Your highness, the princess" a general spoke up
"General Lenard, is there something wrong with her presence?" He asked with a cold gaze which made the general speechless
"Your highness" general Bartel butted in, he was obviously the oldest in the meeting so when he spoke up everyone remained quiet to listen to him
"You know your wife is not supposed to be part of this specific meeting. We are just curious as to why you decided to bring her along" he explained calmly and carefully. Alexander diverted his gaze to the general whom he respected the most, not just for his age but also his nobility
"As you said, she. is. My. Wife. and. future. Queen."He emphasized on every word
"And so she has every right to be here" he said with finally and the generals sighed in defeat. Elaine who suddenly felt confused at the words "future queen " griped onto Alexander a bit tighter as if secretly telling him to look at her which he did and once their eyes locked gazes all the coldness disappeared and what was left was a sweet loving tenderness which awed everyone in the room. He gently placed his hand on Elaine's and gave her a slight nod which she seemed to understand
"Well, I think this meeting should start right about now" he said after locking cold gazes onto each and everyone of the generals present
"Well, your highness" general Bartel started
"We realized that according to our last meeting the troops we have aren't really enough and that's why general Lenard is here with his daughter lady Destia to propose a deal" the general said straightforwardly
"What deal?" Alexander inquired directing his question to the general who sat opposite them with his daughter beside him, she had raven black long hair just like Alexander and rosy lips, her the color of her eyes couldn't be seen clearly as she had her head bowed down the whole time. She wore a rosy pink off shoulder light gown that showed her cleavage and her long legs would definitely attract any man
"Well your highness" the general stood with his daughter
"As you know I have the highest troops amongst all the other general and I'd be willing to help you with all of my men but in exchange, my daughter here is elegant and fine to be your wife. As you know her coming of age ceremony was two years ago and proposals have been coming from her but my daughter is a precious egg to me and I can't hand her out to just any man. I truly believe that my daughter will be more safe and secure as your wife, she would also be sure to serve you well. Isn't that right daughter?" He turned his attention to his blushing daughter
"Of course father. I promise to serve his highness and to be loyal to him alone, she said and bowed elegantly to Alexander. Elaine felt her blood boil and she couldn't help it
'she bowed at him in the way her cleavage would be fully exposed to his viewing. So shameless and why did she have to look at my husband seductively. He is my husband' Elaine scolded in her head while staring daggers at the girl
"Well, you really are a beauty to behold lady Destia" Alexander complimented earning a confused look from Elaine
"Oh thank you your highness" lady Destia felt so happy that she got complimented by Alexander
"But did you forget who I am" his cold piercing voice made her shiver
"I am prince Alexander, the coldest monster you've ever seen. Would you still marry me after knowing that?" Her resolve wavered for minutes but after a slight nudge by her father she agreed
'of course this pervert Prince would marry her, she such a beauty and no man would refuse her' Elaine said with regret and jealousy eating her whole being
"Okay, but I am not interested in getting married to you" his statement shocked everyone in the room including his wife
"But-...your highness" general Lenard tried to butt in, but was stopped by Alexander
"I will only have one wife and one queen and that is my wife princess Elaine Alexander Don Ashley " he said with finalty not wanting to hear any if's or but's. Elaine felt butterflies in her stomach and her cheeks burned red in shyness. Hearing him say her name with his surname made her feel a sense of belonging which she had never felt before
"General Lenard" general Bartel butted in
"I think you should give his highness some time to think on this" he suggested
"Yes, I think general Bartel is right" general McMullen said not wanting to be left out any longer and the rest of the generals all nodded in conclusion. General Lenard finally took his seat and so did his daughter who had a sour look plastered on her face
"If there's nothing more to talk about then I and my wife are leaving. We have personal things to attend to" and with that he stood up with Elaine and left the receiving room.
They walked hand in hand in their personal garden right outside their courtyard with Halsey and Micheal standing few feets away from them . Both lost in thoughts and silence reigned until Alexander finally broke it
"What are you thinking about " he asked calmly
"Would you answer my questions this time " she stopped walking and asked staring deep into his eyes
"I'll answer all your questions except the one about that night " he said
"Why?" She asked starting to feel a bit annoyed
"Because-" he couldn't complete his statement. He didn't know how to explain things to Elaine
"What's wrong " Elaine probbed further
"No am just. Am scared wife" he blurted
"Why?"
"Am a monster. You've seen that yourself but you haven't seen me in my full monstrous state. That night I was still in control of myself but, I was about to loose it wife. I almost let it out" he said with a pained voice