It took him a solid thirty minutes walking, and a bus ride, to get to the palace. He nervously went to the front door and showed a knight the embellished paper and envelope. The knight nodded and waved him inside. From there, another knight led him through the open structure to a door on the left tucked under a stairway. He opened the door and the young man walked through.

He stood there nervously as the knight shut the door behind him. Before him was a large table with at least eight chairs on either side, and then one at the far end. To his left on the wall hung a blank chalkboard that looked well-used. On the left was a series of paintings of flowers and fruit. Behind the singular chair were a series of paintings that made it look like the wall had windows to let in sunlight.

After a few minutes, a door on the right in the far corner from him, opened outward, and a stream of people filed in. They were quietly chattering to each other, not at all taking any notice of him. They found their seats, and all stood in front of them until the last person, flanked by four knights, walked in.

It was the king. He was tall, tan, with dark eyes and short black hair, almost shaved neatly at the back of his head, where his bangs and crown of his hair flowed in fluffy locks.

The young man felt himself feel small and pale in comparison.

The men wore nice suits, each with pocket squares. Some had papers in their hands. The women were dressed equally as nicely – some in feminine suits, and others in gowns. Their hair were done up nice and neat, and even had a few gems pinned in their hair.

In his cream suit that was a little dusty, with a few loose threads, and shoes half a size too big that let in enough air to cool his feet too much, the young man definitely felt out of his league.

The king himself was dressed in a nice pinstriped suit that accentuated his height. He had a emerald green tie that seemed to shimmer in the light. But it wasn't gaudy. There was a ring on his left index finger for wax sealing of documents, and on his right wrist a delicate thin gold chain.

Once the king stepped up to his seat, he gestured his arm to the young man, the others turned their attention to him finally, and the king sat down. And so the others, too, sat.

A man on the king's left spoke first. “Welcome to this interview. We thank you for coming. Can you verify your name, please?”

“Uh, sure...” And he muttered out his name. The others nodded, checking their paperwork here and there.

The man continued. “This says that you're twenty-three years old and living by yourself, correct? You have a stable job as a paper assistant. You've worked there for six years, after being an intern there. And,” he flipped to another page, “You've been a citizen since birth.”

“Uh...” Not to sure how this was an interview, he nodded. “Yes, that's all right.”

“Very good,” he flipped to another page. “Your medical record looks good. You report no dire illnesses, or stresses in life. You've also reported clean in your blood tests recently.”

“Uh... How do you...?”

“We're interviewing you for potential mate compatibility with His Majesty, the King.” Said a woman with a snarky tone. “Of course we would know.”

Another man on the other side of the table chuckled. “Is there anything else you'd like to add, that we don't know?”

A sour taste developed in his mouth.

This isn't an interview. They're parading me out to show how unfit I am for the king.

“I like... books.”

“We know.” Said a woman. She glanced at the papers in front of her. “It's your only expense outside of food and rent and travel to work.”

He felt his shoulders grow stiff. His pale green eyes cast across the table to the king.

He sat there, quiet, just staring in observation at him.

Another chuckled. “Your private life is also not one to speak of. Sometimes you go out to eat with your coworkers, but nothing beyond that.”

“If you are done expending your energy,” came a smooth voice. All eyes moved to the end of the table and were quiet as the king spoke. “And puffing up your feathers to look larger than him, you are all welcome to leave.”

“My King, I was merely just pointing out that he doesn't even have exterior hobbies such as hiking.” Said one man.

The king's eyes moved down the row of people to the one who spoke. Then, he looked to the other side of the table slowly. He folded his hands in front of his face to make a bridge, and rested his nose against it so half his face was hidden. “I've changed my mind.” His words were blunt. “You must all go. Leave me to speak with him alone.”

Quietly, but discontently, the group got up and went to the door. A few glared at each other as they filed out.

The man on the king's left spoke again. “I must be vocal in protest. You should not interview an alpha – a stranger – alone, My King. What if he attacks you?”

“Then that fault will be mine.” Said the king to the advisor. “Go.”

The man got up, and left. The door slamming behind him.

The four knights, the king, and the awkward young man remained.