Chapter 46: The talks of marriage
The four made their way to the foyer, a room rarely used to accommodate guests since the King didn't make it a habit of having people over.
The room was large enough to allow for at least ten people. The King and the Princess sat on the plush sofas. At the same time, the two guards stood a few feet away, providing them with enough space for privacy and enough time to reach them in case something happened. Ceremus let out a sigh as he ordered one of the servants to bring some refreshments for the guests he didn't even want around.
It was only after Princess Nastasya had sipped her tea—a nice herbal blend with a floral scent wafting through the air even from where Hael stood—that she began to speak.
"You're already aware that my father wishes to join our two prosperous nations and form an alliance. Though I wasn't too keen on using marriage to unite us, I was still surprised to hear you shared the same sentiment." She started to say, but before she could finish her thought, Ceremus cut her to the chase, his tone sharp and cutting.
"What would make you think that?"
The brusque response took Nastasya aback, but she quickly steeled herself. "Honestly, I've heard much talk about Your Majesty, and it wasn't all good—your many dalliances with the women in your kingdom and your frequent visits to the night district. I would have never pegged you as someone who was against marriage," she carefully said.
Ceremus was silent for a moment as he contemplated her words. They were valid to a certain extent. He had been involved with many women in the past, even recently. Only when Hael started living in the palace, did he quel his earthly desires. Though she spoke the truth, it didn't mean he liked hearing it. Something about the Princess laying out his dirty laundry didn't sit well with him. It may have had something to do with a certain gentleman in the room. Otherwise, he wouldn't care about who heard about his business. It wasn't like it was something he needed to hide, considering how well-known his dalliances were throughout the kingdom. But the weight of his past actions was heavy on his mind.
However, he couldn't understand why Nastasya would think that he, of all people, would be interested in marriage given his stained past. His surprise was evident in his voice.
"And? Would the kind of man who cares not for whom he sleeps with be the kind who values something as banal as marriage?"