Tristan stared in disbelief at the transparent blue window floating in front of him.
It was the first time the system had given him a task with a complete explanation of why he had to complete the task perfectly.
Tristan didn't need to wonder why the system had given him such a task, but a feeling of dread gripped his chest tightly.
The system had given him a hint, but he was barred from discovering why Crown Princess Maristella would become his biggest enemy since he had to turn down King Oberon's political marriage proposal.
Tristan tightened like a board, and his heart raced so rapidly that he was worried his most crucial organ would explode. Both hands on his thighs were trembling.
So far, this special task was the hardest because it involved another kingdom.
If he failed to complete the special task according to the system's wishes, he would die. The penalty was the same as the second and third tasks.
However, Tristan's brain was not working. He did not know how to refuse political marriage. Carlos Madigan and all the royal officials would definitely agree to him marrying Crown Princess Maristella.
"You should get to meet my daughter first," said King Oberon. He asked one of his soldiers to bring his daughter into the room. He did not notice Tristan's pale face and restless eyes.
Secretly, Tristan tried to calm himself down. He had to be able to hide his true feelings. He had three days; he must be sure he could complete the task perfectly.
Crown Princess Maristella entered the room. Tristan stood stiffly. Maristella smiled broadly at Tristan and bowed her body as a sign of respect.
"My daughter is beautiful, isn't she?" King Oberon was proud that his daughter had a beautiful face like his queen. He thanked God because his daughter did not inherit his scary face.
Tristan nodded. He didn't know what to answer.
"Nice to meet you, Your Highness the Crown Princess." Tristan smiled formally.
"Nice to meet you too, Your Majesty the King." Crown Princess Maristella was still smiling broadly. She was so beautiful and graceful.
Tristan spied on Maristella's appearance. She was wearing a long light blue dress that exposed a bit of her shoulders; her wavy black hair was left loose, and some of it was placed in front; her eyes were light brown, and her skin was light.
She was beautiful. Her smile was captivating. Her gaze was soft and sparkling. Her voice was melodious and a little seductive.
Tristan admitted that Maristella was very beautiful, but unfortunately, the system forbade Tristan from marrying her. Tristan remembered the witch Jane, who looked like a Barbie.
It seemed that Tristan was not destined to marry a beautiful woman who could charm the hearts of all men.
"I don't know why my dad suggested that I marry you. Therefore, please allow me to stay in your palace for a week, Your Majesty," said Crown Princess Maristella to Tristan.
"You and I have the right to decide whether we are worthy of being husband and wife," said Maristella firmly and stared intensely at Tristan.
"You're right." Tristan nodded. He was very grateful that Crown Princess Maristella was not a princess who would just follow her father's words.
King Oberon appeared resigned to seeing his rebellious daughter. Who would have believed that, despite his intimidating appearance, he could not be fierce with his daughter and let her do anything she wanted?
Tristan grinned faintly. It appeared simple to reject the political marriage proposal. He would make Crown Princess Maristella dislike him and believe that he was not her ideal husband.
***
Tristan rested his elbows on the arm of the chair with his gaze fixed on the red carpet that stretched from his chair to the door.
He liked to daydream. He didn't know how many hours he had been doing nothing, and he felt as if he was an unemployed person.
The two knights were a few steps to the right of their king. They were willing to listen to their king's outpourings and provide their opinions if their king required them.
"You haven't informed anyone about King Oberon's political marriage proposal, right? To the royal family or the royal officials," Tristan turned to his two knights.
"We will not tell anyone without your orders, Your Majesty." Knight Aiden and Knight Ajax answered in unison.
"Good. I like you guys," Tristan said.
Tristan leaned back as he felt his back ache. It seemed like he had been sitting for a few hours. It was probably time for him to return to his room, and he hoped he would not run into Crown Princess Maristella.
Tristan did not want to know what the future queen of the Widomar Kingdom was doing. They did not need to chat to get to know each other better because they were not getting married!
As Tristan was about to stand up, there was a knock on the door of the room, and the soldier guarding the door said that the prime minister wanted to see him.
His two knights placed a chair next to him for the prime minister, who could no longer stand for long.
"Greetings to His Majesty the King." The prime minister bowed while touching his chest. Tristan nodded and invited him to sit. "I have received news that King Oberon has suddenly come to see you."
"Yes, the news is true." Tristan nodded. He glanced at the prime minister, who matched his father.
"May I ask what brought him to you?" The prime minister showed his great curiosity.
Tristan studied the prime minister closely. He wondered whether the prime minister would support him marrying Maristella or if he would agree with Tristan's decision. But at least the prime minister was trustworthy.
"King Oberon wanted me to marry his daughter," Tristan said.
The prime minister was shocked. "That is shocking news. Will you accept it?"
"I have told you and my father that I will marry the woman I love, haven't I? That is why you all have never been busy looking for a princess or a noblewoman for me," Tristan said.
The prime minister nodded, and his face looked happy. "I have sworn to support all your decisions, Your Majesty."
"As I expected," Tristan said. He was very relieved. He had a prime minister who was always on his side. "I have not informed my father or the royal officials yet. They will undoubtedly support my marriage to Crown Princess Maristella, won't they?"
The Widomar Kingdom was ranked second as the kingdom with the world's largest and most powerful army. They also make high-quality weapons.
Carlos Madigan, the defense minister, and the generals were anxious about what would happen if the Pireakan Kingdom attacked them.
Although Madigan had more soldiers than the Pireakan Kingdom, their soldiers had not been on the battlefield for a long time.
If Tristan were engaged or married to Crown Princess Maristella, King Oberon would certainly help Madigan when the Pireakan Kingdom or other kingdoms attacked them.
"That is absolutely true, Your Majesty. This news must not be spread." The prime minister said seriously. "You don't have to worry about anything. Leave this to me."
"Okay. I trust you." Tristan nodded. Then Tristan raised an eyebrow at how eager the prime minister was to keep the news a secret.
"Why did you support me in rejecting the political marriage proposal?" Tristan asked.
The Prime Minister held his breath. Then he looked around with a wary expression despite the fact that the only people in the room were him, his king, and his king's two knights.
Tristan pushed his head closer to the prime minister as the older man indicated that this was a serious conversation.
"I've heard from a credible source that King Oberon is on good terms with the Witch King. Several countries' kings already know about it. This is evident in the strained relationship between the Widomar Kingdom and several of its allies," the prime minister stated softly, almost whispering.
Tristan's eyes widened, and he immediately covered his gaping mouth. His heart almost stopped beating.
If King Oberon had a good relationship with the witch king, it was likely that Crown Princess Maristella did as well.
Was that the reason why the system said that Crown Princess Maristella was her formidable enemy?