Wife of The Demon Prince
Chapter 143: Dinner meeting

Chapter 143: Dinner meeting

Hamon and Ara arrived at the king’s residence in time for their dinner meeting. The guards at the door offered them a deep bow before opening the massive double door embellished with pure gold.

As the couple stepped inside the lavishly decorated dinning hall. The dinning table was so long, it could accommodate more than forty people, there were varieties of different delicacies on the table already. The pair bowed in respect to the king and queen.

Fredrick who sat at the head table offered them a gently smile, however he looked more sicker and paler than before, while Merona who sat gracefully on his right side looked like a beauty in paintings, her skin glowed under the golden chandeliers.

"Cough!...W-welcome, son." Fredrick tried to speak while he held back a cough behind his hand.

Hamon’s eyebrows drew together in concern as he saw the state the king was in, "You look sicker everyday..."

Fredrick carelessly waved his hand as he said with smile, "Oh, No. As I age, each day is different of course...you don’t have to worry about me. Your mother is taking very good care of me." He assured as he glanced at Merona, who was quick to chime in, "Of course, I take very good care of him everyday, he’s my beloved husband after all."

Hamon’s frown deepened but he didn’t comment further as he had nothing to say to Merona. He just went ahead and drew Ara’s chair for her to sit, she carefully sat down and thanked him before he also took his seat beside her.

Fredrick watched the pair quietly before he turned to Ara, "I hope you’re enjoying your stay in the palace, My child?"

Ara blinked and turned back to Fredrick, "Yes, father. I’m really enjoying my stay at the palace, thanks to you and mother, there’s nothing lacking." She mused, however it didn’t seem to be the answer Fredrick was looking for,

"Yes, but is my son taking good care of you? I hope he’s not being cold to you, I know he could be...stubborn at times. If he’s being hard to handle, You can always come to me and I’ll teach the brat a lesson myself, understood?"

Ara glanced at Hamon who had a frown on his face before she turned back to Fredrick and nodded, "Yes, father. But Hamon has been nice and caring to me."

Fredrick laughed knowingly, "Ha ha ha, I can tell from his actions and how he made me accept the wedding without a dowry. I’m glad to hear that." Hearing this, Merona chimed in with a honeyed smile, "How wonderful to see a couple get along well. What a blessing, they are just like us, right Your majesty?" She asked her eyes glimmered like a venomous snake, but the look disappeared in an instant and no one noticed, but Fredrick, he nodded, "Yes, just like us..."

Ara sensed something was wrong with how the king replied. Fredrick and Merona looked amiable on the surface, but somehow it felt as if they were treading on thin ice beneath them. She couldn’t quite put it into words, but she was sure their relationship wasn’t what they claimed it to be. She soon gave up trying to gauge their relationship and looked away from them.

She then heard Merona remarked, "Did you like my gift? I hope it’s to your liking?" She asked Ara. However her question caught Fredrick and Hamon’s attention. Hamon glanced at Ara questioningly, but she replied to Merona first, "Yes, Your majesty, I like it. It really is a lovely gift."

Ara had wanted to bring it up first, but it was good that Merona brought it up, at least when Oliver brings the results of the perfumes and it turned out to be harmful, Merona wouldn’t deny gifting her the box.

Merona’s eyes shimmered as she replied, "I’m glad. The moment I heard about those perfumes, I immediately thought of my daughter-in-low, so I bought it for you as a wedding gift."

Ara slightly bowed her head, "Thank you for your kind gesture towards me, Your majesty." Ara hid her true intentions, and instead played clueless. It was better to play dumb, she wouldn’t want Merona to be wary of her yet.

A smile graced Merona’s face as she said, "Since you like it so much, How about I get you more before you finish that box? I can get you a dozen more if you want, What do you think?"

Ara was taken aback, was the queen really on the strict mission to make her barren?! "No, there is no need, Your majesty. No matter how precious something is, it’s value lessens when there’s many of it. I appreciate your kindness, but I’ll cherish the box you sent me."

