"I hear you talked to Lady Celestine?"
Ethan has been walking with Alexander towards the courtroom. Both are going for the court to start their day with the most important part of the day after breakfast.
Words have gone out that King Alexander had dinner with Lady Celestine. In the mere presence of butler and few servents. It wouldn't have been such a huge issue if he would be doing it frequently. Since it was the first time he had dinner with a female, it has become the talk of the kingdom.
Rumors are once again going on with full force but the truth is only known to the ones who were present. No one has ever thought he could do something like that, but he did.
When Duke Lukeworth came and congratulated him for choosing his daughter as future queen he frowned and eyed him pointedly. With a cold look and rage in his eyes, he smiled and talked politely to him.
That night he went around again to know about the situation. The information he found was disturbing but instead of letting it go, he planned something else. With a smile and hooded face, he came back to the palace. But his smile was nothing sweet and his eyes showed pure fire.
He knows the speed of rumor is faster than the truth to spread. He is a predator and this predator found a perfect moment to show everyone not to play with his flower.
He sends a word for Lady Celestine to join him in the castle for a personal dinner with him. He expected to be over with it but the distance made it delayed. He decided not to dwell and focus on his task and join her after her arrival.
He was finally notified about the arrival of Lady Celestine. And there she was, sitting straight and in a tight dress as any other. Much to his internal fantasies and dark thoughts, he couldn't possibly punish her right there and then. He is respectful towards females.
He knows Lady Celestine.
Lady Celestine is a woman of noble life. All the life she has lived in luxury. Being the only kid to her parents has also made her filled with ego. She has got everything she desires on a silver platter. Attention from men was also not a new thing for her, she was considered the most beautiful noble around. It was considered not hard for her to gain the attention of the king.
She was there at the party. Like other noble and royal maiden, dancing and looking around for a possible suitor. That was where she saw the royal attire and the crown. Broad shoulder and the aura which makes you tremble in fear.
His glory was not hidden from anyone and neither was his strength. One can easily overlook the scar on his face with the position that comes with his title. But at the party, no one saw him dancing with anyone.
Soon a rumor went into the air. People talked about how their king is supposedly smitten by a maiden. Some say he went on a ride with her on his personal horse. But there was one that says that the king was courting her since before the party which was why he supposedly did not dance with anyone else.
That was the moment she decided to try her luck. The only people who know her other than the king himself are his knights, his head chef, and chef's mother, and the royal seamstress. So why not use this opportunity which represented itself.
She has already fed her friends with lies which they believed without a second thought. She went as far as to fake a ring as an engagement ring. It was supposed to help her in gaining attention and not
It was easier for her to pull the facade due to the absence of knowledge about the particular girl. But unknown to her there are many enemies of Alexander who can take this false statement of her seriously. But obviously, one lie leads to another. And when Alexander decided to have small talk with her and to tell her what wrong she did, she took it with a cherished grin.
She believed that he has fallen in her beauty if not then he will. She even went as far as to tell everyone she met in the castle that she is their future queen. Which, didn't go unnoticed by Alexander.
Alexander was glad that he didn't choose her as her future queen. He could clearly see that she was a woman of self-center. Although he never argues or looks down against women, he can't let her future queen be threatened for her place in his heart by some other girl.
He decided to see if she and her family should be given a chance or not. But then he suddenly frowned over his thoughts. He never cared about these things then why now? His flower is changing him for sure. He merely shook his head and hide his emotions behind the mask.
"Ahh... Lady Celestine. I pray your trip was relaxing."
"My king... Of curse. It was a verry pleasant one."
Alexander simply quirked one of his eyebrows. He may have not slept around women or have any of such intimate encounters as he had with Isabella, but that certainly doesn't mean that he could not sense the meaning behind her words.
His eyes glimmered with a shine and signaled his butler to serve the meal.
She was already wearing a deep round neck dress which showed her cleavages. He knows that many men may observe those features but he was never interested in it. And now he does not have a reason to be.
"I heard you claimed to be my fiancee. May I know the reason behind such action?"
The eyes of Lady Celestine became wide but then a sparkle passed through them and she smiled sweetly at him.
