The Dragon Prince's Bride
Chapter 33. Forgive me, Father.

Chapter 33: 33. Forgive me, Father.

And the fact that Barak didn’t knock brought a questioning expression to his father’s face. He could tell something was occupying the mind of his firstborn. And not just tonight. He had been noticing something off about the young man for some days now.

He placed the quill pen into the ink and crossed his hands over his chest, resting his back on his seat with his eyes on Barak.

"What could possibly have my little warrior so stressed?" He asked and a soft chuckle left Barak’s lips as he sat himself down before his father.

"Father, I am as tall as a house. That is not little." He noted.

"Ah, that is true. But I am still taller which still makes you little." Bashan countered and Barak let out a dry chuckle.

Silently, blankly, he stared at the white sheets of papers and scrolls that were laid on the table. And Bashan patiently waited, waited for him to speak.

He let out a long breath and finally spoke up, "Father," He called.

"I am listening."

"I wish to discuss a matter with you." He said and Bashan also let out a long breath.

"You do not wish to marry the princess." Bashan blatantly stated and Barak’s eyes shot up with disbelief. He knew he was an open book before his father. The man was wise, he had always been.

Barak could never really hide anything from him. His mother always said it was because he took after his father so Bashan could always know what Barak was thinking because he thought and acted like him.

"Forgive me father." He simply says with his head down. He had previously said he was no longer little, but no matter how much he grew, sometimes, just sometimes when he was not being a warrior, a tactician, or a crowned prince, he ended up feeling little all over again.

"I do not believe it is due to anyone waiting for you in the Trago empire, so it only means you have met someone here. An elf... Am I right?" He inquired. Sometimes the calmness of his father really amazed him.

"Father, I understand the reason this union was arranged in the first place. But I promise I will not let you or our people down. I will find a way to protect our people. I will come up with another way to work with the Avelah Kingdom. And if it is not possible, I will most definitely make another way to get what we want... But..."

"Who is she?" Bashan simply asked again.

Barak swallowed hard, clenched and u clenched his fists, "A maid, father. The maid of the princess."

"You would choose the princess’s maid over the princess?" Bashan asked, there was almost a hint of amusement in his voice.

"She reminds me of the story you told us of mother when she was younger." Barak shrugged and Bashan suddenly burst into a round of laughter. He laughed so hard that he held onto his stomach and head like they would fall off if he didn’t.

"You have never given your heart to anyone so I believed this union with the princess would not be a problem for you. But as it stands things have changed."

"Once again, forgive me father."

"You never apologize for matters of the heart." Bashan corrected him.

"You are taking this news rather well, father." Barak noted. He knew his father was a reasonable man. But still, he expected some kind of resistance. But Bashan never failed to surprise his own children.

"What were you expecting? That I would tie you down and force you down the aisle with the princess against your wish? Or that I would send men to slaughter your new found princess?" Barak’s eyes widened at his father’s words, but then the man let out a loud laugh.

"Son," He stood up from his seat and walked round the table to meet Barak. He gently placed himself on the desk and rested a hand upon Barak’s shoulder... "As you know, I had a love marriage," Bashan shrugged. Then he whispered, "That is why I am suffering so much now." Barak laughed at his words. He knew how much his father loved his mother and also due to that love, he knew how much he feared and worshiped her too.

"So as a loving and caring father that I believe I am, how can I deprive my son the chance to endure the same sufferings I am being subjected to." He grinned and Barak could not resist the urge to match the expression on his father’s face.

"Thank you, Father." He simply nodded. His admiration for the man only grew higher that night.

"Tomorrow you are supposed to meet your princess but things have changed now. Since I set up the marriage with Gerald, I will take responsibility for it being dissolved too."

"No, father. I will do it personally." Barak insisted.

"Aye. Then you do it." He slowly rose from thee desk. "Is that all you came to say to me?" He asked as he began taking off his boots.

"Aye, father."

"Then go. This old man needs to rest." He smiled and Barak laughed and nodded as he rose to his feet.

"Have a pleasant rest father." He went on. "Father, you trust I will always protect our family and our people, right?"

"Aye, of course." Bashan assured him and Barak continued towards the door.

"Bar,"

"Yes, father?"

"You know the Trago Kingdom will rest on your shoulders someday... Your new princess, can she bear the weight with you? Will she be a strength or your weakness?"

...

"Aria, what do you think? Lyle, he will understand right? He will still love me right?" Neriah panicked as she stood in the temple ready to go on another rendezvous with the love of her life.

"Yes, if he truly loves you then he would see that what you have done was only for the future of the both of you. So be strong my lady. He might be angered at first, but I’m certain he will understand and still love you." Aria reassured her.

"And also if he doesn’t I’ll use my magic and give him donkey ears." Riri added.

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