Elina scowled facing Ethan and said no again.
Elina:
Had fun on your tour?
Ruth:
Yes. This place is indeed very quiet and peaceful.
Harren held back his laughter observing that Emperor Mirkan and the Crown Prince were both secretly glaring at Ethan who simply pretended to be oblivious to their hostility.
Mirkan:
King Ethan, I would like to have a word with you.
Ethan:
Pardon?
Elina:
??
Mirkan:
Word in private. Ellie my child, can you arrange a audience room?
Elina:
Sure your excellency.
A door appeared on their right.
Elina:
This is the room of Essentialism.
Ethan, Mirkan, Ruveliss and Harren entered.
Arkint and Ruth were surprised by the Emperor's reaction.
Elina:
I wonder what happened.
Ruth:
Poor king Ethan. He's going to have a rough time.
Elina:
Why so Duke?
Arkint:
You shall see.
Elina:
Let's go the main lounge. Would you both like to have tea?
Arkint:
It's an honor your majesty.
Elina:
Please just address me as Elina. You are my elders and my teachers.
Toeched by her answer, both smiled brightly and agreed.
Elina:
Follow me.
*****
Mirkan:
So you want to marry my granddaughter?
Ethan:
Pardon?
Mirkan was awfully blunt.
Mirkan:
Forget what I said. Don't think of approaching Elina.
Ethan:
Why sir?
Mirkan:
Because… she's too young.
Ethan raised his right brow.
Ethan:
Isn't that a bit hypocritical?
Harren flinched so did the Crown Prince.
Mirkan:
Children these days have become so bold.
Ethan:
We are not children your majesty. I didn't mean any offense by saying the term hypocritical either. I just find your reasoning invalid.
Mirkan:
How so?
Ethan:
Isn't Lady Aristia your son's fiancée?
Mirkan:
Yes she is.
Ethan:
You must want her to wed your son as soon as possible. You're asking for someone else's daughter so easily when she is barely 16 and barely an adult yet you are unwilling to do so the same with your own granddaughter. I just found that part hypocritical.
Mirkan was speechless. The Crown Prince and viscount were shell-shocked. Ethan was right.
Ethan:
Elina is turning 22 this year. And politically speaking, the alliance would be a better option. I am the King of Rua, your majesty.
Crown Prince Ruveliss:
You're the King and that's exactly the problem. Your own father has two concubines aside from his official wife, the Queen.
Mirkan looked at his son.
Ethan:
Your highness, if I was that crazy to keep so many whores beside me than I wouldn't have gone for Elina. She is the Queen Empress in her own circle. The court of Silverbell, Monique and Castina would never agree to our marriage if I were to take a concubine. Besides, this isn't just match between a King and a princess but a match between two independent monarchs. There's naturally no other choice other than her.
His words made too much sense. Ethan's reasonings were also valid.
Mirkan and Ruveliss both wanted to refute but couldn't.
Mirkan sighed ans frowned..
Mirkan:
Ethan, no matter how much you try to convince us with your logics, I just don't agree to the match. She should just marry Duke or below that. Besides, marriage between two independent monarchs has never occurred. I'm not sure if this would work out.
Ethan:
It has worked forever since we were more younger so why won't it now?
Mirkan:
Just stay away from her.
Ethan:
Not a chance.
Mirkan glared at him fiercely. Harren swallowed. But Ruveliss gnashed his teeth. Ethan only smiled in response.
Ethan:
I shall look forward to receive your blessings grandfather and father.
Mirkan:
How dare-!
The Crown Prince held his father's amger back. Harren also struggled. Ethan got up and bowed down.
Ethan:
It was a pleasure your majesty. Let me see you later.
Mirkan huffed and puffed for a when before also leaving the room.
Later~§
Adrian:
Wow. Did that really happen?
Ethan:
Yes. He was so angry when I called him grandfather.
Adrian and Ethan conversed through the communication device.
Adrian:
That was so brave of you Ethan. But he's right. Stay away from Ellie.
Ethan:
Tsk! Are all the men in the family the same? I can't stay away if I'm going to persue and marry her.
Adrian:
Don't do anything fishy to her or pounce on her.
