The Royal Mark-Chapter 65: A Demand

"Elsa! Didn’t your mother teach you how the kingdom and our people come first before ourselves and our own happiness?!" King Allister shouted.

"She did but she also told me to do what I think is right," Elsa retorted.

King Allister stood up and pounded his clenched fist on the table, "And breaking the marriage alliance with Arcanis is the right thing to do? We are on the verge of a war and getting Arcanis on our side is the right thing to do!"

Elsa responded with a hint of disdain, "Very well, if you’re so insistent, then I have a demand of my own. I want to return to my world and search for my father. If you help me open the portal, I will agree to marry Chris."

"Are you out of your mind? Your father is gone! Prince Christopher and you both witnessed it. What is it that you’re attempting to uncover? Or do you intend to escape like your mother?" King Allister’s voice resounded through the hall, his final words piercing the hearts of both Valeria and Elsa. He was so enraged that he was already contemplating confining Elsa to the dungeon if she persisted in rejecting the marriage.

"He’s alive, I can sense it," Elsa murmured softly, her emotions in turmoil, uncertain of the source of her pain.

"For heaven’s sake, Allister, just grant her request so we can put this behind us," Queen Irina urged firmly.

"I can’t..." the king sighed deeply before taking his seat once more. "Elsa, understand that no one can open a portal here. It would significantly shorten the caster’s life, and I am not willing to risk Valeria’s life."

Elsa let out a bitter, echoing laugh that caught everyone in the hall off guard. "Haha! It appears that selfishness is in you too. Perhaps it runs in the blood."

"So, how did Chris end up in my world then?" Elsa inquired.

"He asked help from his friend in Qiryn," Prince Andrius replied succinctly.

Elsa fell silent, her brows knitted in deep thought. She couldn’t help but remember the first time she had encountered Chris -- naked and wounded. "Is Qiryn a safe place?" she inquired.

"In reality, it’s not. They kill intruders on sight. So, I’m uncertain how Prince Christopher managed to reach Novus unharmed. He probably has a well-connected ally there capable of creating a portal to Novus."

Elsa muttered doubtfully, "I doubt that. He must have sneaked his way in..."

"Just so you know Elsa, since you have proven your bloodline, which you were eager to do before, we will make it official. You are a part of Zemaria’s royal family, and therefore you are obligated to serve the crown and the kingdom," King Allister said.

Elsa let out a sigh and just stayed quiet, attentively listening to the king.

"And since you did not grow up here, I will be considerate just this one time. If you can convince the Prince of Arcanis to help you go back to Novus to look for your father, in exchange for marrying him then you win.

But if he declined and you still reject the marriage then I have to strip you of your title and privileges. You will be sent away from the castle, you will live on your own, and will be treated like an ordinary citizen of the kingdom." King Allister firmly said.

"Understood, Your Majesty. Is there anything else before I make my way to the prince to convince him?" Elsa said in full conviction and confidence.

"That’s all. You can go. You will have a lot of convincing to do."

Elsa bowed before leaving bringing along her dogs with her. She immediately went straight to Chris’ room only to find it empty.

"Where did he go?" Elsa whispered to herself.

"Perhaps, he jumped off the cliff after you broke his heart," Ciel commented making Elsa side-glance at her.

"Now you’re talking. I needed you to talk earlier but you didn’t and now I don’t need your opinion but you’re still blabbering." Elsa said, showing her annoyance at her dog.

"Your Prince Charming already saved you earlier why are you still upset?" Ciel questioned.

"It’s you that I need Ciel. Now where can we find that werewolf?" Elsa asked with hands on her waist as she looked around the room.

"In the cave perhaps," Nile said.

"I am not in a mood for jokes Nile."

"Chill, geez why are you in such a mood?" Niel retorted.

"I am angry at my dad, Chris, the king, everyone!" Elsa sighed and slumped on the nearest chair. "Why did my dad open a portal to send me back here anyway? I cannot stand this family at all! That king is absurd! Telling me what to do, to the point of pushing me to the edge just to make me obey. And Chris, where the hell is he?!" Elsa let out the anger that she has been holding for a while now.

"What is really bothering your dear?" Ciel walked in front of Elsa and put her paw on her knee.

"I feel like the king hates my father. If my mom did not get pregnant with me then she doesn’t have to run away most probably married to Chris now. And now, he thinks that I want to run away just to be with my father in Novus. If not because of my father then the marriage alliance would have been completed by now. Then mom would be married to Chris..." Saying the last line pinched Elsa’s heart and she wondered why.

"Then prove him wrong, fulfill the alliance," Ciel said.

"I can’t..." Elsa murmured, looking away from Ciel.

"You really don’t want to marry the prince?" Niel quickly asked in curiosity.

"Not that. Once I marry him, he will bring me to Arcanis and I will lose my chance to go back to find Dad."

"Give him a chance, dear. You’ll be surprised how much he would be willing to do for you," Ciel said.

"Maybe you’re right. But I need to find him first to find that out." Elsa and her dogs walked out of Chris’ room and decided to look for him around the castle with the hope that the prince will help her.