Bab 67: Courtly Dinners (Part II)
Michael
Prince Michael watched Annabelle all but run from the dining room with her mother in tow. He maintained a neutral facade even as he heard Duke Hagravand mutter something about women, and watched a too-gleeful simper of Sean's directed at Annabelle's back. He'd always wanted to ask what had transpired between him and Annabelle. He knew they'd been interested in each other back when they were in middle school, though it had been a secret because they all knew that she and Michael were to be betrothed. But the two suddenly hated each other out of the blue. It was the summer before their freshman year. He figured it was all for the best at least. He couldn't marry a woman who was in love with someone else. It would turn out like the King Arthur and Queen Guinevere story his mother had read to him as a child. It always saddened him how the queen chose Sir Lancelot over the King.
Duke Hagravand snagged his attention "...but like I was saying before prince, I think you need to carefully examine your priorities. If the kingdom is not at the top, then perhaps you should reconsider whether or not the position of King is meant for you."
Prince Michael wanted so badly to glare at him and to ask if he was blind to his granddaughter's struggle, but instead he nodded, his voice barely above a growl as he said, "I understand, Duke." He didn't want to force a marriage on Annabelle, but if she had to choose between him and Sean… He had to try one more time. "Could we not ask Annabelle anyway?"
This time, his father interjected. "Son, she's not who we're worried about."
"But maybe you should be!" Michael raised his voice, staring down the king. Inside, he was shaking, but he was too far to turn back. Damn the consequences. He wouldn't stand by and let Annabelle suffer. "Did you not see her run out in tears! Do you not know what she's going through right now father? Maybe you should be worried about me, but I know that you ought to be worried about her. Watching you all selfishly tell me what she wants makes me sick!" He hit the table for emphasis, feeling the anger course through him.
"Don't talk about my daughter like that." Sir Hagravand hissed, turning to stare at Prince Michael.
Prince Michael opened his mouth to spit something back at him, but his father raised his voice. "That's enough from all of you!"
All heads turned to face the king. The king's voice stopped echoing around the vaulted ceiling, leaving the room in complete silence. He took a moment to look at all of the attendees before he spoke. "Sir Hagravand, you are not to talk to the crown prince in such a way. And Prince Michael, you will announce your engagement to Annabelle Hagravand by the end of this month. All will proceed as planned. If you secede, Prince, Sean Mattuckle will take your place as the next in line to the throne."
Michael stared at the place setting in front of him trying to control the words that wanted to spill out. If he abdicated, Annabelle would be forced to marry Sean. Either way, she was losing in this situation. All the money, all the power, all the influence, yet he could do nothing to save his friend.
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
Emma_Kath
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Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone