"Your Majesty, I understand your confusion with my sudden proposal to the third princess, but I know what I am doing. I know what I want," Alec said in a calm manner, looking at the Queen coldly. His eyes were like the ocean in its darkest shade, never showing the world underneath, which made it the most dangerous.
Could not take the humiliation, Lord Merriweather excused his family and left the table. Cassandra was about to stand and leave as well, but she stopped when the King gave her a look to stay in her seat. The King did not want any of his family members to look pathetic. Walking out meant embarrassment, and he did not want that, especially not tonight when a lot of eyes were watching them.
"Lord Everston, I think this is subject for further discussion as I believe canceling a marriage is one thing, but having another engagement the next day is another," the Queen replied. "We would not want to spark a big controversy, would we?"
Alec's eyes narrowed a bit, staring sharply at the Queen. He was about to come up with a witty reply to shut the old woman, when the King tapped the Queen's hand on the table, gesturing for her to stop.
Queen Thalia pursed her lips in annoyance. Lauren saw how sharp the Queen's glare was, and she could not help but smirk a bit.
Meanwhile, Vincent continued slicing the meat on his plate as if he was in a fine dining restaurant enjoying a play in front of him. He was the only one at the table who was still eating, and Lauren could not help but glance his way every time his utensils create noises against the plate.
"Let me ask you this, Lord Everston," the King said. "Are you sure of your decision?"
"I only do things I am sure of, Your Majesty. I'm sure you know that," Alec was quick to reply.
King Martin nodded. "Why do you want to marry my third daughter, then? I never heard of you two having a good time together. How did you like her when all the men in town see her as a ruined lady?"
Ruined lady. Lauren smiled inwardly at the thought. How people see her never affected her because she knew herself more than anyone, and she believed that was enough. Besides, wasn't it entertaining to hear people's different versions of your story?
"If I am allowed to ask since you are talking about that, do you also see your own daughter as a ruined lady, King Martin? Would you also say the bad qualities of Princess Cassandra if I happened to propose to her?"
Lauren was surprised by Alec's question. No sane man would talk that way to a royal, especially to a King, if he was someone with a lower position. He dared question the King's word and indirectly imparted that he was being unfair.
"Lord Everston, I think you are being disrespectful-"
King Martin raised his hand to stop the Queen from speaking and answered the lord himself.
"You must have misunderstood me, Lord Everston. I only want to know how you saw my youngest daughter as a potential wife when it is known all over Evardin how bad her reputation is. I am just a father who wants assurance that my daughter will be in the right hands."
"If that is the case, then I must say you have nothing to worry about, Your Majesty. I will make sure Princess Lauren is well taken care of if she becomes my wife."
The idea of marrying someone and walking down the aisle after four failed engagements made Lauren gulp. She realized it was not as easy as she thought now that it was finally happening.
"But I strongly believe you should think twice about this, Lord Everston. My Eloise and Cassandra are much more suitable to be your wife-"
"Queen Thalia," Alec stopped the Queen's blabbering, which only very few could do. "I shall marry the woman of my preference or not marry at all."
That struck the Queen like lightning. She felt deeply embarrassed and humiliated, and how she was holding up the fire in her mouth was evident on her flaring face.
"Do you want to marry Lord Everston over Lord Merriweather's son, Lauren?" The King asked.
Now everyone's eyes were on her, and honestly, she was surprised.
"I must say, that quite surprised me, Father," Lauren said with a smile. "In my past three engagements, you never asked me if I wanted to marry them. This is new."
"Please don't talk like that, Lauren. Papa only wants the best for you," Eloise said in a soft voice, portraying her good girl character so well.
"Lauren dear, you should be thankful that those gentlemen were willing to marry you. Even if your face is pretty decent for a girl, most men in the town don't want to put a ring on your finger because they simply don't see you as wife material," the Queen added and Lauren's brow twitched in annoyance.
"Oh, I don't see any gentleman who is husband material in the town anyway, so why is it important to be a wife material? Don't you think it is just a waste of time, Your Majesty?" Lauren retorted.
King Martin cleared his throat and shifted his gaze to Vincent who was delightfully eating his meal.
"My apologies if you find it uncomfortable here at our table, Lord Vincent. If you want to leave, I would not mind."
Alec looked at Vincent with a cold face and Vincent raised a brow, questioning the look Alec was giving.
With a sly smile, Vincent answered the King, "Fret not, Your Majesty. I am enjoying my dinner. I live in the palace of Acheron, and the things that happen there during dinner are worse, so this is nothing to me."
"Are you really enjoying your dinner, or are you just trying to pry, my lord?" Lauren asked in a low voice that was only meant for Vincent to hear.
Vincent only smirked.
"Your Majesty," Alec eyed the King. "Since you asked Princess Lauren if she wanted to marry me, I guess it is better if I should ask her myself."
Alec then brought his gaze to the lady across from him. Although Lauren already had her twentieth birthday, in his eyes, she was really young for a wife. The sides of her rich auburn hair were braided at the back, while the rest were flowing down her shoulders. She was petite and fair-skinned compared to her elder sisters, and her small body frame made her look younger than her actual age.
When she was silent and not doing anything, one would think she was a fragile lady who knew nothing in the world apart from the things she learned from her bridal class. But as Alec looked into her bright blue eyes staring back at him, he knew there was more to her than what she appeared to be. And he was intrigued by this young lady who wanted to rule the world with her little fingers. He wanted to see what else she was capable of, and what else she could offer him.
"Princess Lauren, do you want to marry me?" Alec asked, and Lauren realized it was actually the first time a man asked her that question since she had no say in her past betrothals. "The answer is simple. Is it a yes or a no?"