Merona beamed, "Of course, just come to me when you need more of it." Pointed daggers was hidden under her smiling face.

Hamon, who had been quiet until now leaned towards Ara and whispered, "Why didn’t you tell me about the gift? Why am I just hearing about it now?"

Ara had wanted to tell him but he wasn’t around and only came back by sunset. However, she’d planned to tell him once they returned to their residence. She glanced awkwardly towards Hamon and replied, "I forgot to inform you about it, but the queen sent me a box of perfumes in the morning, but I told Oliver to get an expert to examine it."

Hamon narrowed his eyes, "Next time make sure to let me know about it first before you take any action."

Anybody might not have noticed it, but Ara detected a telltale glimmer in his eyes that indicated he was angry and displeased. However, Hamon turned to Merona with no signs of displeasure and said, "Whatever you want to gift my wife, No matter how small it is...you must send it to me first, don’t go sending things to my wife behind my back, mother." He emphasized the word ’Mother.’

Merona chuckled teasingly, "How lovely, My son is already trying to be protective of his wife, isn’t that quite sweet?" She covered her mouth and laughed, but in spite of her teasing gesture, Hamon knew better than to trust the woman. He responded nonchalantly, "Why shouldn’t I? She’s my wife and it’s my duty to be protective, dear mother."

It was true that Ara was his wife, but to lay his feelings out so nakedly before them was a bold gesture.

Merona looked stunned for a moment, but then the corner of her mouth curved up as if she’d witnessed something amusing. Fredrick who noticed her expression quickly chimed in, "You two must be tired from the day, so let’s get on with dinner so you can finish and go back to your residence and rest."

Merona turned towards him, "Oh, Your majesty, am just starting to get acquainted with my son and his wife and you are already trying to send them back this soon?" She stated with a sad smile as if she wasn’t ready to part with her son. But everyone in the room knew it wasn’t genuine.

Hamon smirked and replied in a flat tone, "Oh, My dear mother. The last time I remember our relationship isn’t as you’re making it sound like, you talk as if am your doting son. Am not interested in letting my wife get acquainted with a caring mother like you." He remarked in a nonchalant manner not bothering to mask the daggers in his words, anyone could interpret his words however they liked.

Merona’s smile fell and her face turned ugly at his remarks. She was aware of the bastard’s arrogance. People might fear him because of his overwhelming aura, however it doesn’t faze her in anyway! She might not know how to wield a sword, but she could ruin him if she wanted to do so!

Hamon’s red eyes gazed into her brown ones without so much as a blink. She glared daggers at him. Fredrick noticed how they glared at each other and tried to interrupt them with his cough, but even with his cough the pair didn’t look away from each other. Merona clenched her teeth tightly. This bastard was really disrespectful!

Fredrick interrupted with a more serious tone this time,"Hamon! You may leave, I need to rest. The dinner is cancelled."

Hamon shot Merona one last glare before he angrily stood up and took Ara’s hand, Ara who had been quietly observing the scene quickly stood up as well, but hurriedly spoke to Fredrick before Hamon could pull her out, "Rest well, father."

Fredrick offered her a small nod, however Ara suddenly recalled he’d promised to meet up with her after her wedding with Hamon. The king had promised to tell her about the stone and Hamon, "Father...do you still remember your promise to meet up?" She would like to know more about the stone.

Fredrick nodded with a faint smile, "Yes, I haven’t forgotten. I will send for you when I feel much better another time."

"I look forward to it then, father." Ara bowed to the king and queen, before letting Hamon pull her along out of the king’s residence. He had a frown on his face as he pulled her with him.

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Authors note: Okay, it’s new year. Wait...IT’S NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS! May your new year be filled with new adventures and good fortunes! And don’t forget to show me some love by supporting this book with your golden tickets and power stones! Thanks in advance.