Royal Temptation

Chapter 3: Proposal

"Why don't we have a meeting after the ball, King Leo?" I suggested politely. He gave me a curt nod, with his smile on his face. His smile was very contagious. There was a kindness in him that I could feel. 

"I would be very glad to do so, Queen Amara" King Leo responded. Just when I was about to open my mouth, King Tyrus walked to us, with a glass of champagne in his hand. I noticed a young man following him. There was a huge resemblance between them. 

"King Albert" he greeted. My father simply gave a curt nod. "King Leo" he then said. "I present to you my son, the soon-to-be King, Jeffrey" he introduced. Oh, It was his son. That explained the resemblance. Tyrus completely ignored my presence. I decided not to say anything. 

For the moment. 

"I'm glad you could make it, King Tyrus" my father lied smoothly. A tint of irritation started climbing up my bones. 

"How could I miss the event of you stepping down as a king?" Tyrus chuckled. I didn't feel like he deserved to be called a King. How dared he disrespecting my father that way? And he dared chuckling to make it seem like a joke. 

"You could have missed it" I added with a big smile. "I assure you, your absence would have gone unnoticed" I continued. "By the way, I am Queen Amara" I added. My father was simply staring at me with pride in his eyes. But I was pissed at him. The way he lied so easily just to please the man who ruined his life, was irritating. I was not going to act that way. I was definitely not going to let him step over me. I watched as Tyrus inhaled deeply before plastering a fake smile on his face. 

"Pleasure to meet you, Queen Amara" he responded. There was a tension that was suddenly present. 

"I can't say that the feeling is mutual, Tyrus" I said, my smile was quickly off my face. I wanted to show him the dismay that I was feeling. Why was I going to pretend that I appreciated his presence when it was far from being the case? 

"Well, Queen Amara" Tyrus started after clearing this throat. He didn't have any facial expression on. "I was hoping we could catch a few things up later on tonight?" Tyrus suggested. I rose my eyesbrows in surprise. 

"King Leo and I, already have a meeting planned for this evening, Tyrus" I announced. 

"I am sure King Leo would not mind us joining in" Tyrus chuckled. 

"Of course not, King Tyrus" King Leo said. He was polite. He was too polite. My father stood by my side, not saying anything. 

"I will see you at the meeting then" I nodded curtly. Tyrus' presence was becoming suffocating. "Now, I will go meet other guests, if you don't mind" I said with a smile that was clearly fake. Disrespecting King Leo, was never my intention, so I turned my face in his direction and smiled genuinely. He smiled back. The nod that he gave me, showed that he understood my situation. I walked away, my eyes looking around to find Sarah in the load of people. There she was, serving the Kings and Queens. I walked to her then smiled when I reached her. 

"Amara" she greeted again. There was a few glimpse of surprise from a few people. They were finding it hard to believe that one of the maids was calling my my name. I simply shrugged them off. 

"Sarah, you need to change" I quickly said. 

"Why?" She asked with a slightly panic voice as her eyes looked around. "What did I do?" She questioned. 

"You did nothing. You just don't suit here" I rambled. "I need you to go get a dress and be my lady-in-charge" I explained. She frowned confusingly and moved closer to me while holding her tray of drinks on the palm of her hand. 

"Mrs Brown is already your lady-in-charge" she ushered. I glared at her then sighed. My selfish self simply wanted someone by my side during this whole ball event and Sarah seemed to be the perfect person to accomplish this role.

"Mrs Brown is my governess" I corrected. 

"What's happening?" She asked again. 

"I just need a friend" I practically plead. Her eyes widened as she turned to look at me. I could see some pride and happiness glimmering in her eyes at the thought of me calling her my friend. 

"I don't have a proper dress" she whispered. 

"Go get one in my room" I said. She frowned then quickly shook her head. 

"i can't get into your room without one of the guards stopping me" she said. 

"Just tell them that the Queen ordered you and if they have any doubts to come see me" I said. 

"I can't wear your dresses. They are too fancy" she then added. 

"Sarah!" I exclaimed. However this situation was so amusing that I couldn't help myself from chuckling. "Just go find a simple dress that you like. Go" I playfully ordered. She gave me one curt bow before scurrying away. She put the tray on one of the tables before disappearing in the hall. I was going to serve myself another glass of champagne when I was approached by a woman. She seemed so young yet, you could easily know that she was in her late fifties by the wrinkles on her neck and her eyes. 

"Queen Amara" she bowed lightly. I vaguely remember her face from the photos that Mrs Brown had shown me previously. 

"Queen Meredith" I greeted as well. From what I've heard, she was a symbol of wisdom and kindess. She was the Queen of Eden. The Kingdom of Eden was sixth out of the seventh. Violence was never an option for them. Even the people were of a great kindness. Due to their lack of resources, they often needed the help of other kingdoms and hence it was easily possible to create an alliance with them. 

