Hail To The King Novels & Stories

“The submission deadline has passed, but the rules of this Summit allow for a 'Challenger’s Gambit' if the national seed fails to launch. I request to participate—not for the Pearl Group, but for the pride of the nation they just dragged through the dirt.” The room went silent. The judge looked at the drive, then at the leaderboard where our country sat in disgrace. “You have twenty minutes to reach the Top 5,” the judge said, his voice a challenge. “If you fail, you will be banned from this Summit for life. Do you accept it?” I looked at Gabriel, whose world was crumbling, and Anna, who was nothing more than a glass bead shattered on the floor. “I only need ten,” I replied.

trouble. “So, therefore, on this very special evening we celebrate a joyous occasion. One that doesn't happen too often. One that almost never happens in a lifetime. I have a spectacle ready. And this is one you've never seen. One that'll surely leave so many of you here dissatisfied but I couldn't care less about your opinions anyway. I'm your king.”

This would throw me ten steps back, after I've made such good progress this week, with my purposeful touches of him in innocent moments, to the lingering stares. "Oh...No, I've been told I look like her, but no, I'm not her," I scramble. I hope it's enough for her to brush off. Usually I'm seen by the public wearing royal garments, and now, my hair is pulled back and I'm wearing gear Marek provided. "Right, sorry." The girl shakes her head, flushing with embarrassment. "I'm so jealous of her, aren't you?" I flinch. "Jealous?" She leans forward over the counter, grinning. "Married to a King. And so the hottest King in all the land, aside from Tyrien, obviously."

He continued, "Maybe the King will stop this ridiculous competition when he finds out." "More likely he will make her compete to prove herself." I sneered knowing better than to get my hopes up. The King had his heart set on a competition to select the most viable mate. "I'm not going to have my mate fight for me, she's mine and I'm hers."

I said while I nodded respectfully. “Your majesty! It’s good to see you again!” she bowed. There was a slight gesture that Hazel made. The person next to her bowed. “Let me introduce you to Lord Anisel. He came from another kingdom and heard about the event. He came all this way to try to be your future king.” She said, Anisel, I heard that name somewhere. I examined the guy and could tell he had manners, but it could have been better. “Well, nice to meet you,” I said.

Their dancing feet slowed as all eyes fixed towards the gilded entrance doors flung suddenly open. A severe-looking herald in royal livery strode forward. With a brazen flourish, he slammed the butt of his ceremonial staff upon the parquet floor, the crack echoing loudly. "May I present to Her Royal Majesty, Queen Anastasia Katerina Alina Romanov, sovereign ruler of Volhovnia!"

The priest bowed his head before stepping back “I give you their royal majesties King Declan of Ehlesaar and Queen Layana of Ehlesaar, long may their reign last, long live the king! Long live the queen!” he said. Everyone stood and bowed. The cloak, sword, orb and staff were taken from them and Layana and Declan stood up.

He waved his hand and the maid left. "You see Clinton, with patience and strategy we will surely win. It would cause damage alright, but we will come out victorious." He said and left his throne to go see the King of Lukehall. Clinton bowed his head and gently walked behind the King. The king entered his grand parlor. There, the King of Lukehall was seated on one of the finely furnished couch. He was a short man with a potbelly. King Darien sneered a little. A maid was serving him and next to him was a woman. She had long brown locks and green eyes. She wore a red long silk gown that fitted her perfectly. She had a graceful smile on her face. "King Jacob, welcome to Valeria. I'm very honoure

His legs rooted to the spot, the ground tilting beneath him. And then, as if swept by one breath, every soldier, every guard, every servant, every council member fell to their knees. Their heads bowed low until foreheads touched the stone. “All hail our new king!” The cry thundered once. “All hail King Aaron Damaris Caelum of Eldoria! May he live long and reign victorious!” Twice. “All hail King Aaron Damaris Caelum of Eldoria! May he live long and reign victorious!” Thrice. The words shook the courtyard like a drumbeat of fate.

218 "You have to mark her now!" Her mom yells in grief, an endless trail of tears gushing down her eyes as she pleads to the King. He doesn't say anything but he finds it very hard to ignore her words. He continues to stare at the little girl breathing her last few breaths of air. He's heart broken, and disoriented. Physically and emotionally drained. He's crying hard, but only on the inside. "I don want to hurt her." He then says, voice almost inaudible yet crystal clear for the girl's parents to hear.