Chapter 17: 17. Prince Aaron Wright Vern Dupont
A few months went by and Prince Aaron's condition finally showed some improvements. The Vern Dupont royal family was ecstatic when they heard the news. The doctor had called the Archduke one morning to inform that Prince Aaron had regained consciousness and making good progress. They immediately rushed to the hospital and when they entered the room, Prince Aaron was seated with a pillow propped against his back. When he saw his family, Prince Aaron immediately smiled and said apologetically, "Father, Mother, Benjamin, I am sorry for making you worry about me."
The Archduchess Margarite Vern Dupont immediately cried and hugged Prince Aaron tightly, while the Archduke simply patted his back. Although his gesture was mild, one could see happiness in his face upon seeing his eldest son waking up and looking well. Benjamin's eyes teared up and he could not help but punched his brother lightly on his shoulder. "Brother, you really know how to scare us. Please, no next time." Benjamin implored of him. Prince Aaron simply laughed and punched his brother back jokingly.
"Aaron, your mother and I have discussed. We think it is time for us to find you a wife. Time waits for no one and after this incident, you really should not delay your marriage and get settle down. What do you think?" Archduke Vern Dupont cautiously approached this subject with his eldest son. He knew that his son got his heart broken once and since then, Aaron did not seem interested in any other girls. Given his royal status and immense wealth, many prominent and noble families had proposed marriage but each time he broached the subject with Aaron, his son would subtly reject by saying he wasn't ready.
However, the situation now had changed and after this incident, the Archduke and his wife strongly felt that their son should not delay his marriage anymore as securing the heir to their family lineage was of the utmost importance. They were not old fashioned parents, but it couldn't be denied that their family ancestral lineage went all the way back and both Aaron and Benjamin were the 5th generation. Prince Aaron was destined to be the heir to the Vern Dupont estates and inherit his father's royal title. Therefore, he needed to produce an heir to continue the Vern Dupont's title inheritance. This was inevitable and it was his responsibility as the eldest Prince.
"Yes Aaron. Please understand. You know we would always support whatever you do. But Son, Grandfather has been pestering your father about this, especially since he heard of your accident. And we kind of agree with him this time. We hope you won't object my dear." Archduchess Margarite said softly, while holding Prince Aaron's hands.
Archduchess Margarite was known to be a virtuous and kind woman and she adored her husband and her two sons the most. Being raised in the royal family of the current King, Archduchess Margarite was the eldest daughter of Commander Gerald Reiner and Lady Anne Reiner. Her father passed away in the line of duty when she was young and her mother died of heartbroken not long after.
Being left alone with no other relatives to care for her, the previous King, King Stefan William Xavier took her under his care as he had long regarded Commander Gerald Reiner as his comrade-in-arms and sworn brothers. Therefore, he raised her as his adopted daughter, alongside his son, the current King of Northernlands, King Louis William Xavier, and conferred her the title Princess Margarite. When she was of the marriageable age, King Stefan decreed for her to marry Archduke William Wright Vern Dupont and they fell in love right after that. The Grandfather that she mentioned was King Stefan, whom she regarded as a Father, and Old King Stefan himself insisted for the two boys to call him Grandfather.
Benjamin grinned when he heard of his Grandfather. That old man was really persistent on this matter. Looked like his brother couldn't escape this time. The accident had left a dent in their lives and he couldn't refute their worry this time. If he still refused to listen, their Grandfather might just request his son, the current King to issue a decree of marriage for Aaron. Once that happened, Aaron would have no choice but to marry the royal family's choice of bride. It's better to choose his own wife than to marry someone he might not like. No one could have his father's good fortune of marrying someone as virtuous and kind as their mother.
Aaron seemed to be sharing his brother's thoughts when he finally sighed and replied, "I understand Father, Mother. I should not have let you and Grandfather worry about me. I agree to get married."
"Really??" Both the Archduke and Archduchess exclaimed in surprise. They would think that Aaron would still refuse to settle down, but who knew, he finally agreed to their suggestion.
Benjamin was silent and just observing the conversation. He had no right to interfere in matters concerning the future Archduchess and therefore he would respect whatever decision his brother made. He sighed inwardly. 'My own love life is a mess. I don't know when would I be able to meet Alex again. She must be really mad at me for leaving just like that. How should I explain to her, if I get to meet her again one day.'
Benjamin himself had his own dilemma to deal with. Ever since the accident, his parents had forbid him from leaving Northernlands and instructed him to stay by his brother's side. They had a long talk with him the other night, and his father had asked him to give his utmost support to Aaron. His mother had also pleaded with teary eyes, saying that she would like to have both her sons with her and that she didn't want to worry about Benjamin anymore when he was far away from them. Benjamin could not bear to see his parents reacting this way and he could only agree with their request eventhough his heart was missing Alexandra so much that it hurt.
His attention was snapped back when he heard Aaron's voice saying, "Yes, I will marry. But Father, Mother, can I pick my own choice?"
"Yes, yes of course. Do you have anyone in mind?" Archduke Vern Dupont asked. As far as he knew, Aaron didn't seem to be seeing anyone at the moment.
Aaron smiled and nodded his head. "But I don't know if she would accept me or not. She's quite different from anyone we know."
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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