calm, in fact, he too as a man was affected by Amber's charm. But unlike others, he was able to resist his lust to a certain extent. 'Her beauty isn't anything less than Julia.'
In the whole throne hall, only the sound of footsteps of a single person could be heard. Amber slowly climbed the stairs and stood right before Aditya. From this close distance, he could smell her body's fragrance which seems to make him feel drunk.
Amber gently smiled as Aditya lowered his head. She then put the crown on his head, officially marking the end of the Zulux Dynasty. With the crown on his head, Aditya has officially taken over the Zulux Dynasty. From now on, there will be no more Zulux Dynasty, it will be known as a part of the Istarin Kingdom.
Clap!
Everyone clapped hands with smiles on their faces. Everyone in the throne hall was more than satisfied with their new ruler. As for the loyal men of Sebastian, Amber had eliminated them without leaving a trace.
After Amber stepped down, an old man stepped forward with a golden scroll in his hands. [The Zulux Dynasty will be a part of the Istarin Kingdom. All of the Zulux Dynasty land, towns, villages, and seven main cities which are Asharc city, Luneburg City, Renestrae City, Rosdorf city, Rodograd city, Nurburg City, Alenia City will be under King Aditya's rule.]
"I want the 6 former governors of Luneburg City, Renestrae City, Rosdorf city, Rodograd city, Nurburg City, and Alenia City to step forward and officially introduce themselves." With the word of the king, Carlos Lieven was the first one to step forward.
The former governor kneeled in front of his new ruler with his right hand placed on top of his right knee. He lowered his head and once again introduced himself.
"It's an honor to meet the ruler of the Istarin Kingdom. The servant's name is Carlos Lieven. I used to be the governor of Renestrae city."
Aditya carefully observed the man named Carlos. Carlos was a young handsome man in his 30s. He had honey blond hair that reached down his waist. He was slim and 5 feet 8 inches tall. Being a Mid 2nd-order cultivator, Carlos was considered one of the genius and rising stars of the Zulux Dynasty.
Following Carlos, one by one other 5 governors stepped forward and began introducing themselves.
"Your Majesty, I am Rayne Janson, the former governor of Rosdorf city. It's an honor to finally meet you." Rayne Janson was an old man in his late years. He had a gray beard and a bald head.
"I am John Gladstone. I was the governor of Rodograd city. I have long wanted to meet your Majesty. I am deeply fascinated by your Majesty's way of thinking." John Gladstone, the only demon among the Zulux Dynasty nobility. John is a vampire with red Crimson eyes and white hair. John was undoubtfully the most handsome man in the throne hall.
"I am Barbet de Vienne. I was the governor of Nurburg City, located in the south." Barbet was a fat middle-aged man. Among the 6 governors, he was the fattest and weakest governor.
"And I am Juan Arrazola. Former governor of Alenia City."
"I am Ivan Menshikov. I used to take care of Luneburg city. Though I mostly received orders from King Sebastian. I never was the official governor of the capital."
Yesterday when the 6 governors received the letters from the King asking them to surrender and submit, the idea of resisting and allying with other forces did come to their minds. Juan and Barbet, both governors even thought of revolting but they quickly discarded their idea after learning the horrifying fate of Duke Easton and his troops. Everyone knew in their hearts that going against Aditya would be the same as inviting death.
Also, the governors and their families finally managed to gain their freedom with the death of Sebastian. The contract that their ancestors were forced to sign which restricted their freedom was finally broken by Aditya. Everyone was very grateful to their new King.
"It's nice to meet you all. I know you have worked for the previous King. Under my rule, you all no longer have the rank of a noble. I can appoint new governors but I prefer that you all continue working under me. I won't force you to work under me. If you want to quit, then I won't stop you." Aditya was letting them know that he can always appoint new governors and run the Kingdom even without their help.
Hearing the words of the King, all 6 governors showed a look of hesitation. Before coming here, they knew in their hearts that there was a huge chance that the new king will replace them with new governors. The first thing that a king would do after taking over a Kingdom will be slaughtering all the nobles who once worked for the former King.
"Your Majesty, please allow us to continue working as the city governors. We, our parents, and our ancestors were forced to work for the generational rulers of the Zulux Dynasty. We never liked the king but due to the contract, we did not have any option of quitting either." It was Carlos who gathered his courage to speak.
"If you want to work under me then you will have to allow me to put their mark on your foreheads." Everyone stared at the Star shaped drawing on the piece of paper.
"If I may, can I know what this is?"
"This is also a contract." Hearing the word contract, the governor's bodies shook in fear. The contract that previously caged them was no different from being a slave to the King. They did not wish for another similar contract to take away their freedom.
"Fear not. This contract will prevent you all from betraying me and the Istarin Kingdom. As for how you govern your territory or the matters related to your personal life, I will not interfere."
Suddenly Aditya's eyes turned sharp and cold. Every governor started sweating looking at those Crimson eyes that seems to have a unique red shine. "If you dare to work with our enemies and plan to betray the Istarin Kingdom, the contract will rip your souls."
"We would never dare to even think of betraying the Istarin Kingdom." Even though Aditya's act might seem cruel, he still needed to do this to ensure the safety of his Kingdom. Aditya had thought of killing them and replacing them with new governors but that would take from weeks to even months time. Finding the right candidate would take a lot of time.
Aditya gave a satisfied nod. "Unlike the previous contract, this contract will be limited only to the governor. Meaning that the contract shall not bind your family members. If you accept my offer, then I will give you all the rank of viscount. If you wish to increase your ranks, you must earn a certain amount of merit points. I expect total loyalty toward the Kingdom. If you're not ready to do it, then I won't force you."
Carlos looked at other governors who were hesitating. 'This is my chance. I heard that his Majesty is really kind toward his two Dukes Zayne and Sarlus. If I miss this chance, then I will have endless regret.'
"Your Majesty, I want to continue my work as Renestrae city."
"Good. Carlos, I have big expectations from you. Do not disappoint me." With a wave of his hand, the paper with Crimson red drawn on it flew to Carlos's forehead. The next second, the red star glowed in red light. Carlos felt a burning sensation on his forehead. The next moment he felt something connecting him to his Majesty. He couldn't exactly point out what it was, the feeling was mysterious yet refreshing.
"Thank you Majesty, I promise to work hard for the better future of the Istarin Kingdom."
It was like the act Carlos gave the others the final push that they needed. Following Carlos, others also submitted themselves to Aditya.
"From now I give you all the rank of viscount. As long as you earn a certain amount of merit points, there are chances that you all might rise in your ranks to become Dukes of the Istarin Kingdom."
"Your Majesty, can you please tell us how we can earn merit points?" Carlos looked really excited. Sebastian did not give them any ranks. Now that they were given a chance to rise in ranks, everyone wanted to become Duke.
Thank you for all the golden tickets!!!
