The Rightful Queen

Chapter 17 – His Rightful Queen

“I didn’t. You told me to let him go, didn’t you?”

Laura frowned. Even if she did, he didn’t have to listen to her, right? But she’s relieved and it clearly showed on her face.

The corner of Samuel’s lips tilted upwards. It’s good that he can easily read her expressions and that she’s actually expressive, not trying to hide her feelings under a mask. Yes, he’d seen enough people who do that. They agree in front of you, giving you a soft smile, praising you, but behind your back… they say a lot of shitty things. They stab you in the back, to say the least.

Still, it won’t be good if she’s like this to everyone. She could be exploited by others if her thoughts are easily understood. Hmm, but her thoughts are not ordinary. He’ll give her that.

“Thank you, my lord.”

“Why are you thanking me? It’s not as if you’re the one I helped.”

“Still, you did a good deed.”

“Did I? I’m planning to send someone to check how that man is doing. I gave him enough money to start something. I’m still not assured that I did well.”

Laura looked up at him again. He gave him money? That’s more than necessary. He only needed to let him go. Her heart was moved by his generosity.

She smiled softly at him. She didn’t know that he’s this kind of person.

Samuel finds her smile endearing. It was natural and beautiful.

After a few minutes of silence, Samuel decided that he can’t be mistaken now. She’s the woman he met at the market, the one who helped him out, the one he meant to give the ribbon to.

“I believe this is yours.” He approached her and she looked confused.

Her gaze settled on his hand holding the ribbon. He reached out and clipped the ribbon on her hair. Standing in front of her, seemingly pleased, Laura couldn’t understand his intentions.

She couldn’t understand why her uncle and cousin were angry. Didn’t he say she must explain well? What exactly did she explain? Or what is she supposed to explain?

Frankly, Samuel isn’t sure how to bring up his decision. How should he tell her that he has chosen her as his queen? He suddenly feels nervous. It doesn’t seem like she would be pleased. His conversation with her in that other life came to his mind. She wants a man to love her and only her. He could recall that she wasn’t thrilled to become his consort back then. He hasn’t spent much time with her as well. Cristina requested him not to go to her. Though she’s one of his women, he hasn’t touched her. He felt complicated about it now.

His rightful queen is the one he ignored. The one he neglected. The one he disregarded. The thoughts gave him a stabbing feeling in his chest.

Laura was just about to ask if he needs anything else when he finally spoke.

“Lady Laura, I want you to be my queen.” He’s not really asking. Still, he felt that he did it wrongly.

“I mean, would you agree to be my queen?” He rephrased it. Though she is a subject in his family’s kingdom, if he’s going to make her his queen, then he must treat her as such. As if she’s already his queen. Not order her to be his queen. He sees now how wrong it was.

He watched as her eyes widened, but then she shook her head as she looked down. He felt his chest tighten. Is she rejecting him? It wasn’t a good feeling and a lot of things swirled in his head. What would he do if she rejects him? What if she doesn’t want to be his queen?

“My lord…” She began, but how exactly do you reject a royal? Her head began to ache. She hasn’t thought it would come to this. She hid herself so he won’t see her. She doesn’t want to be his consort again. Queen? He wants her to be his queen? Just what happened that things are going differently from last time?

“I… I beg your pardon. I must have heard incorrectly.” She bowed to him.

It became a little awkward between them. Since she couldn’t bear to look at him, Samuel realized he’s free to look at her. His confidence and act of being authoritative took a nosedive. He briefly glanced at his servants. Well, this should be a good test for them. We’ll see if a rumor would go around saying a woman rejected his royal offer.

He took a deep breath as he studied her. Yes, she was not happy before. Being queen, though recognized as his legal wife, is no different than being his consort. She wants her man to love only her and her alone. With consorts, she won’t be agreeable to it. Even if he offered her the position of queen, her decision is the same. She’s rejecting him.

How is he supposed to resolve this?

Laura kept her head down. Tears threaten to pool at her eyes. She doesn’t want to. She has no desire to be entangled with him and the palace affairs. She wants a simple life. A man who only has eyes for her. Who would care for her. Who would be with her. Who would support her.

Not one who would sleep around with many others. Not one who would spend only a day per week with her. Who wouldn’t be able to remember what they talked about last time. Who wouldn’t be there when she needs someone to care for her.

Not the prince, no.

If she can’t find such a man, then she would rather live by herself.

He tried to speak softly as he ran a hand through his hair. This is frustrating.

“You didn’t hear wrongly. I want you to be my queen.”

She kept her mouth shut. How should she respond to him?

“I apologize, my lord, but I can’t accept. It’s an unmeasurable honor to be considered by your personage, but I have no desire to be. I’m sorry. I’m sure others would be willing…” She trailed off, still unable to look at him. What made him want her?

She doesn’t want to be responsible for the kingdom, especially when it’s doomed to fall in a few years. She needs to be away from it, as far as possible.

Samuel stared at her, unsure how to proceed. If he only knew it would be her, then he would have thought of something. He needs time to come up with a plan, something to convince her…

“Please consider it.” He replied to her.

“Just think about it for now. If there’s anything that would convince you to agree, then please let me know. If you have any request, or anything you want, then you have my word that it will be done. Anything to make you agree.” He’s gambling now. Is he rattled? Not exactly. But it’s true that he’s giving her the upper hand in this negotiation. All because he needs her to agree to be his queen. If she continues to reject him, he wouldn’t be able to proceed with anything. He needs her.

Such big words… even Laura knows the implications of what he said. Her eyes sought his, wanting to see the extent of his sincerity. He can’t be serious, can he?

You have my word.

Royals do not utter that phrase lightly. Their words are equal to law. If he says that…

Why is he set on making her his queen? Didn’t he choose Cristina before?

“Why?” She finally uttered the question in her mind.

He frowned at her. Why what? He thought she was asking why he would tell her that she has his word of honor.

“Because I want you to be my queen.”

Laura scrunched up her face. This made him realize he assumed wrongly. What a way to give her an impression that he’s a fool.

“Yes, but why me?” She directly posed the question and stared at him. Sure, she has become brazen. She couldn’t understand why he would be persistent. Is it because she rejected him? As a member of the royal family, they rarely experience rejection. This must be a first for him. Still, that wasn’t her intention.

Yes, why her? Samuel knew he couldn’t tell her the truth. Even so, he truly likes her beauty as well as her personality.

“You’re beautiful.” He smiled at seeing how she seemed disappointed, but he continued, “Inside and out. I can tell you have a good heart. You are kind to others and you feel a connection to the commoners, who make up the larger part of the kingdom. I like your personality. You speak like a wise person. I feel that you would do well as my queen.”

Well, she’s grateful for his words. It was as if he knows her well. He has a good grasp of her character. But… she really doesn’t want to deal with the chaos that occurs inside the palace.

Here, she tells him what he already heard before.

“Thank you for your kind words, my lord. But I would like to apologize again. I don’t want to be one of your women. I grew up seeing how much my parents love each other. My father loved my mother very much and that’s something I want to experience myself. A man who would love only one person…”

It is technically the law and the norm for everyone, except the royals.

She doesn’t want to experience bickering with his consorts. She doesn’t want to hear unpleasant words from them. She doesn’t want to feel envious. Jealousy is such a bad trait in a woman. Well, to all people, actually. She doesn’t want to hear how the king cares for them, the gifts they received, the nights they spent together… she couldn’t bear those things. In a way, she admired Cristina’s acceptance of it. She knew she couldn’t.

“A marriage born out of love and not arranged between individuals…” She added this bit, wanting him to clearly understand.