[center][h1][b][color=9e0b0f]Sir Alden Drake Plannington[/color] & [color=DDB775]King Edin Danrose[/color][/b][/h1]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/ed5jw0q.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/clIHoiY.png[/img][/center]

[color=9e0b0f]Time:[/color]9:30 am
[color=DDB775]Location:[/color] Danrose Castle/ Alden’s Room → Castle Dining Room

[hr]

Alden was observing himself in the mirror, analyzing the bruises on his neck and lower body. He had woken up in his shirt ripped up, and his clothes soaked in what seemed like sweat, as if he was wrestling and got himself in a fight. He just couldn’t help but to say to himself, [color=9e0b0f] [i]What the hell happened last night?! [/i] [/color]

He was trying to recall the events that had occurred, to piece together exactly the events that had transpired. He vaguely remembered flashing lights, the moon, and even… [color=9e0b0f][i] Blood.[/i][/color]Then he remembered the events that had led him up to this point. Though he couldn’t recall if he had gotten into a fight as well, considering the shape that he was currently in. It doesn’t necessarily matter though, he was here alive, and that's all that mattered. He took a deep breath and laid out the plans in his head again. Things may have taken a turn last night, whatever they may have been, but he was still a few steps ahead of everyone else. That was a fact he was certain about. He smiled at himself in the mirror as he recomposed himself, [color=9e0b0f][i]What happened last night shall remain a mystery. Now, it is time to present yourself. [/i][/color]

Alden cleaned himself up and disposed of his worn out and torn clothes in his closet for now, he will properly discard them later, and got into new clothes. [i][color=9e0b0f]First, I should seek out the wretched king. It’s been long enough since I made my debut.[/color][/i]  He went into the halls, thinking back to what he knew of Edin and what he recalled that he was a man who very much enjoyed his breakfast. So Alden then made down into the dining room and easily found King Edin sitting at the end of the table as servants began setting down plates upon plates of food. He was the only one sitting there so it could only be assumed it was all for him. [i][color=9e0b0f] How repulsive… [/color][/i]

[color=9e0b0f] “Good morning, your majesty. Enjoying your meal this morning?” [/color]

King Edin’s head rose and his eyes widened. The sound of his utensils clinking filled the room as they fell out of his hands onto the table. For once, he looked a little afraid. [color=DDB775][i]Who is that?...Is that a ghost? …I remember him I think but…I am certain he died. Yes, yes. I sent him away on a perilous journey… I don’t recall why I did that, but… He never did come back… No, no, not for years. Hm. [/i][/color] His eyes narrowed as he scrutinized him without speaking yet. [i][color=DDB775]Too opaque. I suppose he’s finally returned.. Albert… Yes. Albert.[/color][/i]

Alden observed the king’s reaction, as if he was frightened by his appearance. He couldn’t help but to smile. He should be, if he knew what was coming. At the very least, it seemed like he remembered him well, and decided to use this to his advantage for the moment. He then proceeded to speak in a calm yet friendly manner to him. [color=9e0b0f] “Terribly sorry to frighten you, your majesty. I have just but recently returned from my venture, and I have many things we need to discuss. I have collected and gathered valuable information which I know would be beneficial to you. May we discuss when you have the moment?” [/color]

[color=DDB775]“... Albert! You’ve been gone for [i]years[/i]!”[/color]King Edin finally blurted out in astonishment. [color=DDB775]”What the fuck happened to you?”[/color]

[color=9e0b0f][i] This DUMBASS MOTHERFUCKER! ALBERT! HOW DISGRACEFUL!! [/i][/color] Alden kept his warm smile as he had thought to himself. If he could display his rage right now, he would absolutely express it. [color=9e0b0f] “Hahahaha I suppose it has been a while. My name is Alden, I am your royal advisor. You sent me on a journey to obtain valuable information from far off kingdoms. I suppose you could confuse me for Albert after a long time, hahaha.”[/color]. If only Edin understood his sarcastic undertones, he would probably get the hint. 

King Edin nodded as if he had known all that. [color=DDB775] “Yes, yes of course. Aldoon. Well it’s most fortunate that you are not dead. Spectacular actually! You’ve put me in a wonderful mood… Come! take a seat, Aldoon. We can feast together and talk about your journey.”[/color] He waved him over with a smile.  [color=DDB775][i]Advisor huh? We certainly needed him earlier. Well. I’ll have to tell him about all that insanity and see what he thinks.[/i][/color]

Instant regrets filled Alden’s mind. It wasn’t even worth the hassle to correct him on his name at this point. With a composed and professional demeanor, he proceeded to fit next to the king. He wasn’t even hungry, but at least he could discuss matters and proceed with his next steps in his plot. [color=9e0b0f] “ Thank you for your generosity, your majesty. The journey has been rough, but brought plentiful fruits of valuable information. But before we discuss my findings, I would like to know, what has occurred after all this time? I have been away for long, and it seems trouble has been brought upon our kingdom. I would like to be caught up, from your knowledge.” [/color]

King Edin sighed as if he had asked the heaviest question ever to be spoken. First, he selected a big boiled egg and took an aggressive bite out of it. He was silent as he chewed it. He set it down after and did not bother to finish it. He looked at the dark-haired man in front of him and then began to fill him in on what had occurred over the years. It was a brief overview as not much had been occurring since he left and also because he was not in the mood to go into detail about years worth of information.  It seemed Aldoon was interested in the night prior anyway. He luckily had a copy of the newspaper of the day handy so he pulled it over and set it front of Aldoon. 

