Chapter 117
Deacon’s POV
+25 BONUS
I was tapping my fingers on a placed down leather partition in the backseat of the car with my eyes looking outside, watching the drifting shadows of the trees and roads we passed by.
“That’s a nice smile in there,” Tyson pointed out, looking through me with the rear view mirror.
My smile got even bigger, but I sent hini a glare in between making him clear his throat and continue focusing on his driving instead.
Who wouldn’t be wearing a huge smile as I do when the woman I had always dreamt of marrying just said yes to me? Yes, it might not be in a conventional way or out of love, but knowing she had that part of her ready to be with me made me happy.
What brought me more happiness was how she was the one who opened the idea of not having a divorce.
But the joy I felt slowly vanished as I got closer back to the palace, closer to where the hard part really lies. The part where I had to ensure I paved the way to this marriage as smoothly as I could.
“We’re here,” Tyson said.
Taking a deep breath, I put on the usual emotionless expression I have and stepped out of the car.
The servants and other members bowed their heads and greeted me as I walked toward the royal chamber, which in layman’s terms was Desmond’s office.
He was sitting behind his table filled with confidential documents and other things he was reviewing. Beside his laptop was a bottle of wine.
He was about to take a sip of wine from his glass when I entered.
Placing his glass down on the table, he leaned back on his seat with a raised brow. “Brother. What’s the rush? No knocking and all that?”
“Your Highness,” I greeted formally, making him sit properly and look at me with a raised brow.
Clearing his throat, he formally addressed me, “Prince Deacon. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Bowing my head slightly, I said in a steady voice, “I have come to return my military command, Your Majesty.”
With that being said, I pulled out a jade token from my coat pocket – the proof of decree from the late king, my father, of giving me the command over the warriors of the kingdom.
He looked at me for a little while, observing my face and looking intently into my eyes, probably seeing if I was telling the truth or if my decision were firm.
Clasping his hands together and resting them on his table, he leaned forward, completely intrigued, and asked, Is that right? And what prompts this sudden decision?”
I shook my head. “There’s nothing sudden about this. I have fulfilled my duties. The war is over, and now…”
With Elena’s face flashing in my mind, I let out a small smile. “Now, it’s time for me to focus on other matters. Matters that are more important than deaths and lands.”
Desmond studied me keenly, tapping his fingers against the table. “Other matters, you say?”
At first, he looked skeptical, but then later, a small smirk flashed into his lips. “You mean… Elena?”
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Chapter 117
+25 BONUS
We stared into each other’s eyes for a while, weighing the tension that slowly built up around us. Keeping my face expressionless, I nodded my head and replied with conviction, “Yes, all because of her. I want to marry her.”
There’s no backing down now. I did promise Elena’s mother that I’d marry her after the war, and now I’m doing what I promised and asked of her.
Chuckling, Desmond shook his head and leaned back on his seat, looking at me with a knowing look. “So, my three -month deadline did push you into taking action.”
“Elena…” Taking a small sip of wine with his eyes still on me, he took his time before continuing, “Elena is indeed a real rare treasure, Deacon. Her lineage.. Her skills and capability as a warrior… Her knowledge… You are not just getting a wife, but an entire legacy.”
His voice and how he said it made it seem like he was praising and giving congratulations to me, but there’s a hint of anxiousness in it. Obviously, he was threatened by that legacy he was praising
Meeting his gaze, I uttered without hesitation. “My decision has nothing to do with her lineage, her legacy… and not even her skills. I want to marry her because she’s Elena and not what she could and couldn’t do or what her pack or surname represents.”
Desmond let out a small scoff as he tilted his head a little, every emotion vanishing from his face as though he had put on a mask right there and then. “Ah… you’re a real romantic, huh? I thought you’re more pragmatic.”
Leaning in cautiously, he asked with a hint of mockery, “And how do you intend to marry her exactly? Shall I prepare a grand royal wedding for you or something?”
“No!” I immediately answered, shaking my head. “I don’t want Elena paraded as some royal trophy. I want the wedding to be private, personal, and intimate.”
Elena wasn’t not the kind of woman. Never been one. She didn’t want to be sandwiched into this political mess or be paraded like some kind of an item, and I didn’t want her to feel that as she married me.
What I want her to feel was that marrying me was one of the greatest decisions of her life. I didn’t want this marriage to be another troll in her heart that would make her hate the mere idea of marriage.
Amused by my reason, he let out a small chuckle before smirking. “You truly are serious about this, huh? Then I suppose you should start preparing for a greater battle worse than me or any political matters.”
Narrowing my eyes, I asked, “And what that might be? Is there something and someone far worse of a battle than the king is?”
Smirking, he gave me a pointed look. “Your mother.”
Hearing that, I immediately felt like I had some kind of terrible headache.
I shook my head and chuckled dryly, “I expected as much.”
Clapping his head as he stood up and stretched out, he stood beside me and tapped my shoulder encouragingly. Then may the Moon Goddess have mercy on you, my little brother.”
”
Putting a glass in front of me, he poured me a wine while letting out a teasing laugh. “If there’s anything that could bring the Great Prince Deacon Duncan to his knees, it’s his mother’s wrath.”
Gulping the entire glass of wine, I stood up and let out a sigh. WIth a small smirk, I bowed a little before taking my leave. “I’ll handle it.”
