'I, the Queen, never would have thought that there will be a time where I suffer great embarrassment because of a man.' Her cheeks are flushed red as she sent deathly glares to the smiling King in front of him. His loving gaze never falter given their current situation.
"What's with that look?" Ariya coldly said.
"Love?"
Her face scrunched at his remark. The King chuckled and sighed.
"Let's go see father." He smiled warmly at the maiden and walked ahead of her. Keeping distance. It's not that he wanted this distance. But this is what she wanted. After the seemingly long walking, well not for the King. They have reached the discussion room in the east wing of the palace were the King Emeritus impatiently waited. The door swung open. King Conrad wanted to scold his son but when he saw the Lady behind him, he put the fuming anger aside and composed himself. Of course both of the Highnesses noticed this.
"Where's Mother?" King Lance inquired as he strode inside guiding the Lady behind her, who accepted the invitation.
"In the study, I don't know." He scrutinized every little detail about the young lady in front of him, whom, he didn't forget, humiliated his son.
"Father," Lance heave a sigh.
"If I'm uninvited here, might as well take this meeting other time.." She looked at Lance and slightly bowed then to King Conrad "...and other place of course." As she was about to go she heard King Conrad uttered "wait".
"My apologies, it's fine, sit down and let's discuss matters." Lance looked at the back figure of the maiden.
"My Queen?" Ariya turned and is greeted by Lance hopeful expression.
"Shall we?"
*****
"This matter of course is about the trade of our Kingdoms. I'm hoping that you will consider our offer." Ariya handed the trade-agreement papers to Lance. The King went through the documents and nodded.
"Well, everything is brilliant. except," Ariya pressed her lips together. Clearly she wasn't happy with the exception.
"I believe this barely benefits us. I mean, we have the little share of the profit we could get from the trade through the taxes, but of course that doesn't make this enough."
'Not enough?! Is he a beast that wants to devour everything?' But of course she didn't voice that out. However, it's as if Lance were able to read her mind continued.
"But, this could be overlooked." This time Ariya and King Conrad gave him a quizzical look.
"By that, what do you mean my son?" King Conrad asked.
"If we could strengthen the relationship of both our Kingdoms aside from this simple trade agreement that is, we could gain bigger, makes sense?" Those words sent shivers to her spine. It's a uncomfortable for her.
"What exactly do you want?" Without hesitation she asked. Though she's afraid of what's to come.
"The question is, are you willing to pay the price?" A smirk plastered on his face. Looking so smug. Ariya wanted to rip that face so badly. Her hands lying on her lap formed into small fists ready to smack the King.
"Name it." Was all she could muster to say. She needed to calm down or else-- She might burn this palace right away because her inner devil wanted to and worst case scenario she'll turn the whole alliance her enemy and engage in an upcoming war just because she needs to wipe his damn face on the earth. But no--she needed to take a breath and relax.
"Marry me then."
'I might just choose to engage in the war than in marriage. Should I call Raymond to prepare the canyons and some war stuffs? F*ck'
She sent cold stares to the King hoping he would get the message that his agreement is far worst.
"Uhm, son don't you think this is too much?" King Conrad gaze at his son with concern.
"Father, would you leave me and Queen Shekinah alone, please?" He looked coldly at his father. King Conrad widened his eyes in disbelief, however, knowing his son, he might have something up his sleeves.
"Ok." King Conrad got up and left the room, watching the two figures once again and sighed.
As the doors closed Lance continued about his plans. Though he felt the urge to laugh at Ariya's shocked face. Like seriously, 'Is marrying me that bad?' thoughts kept running through his mind but nonetheless he continued.
"So? Are you willing to give your hand to me for marriage? That will save us both time. And, as it goes with marriage, everything that is mine is yours," he glance at Ariya's glaring face and chuckled. His voice turned into a husky whisper. "and everything that is yours, is mine."
Ariya felt like she needed oxygen. This King is seriously losing her temper. But Ariya couldn't overlook this opportunity to get closer to her 'enemies'
"Fine."
Lance chuckled. "I know you would say tha---" Until he realized she actually said yes.
"What? Did you just say 'yes'?" Shockingly for him, he didn't expect that his Queen would say yes to his offer. He thought there will be flying spoon and fork, worst tables flipped knowing the Queen's temper.
"I said fine." Ariya corrected.
"Well it's the same, saying fine also is saying yes." Ariya didn't argue any further. What's the point? The idiotic King is far from sanity to even comprehend everything.
"Ok then, this is good news." Ariya couldn't quite decipher if the man before her eyes is really a King. And why the hell is he so happy about this political marriage? She stared at Lance, curiosity took over. She knows for the fact that this is just showing face, or merely trying to 'act' like this just be worth celebrating or something, but she couldn't tell. Everything in his expression is genuine. Yes genuine. Even her sorcery is telling her that this is not pretending. Is he not pretending?
Fact. Is what her magic would tell and let her feel. But as to why? She didn't bother. She just shook her head, took a deep sigh and looked back at the King.
"I supposed this is a deal then." Her tone cold but still holds relief that this show is over.
"Deal." He reached his hand ready for a handshake and the Queen took it.
"Very well."