NOVEL NEXT Chapter 71: The Meet
The following morning, Lord Reginald sat at his desk, the familiar landscape of his estate bathed in the soft morning light. He tapped his fingers rhythmically on the polished wood, his mind focused on the upcoming diplomatic maneuvers. The formal request he had sent to Valoria was a gamble, one he hoped would shift the balance in Triesenberg's favor.
A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Enter," Reginald called, turning in his chair to face the door.
Adrian stepped in, carrying a letter sealed with the Valorian crest. His expression was carefully composed, but Reginald could sense the importance of the message he carried. Adrian crossed the room swiftly and placed the letter on the desk.
"My lord, the response from Valoria has arrived," Adrian said.
Reginald nodded and gestured for Adrian to leave, his eyes already fixed on the seal. Once alone, he reached for his letter opener and carefully broke the wax. The parchment inside was smooth, the writing elegant and direct.
[To Lord Reginald Huxley,
The esteemed government of Valoria has reviewed your request, and His Excellency is prepared to grant an audience. The meeting has been scheduled for tomorrow at a designated location within Volkshalle, and we trust that this will allow for a productive and forthright discussion. We look forward to furthering the relationship between our two nations.
Yours respectfully,
Julieanne Carter
Chief of Staff to His Excellency, Supreme Leader of Valoria]
Reginald read the letter twice, his mind already shifting to the preparations needed for this meeting. Valoria had agreed, and now the real test would begin. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes scanning the text once more, parsing every word for meaning.
The meeting would take place tomorrow.. That alone told him they intended to control the encounter from the outset, but it was a step forward. They were willing to engage, and that was enough to set his plans in motion.
After a brief moment of reflection, Reginald called for Adrian again.
"Prepare for travel," Reginald said the moment Adrian reappeared.
Adrian nodded, already anticipating the next set of instructions. "Shall I notify the team?"
"Yes, and ensure the diplomatic party is briefed. We need to be at our sharpest. Valoria has finally opened the door, but we'll need to step carefully."
"Understood, my lord," Adrian said before leaving the room.
***
A day later, Lord Reginald found himself standing at the foot of Volkshalle, the grand structure looming over him with a majesty he hadn't fully anticipated. Despite all his diplomatic travels, all the architectural wonders he had witnessed throughout the world, nothing had quite prepared him for the sheer scale of the Valorian seat of power.
He took a moment to absorb the scene in front of him. The Volkshalle towered above him, an enormous dome crowned the building, its curvature dwarfing even the grand royal palace of Triesenberg. It was a structure that seemed to defy human limitations, built to evoke awe and, more importantly, dominance. Every stone, every column seemed designed not only to inspire but to intimidate.
"Good heavens," Reginald muttered under his breath as his eyes traveled up the immense columns that framed the entrance. The royal palace of Triesenberg, with its ornate design and regal splendor, was significant in its own right, but this—this was another level entirely. Standing in the shadow of Volkshalle, the palace back home suddenly seemed small.
Adrian, standing at Reginald's side, remained silent but shared the same look of wonder. "It's unlike anything we've seen," Adrian finally whispered, his voice barely audible.
Reginald nodded, still processing the sheer magnitude of it all. "They certainly know how to send a message."
As they approached the massive entrance, the ornate doors swung open with a quiet, well-oiled efficiency. A small delegation awaited them at the threshold, led by a sharply dressed Valorian official who extended a polite but measured smile.
"Lord Reginald Huxley, welcome to Volkshalle," the official greeted, bowing slightly. "His Excellency is expecting you. Please, follow me."
Reginald took a deep breath, adjusting his coat. This was the moment he had been preparing for, and while the grandiosity of the Volkshalle was designed to unsettle, he could not allow himself to be rattled. Triesenberg was still a formidable nation, and this was merely a show of Valoria's strength.
Finally, they were led into an antechamber, where they were told to wait momentarily before being brought into the presence of His Excellency.
"Lord Reginald," the official spoke smoothly, "His Excellency is ready to see you now. Please follow me."
Reginald squared his shoulders, casting a brief glance at Adrian before nodding to the official. "Lead the way."
