The King’s New Order

"You all know why we gathered here."

Floating down the long room, Leon’s words rang out sharp and clean.

A hush filled the great room, words fading into gentle waves that rolled past stone columns and high arched frames touched with gold. Light climbed in through the high glass, spilling over smooth ground in bright pools. Those slanting rays reached far beyond, trailing toward the seat where the ruler sat still, head slightly bowed under the glow.

"But let me say it officially."

A shift in posture came first - Leon easing forward, just a fraction, perched upon the throne like weight had meaning. The arm found its place along the engraved wood, steady, unhurried. Light caught those pale gold eyes, their stillness belying an edge that cut without effort. Power sat there, silent, needing no shout to fill the room.

"Because starting today..."

He paused deliberately.

"This kingdom begins to change."

A silence dropped through the room, heavy with meaning.

A silence held everyone still. One breath passed without motion.

That was when things changed.

A sharp stillness ran through Commander Black, spine aligning on its own, armor shifting with the sudden rigidity. Feet rooted deeper into place, Vice Commander Johny locked his hands low behind him, tension gathering along his face. Next to both of them, Lord Ronan let silence settle, features softening into quiet attention, listening without a word.

Along the edge of the hall, past Leon, his wives waited without speaking.

Nowhere else had such stillness weighed so heavily. A few looked at Leon with soft approval, while some leaned into the moment, unsure but watching close. Between glances at him and the ministers, something unspoken passed - this next word would bend how life unfolded here, where they’d settled their lives.

A pause grew, shaped by Leon’s stillness. Seconds passed without a word breaking through. The quiet held its ground, neither rushed nor forced. Something in his posture kept it there, suspended. Not awkward - meant.

After that, his voice broke the silence once more.

"You all know that when I first took control of this kingdom," he said slowly, his voice measured and steady, "the situation was far from stable."

There he stood, eyes drifting through the room, locking onto every minister in turn. Slowly now. Never rushing. Never skipping. Like a ruler watching those who held parts of his world right there in their palms.

"At that time, I appointed only four ministers."

Now quiet settled again after a soft ripple of talk had moved across the room.

A single finger lifted into the air, guided by Leon’s steady hand.

"Minister of Foreign Diplomacy - Lord Ronan."

A figure moved without thinking, just slightly ahead. A small shift happened on its own.

A slight tremor ran through his fingers as they pressed against his ribs. Bowing low, he tilted forward, eyes down, facing the throne.

"I stay here ready to help, Your Majesty," he spoke, his tone quiet yet steady.

A flicker of approval crossed Leon’s face, though his features stayed still. He dipped his head slightly, just enough to show he was listening.

"This position was crucial," Leon continued, his gaze sweeping the hall again. "When a kingdom is unstable, enemies outside its borders begin to circle like wolves."

A soft puff of air slipped from Johny’s nostrils, barely there.

A faint spasm tugged at Commander Black’s mouth, nearly becoming a grin without warmth.

Leon noticed.

"And wolves," Leon added calmly, "must either be kept at a distance... or reminded why they should fear approaching."

Laughter started soft among the guards by the columns - then stopped dead once they noticed the king hadn’t finished talking.

Foot tapping slow, Leon settled into the seat, ease in his frame while power thickened like storm air between walls.

"Lord Ronan ensured our neighbors understood exactly that."

A flicker of gold caught Ronan’s gaze once more.

"And for that, he has my continued trust."

Sound faded again when Leon stepped forward, ready to speak the next pieces of what would build the kingdom ahead.

A slight dip of Ronan’s head showed respect.

A silence fell. Not even a whisper broke through as the king froze, his court mirroring him like statues carved from tension. High above, fabric hung limp between ancient columns, colors dimmed by shadow. Watching. Waiting. All attention pinned to the empty seat where power sat when it chose to speak.

A single moment passed before Leon lifted another finger, just one more. Slowly it rose, joining the first.

"Commander of the Army - Commander Black."

A sound like cold iron brushing stone slipped into the air when Black stood taller. Forward moved the high frame, just slightly, armor panels whispering as they kissed. Down went his body slow, arm driving inward till knuckles met breastplate.

A quiet strength filled Black’s words when he spoke - "It will be my honor to serve, Your Majesty" - each syllable shaped by years beneath open skies and smoke. The weight of duty sat firm in his tone, like stone worn smooth by time. Not pride, but purpose carried through. A man who knew dawn watches and long marches formed every sound. His presence held no flash, only resolve built step by step across unseen fields.

Some of the lords glanced at one another, satisfaction clear. His name alone had already said everything needed.

Up went another finger, the third now standing tall.

"Vice Commander of the Army - Johny."

With a sharp dip of his head, Johny moved up next to Black. His outfit wasn’t thick plating like the commander’s - meant to shift fast, not scare anyone. Still, the way he held himself said everything: skill didn’t need armor to show. He stood ready, quiet strength in every line of his frame.

With quiet certainty, Johny pressed his palm to his heart. "The crown won’t be let down by me," he stated, voice low but clear.

A small smile tugged at Black’s lips as he turned his head just slightly toward the man.

"Try not to make my job harder than it already is," Black muttered quietly.

He let out a quiet laugh. "Can’t say I’ll stick to that."