Chapter 15
CLAIRE POV
I went out of the palace just for a few days only to be greeted with the news that Princess Audrey was getting married. I was so livid when I heard this. This wasn’t possible. It couldn’t happen now. Not when I planned….not when I wanted Princess Audrey my beautiful niece to marry out of love. They can’t force her into marrying someone she
doesn’t want. I need to put an end to this.
I stormed to the throne room where my brother in law King Conrad was seated with his prime ministers.
“Brother….a word?” I said with anger laced in my voice as he looked at me for a second and nodded his head. The prime ministers took the bait and all stood up to leave leaving the both of us behind.
“Claire!” He exclaimed standing up.
“What a sight for sore eyes.” He said as I rolled my eyes in anger. I wasn’t going to let him dissuade me from what I came here to say.
“I did not come here for small talks. I want to know why you are doing such a thing without conversing with me first.” I said crossing my hand across my chest as he looked puzzled.
“What do you mean? I have no idea what you are talking about?” He said as I rolled my eyes and went to him.
“Why is Audrey getting married all of a sudden?” I said as he let out a small oh and shrugged his shoulders.
“She is of age. She is to rule the kingdom one day and she needs a good king by her side. I helped her with it. That is all.” He said as he sat down on his throne trying to go through his scrolls. Well I wasn’t going to allow him snub me as if I didn’t matter. I had to make my point. I snatched the scroll from his hand and said,
“This is a very important matter, We need to talk about this, And I know that deep down you know this is a terrible idea.” I said glaring at him as he shook his head.
“No, this is one of the great ideas I have had in a long while. Prince Liam’s kingdom is the best kingdom to pair with. Our kingdoms together will be unstoppable. No one can wage war, we can care for our citizens and it promotes trade between our countries. We have them as allies. You should know that his father King Roland has one of the biggest fleet of soldiers. No kingdom would dare plan to attack us. I have given my daughter a sense of security, no doubt she is happy about it.” He said. This was not my plan. If Audrey pushed through with this marriage, my plans of getting what I want would go down the drain. I couldn’t let it sink, just like that.
“What about a sense of love. Does your daughter love this Liam guy? Has she agreed to marry him. If I know my niece better than anyone, she is a wild child. She won’t agree to such a decision, especially one that is hasty. Do not make your daughter sad, cancel the wedding. Call off the engagement. This is the best solution.” I said this time with a low voice. Maybe with a little pressure on him, he would change his mind. I just can’t let my niece on the throne just yet. It is my time to rule.
“But I can’t do that. Preparations have started and the people already know about the wedding. Princess must sacrifice their feelings for the welfare of the people. When I got married to your sister, I didn’t like her but now I love her. I believe with time, people will love so will those two. Audrey is just upset because I dropped it like a bomb without telling her first but Prince Liam understands the gravity of the problem. That is why he is agreeing with it.” He said as I shook my head.
“Trust me Conrad. You do not want to do this the hard way. Cancel the wedding and see your daughter happy. Do this your way and all you will get is a miserable country. This isn’t the past. We all have choices. I know you want her to be a good queen and mother but I care for her happiness.” I said as he kept quiet thinking about what I have said. Hopefully I may have changed his mind about this and he would reconsider.
“What goes through your mind, your highness?” I asked after the silence between us became too much, and so tense I could cut it with a knife….figuratively.
“I have to think about what you said. This is a serious decision. I will let you know if I have changed my mind. But thank you for talking to me, I can see you really care about your niece, It is awfully nice of you to put her first.” He said as I bowed before him and smiled.
“I am just looking after the welfare of the princess. She is like a daughter I never had.” I said biting my tongue. I wish I could just throw up now.
“Well in that case, I guess I better leave you to do your kingly duties. I will be in my quarters if you need me.” I said as I stood up and turned to leave.
“Do me a favour. Talk to Audrey, find out what she thinks and feels. If I talk to her myself, I am afraid she won’t be straight forward with me, but let her know this. If we enter a war with King Roland, we won’t survive and that will be her first task as a crowned Queen without a king. She complains everyone hates her, let her not do something that will increase the hatred of her people on her. She may feel pressured now, but deep down she knows either way, she won’t still be happy.