Gerald sat with his legs crossed on the sofa as he stared at the couple, his future in-laws while sipping his tea as he waited for them to share the reason why he had suddenly been summoned to the chamber by King Zaius.
Dropping his teacup back on the table, he asked, "King Zaius, I don't believe you called me here to share your delicious tea with me, did you?"
The old man quirked a small smile, "Impatient, are we not?"
"I am a busy man, Your Majesty," Gerald answered, not bothering to hide his displeasure.
"Of course. Of course. I will make it short a one. It is about your marriage to my niece."
Already having an idea where the discussion was going, he cocked one of his perfect brows, "What about it, Your Highness?"
"Well, can you reconsider it?"
"Why? She won the contest, I believe."
"Yes, we know, but it was through cheating."
Gerald fondled with the ring on his index finger as he pretended not to know what they were talking about. He asked, "How did she cheat?" His eyes darted between the couple as they stared at each other in search of an explanation. How were they supposed to tell him that the little witch had outsmarted their daughter at the last minute?
"She deceived her cousin, Fiona." The King gritted his teeth, "She is not the one you are supposed to be getting married to."
"Then who is this lady you recommend?"
"Fiona, our daughter." Zaius declared proudly.
The queen decided to help her husband, "My prince, I promise you that the girl you have chosen is not good enough to be by your side. She doesn't have the grace and charisma to be the queen of a powerful kingdom such as Almor kingdom, and I am sure you know it too. She is strong-headed. She is a rebel. Trust me, she is not what you need. But you see, Fiona has everything you would ever ask for in a queen and a wife. She has been groomed for people like you."
Crossing his hands over his broad chest, he asked, "People like me? What exactly do you mean by that?"
"Great and powerful men like yourself need a lady like our precious daughter, Fiona."
"I see. But why is it only your daughter that was groomed to be by the side of these 'Men like me,'? Does that mean you ignored your late brother's children after his demise, Your Highness?" Gerald voiced his thought, ignoring the King's intense glare.
"I did no such thing, Prince Gerald." King Zaius gritted out while trying to calm his raging temper. He could not believe Gerald was questioning his generosity towards his late brother's children. Since his brother's death, he has provided for the children, making sure they had shelter and a proper upbringing. Well, look where it has landed me, he thought.
"If you say so, Your Majesty." Came Gerald's dismissive words.
"Your Highness," The queen began, "I trust you are a wise man, and I also trust you to make the right decision and not one you will regret later."
Gerald eyed the couple in front of him, and in a firm voice, he said, "Why are you questioning me if you trust me? That is quite contradictory, I must say."
"Your Highness," The queen began, "I trust you are a wise man, and I also trust you to make the right decision in this case and not one you will regret later."
Gerald eyed the couple in front of him, and in a firm voice, he said, "Why are you questioning me if you trust me? That is quite contradictory, I must say." "
"Your Highness, it is not that we do not trust your judgement. We are trying to help you."
"I understand your plight, but you see, the decision has already been made, and besides, your niece has something I need."
King Zaius's brows pinched together in curiosity, "She has something you need? What might that be?"
"Information." Came his vague reply. The room fell silent as they waited, hoping he would give out more information, but not a word was added.
Seeing that the young man was not going to say anything, King Zaius said, "Your Highness, I would love for you to think about what we have discussed so far. You might find it helpful in the future."
"Okay, I will think about it." Came Gerald's quick reply. "If that is all, Your Majesty." Though he made it sound like he was taking permission from the couple, they knew that was his way of politely asking them to drop the topic. "I want the wedding preparations to continue as planned. The best is expected of this wedding. So, Just do your part… well. One last thing, I hate drama."
Offering them a curt nod, Gerald strode out of the room, leaving the seething couple behind. Zaius paced the room, trying to calm his anger and frustration.
"My King, there is no reason to beat yourself up over this. I am sure the Prince will come to his senses when the time comes—"
"Silence, woman!" He glared down at his wife, who bowed her head meekly. "This is all your fault. You had just one job. One job, but you couldn't do it. One job of bringing up our daughter the right way, but no, you couldn't do it right. I offered her a golden opportunity, and all she had to do was obey a simple order, but no, she wanted to have it her way."
" Believe me, Your Highness. I did my best for our little princess. You can testify to that. I don't know why this is happening, but we can't abandon our daughter like that. You know it will be a blow to our reputation if your late brother's little brat of a daughter marries before our daughter. We have to do something."
"Something like what? The young man, who just walked out, is well known for his stubborn and cantankerous nature. It would be hard to make him reason with us. He listens to no one except himself."
"I will talk to your niece. Hopefully, she will come to her senses and do the right thing."
"If she is half as stubborn as she looks, then I doubt there is anything we can really do."
"You can't decide that yet. It might be worth giving a try."
"I would love to be left alone…"
Gerald's majestic strides came to a halt when someone nearly crashed into him at the entrance of the castle. He eyed the figure of his soon-to-be-wife safely tucked in the arms of Robinson. He didn't need to look twice to see the injury on her foot.
"Your Highness," Greeted Robinson, "She was attacked by a bunch of useless men in the forest." He explained.
The explanation aroused one of Gerald's brows as he briefly locked eyes with the little witch, who glared at him, "What was she doing in the forest?"
"I have no idea. She was probably taking a walk?" Robinson glanced down at the lady in his arms, and for the first time, he wondered what a lady, not just any lady, but a princess was doing back in the forest.
Gwendolyn rolled her eyes with a scoff in a very unladylike manner, "It never occurred to me I have become invisible. You can ask me the questions and get clear answers, hello?"
Ignoring her comment, Gerald continued, "Why were there no guards with her?"
"Because it wasn't necessary," She was tempted to say, but bit back the remark and settled for listening to them talk about her like she wasn't there.
"That is something you should discuss with your in-laws. Only heaven knows what would have happened to her if I hadn't been there on time."
Gwen directed her glare at Robinson, "I would have survived. I had everything under control."
A playful smile made its way to Robinson's lips, "Sure, you did." Eyes locked on Robinson's grey ones, Gwen was tempted to brush back the few locks that had fallen on his face. He was beautiful.
"Take her to her room and have the guards watch it. Tell them to make sure she doesn't leave the room without my permission. Tell the physician she is to be in perfect shape in less than ten days. No scar is to be left behind."
Gwen opened and closed her mouth till she could find her voice, "This is not your palace! How can you order something like that?"
Gerald's brow twitched, "Because I can."
Gwen was about to say something when someone interrupted her, "Goodness gracious!" Fiona's dramatic scream came from behind, "What happened to you?" When her eyes landed on her cousin's injured foot, something twinkled in her eyes, "Is your leg broken? Do we have to cancel the wedding? Oh, poor thing! Wait, were you trying to run away?"
Ignoring the newcomer, Gerald continued, "Try not to get yourself killed until I have squeezed out all the information I need from you." Fiona and batted her eyelashes at him, but before she could utter a word, the man walked away from them, making her pout like a kid.
Fiona's drama tripled Gwen's fatigue. "I would love to retire to my bedroom, please." She looked up at Rob, who nodded in understanding.
"Let me help you get settled in your room," Offered Fiona with a mischievous glint evident in her eyes.
"How kind of you, Your Highness. But don't worry yourself. I have this under control."
"And who are you to decide that?" Fiona manifested.
"Do well to meet His Highness for any further explanations."