Mona Serinna couldn't take it in any more. These shameless being had sauntered on like he owned the place, proclaimed that they were in-laws even though a proper agreement had not been reached on the issue of alliance and now he even chose the bride to be himself! Who does that? She banged the table with her first and shouted in anger.
"Nicklaus Lynn, who do you think you are? Tearing the array, barging in on a meeting and even declaring your choice of bride! Your father, Mikel didn't even do this much before he was... damn! You are not having Ophelia! You f*ck*n bastard! The table as if waiting for her to finish, broke down, the pieces flying all over the place.
Unaffected, Nicklaus adjusted himself in his sit, served himself tea, took a sip and said: "The tastes as good as always, I'll tell my bride to teach me when she becomes my wife. Mona Serinna, don't be so worked up. I'll take my bride with or without your permission. After all you seem to be the only one with an objection."
Mona Serinna looked around and realised that she was the only one who was against this idea. The other elders though not comfortable with Nicklaus's way of breaching the town, had no objections about him choosing the weak Ophelia as his bride. Who can he blame for being too arrogant and self conceited, leaving the swan for a duck. Moreover, they had long being tired of pretending to not be troubled by the constant complaints of the other youths about Ophelia's strange behaviour. For them, it was killing two birds with one stone.
Mona Lisa who had not spoken throughout the meeting decided to be the peacemaker between Mona Serinna and the others who had started a silent confrontation. She could see the sweat forming on the foreheads of the elders as none of them could stand the mental attack from Serinna.
" Alpha- king, please be benevolent and step outside for a while while we discuss the necessary arrangements for the bridal arrangements."
Nicklaus nodded in acknowledgement and stepped out with Derrick tailing him.
"Mona Serinna, I know Ophelia is your ward but she will be married to the greatest man in this kingdom and remember we need this alliance to stop the rituals and protect our people from the Demonicans. You witnessed it yourself today that the array is not as strong as it used to be. I'm afraid we have even less time to fix this issue. You can make a fair demand in exchange for this."
Mona Serinna clapped her hands and got up slowing. There was a sudden change in the air. The whole space was distorting. All the furniture and accessories in the hall have already been ground into power. The elders were also in a very terrible state as their clothes were begin to be shredded off there bodies. If this continues they would soon be naked.
Mona Lisa and Galia shouted at the same time
"Enough!"
"Enough!"
The distortion suddenly disappeared and some unprepared elders got thrown away by the force. Most of them were in a sorry state. Mona Serinna still took her unyielding stand but the air was at least breathable now.
Mona Galia shouted "Mona Serinna, as an elder you need to look at the brighter picture!"
"Really now, Galia. You can even teach me morals. Why did you not speak this righteously when your granddaughter, Parteia was chosen. Didn't you fight tooth and nail? haha" Mona Serinna was exasperated now. These old foxes want to throw my baby away. I won't let them!
A Temis cough and said "How about we call Ophelia and ask her if she wishes to go or not?"
Mona Serinna wanted to speak again but Mona Lisa signalled her to hold it for a while.
"Okay, will send for Ophelia now" agreed Mona Galia.
"No need. I will contact her" said Mona Serinna. As she spoke a whiff of black smoke came out of her hand and flew through the window. Soon, light footsteps could be heard. Everyone followed the sound and a young woman fell in their line of sight. She was an ethereal beauty yet they couldn't describe it. Her features were both delicate and fierce. Wait, what? Fierce! They looked again but all they saw was a vulnerable beauty. She seems to be swaying along with the air in the room as she walked towards them. "Yes, that's it". The elders convinced themselves that they must have been hallucinating earlier. How could Ophelia look fierce? "I must have been winded by the drama earlier. This Serinna doesn't know how to give people face. hmmp." They further convinced themselves.
If only these elders had mentioned it to just one other person, they would have discovered that the coincidence was infact not a coincidence.
Ophelia stepped up the stage and curtesied.
"This humble one acknowledges your presence, elders." She lowed her head and kept biting her fingers. Don't daring to look up. Some compassionate elders were already considering compromising and going against the Alpha king for her. Such a pitiful child should be protected.
"Ophelia, child. Don't be scared. We want to ask you if you are willing to marry the Alpha king of Lycanthrope. He is a strong man and he can protect you from bullies and treat you well. In fact he asked for you personally"
Ophelia didn't look up, she was snaring at Mona Galia's speak. was she coaxing a baby. "I'm only weak not stupid" She rolled her eyes over and over again in her head but suddenly stiffened when she heard the last part of the speech. "That bastard! How does he even know me! Shit! Since he wants to marry me so eagerly how can I refuse to personally punish the idiot for thinking of marrying me."
Ophelia raised her head, smiled foolishly and held tightly to her clothes wrinkling them with much force. Pitiful clothes being punish in place of Nicklaus. Only Mona Serinna knew that her baby was already making up ways to kill someone.
Before Ophelia could reply them, ther was a commotion at the door. Nicklaus was about to barge in and Derrick was trying to hold him back from the door, he said "What's taking so long. Don't think about playing tricks on me. No bride, no alliance!" Derrick finaling succeeded in pulling him out the door. The hall regained it's decorum.
Ophelia gasped in surprise. She couldn't believe that the said ruthless king of the Werewolves was such an unrestrained and uncultured brat. Really now? Was she getting married to brat.This is becoming more interesting.
On the other hand the elders thought that she must have been shocked from the scene. Temis Harman got up to calm her down thinking that she must have been scared silly by the aggressively of the man.
"erh... cough cough... He is not usually like that. he is just anxious to get you. He likes you very much, that's why". Ophelia just looked on with the silly smile on her face. Rolling are eyes in her head, she said shyly in almost whispers as only Temis Harman could hear her: "sir, you are bad at coaxing". A blush suddeningly crept on the Temis's face.
"I'll marry him" replied Ophelia quietly.