They walked down a long corridor, each step echoing slightly in the vast space. The walls were lined with portraits of past Valorian rulers, each one gazing imperiously down at those who passed. The path led them to an imposing set of double doors, guarded by two stone-faced soldiers in ceremonial garb. Without a word, they opened the doors, revealing the inner sanctum of Valoria's Supreme Leader.
The room was vast, yet despite its size, it held a sense of intimacy due to the low lighting and strategic arrangement of the furniture. At the far end of the room, seated behind a massive, meticulously crafted desk, was His Excellency.
Lord Reginald tilted his head to the side, momentarily taken aback by the sight before him. The ruler of Valoria, seated behind the grand desk, was far younger than he had anticipated. His mental image of a seasoned leader in his sixties or seventies was instantly shattered by the reality before him.
The man—no, the figure of power—appeared to be in his late twenties or early thirties, his posture commanding despite his youthful appearance.
So young. Reginald couldn't suppress the thought.
And what's with the mask? He couldn't quite fathom the need for it.
"Lord Reginald Huxley," the masked ruler spoke, his tone smooth and composed, but with a resonance that stirred something deep within Reginald's memory. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you in person."
The voice was familiar—unsettlingly so. Reginald's mind immediately began sifting through past encounters, trying to place where he might have heard it before. He couldn't pinpoint the exact moment, but there was no doubt it struck a chord. He had heard this voice somewhere, but the masked figure in front of him didn't match any of the faces that came to mind.
"It is an honor, Your Excellency," Reginald replied, keeping his tone steady despite the unease that rippled through him. His diplomatic instincts kicked in as he suppressed any outward signs of discomfort.
The ruler of Valoria gestured for him to sit. "I trust the journey to Volkshalle was not too burdensome."
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"Your city is remarkable," Reginald said as he sat, choosing his words carefully. "A testament to Valoria's strength and grandeur."
The Supreme Leader inclined his head slightly, as if acknowledging the compliment but not lingering on it. "We have much to discuss, Lord Reginald," he continued. The familiarity tugging once more at Reginald's thoughts. "I understand that Triesenberg is eager to establish a partnership, one that promises mutual benefit."
Reginald nodded, adjusting his posture to lean slightly forward. "Indeed, Your Excellency. We believe that our two nations, through cooperation, can achieve a balance of power that benefits us both, especially in these uncertain times. Triesenberg has much to offer in terms of resources and expertise, and I am confident Valoria will see the value in aligning our interests."
The ruler's masked face remained unreadable, but his voice carried a subtle edge. "And yet, power does not simply balance, Lord Reginald. It shifts. It demands. Valoria does not seek to share power, but to secure its future in a way that ensures its dominion."
Reginald was momentarily taken aback by the directness of the statement. There was no attempt to soften the intent. Valoria didn't view this as a partnership of equals but as an opportunity to consolidate its strength.
"It's an idealistic view Your Excellency but I have to remind you that you are nation that popped out of nowhere."
"Out of nowhere?" the ruler repeated, his voice carrying a curious undertone, as if amused by the observation. "I assure you, Lord Reginald, Valoria has always been here, quietly shaping its own future while the rest of the world looked elsewhere."
"We were sure that your country was not on the map thousands of years ago," Reginald said. "That is a fact."
"Perhaps your maps were incomplete," the ruler responded smoothly, the tone still carrying that strange, unsettling familiarity. "Valoria has always existed, not in the shadows, but in places where the eyes of the world failed to see. It is not our presence that was absent—it was your world's awareness."
Reginald narrowed his eyes, trying to read between the lines, but the mask remained impenetrable, both physically and metaphorically. He felt that Valoria's ruler was playing a deeper game, one that involved more than just territorial claims or political influence.
"Be that as it may," Reginald began, regaining his composure, "Triesenberg has made every effort to understand the dynamics of this world, and for centuries, we have known all nations, all powers. Valoria's sudden rise does not fit with what we know. This abrupt emergence, though impressive, raises questions."
The ruler leaned forward slightly, his posture exuding authority even behind the mask. "I would expect nothing less from a nation such as Triesenberg. You seek to understand, to fill in the gaps. But Valoria has no obligation to explain its origins to you, Lord Reginald. What matters now is the present—and the future."