Having spent some time with Rhodes, Uther had a general understanding of him.
Although the young man usually appeared polite, he was extremely arrogant inside, and asking him to marry a widow was clearly unlikely.
He didn't even seem interested in Princess Jaina, which Uther found most baffling, as she was clearly very beautiful.
Fortunately, Rhodes had no designs on Jaina, otherwise, this matter would be very difficult to handle.
"I think we can arrange for them to meet first, to see their initial impressions of each other. What do you think?" King Terenas said.
He was quite confident in his daughter's looks; whether it worked out or not, it was worth a try!
Uther nodded helplessly. Since Your Majesty the King had spoken, he couldn't say much more.
"Then let us proceed! Tonight, I will host a private banquet in the Royal Palace,"
"to thank Rhodes for his assistance to Arthas, his rescue efforts in Stratholme, and his service in helping you retrieve the silver hand warhammer, and to reward him for these deeds."
"I shall officially grant him a suitable noble title in Lordaeron," King Terenas said.
The monarch and his minister discussed the details further, and then Uther took his leave to invite Rhodes and Jaina, while King Terenas began arranging the dinner.
After arriving at the inn, Rhodes first enjoyed a hot bath, then ate some toasted bread and tender roasted meat, before lying down for a short nap.
That afternoon, Uther knocked on his door.
"Rhodes, how was your rest?"
"It was good, Lord Uther! I just woke up. Is there something you need?" Rhodes said.
"I have come by order of King Terenas to invite you to a banquet at the Royal Palace, because of your assistance to Prince Arthas in Andorhal and Hearthglen!"
"Also, for accompanying me to the Titan Keeper's tomb to retrieve the Silver Hand, Your Majesty the King intends to commend you, which is why he has specifically invited you," Uther said.
"That is truly overwhelming! Thank you for the invitation, King Terenas, but Lord Uther, I don't even have a proper suit of formal wear," Rhodes said.
The chance had finally arrived. This time, he could try to get King Terenas to help him gather some advanced materials: gems, crystals, sulfur, and mercury.
"Don't worry! I have already prepared a suitable formal wear for you. Hurry and change into it, then follow me into the Royal Palace," Uther said.
Rhodes nodded, took the clothes Uther handed him, and changed, while Uther went to invite Jaina.
Half an hour later, the three gathered at the entrance of the inn and traveled to the Royal Palace under the escort of the Lordaeron Royal Guards.
Soon, they entered the Lordaeron Royal Palace and arrived at one of the reception halls.
Many maids and servants were already busy here. To host Rhodes, King Terenas had prepared delicious food and fine wine, ordering the chefs to meticulously prepare the meat dishes.
King Terenas appeared to be an old king over sixty years old, with graying hair and many wrinkles around his eyes.
"My respects to you, King Terenas." Rhodes stepped forward, adopting the etiquette Jaina had taught him earlier, and bowed slightly to the King of Lordaeron.
Western etiquette was quite good; you didn't have to kneel even when meeting a King. If this were the East, you would have to kneel just to speak to a county magistrate!
"No need to be so formal, young man. I have heard about your deedsyour selfless assistance to Arthas, your refusal of compensation, and how you distributed the gold I gave you to the common people of Stratholme so they could rebuild their homes."
"Furthermore, you helped Uther obtain an artifact capable of fighting the scourge, the silver hand warhammer, the weapon of the Titan Keeper."
"Your noble character is worthy of respect. The Holy Light does not choose wrongly. Come here, child, and sit beside me," King Terenas said very kindly as he approached Rhodes, then pulled him to sit next to him.
Rhodes noticed that besides King Terenas himself, Jaina, and Uther, there was also a blonde woman who looked to be twenty-five or twenty-six sitting nearby.
Her face bore a seventy percent resemblance to Arthas, she was tall and slender, and her skin was very fair. In terms of beauty, she was not much inferior to Jaina.
Jaina, who was next to Rhodes, smiled at the blonde woman and went to sit beside her.
"Hello, Calia!"
"Jaina, I'm so glad you could come! I heard about Arthas' actions, and I can hardly imagine my brother doing such a thing!" Calia said.
Wiping out the entire populace of Stratholmeshe simply couldn't believe her brother had done this.
"This matter is very complicated. In truth, even if Arthas hadn't done that at the time, those subjects in Stratholme would not have survived," Jaina sighed and said.
She and Rhodes had also rescued a large number of common people, but over 70% of them had mutated into undead, and most of these people lived in the outskirts. The situation within the city would be even more severe.
"You two certainly started chatting quickly. Calia, show some Lordaeron Royal Princess etiquette! I haven't even introduced the guest yet!" King Terenas said.
Princess Calia immediately stood up and performed a Royal Princess' curtsy to Rhodes. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Pastor Rhodes."
"The pleasure is mine, Princess Calia," Rhodes replied with a smile.
It seemed Uther was quite concerned about his identity as a Pastor or a Paladin! He absolutely did not want him to take on the title of mage.
It didn't matter; once he reached Dalaran, Rhodes could still claim to be a mage.
After exchanging pleasantries, the two sat down.
"Alright, everyone, please sit! This is a private dinner; children, there is no need to be constrained," King Terenas, as the host, immediately gestured for everyone to enjoy the meal.
"Young man, tell me about yourself! I am very curious about your journey," King Terenas said.
"Since Your Majesty the King wishes to hear, I will certainly tell you everything I know." Rhodes smiled politely and began recounting his experiences to King Terenas.
Rhodes' account was generally consistent with Uther's, but the old king listened very attentively.
Princess Calia, however, seemed rather distant, continuously chatting quietly with Jaina, and never spoke a single word to Rhodes throughout the entire time.
"Rhodes, you have made immense contributions to the Kingdom of Lordaeron and the Alliance. To recognize your service, I hereby formally grant you the title of Baron of the Kingdom of Lordaeron," King Terenas suddenly dropped a bombshell.