Chapter 9 THE KING

NEXT MORNING, KING'S CHAMBER

The servants were busy getting the king ready for the day in the dressing room when they heard the door open.

Queen Ophelia entered, and immediately they all bowed.

"Good morning, my queen," they chorused.

"Everyone... leave. I will do the rest," Queen Ophelia ordered, and the king looked at her.

The servants all left the room, and Queen Ophelia went closer to the king.

"Good morning, your majesty," she bowed, and he nodded.

She started doing up the remaining button on the royal coat.

"Is there anything you want to discuss with me?" King Edmund questioned after a minute of silence.

"It's nothing big, my Lord. I just want to know the reason why you decided to get Alex a wife at this point. We both know he's not responsible to that extent. He can't even look after himself, and you think he will be able to look after a wife? My Lord, I don't think this is right at all. Besides, I wouldn't want my son or the girl brought to him to end up in a toxic relationship where there's no love at all, my Lord. They don't even know each other..."

"They can start knowing each other from this moment, Ophelia. That's not an excuse. Every lover starts from somewhere. I picked the best candidate for my son; she's the most responsible out of them all. Can't you see what I'm seeing at all?" King Edmund asked.

"My Lord, what about what Alex wants? Don't you care at all? He's supposed to live with that woman for the rest of his life. What if he never gets to love her? I don't want my son to end up in that kind of marriage, where they only act for the public but inside, it's all war and no peace at all. My Lord, I'm begging you," Queen Ophelia tried to kneel down, but the king stopped her immediately.

"I've made my decision, Ophelia, and it's final," he said and pulled her up.

Queen Ophelia sighed.

"You don't have to worry, Ophelia. Everything will be fine," he assured, and she nodded before hugging him.

"Your majesty! Old queen is here!" the announcer spoke up from outside.

Queen Ophelia broke the hug.

"I will come back later, my Lord," she bowed, and the king nodded, watching her leave. Soon, Queen Cassandra entered.

"My husband," she bowed, and King Edmund nodded in approval.

"How are you feeling this morning?" she asked.

"As always," the king answered.

Hazel was walking through the passage in the main building, trying to wait for Isabella, who told her they would be visiting the king.

She suddenly stopped when she saw Alex and Elara coming. They seemed to be coming from Queen Ophelia's suite, and they were both talking, both looking dressed up, so she assumed they were on their way to school already.

She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice when they got so close.

"Are you going to sleep on the way or move?" Elara glared at her.

"Oh, sorry..." Before she could move out of the way, Elara already pushed her aside and walked away.

Hazel fell at Alex's feet, and her hands touched his shoes.

"Your highness! Are you okay?!" About ten guards rushed over to them. Hazel was shocked to see them asking Alex that instead of her; they even pushed her out of the way.

"Your highness..." Cyrus called.

"The shoes," Alex muttered, and they all looked at him, expecting him to say more.

"I'm fucking changing the shoes," Alex said, and a guard ran off immediately.

Hazel blinked in shock. Nobody even noticed if she was still on the floor, so she got up, still looking as shocked as hell.

Just one minute later, the guard who left returned with a new pair of shoes and put them on Alex's feet.

Alex walked away without sparing her another glance.

All the guards followed him immediately.

Hazel stood there speechless. Is she supposed to live like this? The news she heard about Alex wasn't fake-he's a darn jerk.

"Hazel," she heard Isabella from behind and turned to see her with her maids behind her.

"Are you okay? Your face..."

"No, I'm fine," she smiled.