Chapter 17: King Thorian’s Proposal

Alina's reputation as a formidable fighter continued to grow, drawing larger crowds with each match. King Thorian, ever captivated by her strength and resilience, made a point of attending every fight. His admiration for her turned into a profound affection, and he began to think of a future where she stood by his side as queen.

One evening, after another victorious match, Thorian invited Alina and Lyra to a private dinner at the tavern above the wrestling ground. The tavern was adorned with candles and flowers, the table set with the finest dishes. As they dined, Thorian's attention was solely on Alina, his eyes filled with warmth and admiration.

"Alina, your strength and grace continue to amaze me. Sometimes I wonder how you possess such strength in such a tender body," Thorian said, raising his glass in a toast. "I find myself thinking of you constantly. You have brought a new light into my life."

Alina blushed slightly, feeling a mix of pride and unease. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Your support means a great deal to me. But sometimes, you can't judge one's strength just by its outward qualities."

Thorian nodded in agreement as he set his glass down and leaned forward, his expression serious yet tender. "Alina, I have come to care for you deeply. I want you to be more than just a fighter in my kingdom. I want you to be my queen."

The room fell silent, the weight of his words hanging in the air. Alina's heart raced, and she glanced at Lyra, who looked equally stunned.

"Your Majesty, I am deeply honored, but I cannot accept your proposal," Alina replied, her voice firm. "You are already married, and I cannot become a queen while another holds that title."

Thorian's face fell, but he quickly composed himself. "I understand your hesitation, but the fact that I love my wife doesn't mean I can't be in love with you too. I'm a king and, for that reason, I'm allowed as many wives as I can. I believe we can find happiness together, Alina."

Despite his earnest plea, Alina shook her head. "You see the problem. It doesn't end with me. Tomorrow, if you get tired of me, you'll find someone who is younger and more beautiful than I am. It doesn't end." Alina voiced.

He smirked, "Come on, Alina. Don't think about it like that. The fact I'm interested in you doesn't mean I'll be interested in so many others. I'm a king. I have all the riches, therefore I can decide to have as many women as I want if that was my plan all these years, but I didn't. Not until I met you. You're special. There's something about you that ignites my spirit."

"No matter what you say, I cannot do that to another woman, Your Majesty. It would not be right." Alina stood her ground.

Lyra tried so hard not to react to the matter while she cunningly watched them.

Thorian sighed, a mix of frustration and admiration in his eyes. "You are a woman of great honor, Alina. I respect your decision, but I will not give up so easily. Please, accept these gifts as a token of my affection."

He handed her some bags of items. Lyra gracefully rushed them from his guards.

Over the following weeks, Thorian's attempts to woo Alina grew more intense. Lavish gifts arrived at their doorstep daily: exquisite dresses, rare jewels, and even a pair of beautiful horses for Alina and Lyra. Each gift came with a heartfelt note, expressing Thorian's deepening feelings for her.

Alina was touched by his gestures but remained resolute in her refusal. She appreciated Thorian's kindness and sincerity, but her principles would not allow her to accept his proposal while he was still married. Lyra supported her decision, though she occasionally wondered if rejecting such a powerful man was the wisest choice.

One afternoon, as Thorian rode through the royal gardens outside the palace, Alina and Lyra joined him on their new horses. His face lighted up at the sight of her, she was wearing one of the dresses and some of the jewelry he had gotten for her. "Alina, you look radiant today. How are you enjoying the horses?"

"They are wonderful, Your Majesty. Thank you for making our movements so easy," Alina replied, smiling softly.

Thorian dismounted his horse and walked beside her. He helped her down from hers. As they took a stroll, he spoke, "Alina, I understand your reservations, but I must ask you again. Will you consider becoming my queen? We can find a way to make it work."

Alina stopped. "Your Majesty, my answer remains the same. I cannot marry you while you are still married. Please understand that this is a matter of my principles." She looked directly at him, "Except your wife consents to it."

"I doubt that." Then Thorian nodded, a mixture of disappointment and respect in his eyes. "But I do understand, Alina. Bear in mind that I only wish to see you happy. Know that my feelings for you will not change."

As they continued their stroll, Alina couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. Thorian was a good man, and she appreciated his affection, but the shadow of his existing marriage was a barrier she didn't want to cross.

Later that evening, as they prepared for bed, Lyra sat beside Alina, sensing her inner turmoil. "You're doing the right thing, Alina. Your honor and integrity are what make you so special. Thorian will understand that in time."

Alina sighed, leaning her head against Lyra's shoulder. "I hope so, Lyra. I just want to do what's right, even if it's difficult."

Lyra stared into nothing and was in a pensive mood for a while. "But I'm guessing that's not all. Something else is troubling you, my sister. Tell me what it is," Lyra said to her.

Alina lifted her head and took a deep breath. "I know I still love Rian, but I can't deny that I feel something for Thorian too. Everything he's doing, the way he talks to me, the way he treats me, it's hard not to fall. But I can't say yes to his proposal. If you think deeply about it, it's not that I can't be a second wife, it's just that I don't want to hurt his wife. You understand me right?" Alina explained to Lyra.

Lyra nodded and extended her hand for a hug. "Come here."

Alina embraced her.

"We're going figure this out. Everything is going to be just fine," Lyra assured her.

The days that followed were filled with training and preparations for upcoming fights. Thorian continued to be a presence in Alina's life, attending her matches and offering his support. His persistence was unwavering, but so was Alina's resolve.

As Alina prepared for her next match, she couldn't shake the feeling that her life was at a crossroads. The king's proposal had thrown her world into confusion, but she knew that her path, however uncertain, must be one she could walk with her head held high, no matter the love and respect she held for herself, her sister, or anybody.