Chapter 255: The Protective Family
In the grand drawing room of Prince Reuben’s palace, the air felt stifling as General Odin and his sons stood rooted in silence, the weight of Reuben’s bold declaration hanging heavily in the air. Odin’s jaw clenched; his sons exchanged sharp, bewildered glances, their hands instinctively gripping the hem of their tunics as if searching for balance.
"But my daughter has just returned to us," General Odin finally broke the silence, his voice taut and measured. "And she is still young—just turned sixteen."
Reuben’s eyes widened, surprise flickering across his features. He had taken Lara’s curvaceous form and confident bearing as proof of her being at least eighteen. He noted, though, that her face looked youthful, and there was the look of innocence in her eyes—a fragility he had perhaps overlooked.
Sixteen. The age echoed in his mind. According to Northem law, a woman could only marry at eighteen. His fingers tapped against his thigh as he recalibrated his approach.
"Then," Reuben straightened his back, his gaze unyielding, "may I propose an engagement instead?"
General Odin’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "Your Highness, let me discuss this with my wife first," he replied diplomatically, though the strain in his voice was unmistakable. "As you know, when Lara was abducted, my wife got sick. It is my wish for her to spend more time with our daughter before giving her away." General Odin tried to sound respectful.
Reuben’s eyes darkened, the warmth of his earlier hospitality evaporating like mist under the sun. The room grew taut with tension, heavy and suffocating. He could feel General Odin’s resistance. He was already the crown prince, the heir to the throne. Wouldn’t they be thankful that the position of the crown princess consort was offered to his daughter?
"Ahem!" Prince Alderan’s sudden cough shattered the silence, his eyes flitting nervously between the crown prince and the general. "Brother, lunch is served."
The crown prince nodded. The chill that crept into his eyes was gone. He acted as the polite host and led the Norse family to an elaborately decorated door.