Wife of The Demon Prince
Chapter 227: Bring an end to this game!

Chapter 227: Bring an end to this game!

The next day, as soon as the sun rose from the horizon, Ara had began to send out her invitation to almost all the wives of the officials and some influential figures in the kingdom. She had thought to make it a soiree instead of a tea party, and it would be held this same evening. Because of the suddenness of the event, numerous maids and servants were moving up and down the halls frantically preparing for all the guests.

Hamon had gone out early in the morning to join his soldiers in holding back the queen’s men from entering his compound. Meanwhile, Ara did her best to prepare for the soiree before the evening. She also made sure the servant sent some breakfast to Hamon outside, because she’d noticed he hadn’t been eating properly lately.

Time flew by and the sun soon began to set. Ara made to go and prepare before the guests began to arrive. However, she met Anne on her way. Anne hadn’t left yet because Ara had insisted she stayed yesterday, but she’d sent a letter to Henry to come and pick her up today.

When Anne heard about the soiree, she offered to help Ara get dressed before Henry arrived. Anne scrutinized her sister’s wardrobe and picked a dress for her, "Sister, you will look good in this one." She held out a white dress with gold embroidery adorning it’s full skirt, made up of layers upon layers of tulle.

Ara admired the dress her sister had chosen for her with a wide smile, "I like it, thank you."

A faint smile crossed Anne’s lips as she watched how Ara admired the dress in front of the mirror, however her eyes were still pools of sadness. The shadow of Merek still loomed in her heart.

Ara, who noticed it from the mirror wanted to say something about it, but then she bit her tongue. For now, it would be best to leave her alone to grieve.

Ara soon wore the dress with the help of Anne, before Anne also helped her do her red hair up in a messy bun, with few strands framing her heart shaped face.

"Thank you, Anne."

The sisters continued to talk pleasantly in the dressing room, however their pleasant conversation was suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door, "Come in." The door opened and a maid came inside to inform,

"Your Highness, Lord Henry has arrived."

It was time for Anne to go back. She stood up with a slight expression of regret, "Well...it’s time I return, sister." She knew how Ara was busy at the palace, but she still found time to take care of her and made sure she had her meals on time...And this would probably be the last time she’d spend time with her sister before leaving Findara.

Anne’s eyes began to fill with emotion, "Thank you, sister, for everything you’ve done." She stepped forward and wrapped Ara in a hug.

Ara smiled faintly, "You’ve been thanking me quite a lot lately, Anne."

"There is no other way to express my gratitude other than this, thank you so much again."

Ara chuckled as she tried to hide the emotions swelling in her as well, "Now off you go before you keep brother Henry waiting."

"I hope your soiree goes well, bye..." Anne smiled with tear filled eyes as she moved away from the hug.

"Take care of yourself, Anne. Make sure to write to me immediately you get there."

The sisters embraced each other one last time before parting ways.

Soon the evening of the soiree approached, and all the preparations were completed. The well-known cook had also finished preparing all the meals despite the extreme time pressure, and all the corners of the hall were well lit and decorated luxuriously.

Ara stood at the entrance to welcome each guest herself.

"Welcome."

The guest would reply in enthusiasm, "Thank you for inviting me today, your highness." Ara tried to have a light conversation with each of the arriving guests. As she was talking to one of the guests, she heard a familiar voice call her from behind,

"Your Highness!" Ara turned her head towards the direction and saw Mary walking towards her with a bright smile, her radiant brown skin glowing from afar.

"Mary, it’s been awhile."

"Your Highness, I am sorry I haven’t been able to come to the palace all this while to attend to you as your right hand lady." She bowed.

Ara waved her hand, "Oh no, please don’t be, there hasn’t been much happening in here." Ara noticed how the young woman seemed happier than usual, she then curiously asked, "Am I missing something?"

Mary shyly blinked her eyes before she leaned towards Ara and whispered, "I am matched."

Ara’s eyes widened immediately, "Really? You are matched?"

Mary nodded with a blush, "Yes, I’ll be getting married in two months! He is so nice to me, he even dropped me off here."

"Wow, congratulations, Mary, I am so happy for you."

"Thank you."

Ara and Mary exchanged a few words before moving to welcome the guests together. Mary stood by her side as they both welcomed the arriving guests, making it easier for Ara.

Not long, Ara noticed an unexpected guest approaching the entrance. She finished her current conversation with ease, then approached the new guest. It was Evangeline Golding, the second beauty of Findara apart from Claire, with some ladies following behind her. Evangeline was one of the well-known young women in the kingdom.

Ara had briefly encountered her at the grand ball at the time of the beauty contest. Although, Ara had sent an invitation to the Golding household, she hadn’t expected Evangeline to be the one to attend instead of her mother. Her appearance was a complete surprise.

