Chapter 9: Chapter 9

~After two days~

The day of the mate event finally came. The event where King Talos and the hoped Damon was going to finally find his wife.

Talos went to Marlena, his wife’s chamber, to take her with him to the throne room.

“Are you ready, my Queen?” He asked, and Marlena smiled and nodded. They were both excited that they weren’t fighting anymore.

“Fighting with you is pretty exhausting, you know that right?” Queen Marlena asked, and Talos laughed softly.

“I’m sorry, okay? I promise to always have time for you and eat your food whenever you want me to. Today is a good day, so let’s not fight.”

“Hmm. About that…” she opened her arms and embraced Talos.

“Do you think Damon will find his mate in today’s event?” She asked, and Talos sighed.

“I have no idea, Marlena. You know how our son can be. He’s so picky and shows no emotion. Who knows, maybe his mate had come and he didn’t even realize because he didn’t give her a chance to commune with him.”

“Hmm. That’s true.” Marlena answered.

“If he had had some kind of relationship with some of them, maybe he would have found her. But, he doesn’t even seem to care. The last time we spoke, he said he doesn’t want a relationship yet, that it will only weaken him.”

Marlena smiled and shook his head. “I will never be able to get enough of Damon’s talk about power.” She chuckled.

“Yes. Let’s just hope for the best, and we shouldn’t force him. When the right time comes, he’ll find her, just like I found you.”

“Yes, My King. Shall we?” She asked with her flushed cheeks.

***

“Belinda, are you coming with us to the throne room? Some beautiful women will be showing themselves to Damon today.” Megan said to Belinda as her maids helped her style her hair.

“I heard the news. But why are they coming to show themselves?” Belinda inquired.

“My father wants Damon to find his wife.”

“His wife?”

“Yes… like his mate. The woman he is going to spend his rest of his life with. He is the heir to the throne, and before he can rule, he has to be married.”

“Oh… I see.” Belinda answered, and lowered her head. ‘So he is going to get married?’

“This isn’t actually the first time they are coming. My brother always turns all of them down without remorse and they never come back. I believe the same will happen today.” Megan uttered.

“But why?”

“Because he isn’t ready for any emotional attachment. He believes it would weaken him.”

“Oh…” Belinda answered and bobbed.

“So, are you coming to see the women with us?” She asked.

Belinda looked at her and shook her head. “I think I should stay back and continue training. I have a lot of exercises and practices to do.” Belinda answered, rubbing her thighs nervously.

‘I don’t think I’m welcome at such an event.’ She thought.

“Alright, then. I’ll come there as soon as the mate event is over. Remember, don’t train too hard or your body will go against you.”

“Hmm.” Belinda answered with a soft smile.

Megan walked out of the room and on her way to the throne room, alongside her guards, she met Damon. He didn’t look like he was having it at all.

“Smile, brother. I know you hate this, but please pretend. You should have stopped our father from approving the news before now.”

“I told him times without numbers that I’m not ready for any woman, but he still went ahead and made a public announcement that I need one. Now he stresses life out of me with all these events.”

Megan chuckled and shook her head.

“What?” Damon asked coldly.

“You’re just like father, don’t you know? Very stubborn.”

“Shut up.” Damon ordered. There was silence between them as they bridged the distance between themselves and the throne room.

“And where is that stranger? I thought she goes everywhere you go.”

“Her name is Belinda, Damon! Be nice.” Megan answered, feeling offended.

“Whatever. Where is she?”

“She’s probably on the field now… training. She said she has a lot of catching up to do. Why? You care about her now?” Belinda teased, and Damon scoffed.

“You know that's impossible.”

They finally got to the throne room and entered through one of the side doors that was closest to where their parents sat.

“Took you long enough, son.” Marlena said to Damon, and he let out a faint smile.

‘Let’s just be done with this.’ He thought.

As soon as he sat, Alpha Lichen stood up.

“Good day My King, My Queen, My Prince and Princess. I send greetings from King Edgar of Ambersy Kingdom. He is very pleased. Without further delay, I’d like to go straight to the point. Five women from Ambersy Kingdom will be presented to you, My King. They’ll introduce themselves and my prince can pick his choice.”

“Go on, Alpha Lichen.” King Talos answered.

Lichen gave signals to the men that came with him to call in the women one after the other, starting from the first to the last.

