The Alliance Marriage Went Wrong

While Iria Alewine shifted her gaze to the Crown Prince with a confused face, the latter rose from his seat. He didn\'t even glance at her yet his gaze was directed to the two men. He recognized them. They were both the sons of high ranking Ministers.

"This is a feast to welcome Princess Iria and the envoy from Jerivia, not a place to blabber whatever you wish." His voice was firm and cold.

One of the young man\'s father, Verin Faria rose from his seat and bowed to the Crown Prince. "Your Highness, please calm down. They are drunk and -"

"Just because someone is drunk, does it mean that they can say whatever they want?" The Crown Prince snapped. Though the man was the Minister of Trade, he didn\'t even spare him a single glance.

Minister of Trade, Verin Faria was tight-lipped. The Crown Prince was so firm and now... he scared for his son. However, he could only back down and sit.

Even the King didn\'t do anything and only watched his son from his throne. He was quite fascinated by the scene he witnessed right now. By this time, the two young men were already dragged by the Crown Prince\'s personal guard, making them kneel before him.

"We are the ones who proposed the alliance marriage and the Princess of Jerivia came here to fulfil that. However, two drunk and useless men were openly criticizing the Jerivians right here in the presence of the Princess and the envoy. Are you planning to make our Qalagon a laughing stock?" The Crown Prince firmly uttered.

The two men were now sober enough to realize the mistakes they made.

"Please forgive us, Your Highness!"

They just never thought that the aloof Crown Prince would do this.

"Miguel Lorin, I heard you saying about the masked Commander. Then answer me." Arin Helev said, glancing down at the second son of the Minister of War. "If I ordered you to marry the masked Commander for the sake of our kingdom and the people, will you be able to do it?"

"I... " Miguel Lorin struggled to answer the Crown Prince questions. He was wary of the after-effects!

"The masked Commander is an admirable warrior who spent her life protecting her kingdom while Princess Iria sacrificed herself for the same. Do you think you are fit to belittle them?"

"Your Highness, I - "

Arin Helev turned away, ignoring the young man. Then he glanced around the people in the hall. "If this happens again, that person will be punished for disobeying a royal order. The King already issued an order for this alliance marriage and if anyone makes any type of comments which can harm this alliance, they will be severely punished for hampering the peace between the two kingdoms."

Everyone fell silent, not daring to utter anything while Iria glanced up at the Crown Prince with a mixed expression.

"Everyone, mark my words. Princess Iria Aventine is now my fiancee who will soon become the Crown Princess of this kingdom. Whoever insult the Jerivians is insulting my fiancee and insulting my fiancee is insulting me, the Crown Prince!" His voice was loud and firm but his words surprised everyone more.

Insult the Crown Prince? In this whole kingdom, no one would dare to do that! Even who was not on his side wouldn\'t be foolish enough to openly insult him.

Then the Crown Prince turned to his guards. "Take them away for punishment."

At the Crown Prince\'s order, the guards dragged the two men out of the hall right away.

Though all attention was still on him, Arin Helev sat down and maintained a calm demeanor again right away.

King Regan stared at his eldest son before he turned his attention to the guests. "Continue enjoying yourselves." He said with a smile, not even remark on what just happened.

Iria Alewine could felt her jaw dropped to the floor! Just that? Wasn\'t he the King? Should he at least say something to his son or the others?! Both the father and son seemed to be very complicated!

She turned to the Crown Prince who was sitting next to her but about two steps away. Maybe she was mistaken. He seemed to be more powerful than she imagined.

*

After the feast, Crown Prince Arin took Iria back to her chamber and after that, he went to see his father in the latter\'s room.

"You made me quite amazed tonight, Arin." King Regan said to his son. "It\'s impressive." He glanced at his son with an amusing smile.

"I don\'t do that to impress you." Arin Helev promptly said. He didn\'t even bother to look at his father.

"I know that but you shouldn\'t act recklessly. They are both the sons of my Ministers." The King calmly said.

"Do you expect me to let them go?"

"No. They deserve to be punished. I only said that you shouldn\'t humiliate them to that extent, especially in public." The King clarified.

"Only that way, I can prevent it from happening again." The Crown Prince simply said. His face was still devoid of any expression.

"You should think of the future, Arin. If - "

"I\'m not like you, Father." Arin snapped. "Princess Iria will soon be my wife. I agreed to this marriage, so... I will never allow her to be mistreated as long as she is in our kingdom."

"Arin - "

"You failed to protect my mother, your first wife, but I\'m different. Don\'t expect me to be weak as you." The Crown Prince coldly said.

King Regan fell silent for a while before he forced a smile. "Alright. Don\'t follow in my footsteps and be strong enough to protect your family."

The Crown Prince clenched his fist and finally turned to his father. However, he didn\'t say anything and slightly bowed. Then he walked out of his father\'s chamber right away.

Staring at his son until he was out of his sight, King Regan\'s eyes hinted at pain and guilt.....