The royal envoys wore different colored outfits, and each color had a meaning related to the purpose of their mission. From the moment they stepped into the Delve family's manor, Soren had a hunch something was off.
That color was the one worn when royal envoys came to propose marriage to anyone who was supposed to join the royal family. Soren knew something wasn't quite right, but he never thought he was the one chosen by The Mother Tree.
Captain Valerick couldn't believe it when Soren told him why he had to run out of town. He was pretty shocked when he found out that Soren was the one picked by The Mother Tree to become the next empress. Valerick had heard that the empress of Veridian never considered gender because they were chosen by The Mother Tree, but he had never known how that could happen.
Men can't get pregnant or give birth.
"Commander, this whole situation is coming up pretty quick."
Soren looked at Valerick and Kael (a field officer in the unit and one of Soren's trusted colleagues) returned his gaze. Meanwhile, the Basalt Guard behind them looked on in bewilderment as the situation unfolded.
"You can't just leave on a whim, everything has to follow the traditional rules, even in Dreadmoor." Valerick spoke again.
Usually, before the "bearer of the heir" leaves, which is chosen by the Mother Tree, the city throws a farewell party. The celebration lasts three days before the departure for the palace and matrimony with the king. It's also a way to honor the bride's family.
After all, in Arboris tradition, being chosen as a 'Queen' is an honor.
But before he left for Veridian, Soren told Malakor that he'd negotiate with the new king to have just one kid and that he wanted to be sent back to Dreadmoor after. He didn't want to become the official queen, he just wanted to fulfill his duty as a bearer of the heritage designated by The Mother Tree.
"Commander, I hope you don't mind me asking, but I'm curious to know if you fully understand what you just said." Malakor wasn't happy, but Soren laid out his conditions for leaving right away and not taking the celebration part.
"If it would be all right, I would like to inquire about the possibility of returning to Dreadmoor once I have completed my task. Regardless of the king's decision, I will graciously accept it."
Malakor didn't say anything else after that, he just walked away, leaving Soren behind, and the man took that to mean Malakor agreed with what he wanted.
"I just found out as well, completely out of the blue. I'm leaving everything in your hands, Valerick, including my family." Soren delivered his final message. He put his right hand over his left chest. Instantly, everyone did the same thing, the soldiers' military salute at Dreadmoor.
It was a quick and hurried goodbye. As Soren got into the horse-drawn carriage, he could hear his mom sobbing—she still couldn't bear to let him go to Veridian. Being a bearer wasn't exactly a source of pride for a Commander Knight like him.
The horse-drawn carriage was white and gold, typical of Veridian. Four horses pulled the fancy, carved carriage, and two royal coachmen dressed all in white were holding the reins.
When Soren walked in, he was greeted by the soft, dark brown velvet and the strong jasmine scent. His large frame, standing 6'0", didn't make the space feel cramped. The plush seat was more comfortable than the saddles he'd always ridden, including the one on his trusty warhorse, Alberon. His beloved horse.
He hadn't even said goodbye to the horse he had raised since he was a kid.
Soren wore his Commander Knight's ceremonial robes, he didn't plan on giving up his identity as a Knight, even though he had come to the palace as the king's "Queen." He wouldn't change his clothes like Malakor asked, and he wouldn't even take off his old military boots he'd worn on his travels as a Commander Knight.
His mother and the servants packed his clothes into three big suitcases to take with him. He carried a sword at his waist, which he always wore. He sat in the horse-drawn carriage and let out a long sigh.
When he heard that the cure for Mordessa's illness was the sap of the Mother Tree, he was pretty surprised. It's even more interesting when learning that the sap only appears once every 10 years, just like the tree's annual fruiting cycle.
As a native of Arboris, Soren is deeply connected to the story of The Mother Tree. Ever since he was a kid, everyone's always talked about how amazing the Mother Tree is. The tree is like the guardian of the nation of Arboris and can only grow within the Veridian Palace. The Mother Tree grew hundreds of thousands of years ago inside the Veridian Palace when Arboris was experiencing a long drought. The tree, which had been small from the start, grew to a massive size overnight and performed many miracles. That's all Soren knows.
There's no extra info on how The Mother Tree caused a man to get pregnant and give birth.
Soren leaned back against the horse-drawn carriage seat, he was starting to feel tired. It wasn't a particularly long journey for him, but the feeling made him uncomfortable and claustrophobic inside.
"Veridian feels like they're trampling on my pride," he muttered.
If it weren't for his younger sister, he would have definitely turned down the king's request, even though it was an order. He'd rather die as a Knight Commander than be part of the royal family.
The journey took five hours. Soren opened his eyes in surprise as the horse-drawn carriage crossed the threshold into the heart of the city, and the noise began to grow louder. Soren realized that he had fallen asleep easily during the trip, he hadn't known that the smell he'd disliked from the start had actually helped him sleep more deeply.
He opened his eyes wide, stretched his body a bit, and started paying close attention. The sound was like a joyful cry, a mix of voices and instruments. Soren was curious.
"We have reached the heart of downtown." The coachman said these words to Soren in a soft voice, but one that was still easy to hear.
Soren looked through the slightly parted curtains, and his eyes widened in surprise. Hundreds of people filled the streets, old, young, and even children. They wore such beautiful clothes in such lovely colors. The people here wear clothes in much more interesting colors than the folks in Dreadmoor.
