The Royal Palace (2)

He laughed and watched her finish her last bite. Once they were done, Valencia changed her clothing before heading to the carriage. Kael sat beside her as the carriage strolled to the Royal Palace.

As they arrived by the pathway, Kael escorted her through the palace with the guidance of the Head Butler, Maine.

“His Majesty and Her Majesty are waiting in the Main Hall with His Highness. Duke Izekiah is waiting as well,” Maine explained.

“That’s a whole lot of people… to see my guide,” Kael teased.

Valencia rolled her eyes as she held his hand tightly.

As the Main Hall’s doors were visible, Valencia hid closely behind Kael. The doors opened.

“Welcome, Young Duke…” the emperor, Lucentis, greeted warmly.

Kael walked nearer before he bowed.

“Your Majesties… Your Highness,” he greeted in return.

The empress, Cindalle, grinned.

“Oh my… who could this lovely lady behind you be?” she chimed.

Valencia gulped, tightening her jaw. Kael side-eyed her, holding her steadily.

“This is my guide, Valencia. I’ve chosen—”

“Valencia, what?” Cindalle questioned.

Kael’s jaw tensed while he glared at Cindalle.

“Oh… are you that curious about my fiancée?” he wondered. Then he pulled Valencia forward, grabbing her cheeks. She gasped and flinched. “I mean, she is beautiful… so beautiful that I couldn’t stop touching her last night.”

Everyone’s jaws dropped, even Valencia, as she stared at Kael. He smirked and tilted his head.

“F-Fiancé?! You never introduced her to us, and you’re calling her a fiancée!” Duke Izekiah, Ezrael, yelled. Then his neck ached. “Ah… my stupid son!”

Kael laughed nervously.

“Father, meet my fiancée, Valencia!”

“Your Majesty, I think I remembered touching this lady’s hand and felt a connection. Is it possible to test if… she is compatible with me?” Gerald interrupted, questioning.

Kael and Ezrael furrowed their brows, turning their gazes at him in disbelief.

“Did you not hear my son? That’s his fiancée!”

“Duke Izekiah, please calm down… let me try to understand everything first,” Lucentis commanded.

Ezrael sighed heavily as he straightened his coat.

“Very well…” Ezrael surrendered, seething. Is he trying to pull the same trick as eight years ago? This sly bastard!

Lucentis looked at Gerald.

“Are you saying you felt in sync with this young lady in particular?” Lucentis rephrased.

“Yes, Your… Father. I’m asking you as your son, I want to check if the bond between us is a match,” Gerald stated, smirking as he lowered his head. All I have to do is have a mage bind us during the process. Once that’s clear, she’ll become mine.

They turned their heads to Kael and Valencia, who stood there nonchalantly.

“Go ahead… in fact, let’s have the people see it happening in real time,” Kael answered confidently.

Cindalle, Lucentis, and Gerald shot their glares at him, silence stretching between them. Then… Lucentis laughed and nodded.

“Very well… we will set a date in the Temple of Lights for this—”

“I already had the temple ready by tomorrow. Let’s do it tomorrow,” Kael added.

They clenched their hands in exasperation.

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