Chapter 114
Elena’s POV
I thought Deacon would feel dejected from my straight answer, but to my surprise, he leaned back with ease, a smirk forming on his lips. “And that is exactly why you should marry me.”
My brows furrowed. Am I too stupid for Deacon’s mind?
Seeing my confusion, he chuckled a little. “Do you think Desmond would rather see you marry someone like Bryson if you decided not to marry him?”
I stared at him, and disgust immediately rushed through me upon hearing Bryson’s name and remembering my messed up marriage with him.
Scoffing, I shook my head with great disdain, exclaiming, “Now, that’s an unearthly terrifying thought!”
Deacon shamelessly laughed at my reaction. I watched him in admiration as he freely laughed, unlike the emotionally restricted person he was during the battle.
After a few minutes, he finally calmed down. Pointing at me, he smirked as if I had just proven his point, which I might indeed have. “That’s exactly why. No matter what his real intention was, I think Desmond is looking out for you. At least for your pack.”
I raised my brows at him, motioning for him to continue.
“He’s not looking for your happiness by forcing your hand to be in marriage. Rather, I believe that he wants to ensure that there’s a capable man beside you to help you manage your pack – and the capable warriors your pack has,” he explained.
What he said actually made sense. Though most of my packmembers died, our pack still remained the best training ground in the entire kingdom. Most of the greatest known warriors were from our pack, and with me back, I could rebuild what was gone when our pack vanished.
At this point, I’m almost on the verge of instantly agreeing with him.
Though I knew I didn’t need any help, since I’m already pushed in the corner, I’d rather marry him than any other man I didn’t know enough and might just be after my money or title. And there’s no way I’d marry the king who’s like my uncle and hurt a lovely Queen like Liz.
Turning to him, I teased, “And you really believe you’re the best option for that?”
“I know I am,” he answered seriously, making me laugh.
While shaking my head and chucking, I commented, “You’re so smug, Prince Daecon.”
Shrugging, he smirked with confidence. “Only telling the truth.”
Leaning forward, face almost close to mine, he asked in a deep voice that brought current within me. “Are you gonna deny it?”
I stared into his eyes. With his face only a few inches away from mine, I could even see my own reflection through his eyes.
Our closeness with each other made my heart pound. My hands clenched at my sides for control while I swallowed with the nerves that had formed in my throat.
Turning my head to the side, no longer able to handle his stare, I cleared my throat.
3/2
Chapter 114
+25 BONUS
Shifting and seating a little far away from him, I diverted beth our attention by getting back to the topic. “If I agree to this…” I started, deep in thought.
Taking deep breaths and a moment, I looked at him and seriously laid my cards. “If I ever agree with this… I want you to know that divorce will be out of the picture.”
He was stunned by my words, his lips parting in shock.
Not giving him time to recover, I continued, “So, if you ever fall in love with someone else, the best she can ever be is a concubine. I’ve been divorced once, and I will not allow my pack’s name to be tarnished further.”
When I first had my divorce, my pack was already gone, and I wasn’t the Ironpaw Pack’s Luna. That scandal tainted nothing but my name alone. But things had changed. If I got married and divorced again, many people would be affected, and most of those were my members, and I couldn’t let that happen.
I wouldn’t forsake my own people for my own happiness.
Staring at him, I watched his expressions change in the slightest manner. He pursed his lips, looking like he was constipated as he tried to control his emotions, which he was trying to hide – emotions I only caught a second of a glimpse of and couldn’t be sure what they were.
All I knew was that his eyes widened in shock and a slow smile formed on his lips, which immediately became a smirk, making me think twice if it weren’t a smirk to begin with.
“Then it’s settled. Divorce won’t be an issue, nor a mistress. I can spend a lifetime with you, Elena, if that’s what you want. I have no interest in anyone else. Like I said, I only love one person, and she’s already married,” he replied without hesitation.
I stared at him in shock. “Now, I’m more curious about her Who is she? If you love her so much, why not fight for her?”
Looking away, I caught a glimpse of pain in his eyes. “Because she doesn’t know… and perhaps never will.” “She must be extraordinary for you to hold onto these feelings for so long,” I whispered. Whoever that woman was, she’s one hell of a lucky girl to have a man like Deacon be head over heels for her. “That she is. I once asked for her hand to her mother, hoping for a chance, but maybe she thinks I’m not worthy of her daughter because she married her off to another man.” My heart clenched upon hearing the bitterness in his words.
Who would ever think a prince like him to be unworthy?
I stared at him, tons of thoughts coming into my mind. He didn’t even want to tell me her name.
“You are really an honorable man. It’s their loss,” I said genuinely.
He wouldn’t even tell me who she was. He probably didn’t want to tarnish her name. A real gentleman he was.
“Elena, for the love of the goddess, just say yes or no. We are not in battle–stop stalling and be straightforward!” he said, frustratedly, catching me off guard.
Jolted, I blurted out, “Fine! Yes!”
