Rejecting the Royal Decree

"Laura, don't be kidding," said Reynold, still in disbelief.

"I'm not kidding," answered Laura confidently.

"What is your reason for doing this?" Reynold was happy to hear that Laura didn't want to be the crown princess. However, he felt strange. As far as he knows, Laura likes Stevan.

“I don't want to be in the public eye. I also feel like I don't deserve to be the crown princess. Apart from that, there is one thing that I'm not sure about, and I'm still looking for an answer," answered Laura with a flat look but containing deep sadness.

"Okay. So, what should I do to help?” Reynold feels there is new hope to get Laura back.

Laura seemed to think for a moment, then looked back at Reynold. "Come with me to the king tonight."

***

Didn't realize it was already 6 p.m. Stevan paced around the palace, looking for Laura. However, until now, he had not found the woman. He felt guilty because he couldn't pick Laura up at campus this afternoon because he had an important meeting with the king.

"Where did she go? Why isn't she home at this hour?" Stevan kept calling Laura's number, but it didn't connect. Without waiting any longer, he immediately went to look for Laura.

When he had just left the main door of the palace, his footsteps suddenly stopped when he saw Laura walking towards him. A smile was etched on his face. However, within seconds, it disappeared when he saw Reynold appear from behind Laura. “What is that guy doing here?” Stevan muttered quietly.

The guards standing guard at the entrance to the palace immediately greeted Laura respectfully. Reynold didn't seem to like it. More precisely, he was jealous that his love rival had to be the crown prince. A man who was clearly far above him.

"Hi, good evening, Crown Prince," said Laura, who was now in front of Stevan.

“Why are you home at this time? Why can't your cell phone be contacted? And why did you bring this man to this palace?” Stevan asked in one breath. He stared fiercely at Reynold.

“Crown prince, it would be good for us to talk inside. After all, he's a guest here," said Laura, glancing at Reynold, who was now looking at Stevan. The atmosphere became quiet. The two men exchanged glances. No one wants to give in between the two of them.

“Ekhem…” Laura tried to break the silence between the two men. However, her efforts were in vain. In the end, Laura took Reynold's hand, surprising Reynold.

Stevan widened his eyes. “What are you doing, Laura? Get your hands off him!”

"I don't want to," answered Laura with a defiant look.

Stevan was starting to get annoyed. He stepped closer to let go of Laura's hand. However, Reynold immediately took over, standing in front of Laura. “Get out of the way!” said Stevan with a glare.

“You have no right to boss Laura around. She's still not legally your wife," Reynold said boldly.

Stevan clenched his fists tightly. He couldn't understand Laura's way of thinking. He doesn't know what the woman is planning. The shock had not yet subsided. Now it was compounded by the arrival of Laura's mother and Reynold's parents.

"Good evening, crown prince," said Martin and his wife.

Yola smiled kindly when she looked at Stevan. This time, her arrival at the palace was truly sudden. If Laura hadn't forced her, she wouldn't have come without any preparation, like now.

“What is this all about, Laura?” asked Stevan, looking seriously at Laura.

“Allow us to enter first, Crown Prince. We came here to meet the king." Laura immediately averted her gaze from Stevan. She couldn't look the man in the eye for long.

"Okay. Please come in." Stevan immediately turned around and walked into the palace first. Laura and the others followed behind.

Laura, Reynold, and their parents were already in the special room for guests. They were waiting for the king's arrival. Laura looked nervous. She felt a dilemma because the royal family treated her well, even though she only stayed one night in this palace.

They all immediately stood up when they saw Stevan coming. Not long after, King Rico and Queen Yoana arrived. "Good night. Sorry for making you wait so long," said King Rico kindly.

“No problem, King. We actually apologized for coming without telling you first," said Laura.

The king and queen sat on chairs, followed by the others. The atmosphere in the room looked so awkward. Neither the Reynold family nor Laura's family dared to speak first. Stevan couldn't stop looking at Laura.

"By the way, who are they?" asked King Rico, who looked at Laura.

Laura stood up from her seat. “Allow me to introduce them, King.”

"Of course," answered King Rico, smiling.

“Introduce the woman on my left. This is my mother. The man on my right is Reynold. He's my fiancé," said Laura, making Stevan clench his fists. Laura stepped toward where Martin and his wife were sitting. “And they are Reynold's parents.”

King Rico and Queen Yoana glanced at Stevan. They could see their son's face filled with anger. King Rico already guessed that Laura would not be easily conquered. One thing he was afraid of was his son's anger. He was afraid that Stevan would not be able to control his emotions and end up hurting Reynold and his family.

“Ahh, I see. I actually already knew about them before I issued a royal decree and chose you as the future crown princess," said King Rico. He then stood up and faced Reynold's parents, who were sitting in front of him. “First, I want to apologize to you. I was presumptuous in choosing Laura as the future crown princess when she was still your son's fiancee." King Rico bowed half his body, surprising everyone in the room, and they immediately stood up.

"King, you shouldn't be overreacting like this," muttered Stevan beside King Rico.

"Shut up! Just follow what I tell you," said King Rico in a low voice. Stevan didn't move.

Reynold's parents were confused. They were very awkward to see the king's attitude of respecting them so much. Seeing that the situation was becoming increasingly awkward, Laura suddenly stepped closer, knelt on the floor, and prostrated herself at the king's feet.

“Laura, what are you doing?” Queen Yoana was surprised. King Rico straightened his body again.

“King, I'm sorry. I'm willing to be punished for anything. I will accept it sincerely. But allow me to reject the selection of the crown princess. I'm not willing.” Laura was so relieved that she could finally say that in front of the king directly. Stevan was very surprised. Likewise with Queen Yoana.

"I won't allow it," said King Rico quickly, surprising Laura and the Reynold family.