Truthfully, though he tried hard not to let it show, Ephraim had almost turned to look around the room at the sound of the title. Being referred to by that should have been normal for him by now, but it still felt like a name for someone else at times. It sounded so formal, like it was meant for a much more formidable person. He could present himself well enough, but it was hard for him to really feel like he was that person. 
[i] Now, now, what am I thinking? It's not very becoming, acting like this all of a sudden. I am the king, and this is my duty.[/i] 

Maintaining a strong posture in front of his audience, the king attempted to shake off his frivolous thoughts. The knight in front of him surely had other important things to attend to, and wouldn't have time or patience for his internal struggles. He nodded in response to the greeting, giving a calm look along with his command. "Please rise, Sir Cain, and give your report." 

----

Chiaro couldn't help but think about his brother. How was he now? What was he doing? As one of the knights in Gabriel, would he be one of those requested to accompany that kingdom's rulers to the Round Table Treaty? He couldn't say. He couldn't even say if he would be there, not having heard word from her majesty that he would. Honestly, he knew that there were probably knights that would be more easily chosen for the job than him. He was strong, he had even managed to become pretty well respected amongst those in Lucifer, but he didn't think for a second that he would be among the first picked. Not when he knew what the others were capable of. He had not yet the privilege to see the full strength of some of the most terrifying men employed under her majesty, Queen Furnia, but he had heard the rumors, and he had met them. He was pretty sure that he knew full well what they were capable of. 

His own abilities were nothing to brush off, but he truly felt as if he walked among monsters here. 

The demon continued his musings as he quickly walked through the halls of the castle. It had already been a busy morning, and he still had plenty to attend to before he would be able to relax. It seemed like things had only gotten more difficult of late, though he really hadn't expected any different; after a king dies, trouble is bound to follow. It was the job of those left in the wake of such an event to deal with the results. All he wanted to know was whether they would be ready for whatever happened today. 
[i]Or rather, I suppose we will have to be.[/i]