studiobondurri Chapter 320 – Summoned
Chapter 320 – Summoned
Chapter 320 – Summoned
Krel had always prided himself on maintaining a calm demeanor when under pressure. The small and, many times, very delicate mechanisms of his toys demanded steady hands and undivided, steely focus, and he’d long since learned to keep his nerves in check. But as he stood outside the grand entrance to his Sovereign’s palace, the letter from the Ministry crumpled slightly in the inner pocket of his coat; Krel couldn’t stop his heart from racing.
When it first arrived, he thought it was the decision about his request to help him expand his business. Instead, the summons he had been served was utterly unexpected. He’d received official correspondence before. Primarily, they were requests for information or proof of citizenship to allow him to open his current business, but... this was different. The letter had been marked with the Ministry’s highest seal, and its contents were vague to the point of being cryptic.
“Mr. Krel, your presence is requested at the Ministry. Minister Paxon wishes to discuss an important matter concerning your work. Attendance is mandatory.”
He’d thought it was a mistake at first. What would the Ministry want with him? He was just a toymaker, after all. Unimportant in the grand scheme of things. Still, curiosity and a healthy dose of fear had driven him to comply at once, taking a long bath, changing into his best clothes, and heading off at once. On the way there, he was thinking of possibilities of why he was summoned in such a way... Was it because he made deals with Atuvians? Others did so, too... Wait! What if he dealt with spies he didn’t realize they were spies?! He couldn’t help but get nervous as his thoughts began racing, making up more and more outrageous ideas.
After arriving, his palms sweating, the meeting at the Ministry had been brief and bewildering. Minister Paxon himself had greeted him, which felt surreal enough, as he was running a whole department. Why would he take time to deal with him? His request shouldn’t have gone so high on the ladder... but when the Minister had said they’d be traveling to the palace to meet someone even more important, Krel’s stomach had dropped. Maybe he did sell something to a spy after all!
Now, as the heavy wooden doors opened with a silent creak, revealing the grand interior of the Sovereign’s residence, Krel’s breath was caught in his throat. It was his first time coming in here... and it was more beautiful than he expected. The polished floors sparkled under the soft light of the chandeliers above them, and the faint noise of distant activity echoed through the grand hall. If his ears didn’t lie to him, he was sure it was the laughter of children, which meant the kids of his Sovereign were near. The future leaders of Avalon.
“This way, Mr. Krel.” Minister Paxon’s voice broke through his daze, leading him further in.
Krel followed, his boots scuffing slightly against the floor despite his best efforts to step lightly and avoid making any embarrassing sounds. He clutched his somewhat worn satchel closer to his chest, the familiar weight of his tools and sketches offering a tiny bit of comfort. It held everything he brought along, expecting to prove why he needed support in expanding his business. As they walked, they passed deeper into the palace, walking through the throne room, letting Krel’s eyes wander around, seeing where the rest of the Ministers would hold their meetings with the Sovereign. It was the place where Avalon’s future was usually decided. His thoughts, by then, were consumed with a tsunami of questions. Why was he here? What did they want from him? And why in all the heavens would the Sovereign care about a toymaker? This was either something good... or something terrible.
When they finally stopped in front of a pair of regular doors, Krel’s knees felt weak. This was it... He almost fell unconscious when Minister Paxon turned to him, his expression unreadable.
“Before we go in, I should advise you to speak honestly. The Sovereign values if you are straight to the point above all else,” Paxon explained, his tone firm but warm enough to signal it wasn't something bad, followed by an encouraging pat on his back. “And don’t be intimidated. The Sovereign... well, he’s more understanding than you would realize.”
Understanding or not, Krel felt like a mouse being led into a cat’s domain. No. A lion's domain. He nodded mutely and watched as Paxon pushed the door open.
The room beyond was surprisingly modest compared to the rest of the palace, though still leagues beyond anything Krel had ever known. A large desk dominated the space, flanked by bookshelves, maps, and blueprints pinned to the walls; he even saw the schematics of the Lion. Behind the desk sat the Sovereign himself, a man Krel had only ever seen in paintings, a few portraits, and when he held public speeches. But never from this close, in the flesh.
He looked up with a half-smile before he rose as they entered, his presence commanding the room in Krel’s eyes but not overwhelmingly so. When their gazes met, Leon’s eyes sharp and intelligent, his stare remained fixed on Krel, and for a moment, the toymaker felt as though every secret he’d ever held was laid bare.
“Mr. Krel,” The Sovereign said, his voice warm and friendly. “Please, come in. Have a seat.”
Krel hesitated before stepping forward, his legs stiff and his hands gripping his satchel so tightly he feared the leather might tear apart. He sat as instructed, the plush chair beneath him feeling far too good for a simple craftsman of his stature. Even with his best clothes, he was now afraid that he would stain them.
“Thank you, Minister Paxon.” Leon continued, excusing the Minister, and while he left, a young woman came in and served them coffee.
“Stay.” She chuckled the moment Krel was about to stand, recognizing her as one of his Sovereign's wives. He wanted to stand, but her commanding chuckle made him just sit there, allowing himself to be served. It was... absurd.
“Records are essential for the future of Avalon. And you will have your name in the history books, Mr. Krel. I am sure of it. Anyway... Think of my offer. I could use your mind and talent, but even if you refuse and remain Krel the Toymaker, I will still support you in the same way. I am not lying when I say that every Avalonian has the option to choose their path. I am simply offering you an alternative. Don't look at this as an order, Krel.” He repeated, talking to him personally as if they were on equal footing, surprising him. "Whatever your decision, even if you refuse me, I won't hold it against you, and neither will anybody in this city."
“Thank you, My Sovereign...” Krel muttered while the door opened, and Paxon walked in, ready to lead him out of the palace once again, back to his home.
...
....
......
“You are really going to let him refuse you?” Luna asked, sitting on my lap, forcing me to start rubbing her tummy.
“I am.” I nodded with a smile, “I like his eyes.”
“Don’t bring a boy into the harem, please...”
“I am going to twist your nipples,” I warned her, reaching under her clothes.
“Please do so!”
“Now, I don’t wanna.”
“Aww... please?”
“Enough!” I chuckled, doing it once, making her shiver, “What I like is his simple goal in life. He didn’t even think about what he was doing; he just did what he found enjoyable and fulfilling. I am not going to rob that from him and force him into a different position. That could kill the drive, the talent behind him. Some people perform and shine when they are let loose and allowed to do what they want to do. Mr. Krel is clearly that kind of person.”
“So, if he refuses your offer, what will you do? Nothing?”
“Not exactly.” I chuckled. "I will let him do whatever he wants and keep him evolving, but I will send people to work under him.”
“To spy?”
“No. To learn. He will need to train his workforce, and through it, he will do what I would have to: Teach the next generation. Now, I won’t have to bother with that part; he will do it for me. I just have to review his blueprints now and then. This is what I was hoping for!”
“To someone discover miniature steam golems?”
“No.” I laughed, tickling her, “I mean that my people will find their purpose and, through it, reveal their geniuses. Be it in art or mechanics. Doesn’t matter. The kind of freedom and opportunities I give them will bring the best out of my citizens. Through them, Avalon will get stronger. It is a win-win situation. Even if others come in and try to steal it... They will only steal the ideas and not what makes it work. The people. How are they going to poach them if they can have their best lives here? Without the talent... They will never catch up to us.”