Chapter 86: A shrewd king vs a shrewd Sigrid.
As the breakfast which was composed of mostly fruits, bread, fluffy scones and tiny cakes was served, Sigrid maintained stoic silence. The fake smile which she had on her face moments ago had long died a natural death as soon as she realized that the shrewd king was playing his games again.
He wanted to use her to put someone inside the Thorin family, not just one someone but many someone’s because Thalassa had to have maids, ladies-in-waiting and knights from the royal family moving with her to her husband’s family when she married.
King Raff sighed loudly, deliberately, "She is over twenty and not one young proper lord has made an offer for her hand in marriage. I cannot sleep comfortably lately because I am plagued by worry for her vague future."
Sigrid looked down and rolled her eyes, ’you are not sleeping comfortably because you have a consort that believes sex is the only way to hold on to you so every night, she is as active as a rabbit in heat. You are almost seventy, give it a rest before your heart decides that for you.’ she thought. Not that she would ever share these thoughts with the king.
She raised her head and gave the king a sad look similar to the one he was giving her, downcast eyes that were glistening with unshed tears.
"Your highness, like any other citizen of Eldoria, I too happen to be troubled by the unwed state of the princess, but, a princess is only worthy of a king. My Thorin family has taken up farming lately, every morning, everyone wakes up to work in the coffee plantation before having breakfast and they continue after until lunch time.
It is even busier lately, they are preparing to plant something called sweet potatoes in the green houses my grandfather had built a month ago. If she marries into our family, the princess will have to put down her identity and take up farming.
Her precious hands will have to dig the dirt, her bark will ache, her nails will break and her beautiful face will become wrinkled from the lack of daily facial care." She stuck her own face out. "Look at me, my skin has become more tan and dry."
She held her palms out, "My hands have a few calluses from wielding hoes and gardening tools. The princess should wed a prince from another kingdom."