235 The Deal

AUTHOR'S POV

Helena was not moved at Galen's awe-stricken signals. He looked like an eagle gawking over a mouse. She would've returned in the dark, away from the flickering lights of the candles, but then again, she chose to stand still like a pillar.

Slowly, Galen approached Helena… moving closer until they're inches apart. He held Helena's warm cheek, staring at her piercing gray eyes with flecks of green. "My Helena", he whispered, finally finding his missing piece.

Helena felt shivers down her spine that she intinctively spat the King's hand. "I'd like to make a deal", Helena met his stares, not moving an inch.

"We only just met again and we'll already make a deal? Loosen up Helena, I want to hear everything about your little adventure in the ice", Galen chuckled softly, moving away.

"There's nothing worth sharing with you", she answered with a stern face.

"Well then, unless it's about our wedding, I'm not all ears", Galen loosened the buttons of his coat, and tossed it on the floor.

"I'll come back when you're ready to negotiate", Helena turned her back, ready to leave.

Galen felt his blood run cold when Helena took a step away from him. He instantly grabbed her by the arm, with a tight grip. "Fine... a great King listens to his people, much more to his betrothed", Galen nervously smiled. Helena cleared her throat, and glared at Galen's hand on her. "Pardon me", he let her go and walked towards the tumbled over divan. He strongfully hoisted the cushioned seat and sat comfortably with his legs crossed. "Take a seat, I'd like to properly hear about this deal", he referred to his lap, teasing Helena.

"I think, I'll stand", Helena loathfully replied.

"No? Alright, If you insist", Galen chuckled softly. "Let's hear it", he placed his two fingers on his temple, looking intently at Helena.

Helena wet her dry lips, and brushed her hair back. She briefly closed her eyes and mustered all of her courage. "You'll have the grandest wedding of the century", she started, that made Galen slowly loose the smile on his face. "Decorated with your favorite flowers of spring.. A great feast of premium delicacies and first rate nuts and berries will be served.", she continued, keeping up a very bland face while saying such words. Galen furrowed his brows, leaning forward to hear more. Confused whether he is hearing her correctly, Galen left his eyes wide open looking steadily at Helena watching out for the words that'll come out of her mouth. "You'll be surrounded by your people, who'll be seeing you in your most fashionable, and finest garment of the latest trend… made only for you…", she said.

'This isn't a dream. Not anymore', Galen thought. He stood up, and purposely walked closer to Helena before faltering on his one knee at her feet. It felt as if time froze. He wanted to hear every word clearly, and he beg for it to be real. "With all the gold ornaments studded with precious stones and diamonds on my suit", Galen continued as he reach for Helena's hand.

"And the bejeweled crown of the Kings over your head…", Helena resumed, and gave her hand to Galen.

"With you in a white dress lining all your perfect curves, showing a little bit of your fair skin under the sheer fabric", Galen leaned foward and brushed his lips on the back of Helena's hand. With his eyes closed, he could swim across the oceans and fly freely like birds in the sky hearing those unimaginable words from Helena. "What's your condition?", he figured.

"Free Jacomus and Atrius. Exile Stellan faraway from this kingdom", Helena demanded without batting an eye. In exchange of her friends' and the love of her life's safety, she chose to sacrifice herself once and for all.

Galen paused and darkened his eyes. He never knew that Stellan would sow deeply into Helena's heart, and worse, she reciprocated those feelings. It was something that Galen refused to believe. All of a sudden, he laughed boisterously. He squeezed Helena's hand and guffawed uncontrollably with his other on his abdomen. He wiped a tear that escaped his left eye from laughing too much before standing up. "That almost sounded like a good plan, but darling, I have better things in mind", he pulled Helena toward him and flashed his pearly whites, lining her jawline with his finger. Helena pushed him away, but Galen only tightened his grasp around her waist. "And what Helena? Will you warm my bed after the wedding? Bear my sons year after year?", he whispered in his ear as she struggle. She glowered back, hardening her jaw. "Oh no, please. Don't give me that look. We both know that with you finally showing yourself before me is simply submitting yourself to me", he pushed Helena down on the auburn floral settee. He leaned forward with his hands on the backrest, trapping Helena between his arms. "I want our wedding to be witnessed with a general audience. You shall be formally introduced as the legitimate royal daughter of Silvius and Beatrice, just as you are. And I shall be known as the King who brought back the rightful heir to the throne, the long lost beloved daughter of the late King Silvius..", he cupped her cheek with intense grip, and eyes pinned on her flaming in outpouring desire. "And Stellan? He would be my mad dog, who'll stand as my sword and win me my wars on every land that I want to own", he said.

"Then, there's no wedding", Helena sputtered, pushing Galen with all her might. Then, she headed to the doorway in a rush.

Galen laughed even more, rolling on the floor. Kicking the empty bottles, he hysterically cackle with his palm on his face. Slowly, he leaned back on a chair's front arm post and grinned. "And yet, no one's leaving", he said as he try to calm himself down. Helena stopped at the mouth of the balcony. She looked back with confusion all over her face. "This room is spell bound with a very special magic", Galen added, folding his one knee, and straightening the other.

"Wha..t?", Helena softly uttered, looking back at Galen. All along, she thought she walked through a lion's den. She was in fact esnared right into the hands of the king.