Soren's fingers were clenched as he held the curtain, watching the people welcome him. He knew they were both desperate and overjoyed at his arrival in the Kingdom of Veridian. Soren looked at the flags that had been hung, a bunch of contradictions. On one side of the street, there was a banner for King Caelum that was kind of hanging down. On the other side, people had put up gold ribbons and flowers on the balconies to welcome him as a "Queen."
"Welcome, Your Majesty!" the people cheered, some waving their hands.
The palace gates swung open with a heavy creak after such a long journey. As the carriage doors opened, Soren stepped out. He was like a rough basalt pillar, clad in a leather breastplate and a gray woolen cloak. He refused to look like an "Queen." He was a Knight, and the sword at his waist was proof of that. He didn't want to come across as weak to the Veridians.
The high alchemist Malakor came over to Soren after getting out of the carriage, he smoothed out his cloak, which looked completely smooth. He didn't look over at Soren, "Don't worry about it, Commander," said Malakor, his voice standing in stark contrast to the cheers of the crowd outside. "It appears that you are the most beloved person in Veridia today. If I may offer a suggestion, it would be to consider presenting yourself in a manner that does not resemble that of a prisoner, but rather, that of a savior." He spoke barely above a whisper, but there was a strong undertone of sarcasm.
"I'll decide for myself, Alchemist," Soren replied, just as gently as Malakor had spoken.
Malakor ignored the sarcasm in his voice and pointed at the grand staircase. "The king is waiting. the tree might be experiencing some hunger. I would suggest not wasting your time." He wrapped up the brief conversation and walked ahead on Soren.
They walked down a long hallway, and the palace servants and guards who greeted them looked at Soren with wide eyes. They looked at him with total astonishment. Soren had heard from Malakor that not a single person in the palace knew that the "Queen" chosen by The Mother Tree was a man.
It had been ages since a man was chosen as the bearer in Veridian, so it's no surprise they looked at Soren like they were seeing a ghost. They probably thought a beautiful, graceful young woman would emerge as queen. So when they saw a man who stood six feet tall, with broad shoulders, a muscular build, and a face covered in scars, they were absolutely stunned.
Soren looked around the hall. The palace was painted mostly red and cream, with various ornaments and displays in different corners. He'd heard that Queen Seraphina loved flowers and paintings, and Soren could still see traces of that throughout the palace.
The doors to the Great Hall swung open, and the scent of jasmine hit Soren's nose. It was the same scent he had been breathing in all along the hallway.
The hall was like a glass and silver cathedral. There was a big, sturdy throne up on the floor, and the man who had completely changed Soren's life was sitting on it.
King Lucian Sol Veridian looked like a fragile porcelain doll. He was wearing golden silk, and he looked fragile. But it was that huge, stunning crown that made Soren's heart start pounding. The white gold band and the living thorns around it looked huge on Lucian's head, his greenish eyes stared straight ahead, and his lips appeared a bright red, matching his long, wavy hair. The color really stood out against his pale skin.
So beautiful, Soren thought to himself.
"The North is here." Malakor announced.
Lucian lowered his gaze. Soren, taken aback, bowed his head as a sign of respect for the king.
"Commander Soren Vane Delve."
Soren's ears turned red as the voice echoed throughout the room, he hadn't expected such a beautiful face to have a voice even deeper than his own. The voice was firm, but Soren could tell it was trembling.
"We are pleased to welcome you to the Kingdom of Veridian. I would be interested to hear about your journey." The question seemed a bit fake, like it was secretly putting Soren down, and he finally looked up. His eyes met those of the new king.
"A five-hour trip filled with unfamiliar smells, and a sense of being forced, in Your Majesty's opinion, was my trip pleasant?"
Malakor stepped forward, his face darkening. "Commander, mind your words. You are speaking to Grace."
"I'm talking to the guy who's going to be my husband, right?" Soren said, still looking at Lucian, who stood there completely still. "Will this conversation be just an ordinary one, or should I address you as Your Highness in every word I said?"
"Commander-"
Lucian raised his hand, telling Malakor to stop responding to Soren's words. He didn't look angry, per se. Actually, Soren could see that he looked kinda sad.
"I'm wondering if Lady Mordessa Valla is feeling better now that she has been treated with tree sap?"
Soren blinked, the question caught him off guard after what he had just said to King Lucian. The man's voice sounded worried, a far cry from the casual chitchat he'd shared earlier and Soren could tell that the man was seriously asking about it.
"Yeah... for now..." Soren replied, a bit uncomfortable.
Lucian just nodded slowly, then the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
"The ritual…" Malakor suddenly interrupted their conversation, "I apologize, Your Grace, Commander, but it is deemed necessary for the ritual to be carried out without delay. If it is of interest, the Marrow Pear is expected to reach full ripeness at midnight tonight. It might be beneficial for the Commander to take a brief respite before the ritual this evening." Malakor spoke in a more solid tone.
Lucian gave a signal to one of his servants, who quickly took the crown off his head and put it pretty close to the throne. He only wore a crown that big for special occasions, and Soren had heard it weighed as much as 3 kg. He got up slowly, looked at Soren for a second, told some of his servants to help Soren rest, and then finally left behind the throne.