CHAPTER FOURTEEN

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Duke Beaumont blinks ''Go ahead!''

''The Princess does not need to-'' Jacob, the king steps in.

Annalise raises up her index finger while she cocks her head to the side, stopping him ''On the contrary father, if i may be married to..whomever, i may very well be allowed to ask questions that bothers me. Surely you would allow me the liberty to poke holes would you not? '' she says not allowing her father the chance to talk ''Duke De Beaumont?''

''Yes my lady?''

''What prompted you to seek for my hand un-behalf of your son, surely, i do not believe he thought it on his one, i do not think we have met, your son, nor have we had a tete-a-tete. So i am wondering what prompted the proposal?''

He throws her father a look, ''Well my lady,-''

''Why did you look at my father so, do you require his permission to speak?''

''Annalise?''' She heard her name, she looks at him briefly and read those words behind his eyes ''Be quiet Child, now is not the time to be fancy'' much like the way her mother would sound. But she had every intention to be fancy, and rebelliously so.

''Be a minute father, surely, a curious mind is not a thing to be despised, i would only be a moment in asking burning questions Father, do not fret..'' she says ignoring him ''Speak Duke''

''Well my Princess, actually, my son, Williams is man, principled and well brought up, leaving the shores of Worcestershire to study the sciences, vast in knowledge and-''

''I did not ask of his exploits and attributes my lord'' She cuts him ''Surely i can get that off some paper if i may ask to see his resume'' She states, Sissie Veronese snorts. The king turns sharply, she frowns staring into the crowd.

Duke laughs uncomfortably ''Aye my Princess. I have felt the time has come for my son to be wedded. He is a man my Princess and the king had mentioned that he seeks for an alliance for the Princess thus i presented my proposal, he accepts it seeing the strong alliance our both family can form. Thus, we are here with gifts''

''Aye, ofcourse. May i ask you this my lord, where you forced into mar-''

''Princess, they have come to present their son, let them, you can ask questions later on, don't you agree Duke De Beaumont?'' Donna cuts her quickly sensing what she is about to ask and where she was heading to.

''Yes my Queen!"' Duke De Beaumont jumps at it.

''Present to us your son Duke, so that we may proceed to other things ''

''Aye my king!!''

''But mother, i have not even asked my question?'' Annalise leans in, her eyes angry.

''You mind your questions, i would not allow you soil their minds and neither will your father ofcourse''

Donna says turning away from her. Annalise looks at her friend ''I will kill someone right here right now!'' she mouths. Sissie laughs.

''The royal highness and the entire family of the king, may i present to you, he who has asked for the hand of the Princess, Williams Alan De Beaumont. Step forward son and show yourself to the king''

Williams stands where he is.

''Step forward son!'' Duke De Beaumont calls out, looking behind him, his eyes firm ''Come on now son, do not be shy, you were blowing your mouth off before we stepped in on how you would charm your bride to be, come Williams''

Williams stands where he is.

''Don't be a fool! Move Williams.'' Adrian states through his teeth and wide smile, ''Move your stubborn behind and show yourself to the royal family''

Williams does not.

''Oh Williams, we do not know you to be a shy one '' The Duchess, his mother states, staring at him and employing him to step forward making eye contact and moving her head to the side to step forward.

Williams stands his ground.

''Is there a problem Beaumont?' The king frowns. Why wasn't Williams stepping forward? Surely he can see that he is there, blocked from view by the elder brother Duke Alan and the one he calls friend, Viscount Theodore Nesville.

He hopes that Williams have not decided to reject the proposal, and right here infront of everyone. Did Duke De Beaumont not settle this before bringing him here?

''No my King, he is adjusting himself to step forward to look perfect for the royal family my king. Allow me a few seconds my king''

''Permitted''

Beaumont smiles at him with a nod and then turns, making his way to Williams, getting to him, his face turns into a mask of anger. Williams notices that Adrian and Theodore suddenly shift away from him as his father nears him, he places both hands on his shoulders, looking into his eyes as he pretends to adjust this son's cloth and the collar at the neck.

''The next time i bellow your name Williams and you do not walk forward, i will ensure that i take away all that gives you pleasure and confined within the wall of the province and your daily duties would be to graze, read and carry out mundane tasks that are beneath you and you do realize that i can start immediately, and i would start where it hurts by removing your hip glued to you and ensure that he is no longer welcomed to our home. Hopefully, that would give you the insight to think.

'My Lord Duke, me? What have i done?' Theodore began shocked

''Be quiet Theodore, if your friend do desire to go against me infront of everyone, i will tame him in ways i know how, starting from taking away his favorite things and you are on that list'' Jacob says.

Williams's eyes is filled with anger ''You would go that far father to get what you want?''

''Aye son, i will make sure that this alliance happens or i will ensure that you want to remain a bachelor as long as it be forever, and the support i would give you to allow you the permission to explore your dreams would be removed. So, will you step forward as called?''

He folds his fist in anger..

''Oh for pete's sake do not be a fool and say no Willy boy'' Theodore pleads, he has known Williams all his life, being friends since then and they went everywhere. Surely it was depressing to be away from his friend.

William's frown deepens, tempted to say NO.

''Yes, i would step forward'' he states

''Good boy Williams, you are my son, i will always think of the best for you, trust me, surely this alliance is the best there is, give it time, you would see it too'' he touches his cheeks, and then leaves him.

''My King,. sorry for the delay, he was having trouble to settle his look''

''That is fine, proceed please''

''Aye my King, i present to you Williams De Beaumont, son of Duke and Duchess De Beaumont, brother to Adrian De Beaumont, and his lineage has a thread of royal blue from our far distant cousin, step forward son and shoe yourself to the royal family'' he beckons.

Williams stands his ground.

''I swear to God Williams, if you do not move i will drag you there myself, do not be selfish, you may not value our friendship but i do and i would not be stopped from being with my friend. So, suck it up like a man you are and step forward, it is only for a few minutes and then you can go back to plotting!'' Theodore nudges him.

''Willy boy, father waits'' Adrian whispers through his teeth.

''I present to you, Williams Alan De Beaumont'' His father's voice had changed. He saw his mother look at him, and other members of their entourage.

Sighing he steps forward and out from the spot he is was in . His father smiles and then turns to the king,

''I present to you my king, Williams'' He takes a bow.

''Your highness, my Queen, my lady'' Williams says with a curt bow.

''Williams De Beaumont, you are highly praised by your father, and your traits and qualities have been previewed and we have found nothing of worry. We do accept your gifts and your proposal. How does this make you feel?''

''Angry!'' he states

The gasp fills the room, Duke De Beaumont steps forward quickly ''My King, he met-''