Evangeline approached Ara first, "Hail your highness." She gave a respectful bow, however Ara noticed the young woman looked somewhat different from the first time they’d met at the grand ball. She couldn’t point a finger on the changes though.

Ara hurriedly recovered and placed a welcoming smile on her face, "Thank you for coming despite the sudden invitation."

Evangeline’s friends replied with, "Not at all, it is an honor to be invited by the crown princess." Meanwhile Evangeline said nothing and stared at Ara more than she should, and Ara met her gaze, Evangeline then quickly glanced away.

The pair had never been close. Evangeline suddenly attending her soiree...There must be reasons, and the way she was staring at her was strange. Ara soon dismissed the thought as she saw more guests approaching. She offered Evangeline a soft smile, which the young woman returned with a forced smile,

"Please go inside. I hope you enjoy the evening."

All the ladies answered simultaneously, including Evangeline, "Thank you, your highness."

The group of women disappeared into the hall, chatting away. Ara turned her head and still met Evangeline’s eyes on her as she walked away. That was definitely strange, she mused.

Mary, who had been quietly standing next to Ara, also sensed something strange with the young woman and spoke up in a small voice, "Your Highness, I think something is wrong with lady Golding. Did you notice?"

"...Yes, I did."

"It’s strange that she decided to attend your soiree, she’s been known to keep to herself and never attended any events unless it were held by her friends."

"...I see." Ara gave a curt nod of understanding at Mary’s words.

It was true that lady Golding was known for being reserved and rarely attended any events. She was the first daughter of the Golding household, and was doted on by her parents. But what Ara didn’t understand, was why the young woman kept staring at her like that...

Suddenly, Mary gave a gasp of surprise, cutting Ara’s thoughts, "Your Highness, look who’s here."

Ara turned her head in the direction and saw, a middle-aged woman making her way towards the entrance with maids following closely behind her.

The woman was the wife of the head official of the royal court. Ara couldn’t help but beam, things were really going as she’d planned!

"Welcome, lady Archer." Ara bowed in respect.

The soiree started off in success, and the presence of powerful and influential figures in society would now offer them a great advantage.

While the soiree was going on, in the queen’s residence, Merona angrily threw a tea cup across the room and it slammed against the wall with a loud clash breaking into pieces.

"What do you mean there’s a soiree taking place in the crown Prince’s residence?!" She demanded from Hera, who looked pale from fright.

"...Yes, your majesty. The crown princess is hosting a soiree in the crown Prince’s residence." She repeated, "She invited almost all the influential women in the kingdom."

Merona slammed her fist on the table, "Ha, the nerves of that stupid girl!"

Merona immediately understood Ara’s intentions at once. Currently, her soldiers and Hamon’s soldiers were fighting outside the compound. Despite her soldiers attempts to break through the walls, Hamon had far more troops than she’d expected. Not just that, he’d brought his troops from the border and he was the one commanding them at the moment.

Merona could choose to add more soldiers and push aggressively, but with the important guests in the crown Prince’s residence, her movement had to be halted. If she didn’t stop the soldiers now, word might spread of Cassius being held a prisoner due to violating women and drugs. And any rumors would ruin her plans.

Her ultimate goal was to make Cassius the king, and preserving his dignity and honor. She wasn’t in the position to act rashly again.

"That stupid girl will never learn to stay out of matters that doesn’t concern her!"

Ara might have appeared to look frail and naive, but Merona knew she wasn’t to be reckoned with after Ara had almost exposed her attempt to make her barren. The girl was more clever than she’d expected. How she wished she hadn’t let the marriage happen back then!

’Damn her!’

Now it was too late to regret she hadn’t stopped Hamon and Ara’s marriage earlier.

A deep frown creased the queen’s forehead, "Tell Edwin to bring back his troops surrounding the crown Prince’s residence."

"Yes, your majesty...But for how long should I tell them to wait?"

"Until I say so."

"Alright, your majesty." Hera bowed, however Merona wasn’t finished yet, "Also tell him to summon all the royal court officials. I have to bring an end to this game."

"Yes, your majesty." Hera hurried to deliver the queen’s orders. Until now, Merona had planned to use Edwin’s soldiers to bring back Cassius as soon as possible, but she was forced to change her plans now.

Merona sat in quiet thoughts by herself, her eyes shone with evil, "...Hamon if you think you and your so called wife can bring me down this easily...you are mistaken. I will be the one to destroy you instead."

She wasn’t called the second pillar of Findara for nothing. If she couldn’t get her son out of that dungeon by swords, then she’d make it so that Hamon would be forced to release Cassius himself.

Merona laughed coldly at her thoughts. This was just the beginning!

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.