Ethan:
I've waited 7 years and now I can't even do that?
Adrian:
Ethan!
Ethan:
Haha! I'm joking! (Am not).
Adrian:
It's not like I can interfere. Just don't get her pregnant or anything before your marriage is legalised.
Ethan:
I have to wait that long again?
Adrian:
Yes. You need to learn from me too.
Ethan:
Why? Did you fail with Lissy again?
Adrian:
No. I'm being patient and I want to confess. It's just not the right time. It's like I'm not getting the chance.
Ethan:
I can help you with that.
Adrian:
You will?
Ethan:
If you aide me with Ellie.
Adrian:
It's Elina.
Ethan:
Do you want the woman or not? Help me with your sister and I'll help you with my sister.
Adrian:
I'm not prostituting my sister. Back off!
Ethan:
You back off Lissy too.
Adrian:
Lissy also likes me back. You can't stop me.
Ethan:
Where's the logic in that?!
Adrian:
Alicia likes me and Elina doesn't. I'm pretty sure she didn't even get jealous once.
Ethan was dumbstruck.
' Rian is right. Not once was she ever jealous over me or interested in me.'
Adrian:
Why are you quiet? Sorry, did I say something rude?
Ethan:
No. You didn't. It was just a brutal truth I was being upset about. She never once saw me as a man.
Adrian:
Ethan…
Ethan:
That's why I'm going to make sure she sees me as one. And I'll do that by seducing her real for this time.
Adrian:
Wait-
Ethan:
I'll bring out the sexual tension we had once.
Adrian:
Oh God.
Ethan:
I'll help you with yours too Rian. Let's have a truce.
******
Bartholomew casually strode in the garden. Euphemie suddenly came from behind.
Euphemie:
Barry!
Bartholomew:
Euphemie?
She looked very attractive today. Bartholomew blushed profusely. These days she attracted him first. No she always did. Ever since he first saw her standing tall without a weapon even at the face of the enemy coming to kill her.
Euphemie and Esperance, her sister, weren't princesses whom were damsel in distresses but honorary brave woman.
Euphemie:
There you are! I was looking for you.
Bartholomew:
Hm? Something wrong?
Euphemie:
Gradis and my sister went out on their first date today.
Bartholomew:
Gradis did? Very bold of him.
Gradis liked Esperance. It was quite clear. And both hit off very easily.
Euphemie:
And Violet has also seemed to have wrapped Caleb around her finger. I'm pretty sure he's about to propose to her.
Bartholomew:
Everyone knows about Caleb with Voilet and that Dominic is hitting off with Meredith.
Harrison Demark and Maria Sharya were in their own periods. It was only a matter of confessing. Otherwise both would date and get married.
Isabella and Kaiser had already confessed to each other. Time would tell how their relationship would develop into.
Tristan and Arcelia also hung around each other more than just friends would do. Tristan would flirt with Arcelia more. It was about time they would be a couple because Arcelia did respond to his occasional flirting.
Amber and Richard were both dating too.
Amilios was seeing Marchioness Barnadette Laurel, a good friend and old ally of Diana. She was the leader of the second Knights division under Caleb.
Cassian had been showing signs of interest in Alaina, Diana's aide. In fact Bartholomew had caught both of them on their date.
Bartholomew:
I see. Hey Euphemie, are you free right now?
Euphemie:
Yes I am on a break.
Bartholomew:
I feel a bit dizzy from looking at all these papers. Should we go out and grab something to eat.
Euphemie paused.
Euphemie:
Are you asking me out on a date?
Bartholomew:
Yes. Obviously.
Euphemie:
Very bold of you to ask the princess of Sonu and the Queen of Monique Empire.
She smiled and said it out in am exaggerated tone.
Bartholomew:
I'm also a Duke of Castina and King of Monique Empire. What's lacking?
Euphemie:
You asked me way to casually.
Bartholomew:
Fine. Your highness princess Euphemie, would you like to date me and become the next Duchess of Veritas?
He indirectly proposed. Her face turned red seeing his handsome countenance.
Euphemie:
Yes I'll be your Duchess and go on a date with you.
Just likes this, they also were official now.