Gabriel’s POV:
The moment I laid my gaze on his dark, vague orbs which were solely gawking at me, I was left breathless for a moment. Tears formed from tremendous anger and agony was swelled in my eyes as we faced each other.
How pitiful fate of mine, the person standing in front of me was the same Zordan with whom I had dreamt of a happily ever after, but today it all seemed like an illusion I had unconsciously created. He was no better than a complete stranger, whose malicious hidden face I had already discovered.
Standing next to the bier of my poor father, I couldn’t help but utterly disgust him from the core of my heart. He didn’t even spare me the minimal courtesy to let me mourn peacefully at my father’s funeral for the very last time. Instead, by making this aberrant announcement right at this heavy moment, he pushed me down into the pit of undefined darkness.
Zordan was quick to notice me standing like an ice-maiden, as my blazing eyes sparked anger and hatred towards him. As expected from his witty instincts, he cleverly walked a few steps near me and stretched out his right big, broad hand in front of me before everyone.
“Lady Gabriel, I know the announcement must be a shock to you and I am well aware of the grievous situation you are going through. But, as I said, I have deeply reflected on the last words our Chief Advisor spoke to me in our very last conversation. Thus, I came with this decision to regard his ultimate wish and make you my bride as well as the Crown Princess of our kingdom.
So, just like everyone here must be eager to know your answer, so am I. Will you hold my hand and walk in this journey together with me?” In a deep yet senile voice he gallantly confessed to me in front every person standing around us, keeping his gaze glued on me.
But what’s this? I even felt disgusted with myself when my heart pounded hard with his loud confession leaving everyone jaw-dropped to speak in the hall room. Even more, I knew it was all his planned trap and not a single word he spoke was truly meant for me. Yet still, for a fraction of a second, my heart pounded with this confession which was more like a long lost dream to me.
Standing still, I gazed at his big white hand stretched out towards me as a drop of tear fell down my eyes. This was the hand that I had always wished to hold for the rest of my life, but now, they seemed like a shackle in which I will be tied to misery. I was well aware that he intentionally asked it in front of all and put me in such a difficult state since he must have wanted to make it clear to me that I was in no position to refuse his approach.
If I did, I was not sure how much this sick monster can stoop lower anymore! Perhaps, he might not even hesitate for a second before taking away the innocent Melhood couple’s life just to teach me a lesson.
And just with this thought, my chest felt very suffocated with pain inside, making me sick in my stomach. I wanted to scream my pain out and bring his devilish face in front of everyone present at that moment but once again…I was completely helpless.
After a brief internal conflict with myself, I finally chose to accept my awful fate.
Slowly, I lifted my trembling arm to hold his hand while my throat was choked with the urge of tears. A faint, shivered sad voice escaped from me as I lowered my teary eyes down, “I accept it. I will…become your bride, Prince Zordan…”
“What!?”
All of a sudden, just after I gave my acceptance to his confession, Queen Lorelia’s sudden loud grumble caused a strong echo inside the giant hall room, along with the faint whispers heard among the nobles.
As I flinched and lifted my gaze at her, holding a pair of infuriated eyes she was glaring at both me and Zordan. Strangely, I saw an extreme look of discontent on her small face which I didn’t even see when declared my decision of breaking off my engagement with Marcus.
Her glare seemed more like a vague disgust towards us, compared to anger.
“What are you talking about, Gabriel!?” Keeping a brief pause of a few seconds, it seemed as if she couldn’t hold her impatience anymore and charged towards me in a hoarse pitch. “Standing here at your father’s funeral, how can you make such a big decision abruptly? Are you…insane? At least I had a bit of hope from you to be a sensible woman!”
“I am the one who asked her decision in front of everyone, so please don’t blame her for anything, Your Highness.” Suddenly, Zordan gallantly defended me in front of her when I was charged with her fierce interrogations. I winced a little when he held my hand tight and answered her further, “Since she has accepted my approach, the decision is taken now. There will be no turning back.”
“Zordan!?” Queen Lorelia’s brows scrunched deeper in disappointment as she glared at our hands holding each other. I saw her jaws tremble a little as she further grumbled shooting her glares at me, “Have you lost your mind too? Is this the right moment to ask someone to marry you!? We are at a funeral hall to mourn for someone! Our Chief Advisor has been stabbed to death by an assassin and yet…how can you suddenly make such a huge decision at this moment? This is ridiculous!
How can you randomly choose someone as our future Luna!?”
Her voice was fumed with tremendous anger, making strong echoes reverberate in the room. The situation was awfully degrading and all I could do was stand and cower in fear, unable to lift up my guilty eyes to meet everyone’s questionable gazes.
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