Chapter 3: Arranged Marriage

When King Levin only managed to enter the palace without any handmaids or assistants, the visitors began to gossip.

"Where are your butlers, King Levin?" one of the Judges inquired.

"I don't need any butlers or assistants," King Levin replied simply.

"I see you already trust us," Mother said abruptly, and King Levin smiled and looked at me.

"Now you may sit, King Levin. Judge Bailey, let us begin the convention," Mother says as King Levin takes a seat beside me.

The meeting began immediately as I noticed King Levin out of the corner of my eye. With just one look, I knew this person was mysterious. His face expresses his interest in the meeting while also displaying a fierce expression.

My hands were now trembling with nervousness, and I was concerned that my future relationship with the King would fail because I would soon be a Queen in Mondreich with a higher title than I had now. I'm sure I'll get used to it when the time comes, but I'll be a Royal Queen in another country without knowing all of the details.

"Are you worried?" I came back from concrete when I heard King Levin softly whispers while looking at me then smiled.

I planted my face in confusion after he just smiled at me.

What was that?

"Don't worry, Queen Oceana. I can take care of you" my confused face quickly changed into a shocked face.

"For your information King Levin, I would like to notify you that I am a Princess. Mother Cliodhna is the Queen. Excuse my profanity." I pinched my dress with my fingers when I just realized my attitude towards him.

"Well, you will become a Queen thereupon." a sudden feeling of heat in my cheeks swells up.

"Your honor," King Levin said, rising to his feet as the Judges and other politicians gathered here turned their attention to him, as did Mother and Father, who were sitting beside us.

"Yes, Your Majesty? Is there something you need?" Judge Bailey asked.

"Sorry for interrupting our meeting, but may I ask if I may take Princess Oceana for a walk?" I look at him, puzzled by his sudden urgency.

"Pardon my interference, Your Majesty. May I know what you desire for you to take me out here?" I asked politely.

"I just want to talk to you privately. You and I only." he answered as I just look away.

"I agonizingly say that I have no right to decide, Your Majesty. But thank you for asking permission. Instead, we can ask Her Majesty for approval." they all look at Mother waiting for her to say anything.

"I happily approve, King Levin." Mother said as King Levin smiled.

"But of course, I need Princess Oceana's permission too since she's the one you want to go with." I look at her and then to King Levin.

"May I, Your Highness?" as he offers his hand.

His hand is still in front of me while I just stare at it.

"Is there a problem, my dear?" Mother asked. I was too nervous to talk to him that's why I'm hesitating to go with him.

"It seems like Princess Oceana doesn't trust me." King Levin said.

"King Levin came here all by himself inside here. Am I right?" Father suddenly speaks. Father has a point but trust isn't my problem right now. It's the relationship I can build with him.

"Don't worry too much, Princess. It's okay if you don't want to." he was about to sit down when I put my hand on his as he dampened his smiles.

I stand up as we left with Eliz and some butlers with us and go straight into the garden.

"You can leave us here, Eliz." I commanded.

"Yes, Your Highness." she bows down and left.

"I presumed that this garden is yours, Princess." he said while observing the flowers.

"How can you say so?"

"Fleur means flower in French" he instantly said.

"And how do you know my second name?" as I sat on the bench.

"Well, you're quite prominent in the other nations as well as mine since you were born." he touched the blue ternate flower and then looks at me.

"And Oceana for having ocean blue eyes." he points out the sea outside where can be seen here in our spot.

"We both know that the ocean is in the middle of Mondreich and Starnstadt" he walks to me and kneels then leans his arms on my lap.

"And Saoirse... Saoirse is a rare Irish name for women." he relaxes his face on his arms, still looking up at me.

"Is this the only private talk you want to confer about?" I suddenly asked.

"Of course, no. I'm just bringing this subject to know how will you answer."

"First and foremost, this garden isn't mine. It's Mother's. Second, Oceana and Fleur were Mother's idea to name it for me, and you could say so because Oceana is from the ocean and my eye color, while Fleur was a french word for the flower. Saoirse is from Father because he's originally from Ireland and he's a former general who fought way back then in the war between our nations."

"Saoirse means freedom."

"And how do you know that too?" I asked.

"According to my instincts."

"Your instincts are lame, King Levin" he chuckles then stands up.

"Some said you are a bubbly person."

"I am." I shortly said.

"Then why can't I see anything? All I can see is despondency." I bite my lip and starts to think negatively.

"But I like it." he blurted out.

"You might be thinking now why I choose you to be my Queen." he suddenly said as he put his hands on his pockets.

"Since this morning when Mother came home from Mondreich" I replied.

"Do you want to know my answer?" King Levin asked whilst I nod.

He gradually proceeds towards my ear and whispers.

"Because you're pretty interesting."