Chapter Sixty-Seven:
Reinhardt's Residence
"My Prince." Suddenly Iman came with an envelope in his hand.
"What is that?"
"It came from the Elders." He answered and handed me the envelope.
I took it and open it and as I read the content of the letter, I finally realize that the Elders already been decided to break off my engagement with the daughter of their King. Though, I will still be the next at the throne even without that engagement that is why I don't have to worry about my enthronement.
That made me to question the letter that I received. "I want to ask them personally." I decided and stand up bringing the letter with me. "Let's meet the Elders now."
"Yes, my Prince."
Manu Mansion
"Here we are, my Prince." Iman announced.
"Good," I answered before Iman opened the door of my carriage and here we are at the front door of the Manu Mansion.
The Manu Mansion is an ancient place, the oldest one they brought the perspective of passing years and yet the elegance, the uniqueness and the glamour of the whole place still looks the same as before it blooms more as time goes by. The same as the Manu Palace, it has the ambiance of a wonderful landscape that will surely tell everyone the history that unfolds each of the corners of the whole place.
"A magnificent sight." I spilled out what I truly feel whenever I came to this place. "Announce my coming." I ordered Iman.
Afterwards…
"What is your reason for coming?" Elder Brennan asked me as soon as they let me in.
"I came here to discuss the letter that I received today."
"It is clearly stated in the letter, we are finalizing to break the agreement of your marriage to the daughter of King Harkan."
"For what cause?"
"Because the Princess never shows up to you, not even once so we Elders agreed with the King not to precede the engagement."
Just for that simple reason they break our engagement? I couldn't believe that, but what else I can do.
"If that is your decision then, I'll agree to it." I simply answered before I decided to end our conversation.
Manu Palace
"So, you already break the engagement." Suddenly she came out of nowhere and stated a fact.
"That is what you wanted so that's what I did." I answered Navina.
Navina smiled. "Well then, you already agree with her relationship with Duke Haimon." she seriously stated.
"Not because I break the engagement I already agree to their relationship. Besides, until now he has never made a way to talk to me. So, why would I agree with them?"
"Maybe you know the state you have. You as a King and him as a Duke and came from different clans, so what do you want him to expect?"
"I know what you mean." I spoke. "But as a father, maybe he should give the due respect that I needed to see from him, right Princess Navina?"
She takes a deep breath before she answered. "On that aspect, yes, I agree with you King Harkan. And I do hope he will get the courage to finally meet and formally ask your permission to date with your daughter."
"I really hope so." I said and added. "Besides, I already told Siara that she could let Duke Haimon to come in here and it is only a matter of time, I can personally meet and talk to him."
"That's a good start." She spoke. "Anyway, I have to leave. And you need to hand over your daughter's last salary from her job, after all, you already know that she works at my shop, right?" she said as she put down the envelope at my desk.
"I wouldn't be surprised how you found out I already knew where she was working."
"Of course! I'm an elder Witch, remember?"
"Indeed. And I am thankful for your kindness you really took care of my daughter so well and you know what I mean."
"Indeed, I know but, the thing is no matter what we do to hide the truth, the time will come when her own fragrance will prevail and that we can no longer control."
Next day…
"Father," I called out at the front door of my father's office.
"Come in." he said and I take a very, very deep breath before I push the door open.
"Father…" there's still doubt into my heart and I couldn't just ignore it.
"Tell me, what brought you here?"
"Ahm," I swallow before I answered. "Haimon wants to meet you soon." fear and unease is what I truly feel after I said what I have to say.
"Good. When is he going?"
"Huh?!" I surprisingly look up to him.
"What? Is my answer surprising?"
"Yes." I honestly replied and since I couldn't hide it any longer, I decided to speak what I truly feel. "You know which clan he is from and your willingness to let him enter here in the very palace of the other clan is really surprising."
"You were right, he came from the Edelweiss Clan but he still has the courage to set foot on my land. So, what's the difference there with him stepping here inside the palace? Or perhaps he is afraid to face me, your father that is why he was--"
"No!" I suddenly cut him. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cut you off. But he is not as cowardly as you think. He already decided to meet up with you and even if he needs to step here inside our palace, he will do as you said."
"Good to hear that." He answered. "Then this conversation is over. I wanted to meet him tonight at dinner."
He suddenly decided that surprised me but what else I can expect, that is my father and just like what he said about the 'engagement', that will be his final decision.
"I'll tell him." I answered before I left and went straight at the mountains.
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