The Prince’s Bride

Promises.

It is unheard of in the whole of Aveynia, for one who isn't a Royal to participate in the 'Chosen king competition', as everyone who has gone through the process, is that of a royal born or has royal blood coercing through their veins. 

And for the first time in history, tables are going to turn and rumors will fill the wind, that's if the one whom would fill the space would accept to walk into the world of royals.

Dalia bursts into a stream of laughter all of a sudden, taking Lucien's attention immensely, staring at the woman in front of him, whom, he recall has no trace of lunacy in her, based on his findings, yet, here she is displaying an act of such.

In Dalia's view, what Lucien has just uttered out of his mouth seems to be the most hilarious thing she has ever heard, and yes, she should be cautious how high her voice goes, but at this moment, Dalia can't care less, as just when she feels her laughter dying down, she recalls Lucien's statement, and her mouth goes wide open again.

"Do I perhaps have something on my face, or spoken funny in any manner?" Lucien taken by immense perplexity asks Dalia honestly, as little does he know what it is he bargained for with someone like Dalia.

Dalia on the other hand, finally calms down her laughter, as when her gaze moves back to Lucien, her mouth goes open again in reflex, as repeated laughs follow through. The child whom she carries in her hand, Sebastian, seems to also get infected by the invincible spray of laughing gas from Dalia, as he begins to coo and giggle excitedly.

"See, Sebastian also finds it funny." Dalia turns to Lucien for a second, still with a smile on her face, as when her gaze captures Lucien's expression, her smile diminishes with the seriousness Lucien has.

Never in his life, never in Lucien's life has he met someone like Dalia before, someone able to rile up his patience like she has just done, for the first time ever.

"Oh...My apologies your highness, it seems I have offended you. It's just I never knew you had such humor in your words with your statement." Dalia eventually able to complete a sentence speaks, as if not that Lucien is indeed royalty and could behead her, she would keep on laughing, as now, she feels the awkward atmosphere that now surrounds her due to her acts.

Dalia thinking in her head of how selfish Lucien can be, after speaking of such funny statement, and expecting her not to react to it.

"It is no humor Dalia, as everything I speak to you today is of serious matters." Dalia gaze halts for a while, as she neither blinks, nor move her eyes, hearing what it is Lucien says. "I request of you to be my second half in the chosen king competition." Lucien repeats his words again, and this time Dalia sees no inch of play in his words.

"What?" Dalia's first word comes. "What is this you say?" Dalia asks Lucien directly, as any form of courtesy disappears from her brain at this moment.

"I wish not to be rude, but do you know what it is you say?" Dalia speaking again, wanting to confirm fervently of Lucien's words.

"I am very much aware of my words to you, Dalia. Tell me, do I look like one who would play such pranks at this time of the day?" Lucien questions Dalia solemnly.

"Exactly your highness, which is why I inquire your honesty with me." Dalia says. "How would a royal born such as yourself, see a commoner like me for the first time and ask me to be his second half in the chosen king competition? Do you wish to make mockery of me because of my status, by having fun?" Dalia questions with melancholy present in her voice, as all she sees of Lucien's act is nothing but mockery to her.

"And what if I told you, this isn't my first time of seeing you, Dalia Delvinkin." Lucien says as Dalia's gaze go wide at her last name which he calls.

"How... I don't understand..." Dalia's speech incomplete with perplexity filling her head.

"I've watched you for quite some time now Dalia, and may I say I am impressed by your way of living." Lucien begins where as Dalia listens and watches every of his acts tentatively. "Every of your struggles and trials, as you live each day not consumed by the will to use your powers for evil or live in a life of corruption..."

"Because I do not know the mastery of my powers!" Dalia intervenes in Lucien's speech again, but this time, it doesn't upset him as he continues.

"Of course, I do know that. Do not forget I say I've been watching you and I do know you did have a chance of mastering them when the offer came, yet, you didn't, because you Dalia, build your life on truth and trustworthiness, and even if you may have stolen for the first time in your life, it doesn't eradicate the person whom I've seen you to be and the honest care you have for others.

And for such reasons, I choose you amongst all of Royals and commoners, because you understand the system, you understand the people and know what it is this current rule is doing to you and the people, which I wish to change." Lucien ends with every gaze on Dalia.

"And you think I am one for it?" Dalia asks in disbelieve, while the wind begins to energize the trees.

"Yes, I do believe and know so." Lucien replies.

"I will begin with saying how much of a discomfort it is hearing you watch me for how long which I do not know, or speak about the violation you have done, as I am just a commoner as you know, and of course the law doesn't apply to the Royals, yet, you speak of corruption of the kingdom." Dalia speaks rawly to Lucien, as instead of his rage at her tone to him, he is astonished at her brilliance of words.

"In a kingdom where saints are seen as liars and liars become saints, tell me, what must be done to eventually replace a saint as a saint?" Lucien deviates from Dalia's words at every extent, whereas Dalia stares at Lucien, as though he is a crazy prince.

"I do not know of such answer, as it do not concern me, your highness." Dalia responds recalling to add courtesy to her sharp words.

"The saints must first become liars, so as to become a saint again." Lucien answers the question himself, as Dalia only stares at him vividly till the extent she notices the color of his eyes. 

Green.

"I may have violated your personal life, which I do intend to apologize for, I do not intend on letting a disaster repeat itself, for which I come to you for help, so as to change the cruelty of the system.” Lucien says. "For if I have not mentioned, I promise to be by your side each and every way, and to protect you and nourish you with all it is you and the child you carry would need and desire." Lucien adds, sincerely speaking to Dalia and Sebastian.

Dalia scoffs in disbelieve as she stares at Lucien inevitably. "Okay, for instance, let's assume I do accept your offer, isn't it against the rules for a non Royal to participate in the competition, as that as never been seen before?" Dalia questions just as a matter of fact.

"Never been seen before, but not against the rules." Lucien answers.

"You have everything planned out perfectly, isn't so your highness? But, let me surprise you, I am a woman of color, they would never accept me and even if you do become king, none would want me to rule by your side," Dalia reasons logically. "And all I say in fact are just words, as I am going ahead of myself for even thinking of it." She adds.

"Anyone who wins the competition is the true king, and no one, no one can oppose such, not even the people until such tenure is ended." At the words of Lucien, Dalia is stricken by the authority of it, as her sharp mouth goes shut.

"Color or not, it is not against the rules, as all I see, is a woman who has soared through things, many can not fathom" Lucien speaks, where as Dalia melts at his words, as it may just be words to Lucien, but it is the nicest thing anyone has very said to her, apart from her late parents.

Dalia still quiet after Lucien's words, as her gaze goes lower to Sebastian who hasn't fallen asleep ever since, still moving his little limbs gently, for when his gaze meets Dalia's, he smiles dearly to her, moving a smile to Dalia's lips. 

"My promise stands, as I will forever care for you and your brother to great lengths." Lucien speaks again as Dalia's attention moves from Sebastian to Lucien again.

"And what happens if you don't win?" Dalia finally asks the question that sends Lucien mute for a second.

"Nothing happens and everyone continues with their lives." Lucien answers, as Dalia scoffs internally at how foolish she thought anything would change, or if Lucien would grant her some sort of special treatment, after all, she is just a commoner.

"Still with my promise intact that I will protect and care for you and your brother." Lucien continues his statement, taking Dalia's gaze back to him in astonishment.

At the moment, every cell in Dalia's body seems to stop with her gaze on Lucien, as Lucien himself, begin to feel something stir up his wolf. Something rare and unknown to him.

"And what if you win?" Dalia asks, regaining her self with her gaze still remaining on Lucien.

"Then, you become my queen."