Chapter 20: Two Men 

“I said I cannot give that man to the princess.”

Not that I cannot give the princess to that man.

The nuance was subtle but significant, and the distinction sent ripples of confusion through the room.

The murmuring quickly spread, filling the chamber with whispers.

Only the king’s commanding reprimand could quell the growing unrest, but he hesitated for longer than usual before speaking.

“Silence. It’s far too noisy.”

“...”

“So… what exactly do you mean by that, my queen?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected declaration, the king hesitated, his tone uncertain.

In contrast, Mirian’s expression remained serenely composed.

“I doubt Your Majesty’s wits have dulled enough to require me to repeat myself.”

“It seems you’ve forgotten, in your long absence, that this is no place for riddles. If your words sow confusion, you must provide an explanation.”

“I meant exactly what I said, Your Majesty. I cannot allow this man to be given to the princess.”

“Then…”

“To be blunt, I am saying I cannot consent to this man marrying the princess.”

Her words stirred the room further, and once again, it fell to the king to restore order.

“A wise king listens carefully to opposing opinions. May I ask your reasons?”

“The princess is still young. She’s neither of an age nor in a situation suitable for marriage. She has only recently returned from being kidnapped by a dragon.”

“I would argue that this is the perfect time. Celebrating the princess’s return with such a joyous occasion would be ideal. Besides, she’s not so young anymore.”

“Marriage should be a blessing, but within the royal family, it often brings discord and conflict, as was the case with you and me.”

“...”

“And wasn’t it just recently that noble families proposing their children as candidates for marriage visited Your Majesty?”

Her pointed remark hit its target, silencing the king. Among those gathered, a few shifted uncomfortably, their gazes avoiding hers. Clearly, some of them had vested interests in the matter.

The king, cornered by his own past actions, could only bring up the one argument he had left.

“True, it might seem early. But we made a promise.”

“A promise?”

“I vowed to grant anything to the one who rescued the princess.”

“Ah, yes, you did.”

“A royal promise carries weight. Therefore, we must…”

“Indeed, Your Majesty. You promised to grant him anything.”

Mirian’s faint smile betrayed her realization that the king had unwittingly set a trap for himself.

Those with keen memories would have caught on immediately.

However, no one had dared to bring it up until now.

Mirian, without hesitation, drove the point home.

“But as I recall, the man didn’t ask for the princess, did he?”

“...You…”

“Isn’t that correct?”

Her tone was detached, factual, devoid of emotion, yet devastatingly effective. The king could say nothing.

Breaking the tense silence, the princess spoke up, her voice sharp with restrained fury after holding back for so long.

“Not long ago, you were nodding along thoughtlessly, and now you suddenly interfere. Your Majesty the Queen.”

“Princess.”

“Since when have you cared so much about my marriage?”

“You’ve grown quite disrespectful in my absence.”

Mirian’s dispassionate retort only further fueled the princess’s anger. Clutching the armrest tightly, the princess pressed on.

“I’m neither as young as you think nor foolish enough to need interference in my marriage. And I know Alpheus  better than anyone in this world.”

“If the length of one’s life reflected the depth of love, how easy it would be to measure.”

“Regardless of your remarks, my decision remains unchanged. I love Alpheus, and Alpheus loves me. We’ll marry with everyone’s blessings.”

“That’s not something you can decide on your own.”

“Yes, I can. I’m the princess of this kingdom.”

The queen could have easily countered with Then I am this kingdom’s queen, but she chose not to. Instead, she waited patiently for the princess to speak again.

The princess, unable to contain her emotions, made a critical mistake.

“This marriage is already decided. Everyone in the kingdom knows we’re to be married.”

“Decided, you say?”

“Yes. Not even Your Majesty can stop it now. It’s far too late to oppose it.”

“Hmm…”

Mirian tilted her head slightly, feigning thought. Then, with a knowing look, she stood from her seat and approached. In an instant, she was standing before Alpheus.

Without warning, she lifted his chin gently and leaned in, her lips brushing his.

The room erupted into chaos.

“Your Majesty the Queen!”

“Wha… what…”

“Ah…!”

Alpheus, overwhelmed, could barely hear the cacophony around him.

The kiss was deliberate, unhurried, and undeniably intimate.

When it ended, Mirian slyly licked her lips, ensuring no one but the stunned princess noticed.

“What are you doing?” the princess demanded, her voice trembling.

“Expressing gratitude,” Mirian replied smoothly.

“...Gratitude?”

“For rescuing the princess, brave hero.”

Her tone, unyieldingly calm, made it impossible to discern any falsehood. Yet, the act itself was too outrageous to ignore.

“Or perhaps,” Mirian continued, stepping closer again, “it wasn’t enough. Should I thank you properly this time?”

“Stop!”

The princess rose from her seat, positioning herself between them, her face flushed with anger and confusion.

“What are you doing?”

“Thanking him.”

“There’s no such custom in the palace!”

“But there is among witches. We cast our wishes with a kiss.”

She leaned in close to the princess, whispering softly enough that no one else could hear.

“If a kiss can seal an engagement, then surely this should count as well. It was witnessed by the kingdom’s most important figures, after all.”