"My King, I heard people talking and spreading rumors about you. I could not let them accuse you of such a low act."
Alexander's eyes darkened and a smirk played on his face.
"Your words contain some deep meaning Lady Celestine. Not to mention, your life may be in danger."
"My King. I assure you I will remain loyal to you."
"Lady Celestine. You are of a noble life. I believe you should not risk your life."
"My king. I am at your service."
"Thank you Lady Celestine for showing your loyalty towards your king and your future queen. However, it was not required."
"Pardon?"
"Lady Celestine. The less knowledge you have, the better it will be."
A frown appeared on the face of Lady Celestine. She could not understand the meaning behind the words of Alexander.
If there was anything Alexander hates other than traitors, it was liers. He could clearly see through her facade. People call her a beauty. But now he feels conflicted.
He was not unknown from the fact that Lady Celestine has got a lot of suitors for herself. Be it her beauty or wealth. Being the only heir of Duke Lukeworth has made her rich. People would kill for her.
"Lady Celestine, I suggest you personally make it clear to everyone that you are not the one I am to wed. Make sure you clear your lie or I will have to punish your family seeing as they were included in your planning. The decision is in your hand."
Lady Celestine was shocked but yet her wide smile did not lessen. She couldn't understand where she went wrong. Usually, people follow her to spent anytime they find with her but Alexander completely declined the offer.
The way he defended his fiancee, and seem unfazed by the rumor sowed her the truth she did not want to believe. It showed her that sometimes there is a reality behind the rumor or maybe he was trying to avoid his wedding with her.
She bit her lip. He said 'future queen' which means they are yet to wed. This piece of information was enough for her to try again.
"My king, I understand but I believe that a beautiful woman, someone who knows delicacy should stand by your side. Someone who knows how to run a kingdom should wed to you."
"Lady Celestine. I appreciate your concern. But I wonder what made you believe she is not."
A smirk played on his face. He doesn't require someone to tell him about the hidden meaning behind her words. He was understanding her desires completely.
Lady Celestine became silent. She knows no one has seen her. Sure the preparation is going on but no one can exactly pinpoint who she is.
"I just worry my king. I worry for the kingdom and the people."
"Lady Celestine, the woman I am to wed might be hidden from the knowledge of others. But I can assure you that she stands on the ground and measures you just stated."
"My king, you are saying as if our future queen is our king. One may believe you to work under her.*chuckle* "
"Lady Celestine. Queen is not a mere woman with a title but a leader chosen by the king. If something happens to the king, the queen will lead the people. I believe I should give my people a suitable queen for such a task."
"Looks like you are talking about a warrior and not a fighter. A queen should look pretty and stand delicately. I believe her to be a maiden and not a hoyden."
"What makes you believe so Lady Celestine?"
"A Lady should be etiquette at all times. Under no circumstances she should behave otherwise my king. I believe, you may not be able to find your ideal one."
"Lady Celestine. What is wrong in being a hoyden?"
"They are not adequate to be called a Lady-in-waiting let alone a queen."
"Lady Celestine. Please, enjoy your dinner and clear out with the lie you spoke. Also, keep in mind not to do such things again, I may have to take strict actions."
Alexander refused to say anything else and walked out of the dining room. With fisted hands and clenched jaws, he took quick steps.
A hoyden she says. Lady-in-waiting, she says. Time will tell her how much of queen she is than Lady Celestine will ever be.
"I never thought that you will actually leave her to it alone. And will make her stood up like that."
That was the first thing Ethan decided to ask his friend after Alexander was done telling him about his dinner with Lady Celestine. It didn't matter anymore if Lady Celestine told everyone about her lies after dinner or not. His maids have surely made it done by their gossiping.
"Your, future queen, as you put it, has never given me a reason to doubt the condition of the kingdom under her rule. And she continues to learn more. The least I can do is defend her."
"Alexander, if I may ask, she has beauty, family name, and a lot more. She could be made a perfect queen with looks, pride, fame nose up in the air and... Why did you reject her?"
"Because she only sees the rainbow and the one I to wed is willing to face the storm."