[Current Balance: £2,733,402 10s. 11d.]
---Previously---
'So I'm going to meet Queen Anne Stuart...' Alaric thought as he couldn't but chuckle, making Reuben and William Penn look at him weirdly. "HEH~"
'My history class professor would be sooooo jealous...'
Reuben and William Penn looked at each other but couldn't really answer each other's questions as to Alaric's antics.
The carriage finally stopped in front of the palace as William Penn smiled at both Alaric and Reuben. "Come on... let's go and meet the Queen of England."
---
Penn got off the carriage, followed by Alaric and Reuben.
"Damn... I really don't like carriages..." Alaric stood up and stretched his body. After that, he looked at the coachman who apologetically smiled. "Ah, I didn't mean you... I meant..."
"Ah... damn, sorry," Alaric scratched his head and proceeded to grab some money from his pocket and flicked it towards the coachman.
[- 1s]
[Current Balance: £2,733,402 9s. 11d.]
The coachman widened his eyes in surprise as he caught the coin. "Ah... you don't have to..." he said but as he looked back towards Alaric, the blonde and the others were already walking towards the house. 'Thank you...'
---
"Woah..."
"Damn... now this is what I call luxury..."
William Penn led the way as Alaric and Reuben glanced around. He wasn't new here so he knew the way. 'I understand their reactions... I was the same back then...'
As they continued walking, a well groomed butler approached them. 'Good evening, Sire Penn..."
William Penn looked at the butler and smiled, recognizing someone he know. "It's been awhile..."
"Yes, Sire..." The butler bowed his head slightly and smiled. "The queen is expecting you. Please... follow me."
Penn nodded as Alaric and Reuben followed him.
"May I know the names of your company, your Sire?" The butler asked as they walked.
"This blond-haired man is Alaric Jonathan Kenway, and this one with the black hair is Reuben." Penn states as the butler nodded his head.
Alaric was amazed by the interior design in the palace. It was so "Red". 'I want to brag to someone from the modern era... but I can't, how sad.'
The butler then stopped and turned around to face them. "Queen Anne Stuart is within this room... I will announce your presence to the Queen."
Penn nodded his head as the butler cleared his throat before announcing in a calm, steady voice. "His Excellency, William Penn, accompanied by Messieurs Alaric and Reuben."
Alaric, who was just at the back of the Quaker, gleamed as he finally saw... a fat pig.
'She HUMONGO-' Alaric shook his head to stop his thoughts. 'STOPPPP, I can'tttttt. My internet brain is fucking fried!'
Alaric tried to look back towards the Queen and proceeded to look down immediately. 'FUCK! Alaric, you can't!!!'
Reuben felt the shift of Alaric's movements, making him turn his head towards Alaric. He didn't understand what the blonde was doing so he continued following the back of William Penn.
For once... Alaric had it difficult in this world.
---
(Okay let's restart, Alaric was being too much right there... WAHAHA) (I'm so sorry if anyone's offended.)
"His Excellency, William Penn, accompanied by Messieurs Alaric and Reuben."
The doors swung open to reveal William Penn, who entered with his characteristic calm but confident stride, his tall frame and dignified manner drawing the Queen's attention immediately.
Penn gave a warm, courteous bow to Queen Anne, who was seated at the head of the table, her gaze steady but welcoming.
The Queen, in her customary composed way, acknowledged his presence with a soft smile, her eyes briefly flicking toward the two men accompanying him.
Penn turned slightly to gesture toward Alaric and Reuben. "Your Majesty, may I present Messieur Alaric, my apprentice, and his sworn brother, Mister Reuben. Alaric, a man of great talent, and Reuben, a trusted companion and personal guard of Alaric."
The Queen's gaze lingered for a moment on Alaric, noting his height and the striking, almost otherworldly light of his blond hair. His posture was unshakably assured, his movements smooth but deliberate.
She allowed herself a quiet moment of contemplation before addressing him.
"You have a formidable stature, Mister Alaric," Queen Anne remarked with a slight, assessing tilt of her head. "And I see your... companion here, Mister Reuben, stands just as tall. But your bearing is quite different. What brings the two of you to the court of His Excellency, Penn?"
