Elysium: Desired by the Cold-hearted Princess [GL]
Chapter 200 200: The Proposal

Seraphina's POV

I finally arrived at the Aldorian palace after being in the car for almost an hour, and looking out at the palace, I couldn't help but feel a little strange. I had been here before, but this time, something felt different, and it wasn't just because this was my first time here without my father.

Maybe it was the exhaustion of my father's funeral still lingering at the back of my mind, or maybe it was the anticipation of this meeting, knowing that King Orion wouldn't have summoned me unless it was for something important.

The moment I stepped out of the car, the palace guards flanked me on either side, but they didn't say a word to me. Instead, they simply gestured for me to follow them, and we silently walked to the King's office.

When we arrived at the door, one of the guards stationed outside knocked once before opening them. "Lady Seraphina Hook has arrived," he announced formally.

"Let her in," came the king's deep voice from inside.

I stepped inside, immediately bowing my head in respect. "Your Majesty."

King Orion was seated behind his desk, his expression calm but assessing. He inclined his head in acknowledgment before gesturing toward the seating area in his office—a set of sofas arranged neatly near the fireplace.

"Thank you for coming despite how exhausted you must be after the funeral," he said, his voice polite.

I nodded, not bothering to deny the obvious. It had been an exhausting day, though not for the reasons most people assumed.

As I took a seat on one of the sofas, he settled into the single chair adjacent to me, his sharp eyes studying me as if he were weighing his next words carefully.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his tone softer this time.

I kept my answer brief. "I'm fine."

It wasn't a lie. It wasn't entirely the truth either.

The king studied me for a moment, perhaps expecting me to elaborate, to open up about my grief or show some display of sorrow over my father's passing, but I had no intention of faking emotions just for the sake of receiving sympathy.

He let out a quiet hum before speaking again. "It's a good thing you're handling yourself well despite the circumstances," he remarked. "Much better than I imagined."

I merely nodded.

After a brief pause, he exhaled lightly and leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. "I'm sure you must be wondering why I asked to speak with you."

Now that piqued my curiosity. Of course, I had been wondering. The king wouldn't summon me for idle conversation.

So I met his gaze directly and answered, "Yes, Your Majesty. I am."

"My reason for summoning you," he began, "stems from a conversation I had with your father the last time he was here at the palace."

I tilted my head slightly, my heart thudding in my chest. A conversation between him and my father?

"Your father and I have known each other for many years, as you know," King Orion went on. "He wasn't just my right-hand man; he was like an older brother to me. So when he came to me recently with a certain proposal…" He trailed off, watching me carefully.

I noticed the slight hesitation in his expression, as though he was gauging how best to break whatever news he carried. My mouth felt dry, and I fought the urge to shift nervously.

Instead, I forced myself to remain composed, my back rigid, and my hands folded neatly in my lap. The last thing I wanted was to appear weak or unsettled—though inside, I felt a storm gathering.

"And what proposal would that be, Your Majesty?" I finally asked, my voice betraying only a fraction of the nerves rippling through me.

He inclined his head in acknowledgment of my question. "Your father believed," he said slowly, carefully, "that a marital union between the Hook family and the royal family would be…beneficial."

I felt an odd flutter in my chest, a mix of shock and disbelief. My thoughts stumbled over each other, trying to decipher his meaning.

A marital union? My father and the king had been discussing—what? The words felt surreal, like they belonged to someone else's life. "A…marital union," I echoed, my voice faint.

King Orion gave a small nod. "Yes. That is the summary of it."

There was a beat of silence, and my mind conjured all sorts of scenarios, but none prepared me for the revelation that followed.

"He and I determined," the king continued, "that, given your father's position and his loyalty to the throne—and now, with his unfortunate passing—you could benefit from the protection and influence that such a union would bring. Your father was worried about what might happen to you without him, especially regarding your inheritance and status. He wanted to ensure you would not be left at the mercy of those who might take advantage."

My breath caught, a strange chill sliding down my spine. 'Protection and influence.' The words echoed hollowly in my mind.

"But what does that mean exactly?" I asked, though I already suspected the answer.

King Orion glanced at me. "It means, Seraphina, that you are to marry my son, Prince Darius."

I felt the blood drain from my face. Marry Prince Darius? My jaw nearly hit the floor as the words settled in.

"You… you want me to marry Prince Darius?" I asked, hoping this was a joke. "Is this some sort of joke?"

The king shook his head, not unkindly. "It is no joke, Seraphina." He paused, then added, "Darius is already aware of the arrangement, and in fact, he has agreed to it."

I stared at him, momentarily speechless. My mouth felt impossibly dry, and my heart hammered wildly. "How—how could my father do this without telling me?" I managed to ask, my voice tight. "We hardly even spoke before he died, and now I'm supposed to believe he…arranged my marriage?"

King Orion let out a sigh. "Your father intended to inform you himself, but time was not on his side. He was not certain when you would return from Elmeria, and he feared something might happen to him before he could secure your future."

"And so," King Orion continued, "he came to me, knowing I would honor his wishes. Your father was a man of great loyalty, Seraphina. I respected him, and I owe him a debt for his years of service. When he requested this arrangement, I agreed, on the condition that Darius consented as well. We have been discussing the details quietly for some time."

I clenched my fists in my lap, struggling to keep my emotions in check. Part of me wanted to lash out, but I couldn't even bring myself to. I was the one who'd lost a father, and now, it turned out that my future had been decided behind my back. Just great!