Wife of The Demon Prince
Chapter 164: Second wife

Chapter 164: Second wife

At the palace, Ara had been doing well as the crown princess and she’d started to adjust to the palace life as well. However, since Ara had assigned Mary as her right hand lady before the wedding, Mary had come today to take her new position beside the crown princess.

"Hail Her Highness!" She bowed to the waist at the entrance. Ara hurried over to grab her hand, "Oh please, don’t. You don’t have to do that when we’re alone, Mary."

"Huh. No, your highness. You are royalty now and the crown princess, it’s an honor to give such formalities. Please, let me address you as everybody does." Mary insisted, then asked, "How have you been in the palace?" Mary’s manners and behavior was more formal than when Ara was unmarried, but her radiant and lovely face was still soft and welcoming.

Ara replied with a smile, "I’ve been doing well, more than I’d expected. And everything in the palace has been going smoothly. How are you doing?" Ara asked Mary as they walked out of the parlor.

Mary sighed, "Very well, however, ever since words spread of me being your right hand lady, my life changed dramatically. People who never spoke to me or acted as if I didn’t exist before, are now trying to make an acquaintance with me."

Mary’s words reminded Ara of the time when her love affair with Hamon was revealed to the society, she had also been flustered by the sheer amount of invitations and the loss of her quiet social life. Looking back now, it seemed like a distant memory.

"Do you dislike the attention you’re getting now?" Ara asked Mary, who waved her hand with an awkward laugh, "No, It can get really annoying at times, but then, I am glad. Because Ever since then, my family’s business has been doing great. And I feel good knowing my father is proud of me for making more connections for the business. Even though it gets annoying, I still like that look on my father’s face. And it’s all because of you. Thank you...I hope I can repay you of your kindness one day."

Ara shook her head, "Oh no, you earned the position, please don’t thank me. And am glad the position is of help to you and your family. You know..."

The pair strolled through the beautiful garden as they continued to discuss pleasantly. Ara would normally keep her visitors in the parlor, but today, the weather was cool and pleasant, and she couldn’t stay in all day.

"Mary, let’s sit in the garden for a tea." Ara suggested.

"Oh, that’s good. I like the view of this garden."

They made to the table, Ara told the maid following them to get them tea. The pair settled at the table in the middle of the garden. The flowers in the garden were in full bloom, as the spring breeze blew, the flowers sweet scent filled the area.

Moments later, the maid came with a tray, she set down a kettle of fragrance tea on the table and poured it to their cups. Mary took a careful sip and then looked at her cup in delight, "Such delicious tea, I like it. It smells like Apples."

"I knew you’d like it. It’s also my favorite in the palace. His Highness introduced it to me first, and liked it since then."

Ara had almost forgotten how enjoyable it was to spend time with the right person, until Mary came. The friends conversation branched out into various topics, from the wedding, to the most talked about gossips in society. But immediately they started talking about the gossips and rumors, Mary remembered something.

"Have you heard of the rumors about the crown Prince?"

Ara shook her head, she wasn’t one to catch up on the most talked about rumors in society if not for Mary, "Are there other rumors about His Highness lately?" She asked curiously. People liked to talk about baseless things at times, but she couldn’t help but wonder what they were spreading about Hamon, again.

Mary looked hesitant to continue, but she dropped her cup and began, "Well, you see, word has been spreading that the crown Prince is seeking a second wife. A lot of noble daughters are fighting for the position these past few days. I even witnessed two women arguing on who the crown Prince would pick."

"Huh?!" Ara was shocked beyond words. She and Hamon had been married not too long now, but there was already a talk of concubines? However, if she remembered clearly, Hamon married late because of the rumors; that said, he was cursed by his mother and his first wife would die miserable and a lonely life. But now that it wasn’t the case anymore, the families supporting Hamon were starting to push their daughters to be his wives.

Ara didn’t like the idea of a second wife one bit. However, she was also aware that her family’s background was not strong enough to support Hamon’s claim to the throne, and if he was to get married again, it would help him well in this situation.