The moment Aldoon had paused to read it, he snapped his fingers at a maid,  [color=DDB775] “Get over here and feed this man. He’s of high status don’t you know? Fill his plate!”[/color] He demanded. The maid had a look of confusion on her face as she obviously did not recognize Alden, but began to fill his plate nonetheless. 

 [color=DDB775]”So. Aldoon. We finally were able to get some visitors from the Alidasht to visit during courting season… And as you may recall, Duke Lorenzo was an imbecile and still is. He created a scene and made the Sultan fall off his chair… You can read the article there for more information, but if you must know, we’ve made an awful impression on theme.”[/color] 

King Edin paused to finish the egg in one bite. Aldoon had to wait for him to finish chewing.  [color=DDB775] “...To make matters worse, there was a party of some sort and my two youngest led all of the Sultan’s royal offspring there and brought them back absolutely wasted to the point some of them think that they were possibly [i]poisoned[/i]... There was an attempt to smooth things over this morning but it went all to shit if you could imagine. None of them remembered last night nor would they tell us who threw the event.”[/color]  

[color=9e0b0f][i] Well if there is one thing we could agree on, Lorenzo is definitely an imbecile…[/i].[/color]. There was also something that caught Alden’s attention. The king had mentioned a party, and he was able to briefly recall that transpiring. He pondered if he went there as well. He would certainly remember if he did, but strangely enough he couldn’t recall many events that happened that night. As the maid brought Alden his food, he reviewed the newspaper that the king handed him. He saw the readings of what happened at the ball, and briefly reviewed the wanted poster. He wondered what her crimes were, as there was no mention as to why she was on the front pages. Probably for petty thievery. Then there was the gossip on the “morning tea. [color=9e0b0f][i] This section is filled with hogwash anyways, only half this paper has provided anything useful. [/i][/color]. He had put the paper down and simply sighed. 

[color=DDB775]”That part’s true. Charlotte Vikena did offer to be a whore. Never did offer me to me yet though. ”[/color]King Edin tapped the paper with a chuckle of amusement.

[color=9e0b0f][i] Looks like the Vikena’s are in deep water for whatever actions that occurred. He doubted that Charlotte would do such a thing, but Lorenzo, most definitely. Someone had actually questioned if he was fucking Calbert…. 

Wait, CALBERT![/i][/color]

Alden's head perked up as he remembered the snake that man was. The only thing remotely interesting to him was the wanted poster, and most definitely Calbert would be most likely to post something like that. After all, what had happened last night, he would be looking for answers, and would blame anyone. He was the source and fool Alden needed to further enhance his plans. Then there was also the mention of the party the King briefly explained. 

[color=9e0b0f] “Hahaha looks like the Vikena’s are a troublesome duo indeed. I wonder, considering how things transpired between those two, would they happen to know anything about the party? Has anyone asked?” [/color]

His eyes lit up and he slapped the table. [color=DDB775]”NO! No one has!”[/color]He exclaimed as if an epiphany had hit him, [color=DDB775]”Aldoono you’re a genius. It’s all connected.”[/color] He poked his fingers together as if connecting puzzle pieces to further demonstrate his point. [color=DDB775] “Today, I shall have you seek out the Vikenas and question them.But first, do you see any way we appease the Alidasht for now? … I know my wife is going to throw together an investigation team, but I feel the quicker the answers the better.”[/color] 

King Edin lowered his voice as he told Alden, [color=DDB775] “We don’t want a war right now.”[/color]

[color=9e0b0f][i] You may not want a war, but I certainly do.[/i] [/color] Alden simply smiled and looked at the king as he proceeded to speak in a calm and low voice. [color=9e0b0f]“I will address the Vikena’s as soon as I can, and as for the Alidasht…. It is under my best impression that we await what the investigation team could come up with. I would recommend that the team comes together and try to be as friendly to the children of their kingdom as possible. They probably have more information that could be gathered. As for the Sultan, perhaps the best deed we can do is if you address him directly, one on one, about the events that transpired and the actions we are taking. Afterall, with such a noble king as yourself taking action and addressing him, it would certainly smooth things out…”[/color]

[color=9e0b0f][i]... or make things worse hehehe… [/i][/color]

 [color=DDB775] “Genius Albert! Genius! It’s the effort and the personal experience of a one-on-one conversation that can finally improve our relationship… And I am so charismatic. He’ll love me.”[/color] King Edin chuckled joyfully to himself and looked down at his face in the reflection of his now empty plate.  [color=DDB775] “Look at me!”[/color] He gestured toward it and laughed again, delighted with himself. This situation would all start to make more sense once Alden spotted the nearby wine bottle.

[color=9e0b0f][i] Yes, certainly the Sultan would love to have your head on that platter. [/i][/color]