JULIAS POV,
Gabriel storms out of the room and Julias quickly goes after him. Finally, something is happening he thinks. He still doesn’t know what to think about Gabriel. He wants to believe Noelle, but Gabriel played the assassin role so convincing. So, he is either a great liar or there is a part of him that represents that version. He must stop thinking about it though because they arrive at the guard of the castle again.
The guards immediately get annoyed when they see Gabriel but before they can say anything Gabriel has touched them lightly with some electricity and they fall to the side unconscious.
Gabriel walks past them without slowing down his pace and Julias hurries after him looking at the guards with big eyes. That was almost too easy. They walk into the castle and every guard that tries to stop them shares the same fate. They find lord Midas eventually in a big hall where he is eating and drinking while watching some barely clothed women dance. They immediately know who Lord Midas is because he is wearing a crown on his head. He is a middle-aged blond man with a big beer belly and blue eyes that seem dim.
Gabriel opens the doors with a big bang and looks at Lord Midas unimpressed, “So this is the important business you are so busy with that you couldn’t find the time to speak to us?”
The man next to Lord Midas immediately stands up, “How dare you take that tone with our most beloved Lord, you filth.”
Julias looks at the man who is wearing extremely expensive clothes and lots of jewelry. He has dark hair, a small beard, and dark mean eyes full of anger. Julias feels bad vibes coming from that man, so he decides that he is the one to keep an eye on. Gabriel however seems unimpressed and doesn’t pay any attention to the man. He just keeps looking at Lord Midas waiting for a response.
Lord Midas seems uninterested and keeps looking at the dancing women when he replies, “I was wondering how long it would take for you to just force your way in there.”
Gabriel calmly replies, “I was just trying to respect your ways, but I see that there was no point now.”
Lord Midas chuckles and plays with his knife, “Well, well, well, I tried to read your letter, but I got bored after 2 sentences. You really should try to improve your writing if you don’t want people to fall asleep. Now tell me what business the famous brutal lightning King has with the Mortal Realm?”
Julias wonders how Gabriel is going to change people’s view of him because he told Julias that he couldn’t mention Liberum. He wanted to keep the city and the saved people a secret so they will be safe.
Gabriel doesn’t seem bothered however and answers, “Our opinions of each other are of no relevance in this matter. This war concerns us all and it doesn’t matter what you believe in because Hades only wants to destroy us all. There is no way of staying neutral and avoiding conflict. You have no choice because Hades will choose for you. We only stand a chance if we work together.”
The other man laughs, “It is always the same talk of doom with every conflict, and guess what we are still here. Why should we listen to you in the first place? Weren’t you Hella’s personal killing pet? Who says you aren’t playing both sides?”
Gabriel looks at him annoyed, “Who are you even?”
The man looks very pleased with himself when he says, “I am Javier Bustamante, the richest businessman in the Mortal Realm and most trusted advisor of Lord Midas.”
Lord Midas finally tells the dancing women to leave the room and looks at us, “Javier is right. We are not interested in war. War only brings losses and besides that, it costs a lot of money and lives. We have stayed out of everyone’s way for a long time, and it has worked out fine so far. We were fine under Hella’s rule so I don’t see why we would have problems with her father.”
Gabriel grunts, “If you consider people in your Realm being murdered for practicing magic as working out “fine” then I guess we don’t share the same meaning of the word fine.”
Javier waves the argument away with his hand, “Small losses for the greater good.”
Julias can see that Gabriel is starting to get pissed so he quickly walks forward and says, “I can tell you from experience that this time staying neutral is not an option. The Sea Realm stayed out of Hella’s way to protect the people, but Hades destroyed us anyway. The whole Realm is in ruins and almost no one survived. If Gabriel didn’t help us everyone would be dead.”
Lord Midas finally seems to show some interest, “You say from experience so who are you?”
Julias stands straight, “My name is Julias, my lord. I was King Roan’s right hand under his rule at the Sea Realm?”
Lord Midas asks, “And where is King Roan in this story?”
Julias feels sadness come up and answers, “Dead my lord, he died when Hades attacked the Sea Realm.”
Lord Midas looks at Javier annoyed, “Is this true? Why haven’t I heard about this?”
Javier cleverly says, “We haven’t received any reports about this news my lord, but it sounds very convenient for them. So, unless they have proof it is impossible to tell, or it is true.”
Gabriel looks into Lord Midas his eyes, “We have no proof right now, but we could take some of your most trusted men and show them the Sea Realm. Then they can see with their own eyes what is left of it.”
Javier seems displeased about the suggestion and wants to answer but Lord Midas holds up his hand to stop him speak. He thinks for a moment and says, “That sounds reasonable. I will send the head of the army with you and if he tells me the same story then I will believe it.”
Julias sighs relieved because at least now they have some hope. Lord Midas yells, “ANGUS.”
From a corner of the room, a tall man in armor comes running and stops in front of lord Midas, “Yes my lord.”
Lord Midas commands, “You will accompany King Gabriel and Julias to the Sea Realm. I want a full report of what you have seen. I expect you back in 2 days and you leave right now.”
Angus bows to Lord Midas and then turns around to Gabriel and Julias. He commands in a calm voice, “You have 10 minutes to pack your bags and meet me at the gate.”
He doesn’t wait for their reply and marches away. Gabriel nods to Lord Midas and Javier and says, “Thank you, we will be back soon.”
Just before they want to leave a blonde woman walks into the room. “Dad, have you seen my horse-riding equipment?”
Julias stares at the woman with an open mouth because she is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. She looks like an angel with her blond hair glowing like a bright star and big blue eyes like the deepest ocean. She is wearing a blue toga dress that matches the color of her eyes. He can’t take his eyes off her and is lost in thought until Gabriel pokes him.
“If you are done drooling, we should go before we miss Angus,” he says. Julias shakes his head and walks after Gabriel regretful. He looks over his shoulder a few times but unfortunately, she doesn’t even glance his way. Javier however does catch his gaze and looks at him like he is ready to throw a knife at his throat. Julias quickly hurries out of the room because that man gives him the creeps.