The Royal Mark-Chapter 47: Make Her My Queen

Mistress Valeria watched Prince Christopher lay Elsa gently on the bed. She was still shocked at the revelation that Elsa had announced earlier.

"May I freely speak, Your Highness?" Valeria asked Chris.

"Please, go ahead," Chris said before covering Elsa with the duvet.

"Is she really Hera’s daughter?" Valeria asked with a trembling voice and teary eyes.

"I found out at the same time you did. I had a hint though. But everything had happened so fast... Elsa and I didn’t really have a talk after she regained her memory of her mother," Chris answered.

Chris watched Valeria stare at Elsa with both joy and sadness in her eyes.

"She looks so much like Hera. I missed a lot in her life," Valeria could no longer stop her tears from falling down, and sobbed quietly.

"All I know is that her mother died when she turned thirteen. She stayed in an orphanage for a year before her father found her and took care of her. She had a good life growing up and had a job that she loved. She can heal with her divine power, I’ve seen it with my own eyes multiple times. You have to wait for her to wake up to know more," Chris smiled at Valeria who stopped crying as she listened to his story. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"Thank you so much, Prince Christopher, for taking her back home. I am forever grateful to you," Valeria uttered.

"You don’t have to thank me. I’m sure you’ve heard me earlier. She’s my mate and I will take care of her and protect her with my life. Please also know that in case the King does acknowledge her as one of his blood and refuse our union, I will take her by force no matter what. I will not leave Zemaria without her by my side," Chris warned.

"I understand, Your Highness. Rest assured that I will not hinder you from taking her. I believe that it will be for the best if she goes with you," Valeria gave Chris a comforting smile before they heard a knock.

A servant entered and announced, "The dinner is served in the dining hall and the King invites you to join them, Your Highness... Mistress."

"Prince Christopher, would it be okay if you go ahead while I stay here with my granddaughter? I promise to keep her safe," Valeria said which Chris immediately agreed to.

When Chris arrived at the dining hall, all of the members of the royal family were already seated. Prince Andrius gestured for him to sit beside him and so he did.

"How is she?" the King asked.

"The mistress is currently looking after her, Your Majesty," Chris replied.

Prince Andrius cleared his throat and said, "There are currently eight werewolf packs who are taking refuge in the southeast part of Zemaria. I had already talked to their alphas and was awaiting your decision about your marriage alliance with Zemaria before they decide whom they will support."

Chris sipped the glass of wine before saying, "The marriage alliance will continue. I will talk to them as soon as I can."

"Speaking of marriage alliance, if Hera is really gone then we only have one princess left to offer you," the King said causing Chris to frown.

"This is absurd! My King we have already agreed to marry off Milda to the Duke of Ravenhold–" Queen Irina rebutted but was cut off by Princess Milda.

"Mother, forgive my intrusion. I think it is only right that I marry the Prince of Arcanis instead of the Duke of Ravenhold. It was supposed to be that way in the first place. I am older than Hera, and by tradition, the eldest daughter should marry first. Besides, I am sure you would agree that Prince Christopher and I looked perfect together," Princess Milda stated before smiling at Chris.

"Milda! Shut your mouth! You know that the family of the Duke came from the divine bloodline. Don’t you want a child with divine powers instead?" Queen Irina boasted without care.

Chris raised his eyebrow and butted in, "Pardon me, Your Majesty. Are you implying that you don’t want your bloodline to be tainted with my blood? Is that why you were so eager to send Hera to Arcanis? So you can get rid of the daughter of your rival?" Chris showed the queen his red eyes for a second just to intimidate her.

"Enough! Irina, this is for me to decide and not yours. Know your place," King Allister exclaimed. "Prince Christopher, what I am trying to say is that we are willing to change the terms of our agreement. My daughter Milda is very much willing to take her sister’s place as your betrothed. Like Hera, Milda is much loved by our people and she can persuade more people to help you with your fight against your uncle."

"I understand what you mean, Your Majesty. But your soldiers are enough for me, I do not need more volunteers from your kingdom." Chris firmly said.

"I guess you haven’t heard the news then," King Allister said before he took a sip from the wine glass.

"Heard what?" Chris asked.

"After King Alaric marries the witch queen, another wedding will take place in Arcanis three years from now. Your uncle offered your sister, Neia, to the demon king in exchange for an alliance," King Allister announced.

Chris gritted his teeth and clenched his fist. His sister was only thirteen years old when he set sail to Zemaria when he was about to marry Princess Hera. Two years had passed since then, and he couldn’t believe that his uncle already had set the marriage of his fifteen-year-old sister.

"I will never let that happen. With all due respect, Your Majesty, you also know that the majority of my kind are loyal to my father and me. And even those who are not, won’t still have a say, for I am their true alpha. You should know that that alone gives me an advantage over my uncle. I am just letting him enjoy the throne in the meantime. I will take it back soon."

"What are you saying, Prince Christopher? Does that mean the deal between our Kingdoms is off the table?" Prince Andrius asked with a hint of worry.

"Of course, not. I agreed to become an ally of Zemaria even without seeing Hera because of my father’s request. However, this time it’s my choice to proceed with our alliance because of Elsa. It’s up to the king if he will make her a legitimate princess of your kingdom or not. I really don’t care. I will still take her with me when I go back to Arcanis and make her my Queen."