Chapter 9
Allen poured another cup of tea into our cups. I looked at the tea as it reflected my contemplating face. I could not make any haste decisions or requests. I needed to think about things thoroughly and carefully.
"what terms does his majesty have in mind?" I asked slowly, studying his face.
"I want to hear yours first, who knows we may have the same thoughts in mind." He said unbothered. It seemed he had something in mind but would not reveal it unless I spoke out first.
"Okay, allow me to rephrase my question. What does me, being your betrothed entail?" I asked.
Zachary stopped for a second not expecting that question from me. he looked up, his eyes locking with mine, a cold smile plastered on his face. "I am pretty sure you are aware of what becoming betrothed to me entails, are you asking so you can find some sort of acceptance?" he questioned reading my mind.
He was right. I knew very well what this meant. Once I had married this man there was no turning back. I was to be either his queen or concubine. In my case most probably a concubine. My mind and heart had refused to accept it. Maybe this was why I had been hesitant earlier. I was signing a long-term contract, but I needed to calculate my returns well.
"I have a question. do you require children in this marriage?" I asked.
I could not allow a child to bind us in any way. especially if I was going to be cast aside. I would simply be playing the part of his wife that is no feeling developed between us or became involved throughout the years of marriage, which was highly most unlikely, and having a child would probably speed things up.
"Well Winter, let me appease you and ease you of your bounties of questions and calculations that seem to be swarming in your pretty little head." He said.
Placing his cup down, he shifted slightly making himself more comfortable.
"Let us start off with a simple question, are you aware there are three of us legitimate for the throne?" he questioned.
I nodded. Of course, it was a known fact throughout the empire. Though Zachary was the only son and crown prince of the king of the empire, the duke of Leviton's son, Robin, and the Duke of Dominic's son, Anthony could also claim the throne depending on circumstance.
"Well, then you must be aware that I was sent away for war from the moment I had turned into an adult, in order to create hope or a chance that one of the other two could claim the throne." He said unbothered. "—The aristocrat faction seemed to want to have one of their own on the throne. So, their best shot was throwing me into a war with hopes that I wouldn't come back alive." He said as he picked up his cup again, sipping at his tea.
"But you came back alive," I said as a shiver drove its way down my spine.
"Yes, I did, and one would think they would settle down and to know their place, but it seems my kindness as a prince has been going on for too long, wouldn't you agree?" he questioned making me raise my eyebrows at him.
I looked at him as though he had grown two heads. What kindness? The man in front of me was literally a ruthless human being. Did he think people thought he was kind? Hello? Rumours go around quite quickly.
"So Winter, whether we have a child or not does not really matter to me, but it will matter to those whose eyes watch us. So yes, we might try to conceive one." He said, my heart thumping in my chest.
It was going to be inevitable.
"Do you plan on taking any other wives? A Queen?" I asked.
You are going to be my queen." He said.
My head shot up instantly. What was this man thinking? That was not a wise decision. My origins are firstly preposterous for the position of queen and secondly, I had no high status, other than being a marquis's illegitimate daughter.
"Since I have answered countless questions you have thrown at me, let me ask you this one thing. Tell me, why is it you are agreeing to this marriage even though you may lose out on a normal life of finding someone you love and leading a life you desire.?" He questioned.
I gripped the still full cup in my hand tightly.
"I want to choose my fate," I said with a forced smile. "I want the people who had wronged me to pay the price for breaking my heart and trust."
"Perhaps, does this have to do with the duke of Dominic and your sister?"
he questioned hitting the nail. I said nothing as a cold breeze swept between us.
"…I see." He confirmed. "Well Winter Azalea Vera le Monroe, I promise to care and try to love you throughout this marriage, and I promise to support but correct you through your choices and path, so will you accept me as your betrothed?"
I allowed to time to pass as his words seeped through me. how was I supposed to trust this man before me when I had been continuously in the past? Would my heart be able to accept this?
"Please give me some time your highness. As you have mentioned before, this is a big deal for me. I am practically going to give up a life I could have had to be with you. So, allow me to think this through." I requested.
He said nothing as he sighed standing up. "You are right, this is a big thing. Please do think it through tonight, can we meet up tomorrow?" he asked.
I nodded agreeing. "Where would you like to meet?" I asked.
"I'll send a letter through an envoy in the morning to inform you of the destination." He offered his hand to me, giving me aid in standing up.
"Well then, it seems I have kept you far too long, it's not very slightly for a woman to be here alone with a man at this hour, so I'm afraid I will have to let you go. Until tomorrow. Allen will escort you to your carriage." He said.
"Thank you for your hospitality your highness, may the empire prosper and may there be a thousand blessings upon the sun of the empire." Bowed formally.
Walking out, I walked towards the exit. There Susan, stood beside the coachman awaiting my arrival.
"My lady, are you okay? You took quite long, did something happen?" she questioned.
I shook my head and smiled tiredly.
"Nothing really. Should we get going?"
the coachman opened the door, escorting his lady inside. The door shut as the two women made their way back to the Monroe estate.
Zachary watched from the window, as her carriage set off, his look dark. A woman such as her who had been hurt by the likes of people she had trusted. From the way she spoke it was as though she had lived through a difficult life. But what had intrigued him the most of this woman was not only the purity that emanated from her crystal blue eyes but the mana that sent a wave through her in her most vulnerable or emotive sides.
'It seems she has yet to awaken, her powers seemed to have been sealed.'
he thought to himself. His grey-blue eyes glowed amid the darkness the night emitted.