"You're such a beautiful woman, Queen Amara" she complimented me. Her blond hair was tossed up in a neat bun and one strand of hair was curled in way that it was shaping her round face. Her crown was well fixed on her hair. She was wearing a beautiful mermaid dress. 

"Likewise, Queen Meredith. I am very glad to finally meet you in person. I have heard so much of your kindness and great wisdom" I admitted. She chuckled lightly, hiding her mouth with her hand as she did. 

"That's very nice of you. I really hope that you're enjoying your coronation day" she added. 

"I definitely am. I was so impatient to finally get out and to finally have a proper identity to the People of Lyra" I explained with such a passion that it really made me realize how happy I was after this coronation. 

"I can feel your happiness, Queen Amara" Queen Meredith said cheerfully. "Don't let anything or anyone ruin it" She whispered as she turned her attention to King Tyrus who was standing in the corner of the room, keeping an eye on everyone at the ball. He was so cunning that we would never know what he was planning secretly. 

"I won't. And I will make sure of that" I responded in confidence. 

"I am happy that I finally got to meet you. Now if you will excuse me, I have to good look for my husband. I lost him again" She joked. She lean forward then pecked me on my cheeks. I was taken aback but I still went along. 

"It was a pleasure to meet you too" I said with gratitude. With a little wave, she walked away, her head turning left and right in search of her husband. I started walking down the hall, trying to see whether Sarah was ready or not. I was now worried that my guards might have arrested her for wanting to get into my room. Just as I was about to reach the main door, Sarah emerged through the main door. She looked so pretty. She was wearing a black dress that reached a little bit below her knees. Judging by her facial expression, it could easily be seen that she was very much nervous. Her hair was loose on her back. She timidly pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. 

"You look stunning" I complimented genuinely. 

"I feel out of place" She mumbled, her eyes facing the floor. I put my hand under her chin then softly lifted her head up so that she was now staring at me. 

"You are not. You decide who you want to be. You decide whether you feel out of place" I explained. "You feel out of place because you work here and now you're dressed like this?" I asked. She nodded. The sadness that flooded her eyes, made me sigh. "Know your worth. You might be working here but your still a very interesting person with a big personality" I told her. "And don't forget. Now you're my lady-in-charge" I told her. 

"I don't know how to be a lady-in-charge" Sarah hesitated. 

"You just have to do what I ask you to" I explained while chuckling. "And right now, I want you to enjoy yourself. And later on, I want you to accompany me to the royal meeting with King Leo and King Tyrus" I quickly said and watched as her eyes widened. 

"I am not supposed to be there" She groaned. 

"You are suppose to be where I want you to be and I want you there" I concluded. 

"Amara" She sighed. 

"Please" I practically begged. 

"You're a Queen, Amara" Sarah exclaimed before laughing. "You're not supposed to be begging or saying please to obtain anything" She told me as we started walking to the balcony. Many people were standing outside with their drinks in their hands. Some of the people were swaying to the slow music. 

"Says who?" i scoffed. 

"Rumors, I guess" Sarah shrugged. I needed to have Sarah in my life right now. I felt like I was creating an anchor in her. An anchor onto which I will be able to hold myself on whenever I would feel like I would sink under the responsibilities and duties as a Queen. I could see a good friend in Sarah and also a good person who will be able to advise me without being bias. 

After the ball, I watched as all the guests started leaving. This was a draining event. I have never socialized so much during my entire existence. The amount of people I had to talk to tonight was impressive. They were all so enthusiast at the idea of wishing the new Queen a good reign. Sarah would stand behind me and listen to me repeat the same thing over and over again to different guests and when I would have nothing to talk about, she would look for an excuse for me to get me out of an awkward conversation. 

I was proud of choosing her as my lady-in-charge. 

"Daughter" My father greeted formally as he walked to my side. 

"Father" I mimicked. My father winced slightly at how formal I sounded. I simply laughed. 

"Are you ready? King Leo and King Tyrus are waiting in the office" He told me. I grimaced. My father laughed before fixing my crown. I could see that he was worried. The little crease that was present on his forehead was worrying me. 

"Duty of a Queen, Amara" he told me. I nodded before walking down the hall with my father by my side. Sensing that there was something else that he wanted to tell me, I stopped and held on his hand. 

"Is there something wrong, Dad?" I asked. He shook his head then enveloped my hand in his. 

