Raised From The Wild-Chapter 331: King Ralden
King Ralden and his trusted guards were waiting in the lavish hotel lobby. The room was adorned with ornate chandeliers that cast a warm golden glow on the plush carpeting. The king’s young wife was seated beside him, clad in a stunning spaghetti-strap red dress. The hemline of her dress stopped a little above her knees, revealing her shapely legs. The two-seater couch where they sat was upholstered in luxurious fabric that matched the regal ambiance of the lobby.
A well-dressed gentleman approached him. The man leaned in and whispered something softly into his ear, causing him to turn his head and listen intently.
"Darling, I’m afraid I won’t be able to take you with me to the dinner as the topics we’ll be discussing are sensitive and related to the state’s affairs. I wouldn’t want to put you in a difficult position. Why don’t you head back to our room and relax? You can order room service if you’d like. Hamir, my trusted aide, will accompany you back." King Ralden spoke softly to his wife and gestured at his aide to escort her back to their room.
The young woman was displeased, but what could she do? She could only follow her husband’s bidding.
As King Ralden rose from his seat, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. The man in the black suit beckoned him forward, and he knew he had no choice but to follow. With only two of his guards accompanying him, he felt vulnerable and exposed. However, he tried to push these thoughts aside, confident in the knowledge that the security measures in Uropa were some of the best in the world. As they made their way to the waiting area outside, King Ralden couldn’t help but feel a sense of trepidation building within him. Nevertheless, he held his head high and strode forward.
He was escorted to an unassuming vehicle with a plate number that indicated it was a private vehicle.
King Ralden frowned, and his face turned sour as he gazed at the modest vehicle before him. Despite being the highest authority in Ra-Iya, he was given only a private means of transportation, which did not seem fitting for someone of his status.
The man who escorted him seemed to read the displeasure on his face.
"Your Majesty, it’s advisable to maintain a low profile. Although this car may appear unremarkable, it’s actually the epitome of luxury and sophistication within its category."
Disdain appeared on King Ralden’s face for a moment, but he immediately masked it with a charming smile.
As he approached the car, the man in the black suit courteously opened the door for him. Upon settling into the seat, the king was taken aback by the lavishness of the car’s interior. The opulence of this car far surpassed any of the twenty cars he owned back in Ra-Iya. The smooth leather seats, the practical compartments, and the state-of-the-art technology contributed to the luxurious atmosphere.
King Ralden admired the stunning car he was in, appreciating its elegant design and flawless interior. As he conversed with the man sitting in the front passenger seat, he couldn’t help but be reminded of the age-old adage, "Do not judge the book by its cover," which he found particularly relevant in this situation.
"This is the latest model released by Phoenix Technologies. The design was made by the future son-in-law of the Defense Minister." The man in the front passenger said with pride as if he was the one who had designed the car.
"Your Majesty, King Ralden, please fasten your seat belt," a robotic voice filled the air.
King Ralden’s face betrayed a hint of surprise, yet he managed to maintain a composed expression. He extended his arm towards the sturdy, onyx-colored seatbelt, deftly buckling himself in with a sense of practiced ease.
As the driver started and revved the engine, the sleek car surged forward with a powerful jolt. The king shifted in his seat and cast a curious gaze out the window, only to be met by an inky void of darkness. A frown creased his forehead as he wondered if the pitch-black view was a deliberate move on the driver’s part. The last time he visited three years ago, he was blindfolded. The memory of being blindfolded during the journey still irked him, and he hoped this time would be different.
’This is good. At least I will see the scenery,’ he thought.
After some time, King Ralden finally saw the landscape he had been waiting for. He did not realize it was just a video montage of landscapes from around the world.
King Ralden was ecstatic. He thought he had a chance of locating the mansion of the elusive Almighty Zeus. He paid attention to the passing scenery, committing it to his memory, but then the scene shifted to century-old majestic trees lining a boulevard.
’What the heck. Isn’t this the King’s Boulevard, the way leading to my palace?" the king’s eyebrows furrowed.
King Ralden was bewildered. He touched the fiberglass window and could sense that it was different from a normal car window.
The man in the black suit sitting in front of the car offered no explanation.
King Ralden tried to engage the man in the front seat, but he remained tight-lipped and only answered when necessary. He realized why he was not blindfolded: It would not make a difference.
After traveling for more than thirty minutes, they arrived at their destination. The man in the front seat got out of the car first and opened the door for King Ralden.
The King of Ra-Iya observed his surroundings. This was his first time in this place. He couldn’t help but be envious of the magnificence of the white building before him.
A young servant dressed in traditional Uropan attire came and bowed down to show respect to the king. Then, she respectfully led the King to the lounge area outside the banquet hall.
"Your Highness, please wear this," she said, handing him a mask similar to those worn at masquerade balls.
In the observation room on the second floor, Charles Gray watched as the king put on his mask.
"The king of Ra-Iya has arrived, Godfather."
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Author’s notes:
My sincere thanks to J_Zeigler, Akhilakokila, Bb_Boomer for your Golden Tickets. Your votes inspire me to continue writing.