Megan looked at Damon and winked at him. Damon sighed and shook his head in disgust.

The front door opened and the first woman was revealed. She wore a long white dress, decorated with fur beads. On her neck were shining sparkling pearls and on her head was a tiara. She was truly beautiful with beautiful hair.

“She’s royalty.” Marlena whispered to Talos, and Talos nodded. He looked at Damon and smiled, but Damon just stared at the young lady blankly.

She got in front of them and stopped walking. “My King, My Queen, My Prince and Princess.” She uttered as sweetly as possible and bowed.

She lifted her head and looked at Damon’s face to see if he had an impressed look, but he had a blank expression.

“My name is Princess Kiara Edgar, from Ambersy Kingdom. I am a very hardworking woman who cares so much about who she loves. I believe if I marry the prince, I’ll take good care of him.”

After speaking, she gave another bow and waited for Damon’s response. Everyone looked at Damon, and his mother gave him a go-ahead nod.

Damon looked at Princess Kiara whose eyes were sparkling in hope.

“I’m sorry, Princess.” Damon answered, and Kiara’s head immediately fell. She bobbed and lowered her head as she turned to leave. She tried so hard not to cry in front of them.

After she was out, the second young lady walked in. She wore a dress similar to that of Princess Kiara, but she had no Tiara.

She got in front of them and stopped walking. “My King, My Queen, My Prince and Princess.” She uttered as sweetly as possible and bowed.

“My name is Maisie Baron, from Ambersy Kingdom. I am a very trustworthy woman, who cares so much about who she loves. I believe if I marry the prince, I’ll take good care of him. I’ll bear him children and we’ll be at peace with each other.”

Maisie gave another bow, and everyone looked at Damon again to give his final answer.

Damon looked at her with a straight face, but she didn’t seem to be affected by his intimidating looks.

“I’m sorry, Miss Maisie.” Damon answered, and Maisie smiled and nodded.

“Can I please give a little present to Queen Marlene before I leave? I have always adored her.” Maisie uttered, and Megan creased her brows.

‘Is she trying to gain mother’s trust?’ She thought.

“Sure. Move closer and present your gift.” Marlene said to her. Maisie happily moved closer and pulled out an old but expensive necklace from her pocket.

Marlene’s maid took it from Maisie and gave it to the queen. Marlene carried it in her hand and her mouth fell open.

“Wow, it’s so heavy and beautiful. It’s a very old edition. Where did you get this?” Marlene asked happily.

“From my mother. She gifted it to me before she died. I’m so excited you like it. I’m so happy to finally stand before you, My Queen.” Maisie rushed her words in extreme excitement.

Marlene chuckled and bounced her head. “I’m very pleased to meet you too. Come and pay me a visit anytime, okay?”

“Thank you so much, my queen!” Maisie said and gave a last bow before leaving.

Damon and Megan exchanged looks, and he exhaled in frustration. ‘She thinks getting my mother will make her have me? Such a joker.’

As the remaining young ladies walked in, Marlene paid little attention to them. She could stop admiring the beautiful piece in her hand.

She refused to let her maids touch it. She told them she’d take it to her chamber herself.

When the women finished showing themselves and Damon kept rejecting, Alpha Lichen stood up to speak.”

“Thank you for your time, My King and Queen. I pray Prince Damon finds the woman of his dreams.” He bowed.

Though he was feeling hurt that the Prince didn’t get any of their women a chance, he still had to be polite before the king.

“Thank you too, Alpha Lichen, and I’m so sorry that my son didn’t find the perfect woman for him from your women. Please let them know they are very beautiful and when the time comes, they’ll find their respective mates.” Talos uttered.

“Thank you, My King. I’ll be on my way now.” Lichen said and walked out of the throne room with his men.

Damon sighed and stood up from his chair. “I need to clear my head.” He said, and began to walk out of the throne room.

“Where are you going?” Megan asked, following behind him.

“To the field. I need to shoot some targets.” He answered without looking back.

“So you want to clear your head by staying close to where Belinda is? Do you have to go to the field? I won’t let you pour out your anger on her. I know it’s something you can do. Megan further uttered.

“Shut up, Megan, or I’ll shut you myself.” He muttered, and she broke into laughter.

‘Why is he so pissed anyway?’