Alaric's response was immediate and confident, his voice clear and composed. "We come at the invitation of Mister Penn, Your Majesty. I have learned much under his tutelage, and I owe him my skills. As for Reuben, he has sworn his loyalty to me, and where I go, he follows."
'Did I do impromptu class in my past life? Why am I so good?'
Reuben stood with his arms at his sides, his dark hair slightly tousled and his posture betraying a touch of unease.
His dark eyes flickered briefly to the Queen, but he answered with a quiet, respectful tone. "I've always stood by Alaric, Your Majesty. It is my duty, and I would not abandon it."
The Queen nodded, her lips curving into a faint smile. "I see. The bond of brothers is not one to be broken lightly, then. You must both be men of great conviction."
She glanced at Reuben for a moment longer, perhaps noting the contrast in their appearances. Alaric, golden-haired and towering, and Reuben, with his darker features and less imposing presence.
The Queen then turned her attention to Penn, whose calm, thoughtful expression was as familiar as ever. She smiled warmly at him, gesturing to the seats. "Please, Mister Penn, I trust you will indulge me tonight. I am eager to hear more of your proposal."
Before Penn could respond, the butler stepped in again, this time with a slightly more noticeable presence. "Your Majesty, His Grace, the Duke of Marlborough."
The doors opened once more to reveal John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, entering with his typical dignified manner. Penn's smile widened upon seeing the Duke, the two men exchanging a brief, mutual nod before the Duke bowed gracefully before the Queen.
"Your Majesty," the Duke began, taking his place at the table with quiet elegance. "Mister Penn, it is always a pleasure."
"Ah, Duke Marlborough," Penn said with a smile, "the pleasure is mine. We are all gathered, it seems, in good company."
'Is it due to fomality?' Alaric thought as he looked at Penn and Churchill. 'They met yersterday though...'
The Queen gave a short nod and then gestured for everyone to sit, signaling the start of the meal.
The servants quickly began to serve the food, a meal of roast meats, fine cheeses, and fruits, the aromas mixing with the faint scent of wax from the candlelight around them.
As the conversation flowed between the Queen, Penn, and the others, Alaric remained mostly silent but observant, his attention shifting between the guests around him.
Reuben, sitting beside him, offered brief responses when addressed, but his nerves seemed evident. Queen Anne did not fail to notice the occasional glances Reuben gave to his mentor, and she couldn't help but comment on it.
"You two are very... close," she remarked, her tone neutral but curious.
Alaric, being the confident one, responded without hesitation. "Yes, Your Majesty. We have shared much, and Reuben is as close to me as any brother could be. A brother, if I may say, I trust with my life."
Reuben, still silent for a moment, nodded. "Aye, Your Majesty. There's no loyalty like the one between brothers."
The Queen's gaze shifted back to Alaric, taking in his unshakeable composure and the aura of control he exuded, before turning to her plate. "It is rare, I think, to see such strong bonds in men. But perhaps I am mistaken. Mister Penn, I wonder what you have in mind for tonight's conversation."
Penn, who had been watching Alaric's subtle movements, finally leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering to match the serious nature of his words. "Your Majesty," he began, "I have come here tonight to speak of a matter of great importance. A proposal I believe the crown would find… quite beneficial."
The Queen raised an eyebrow. "A proposal? And what makes this such an important matter? You know I am ever interested in matters of state."
Penn hesitated for only a moment. "It is a matter of power, Your Majesty. A gift, if you will. Mister Alaric and I came here to give a gift of great use to the crown. A rare substance that has helped England for the past many years."
Alaric's expression remained unwavering, but his gaze briefly met Penn's.
As the conversation continued, Penn subtly shifted to another subject, speaking of something unrelated to ease the moment, but his mind was on the deal that would come later in the evening.
The Duke of Marlborough engaged the Queen in a spirited conversation on foreign affairs, as Alaric channeled a tiny amount of chakra in his eyes.
'Kronos!'
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