Marriage Alliance With The Lycan Monarch
Chapter 23: Unacceptable Marriage [Part 1]

Chapter 23: Unacceptable Marriage [Part 1]

• DREVON •

I stood in front of the golden double doors exactly as I remembered, but I did picture them taller. So many memoriesforced their way into my head, many I thought I’d forgotten, but being here with the familiar scent and nostalgia—I realized I never forgot.

I threaded my fingers through my hair, droplets trickling to the floor. Here I was, soaked to the bone, and had to attend court.

I smirked. Well played, Mother, your message was passed well. Her actions were enough to know she wasn’t pleased with me.

Regardless, I’m not concerned with a reprimand; it was the least of my worries, and I can deal with Mother. My main thoughts were focused on Eloise...she should be within my wing by now.

I trusted Garrick to keep her safe; he might have been grumpy about it, but he knew how important Eloise was to me—he wouldn’t fail me. However, I needed to get back to her as soon as possible; being away from her did not feel right. First, I need to deal with this.

The doors spread open, and I stepped through the vast hall. My boots touched the red carpet leading to the throne, my court standing on both sides filling the entire space, too ridiculously plenty.

I walked up the stairs leading to the throne, my hand reaching for the collar of my jacket to relieve a little, my stern gaze on the seat. Oddly, I couldn’t see myself seated on it; I still pictured my father, and I could feel him too.

"My liege, we welcome you." The company behind me announced.

I used my teeth to take off my gloves, they stuck to my hand because of how wet they were.

I faced the congregation. "Get on with it, I don’t have all day."

I don’t want to keep Eloise waiting; each second I spend away from her tempts me to take the court heads and put them on spikes for dragging me out here for unimportant matters. The transfer of reign can be done anytime. I knew why they dutifully summoned me here.

Tarn Vale stepped forward like a leader of this crusade.

"Tarn," I said, a smile touching my lips. "I should get used to seeing your face."

"You honor me, my liege. I speak for the court."

"Quite clear."

"Please sit, my liege, we have much to—"

"Five minutes."

"Pardon?"

"I’ll entertain your ideas for five minutes, bore me for a second, then consider your leadership given to someone else who can deliver properly."

A flash of shock took over his gaze. "O-Of course, my liege," he replied, regaining his composure. He signaled for someone who carried a cushion with a gold ring atop, crafted with the smallest of inscriptions.

"My liege, long may you reign."

"Long may you reign!"

"Long may you reign!"

"Long may you reign!"

The person stepped up the stairs, but I raised a hand, stopping him from coming further.

"We’ll get to that. How about you speak your mind?"

"My liege?"

"Playing dumb with me is not wise, Tarn," I warned.

I had cast the net, and like dumb fish, they fell right into it.

"Your marriage to a human is unacceptable, my liege!"

The rest of the court shared his words, repeating them over and over again to make their point.

"Three," I said calmly.

"A human Queen Consort will not be accepted."

"Two."

There was a panic now, but I was too busy biding my time, eager to get back to Eloise. I needed to make sure she was accounted for, and I hope she didn’t get sick. I can’t get the image of her shivering profusely out of my head.

"My liege!"

"One." I walked down the stairs, took the ring from the bearer, and wore it. "This meeting is adjourned."

"You’re betrothed to Lady Sloane Altherin, your true bride! An oath was made between the families!"

"Excuse me?" I raised my gaze to Tarn and pinned him down with a dark look. He tensed as well as the others as the air shifted.

"Y-Your engagement was made by the Dowager years ago."

"Without my knowledge?"

"It was for your future. The entire Empire has beseeched the moon goddess for your return. Lady Sloane was chosen to be your lifelong partner and mate, worthy of bearing your children and carrying out the Balthar bloodline. She is the perfect match."

Sloane. It’s been years, and I barely remember what she looked like; it was fragments of memories, but I do recall we were close. An engagement was far too stretched because I had no romantic sentiments towards her.

What was Mother thinking when she made such decisions?

In my early years, I recalled how strict she was, existing solely for the prosperity of our bloodline. It was always about bloodline. Now I knew it wasn’t much of a coincidence that Sloane visited the castle all day before I left for war.

That sly old woman, digging her claws in every chance she got.

"You must marry Lady Sloane!" The rest of them reprised and advanced my vexation.

"I’m already married."

"It is not acknowledged in the eyes of the moon goddess!"

"Then we shall redo the marriage ceremony, honorable to the goddess. Problem solved?"

"M-My liege!" Tarn interjected. "You need to continue your bloodline; being with this human will tarnish everything! Your future is on the line!"

"Ah..." I drawled. "Then it shall be a long reign indeed. I shall rule the empire until I grow tired of it, and then the next sibling will be crowned and given the throne."

Their mouths went agape, and I wondered if something was wrong. I gave the solution to their troubles, and they should be grateful.

"My liege, we do not accept this!"

"Please reconsider, my liege!"

"This is for the good of the Empire!"

"We beg you, my liege!"

"My liege!"

"My liege!"

"My liege!"

"One more word and I shall see the entire court is replaced." I walked to Tarn and looked down at him like he was a pest. "Your monarch has chosen his wife, do you dare object?"