Chapter 99: Chapter 96: The Common Man and the Monarch

London, Great Britain
March 30th, 1790

"Mr. Samuel Kim, of the United States."

Hushed whispers broke out as Samuel walked into the ballroom. He was alone without his escorts, but he kept his posture proper and straight as he walked with the British prime minister.

"Forgive them, Mr. Kim," Lord Rockingham stated, "Most, if not all, of the people here have never seen a person of your kind."

"I understand completely, Prime Minister," Samuel replied. It was not the first time he had experienced this, as he received this sort of attention even back in the United States.

The pair walked through the ballroom and climbed a flight of stairs. At the top was a closed private room that was guarded by a pair of intimidating soldiers. The prime minister smiled and beckoned the former president forward, "His Majesty is expecting you."

Samuel stepped into the room when the prime minister opened it. Following traditions, he bowed to the king once when he entered the room, bowed again in the center of the room, and bowed one last time in front of King George III, the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The American was unsure if the king was riddled with mental illness, but was hopeful that the monarch in front of him was still sane, "I am honored to be standing in the presence of His Majesty and blessed beyond words to be allowed to speak to His Majesty despite our... differences. If it can be made clear, I have never, nor will ever have, animosity against His Majesty or his subjects. The actions I have committed against His Majesty may never be forgiven, but I plead that we may be able to move forward into the future together without the hostility that pitted us against each other during the war."

King George stared at Samuel for the longest time before he moved. He slowly settled into his throne and spoke, "It is strange, that although you may not look like myself or my subjects, you are able to speak the language of our two nations so properly and artistically."

The American held his tongue as he waited for the king to continue, "The past can never be... forgotten so easily. You have caused great distress amongst my subjects and my ministers. And humiliated the nation I govern with repeated injuries. Yet, I have no desire to continue this feud. Whatever you have achieved or accomplished against me or my nation, I will allow them to pass and remain in the past."

"Your assurances are... welcoming, Mr. Kim," King George stated, "I was the last to consent to the separation of... The United States and Great Britain. However, I have always stated that if a meeting between our two, independent powers occurred, then I would be the first to welcome the friendship offered by the United States as an independent power. I am sure that Ambassador Pinckney has mentioned this?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The monarch nodded his head slowly, "Despite the separation that has erected a division between our two, independent nations, I am... pleased to see... the United States to not only reach out to us in a friendly manner but to achieve success on its own."

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Samuel's eyes widened but he stayed silent.

"Tell me, Mr. Kim. What is your nation's desire for France?"

"We will remain out of the current conflict that is embroiling the Kingdom of France," Samuel answered smoothly, "I answer this as a representative of my nation and I can say with a certain confidence that the United States seeks only to make friends, not enemies."

"Indeed." King George stared off into the distance, "I will not be able to forgive you immediately, Mr. Kim. Not now, perhaps never. But let it be said and declared that as long as I live, there will be friendship between Great Britain... and the United States."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Now, one last matter. I have heard about your... curious expedition to Asia. I can only assume that you are returning to visit the continent of your ancestors?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will be acting as a representative of the United States in order to discern the situation of the nations of the Asian continent and offer an exchange of pleasantries, trade deals and ideas."

"As a show of friendship... I will support your expedition, provided that you will be willing to carry representatives of the British Crown as well."

The former Marine nearly sputtered out an "I'm sorry?" but closed his mouth in time, "I would be honored, Your Majesty."

"The details of this will be given to you by my prime minister," King George folded his hands in front of him, "Let this be a beginning of a... return to friendliness between the English nations."

With three final bows, Samuel left the king's presence.

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