Ara did not want to take back the offer. This wasn't a marriage of love but of politics. The only thing she needed to do was calculate the benefit he would bring her. Prince Hamon would be her ace to change the bitter future of the Boxton family. There was no reason to hesitate now.
Ara opened her mouth to speak again, staring straight into his red eyes with calmness.
"Let me introduce myself first. I a—"
"Enough—" Hamon tried to interrupt her again, but Ara was quicker. She lifted her hand without hesitation and placed it on his mouth to stop him from speaking.
"Just hear me out, okay?" Ara's eyes were steady as she held her hand against his lips.
Hamon stared at her with an expression that clearly said, "How dare you?" But the look didn't faze her. She used her other hand to pull off her helmet. As it was lifted, the cold red eyes of the prince widened in surprise.
Long ginger hair poured out like liquid, dancing in the moonlight. Beneath the helmet, a pale, lean neck came into view, followed by petal-like lips and a straight nose. Finally, her beautiful green eyes appeared, darker under the moonlight and framed by long eyelashes. Hamon froze.
"Mmm," he tried to speak, but Ara's hand was still covering his mouth. She quickly put her hand down. "Sorry."
"You're a woman!" Hamon exclaimed, his eyes wide with shock.
There was a strong contrast between the rough scarlet armor worn by men and the pretty lady underneath. The effect was breathtaking.
"I am the eldest daughter of the second major general of Findara," Ara introduced herself.
"The Boxton family?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
Ara was stunned to hear him say her family's name. But of course, he would know them; her father was a general. She nodded. "Yes, the Boxton."
Hamon stared at her for a minute before asking again, as if doubting her.
"General Richard is your father?"
Ara gave Hamon a look of complete disbelief. "You know my father?" she asked, without answering his question. Her confused expression deepened. Her father had never mentioned knowing the mysterious crown prince. It was understandable if he knew her family's name, but her father? The crown prince never showed up at meetings or gatherings, and nobody knew him in the kingdom. Moreover, he never stayed in the kingdom for long.
Hamon's surprised expression cleared and was replaced by his usual mysterious, stoic face. He looked at the sword sitting beside her and asked,
"How did you know where to find me? And since when do women start carrying swords?"
At Hamon's sudden question, Ara calmed her confused thoughts and began organizing the response she had prepared. She couldn't give him the truth but still had to provide a plausible answer. If she told him she knew he would be here because she was from the future, he would think of her as a crazy woman. Clearing her throat, she said in a calm voice,
"I'm not supposed to learn about sword fighting, so I sneaked out to practice and happened to find you in danger."
"So you're saying all this is just a coincidence?" he asked, an amused smile playing on his lips.
She could tell by Hamon's amused expression that he didn't believe her. Of course, he wouldn't. There were many holes in her story; everything was a lie. Despite her carefully planned excuse, it was Ara who had saved him from the attackers. He could not be suspicious of her, even if there was doubt. If she had bad intentions, she would never have risked her life to help him. Ara's actions spoke louder than any believable explanation. But still...
Hamon nodded before she could say anything else. "Alright... if that's what you say."
"What?" Ara was taken aback. He wasn't even willing to listen to her a moment ago, and now his sudden understanding caught her off guard. Hamon continued speaking in a soft voice while Ara looked on, still confused.
"I believe you. There's no need to explain."
What? Why would he believe her? Ara barely managed to hold back the questions begging to spill from her lips. This was a good result, no matter what, and she didn't want to spoil the atmosphere with unnecessary inquiries. Ara quietly observed the man before her while Hamon seemed to be in a more inquisitive mood.
"Why did you suddenly ask me to marry you?" he asked.
He said he wouldn't get married, but now he's acting like it never happened? What an annoying two-faced jerk! Ara thought internally.
"You were being arrogant a while ago," she said aloud.
"It's different now," he replied with a soft smile.
"How is it different?" she asked, her voice laced with confusion.
"Because you're Arabella Boxton," he responded in a gentle tone.
"What?" Ara was surprised. It was a completely unexpected answer. She hadn't expected him to say that. And how on earth did he know her name? She didn't remember ever telling him her name.
"How did you know my name, Your Highness?"
"Don't you know me?" he asked, equally surprised.
His eyes simmered strangely. She had never seen the crown prince in her previous life. If she had, she could never have forgotten his handsome face. So maybe that's not what he meant? Or perhaps he was talking about back there on the battlefield?
"As soon as I saw you fighting on the battlefield, I knew you were the crown prince," she said.
"That's not what I was asking," he said, narrowing his eyes.
"Then what are you asking? Did you know me before now, Your Highness?"
How could this be? I couldn't forget those green eyes of hers. Am I mistaken? Hamon thought as he sat there, staring at her face as if searching for something. But when he didn't find whatever it was he was looking for, he said,
"If you don't remember... then forget it. Our meeting in the past never existed."
Ara heard his vague reply, which only deepened her confusion. She paused to think for a moment before Hamon spoke again.
"Now answer my question."
"What question?"
Hamon repeated his question.
"Why do you want to marry me?"
"Oh, that's because..."
Whatever the circumstances, Ara's desire to marry Hamon had not changed. She continued in a calm voice,
"As the daughter of the general, I am eager for you to become king. I would be honored to help you get there by marrying you."
She sounded like a noblewoman with ambitions to marry upward, as if she wanted to make her husband the king and become the highest-ranking woman in the kingdom.
"You wish for me to become king?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
There was a change in Hamon's expression, but Ara could sense his uncertainty. She swallowed dryly, feeling desperate. She wanted to go down on her knees, hold on to his pant leg, and beg him to marry her. With Hamon by her side, she could deal with Cornell. She needed to ensure Hamon took the throne and made him powerful.
What if he refused? She had planned countless responses in her head depending on his answer. Her head felt like it could explode. Hamon's lips, which had been tightly sealed, finally opened as he spoke.
"Aren't you afraid of the curse?"
"I am sincere when I say I want to be your wife. Even if you don't want to get married, I w—"
"Who said I don't want to marry you?" he interrupted.
"What?"
"I like the idea."
"Wh-what? Does that mean it's a yes?" she asked, staring at him doubtfully.
Hamon's red eyes gleamed as he moved closer to her. Ara could feel his breath on her face, and she froze, not blinking or breathing. He was invading her personal space. She wanted to move back, but he held her still with his mesmerizing red eyes.
Hamon looked closely at the brave woman who had proposed to him. He watched her every movement, studying her green eyes, her little pointed nose, and finally, her beautiful, inviting lips.
What a brave woman, he thought with an evil smirk on his face.
"Yes, I will marry you, Arabella Boxton."
Ara's heart skipped a beat when she heard his response. She remained frozen on the ground, unable to believe that the crown prince had agreed to marry her. No words came from her lips. Her heart thumped as she noticed him looking at her lips. She quickly cleared her throat and moved back slightly.
"Let me ask you this... you know I could be a monster, right?" Hamon's gaze shifted to his hand, which had begun to grow long, sharp claws with purple veins. Ara's brows furrowed in worry, but she hesitated to ask about what he truly was. When she did not respond, Hamon spoke again in a solemn voice.
"I'll give you time to think carefully about this. Because once you become my wife... there is no turning back."