"Nothing's wrong, sweetheart" he responded softly. "Just be careful with what you say in there, Amara" he said. I blinked a few times. I simply smiled and shrugged. I couldn't promise my father anything. Tyrus was someone that i couldn't stand and I would never stop myself from giving him a piece of my mind. I linked my arm with his before walking down the hall way to the immense door at the end. I didn't even realize that we were followed by the guards until one of the them opened the doors for us. 

As soon as the door opened, the kings stood up. I could see King Leo, Tyrus and his son Jeffrey. There was another man by the side of King Leo. He was pretty young. He had a scar on his cheek. When I walked in, my father walked to the table and sat next to Mr Pepin who was already here as well. As advisor, it was his job to be here. Sarah was standing in a corner, making me roll my eyes internally at how stubborn she was. 

"Sarah, please join us and have a seat" I asked politely. 

"Sure, Queen Amara" she responded. In front of other kings and Queens, Sarah wanted to respect me. She walked to the table and sat down. I pulled my chair. One of the guards were going to help me but I quickly rose my hand to motion him to stop. 

"I got it. Thank you" I said while smiling. I sat down then stared at the people in front of me.

"Your very first meeting!" Tyrus exclaimed in fake joy. 

"Shall we proceed?" I asked, ignoring Tyrus' sudden burst of joy. 

"Yes, we shall" King Leo responded calmly. "I introduce you to my advisor and my best knight, Callum" He said. I nodded in his direction to acknowledge his presence while he bowed his head slightly. 

"King Leo. I would really like you to tell us what you wanted to discuss about" I started. I sounded so formal but I shrugged it off. I was very tensed due to Tyrus' presence. All I could do right now was ignore his presence until it was his turn to speak. 

"I wanted to talk about a way to forge our alliance. Make it stronger and base it on upper trust" King Leo spoke. This spiked my curiosity. 

"And which way is it?" I asked curiously. 

"A marriage" He announced. I frowned. 

"My son, Orion became The King Of Phoenix a month ago" King Leo said proudly. 

"Yes. I recall attending the Coronation" My father confirmed. 

"Orion is of age to marry. And I found a strong Queen who will be the perfect match for my son. And it is you Queen Amara" he said. My eyes widened. 

Marriage? 

I had just been crowned and they wanted me to get married already. My father's facial expression clearly showed the interest. It was something that he would do in order to strengthen the alliance. The Kingdom of Phoenix was the strongest of all. 

"Nonsense!" Tyrus exclaimed in anger. I rose my eyebrows in surprise. "Queen Amara would be a better bride for my son, Jeffrey!" He grumbled while his son, Jeffrey sat on the chair, looking bored as f**k. "This is the reason why I am here today. I am proposing the same alliance! A better way to protect both kingdom" he sneered while glaring at King Leo. A loud laugh escaped my lips. I stood up, put my hands on the table and took a deep breath to calm my laughing. I knew that the anger was building inside of me and the laughter was just a cover up of my coming explosion. 

"You attack a Kingdom. You kill hundreds of people and their Queen" I started, hatred coating each words of mine. "And you're talking about protecting them today?" I snapped in anger. "The answer is No, Tyrus" I answered firmly. 

"Amara" my father quickly said. 

"No, father!" I started. "Decision is officially taken. The answer is No. No, I don't want to create any alliance with you. You've walked into the kingdom that you've once destroyed and you've dared disrespecting my father. And now, you're disrespecting me by having the single thought of me marrying your son!" I sneered back. 

"You're disrespecting me, Queen Amara!" Tyrus stood up and glared at me in anger. 

"How does it feel, Tyrus?" I questioned with clenched jaws. I feel like I've been waiting for this my entire life. "Your presence can now be dismissed, Tyrus" He clenched his jaws at my words. 

"If I leave today, the truce is over" Tyrus snapped. 

"The truce is over then" I said with finality then motioned the guards to open the door for Tyrus and his son to leave. My father was staring in shock. He was fearing about the consequences. I knew what the consequences were. However, I was not a Queen who was going to pretend just because of a truce. 

"You've handled well the situation, Queen Amara" King Leo complimented. I was surprised by his words. 

"Did i?" I asked with a humourless chuckle. 

"Someone who disrespected an entire kingdom, does not deserve any chance" He spoke firmly. "Take your time to think about the proposal, Queen Amara" King Leo said. "After what happened, A strong alliance is what you really need now. And even you refuse, we will respect your decision" he breathed. 

Tyrus was going to attack for sure. The decision was made in my head. What I appreciated about King Leo was that he was giving me the option. 

"I accept" I responded with confidence. Everyone seemed to be taken back by my decision. "I accept to marry The King Orion" I continued. "If it means more protection for the Kingdom of Lyra, then yes" I continued. King Leo stared at me without saying anything. He stood up, bowed his head slightly then smiled. 

What was I putting myself into? 

No idea. 

But I had to do it.