Chapter 47: My word is Law.
Raphael's POV
I never thought anyone could look so beautiful and ethereal at the same time, until I saw her. When I arrived earlier, I fully expected her to be here, waiting anxiously for me. When I didn’t see her, I admit I felt disappointed.
Gemma had entered the banquet hall a few minutes after Caleb and I arrived. I glanced over her shoulder, hoping to catch sight of Ava, but there wasn’t even a shadow of her presence. When I pressed Gemma for answers, she simply told me Ava was dressing. The answer didn’t satisfy me, but I let it go, for now.
“My king, I have something to discuss with you.”
I turned to find Minister Wan standing behind me with his daughter, Anastasia. His unwelcome presence was already grating on my nerves.
“Whatever it is, can it not wait until after the banquet?”
“My king, I mean no disrespect, but this matter cannot wait.”
The audacity. The man was playing with fire. What could possibly be so urgent that it couldn’t wait?
“Very well,” I said, grudgingly, gesturing for him to proceed.
Wan cleared his throat dramatically, his words as insincere as his sycophantic grin. “My king, the people are worried.”
I arched my brow, suppressing a growl. This man truly had no fear of me anymore. “About what?” What a greedy man! I looked into his mind, “if the king marries my daughter even for a day, I will have absolute power. Sacrificing that useless girl is no problem at all.” The rubbish in his mind stinks. Foolish man.
“You are not married, my king, nor do you have a mate. A kingdom without a queen is a kingdom destined to fall.”
The insult lingered in the air, tempting me to let Grey rip his head off and be done with it. Yet, as always, Ava’s face floated to the forefront of my mind, grounding me.
“And your solution to this ‘problem,’ Minister Wan,” I asked, letting the sarcasm drip from my voice, “is to offer your daughter to me? Even though she will surely die?”
Anastasia stood motionless beside him, her cold, impassive expression giving nothing away. Ice beauty, they called her, and the nickname suited her perfectly.
“My king, all I care about is the kingdom. If it means offering my daughter, so be it.”
The sheer nerve of the man was astounding. I glanced at Anastasia, expecting to see even a flicker of emotion, but there was nothing. It was almost admirable, almost.
“Wan,” I said, my voice dangerously low, “this kingdom is mine. Have you forgotten? I built it. I united everyone. You wouldn’t even be standing here today if not for my actions.”
There was a warning beneath my words, one I hoped even a fool like him could understand.
“Forgive me, my king,” he said, bowing stiffly. Reluctantly.
“Since you are so willing to sacrifice your daughter for the greater good, what of your sons?” I asked, feigning curiosity. “How do you intend for them to serve this kingdom? From what I hear, they’re still stuck at level one in the academy while your daughter has already reached grade six as a warrior.”
Wan visibly stiffened, and I smirked. Everyone knew his sons were good for nothing, lazy, entitled fools who spent their days gambling and chasing women. The idea of offering his only competent child was laughable, even for him.
“My king, I apologize for the incompetence of my sons.” His fists clenched at his sides, betraying his frustration.
“What a shame,” Grey sneered in my mind. “Let me kill him, and we’ll be done with this nonsense.”
I almost agreed, but I knew we had to consider the bigger picture.
“You are forgiven,” I said flatly. “Though if I were you, I’d treat my competent child as an egg to be cherished, not a sacrificial lamb.”
Wan bowed again, his face flushed with embarrassment. “I will take your advice to heart, my king. I’ll excuse myself now.”
He turned and left with Anastasia, who remained as expressionless as ever. I almost felt sorry for her, almost.
Caleb stepped forward, his expression smug. “See why I said you were needed here?”
I read his mind easily: I’m glad I brought him. I’d hate to be the one dealing with nuisances like Wan.
Before I could respond, a hush fell over the banquet hall. All eyes turned toward the entrance.
And there she was.
Ava.
She was stunning, more radiant than I’d dared to imagine.
“She’s beautiful,” Grey sighed in my head.
More than beautiful. She was exquisite. Her presence reminded me of the goddess Selene herself, no, she surpassed even that divine vision I’d seen two millennia ago.
I heightened my senses to hear the murmurs around us.
“Who is she?”
“She’s gorgeous.”
“Shh… it’s the king’s slut.”
The word hit me like a dagger. My mate, a slut? I scanned the crowd, locking onto the fool who’d spoken. His face was now marked in my mind. His heart would soon be in my hands.
Unable to listen to any more, I stood and walked toward her, the rest of the room fading into insignificance. Ava was all I saw. All I cared to see.
“Ava,” I said, waiting for her to turn.
When she did, her blush traveled from her cheeks down to her exposed cleavage, and it was almost my undoing. I wanted to touch her, to claim her, to strip away every barrier between us.
Her companion whispered something before excusing herself, but I barely noticed. Ava’s presence consumed me.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” I said, unable to contain my grin.
“Oh,” she replied softly. Just oh.
I delved into her mind, and her thoughts made me smile. He’s so handsome. That brocade attire, he looks like the goddess’ favorite. I want to touch him.
“Come sit with me,” I said, extending my hand.
“Your Highness,” she whispered, hesitating, “your people might not agree.”
I glanced around at the glares and whispers. I understood her hesitation.
“My word is law,” I declared loudly, making sure everyone heard. “Please, come sit with me, Ava.”
She hesitated for a heartbeat before slipping her hand into mine. The joy that filled me was indescribable.
I led her to the seat beside mine, the queen’s seat.
The murmurs grew louder.
“Is the king choosing her as his queen?”
“Goddess forbid! A slave as queen?”
I had heard enough.
“Do any of you have a problem with my choice?” I demanded, my voice cutting through the noise like a blade.
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