Hamon was a royal and as a royal, he could never be a man she could keep for herself. He would need to get more supporters, and marriage was the easiest way to secure alliances. But Hamon might not immediately marry as the contract terms had stated he could only do that after a year. But after that, he could get as much concubines as he pleases.

The thoughts in Ara’s head were perfectly rational, but her heart said otherwise. The mere mention of a second wife tore her heart to pieces and made her chest ache. She suddenly started to feel uneasy.

"Are you alright?" Mary asked worriedly noticing Ara’s expression. Ara quickly forced a smile, "Yes, I am fine... if his highness intends to get another wife, I will not oppose. As a royal, it’s inevitable to take in another woman." She spoke calmly, but Mary could see through her facade. She carefully took Ara’s hand,

"You know, if there is one thing I’m certain of, it’s that the crown Prince’s heart belongs to you. And I know he loves you so much, he even vowed to you an enternal loyalty at the wedding. Even if he takes another wife, his heart will never leave you. So please don’t let this bother you." Mary assured.

"I am not bothered..." Ara smiled faintly at her friend’s consoling words. Mary had no idea about their contract.

Mary continued," There is one more thing you should know."

"What is that?" Ara asked.

"The rumors did not end there. I heard that Claire is the chosen one. She will be the crown Prince’s second wife."

The moment Claire’s name was mentioned, Ara’s expression changed dramatically to anger. No way! There was no way Claire would be Hamon’s second wife. She’d warned the brat to stay away from her husband, but it seemed she was finding it hard to listen.

Ara already had conflicted feelings about Hamon taking another wife, but now this? Claire was the last she’d expected, she would never accept Claire as Hamon’s wife, not in this lifetime.

Even though it wouldn’t be bad for Hamon to have the support of the Tudors, but Claire was working for Merona, moreover Ara wouldn’t let that happen.

"I will find out more about the rumors first."

Mary agreed nodding her head vigorously, "That will do. If you need help, I’ll always be at your service."

"Thank you, Mary."

If words spread wide, more women would have their eyes on Hamon. Hamon had been invited to an official banquet, and he’d asked her to go with him in a few days. Many women would want to get to him there, including Claire. But she wouldn’t let that happen at all.

’The more reasons I should go with him, I’ll have to be prepared to shoo the flies away.’

Ara didn’t want to accept anyone else as Hamon’s wife, she wouldn’t be able to watch him with another woman. She wouldn’t be able to endure the pain in her heart. He was her husband...

As time went by, and the sun began to set behind the horizon, Mary finally left the palace. Ara hadn’t been able to fully concentrate on their conversation anymore after hearing about the rumors. After her friend left, Ara went straight to Hamon’s training hall to release her frustration since she couldn’t drink anymore.

Unlike in the Boxton mansion, Ara didn’t have to practice secretly here, she wore a similar clothing style men wore to train, but hers fit perfectly accentuating her feminine curves, it was more designed in a woman’s style. She’d asked Emma to design it for her so she could wear it to train with Hamon few days ago, but since he’d been busy lately, he hadn’t had time to train with her like he did in their past life.

Ara felt more frustrated as she swiftly swung her sword in the air. The blade cut sharply into the air. Her feet moved more skillfully than a dance performance. She was gasping for air, but didn’t stop to rest. She continued to move swinging her sword, one would describe her moves as beautiful, if they were unaware of the danger lurking beneath the blade.

Ara released all the thoughts disturbing her mind. But suddenly she heard approaching footsteps, she halted because she thought it may be Hamon’s soldiers, but the moment she turned towards the entrance.

Hamon emerged from the entrance, he strode towards her with his long legs, his face glowing handsome as always, "I have been looking for you around the palace, so you were here all this while."

"..."

It seemed he’d been looking for her, but she couldn’t find any words to say because she was angry at him. She just stared at him with an angry-like glare, and Hamon oblivious to her frustration or the matter, gave her a questioning look,

"What is wrong, wife? Is something worrying you?"

Ara almost opened her mouth to retort angrily, but held back, she wanted to hit him. ’It’s all because of you am driven mad!’