Arlan and Oriana reached the Oak Palace where the King and Queen were hosting their guests, Luis and his daughter, Grace.
As they entered the drawing room, Luis and Grace stood to greet the Crown Prince and Princess, who first paid their respects to their parents.
"Good afternoon, Father, Mother," Arlan and Oriana said in unison.
Queen Julien smiled warmly, while King Ailwin nodded and instructed, "Have a seat."
Arlan and Oriana sat on the couch to the left of the royal couple, opposite Luis and Grace, who were seated on the right.
"Arlan, Marquis Mortimer is here. You must know him well from your time serving at the northeastern border," the King said.
Arlan finally turned his attention to Luis, who bowed along with his daughter. "Greetings, Your Highness, Crown Prince. Crown Princess."
Arlan gave a slight nod, "I do know him."
While Oriana simply observed, her instincts warning her that these two were trouble.
"Those were fortunate days when my family got an opportunity to serve Prince Arlan," Luis said, "I do hope, Prince Arlan to arrive for another visit and gives us an another opportunity to serve him."
"Of course," Arlan replied with a determination, only known to him, "I will soon be fulfilling Marquis Mortimer’s wish."
Luis felt delighted to hear it but he suppressed his joy behind his calmness and continued, "Prince Arlan this is Grace. You must remember that young girl who used to by your side always or I must say she used to trouble you."
"Father," Grace said in hushed voice, a light smile and a little embarrassment to remember her young self, painted on her face.
Luis chuckled at her and said, "Alright, you are not that same young girl now. You are grown up and matured person now."
Gracesmiled innocently at the prince and bowed her head. "Greetings, Your Highness, Prince Arlan," she said, then turned her gaze to Oriana. "Princess Oriana."
Arlan offered a light nod and quickly looked away from Grace and turned to his mother, while Oriana offered a polite nod to Grace as well.
"Mother, I hope I haven’t kept you all waiting for long," Arlan said.
"It’s alright. As a newly married couple, we understand if you spend more time together," Julien said with a pleasant chuckle. "As long as I get to see my grandchild soon, all this waiting is pardoned." She turned to her husband, "Isn’t it, Ailwin?"
"Of course," the King replied, then turned to Luis. "I hope you do not mind our family’s frank talk."
Luis, who had resumed his seat, managed a light smile. "Of course not, Your Majesty. As Crown Prince, we all expect an heir from him," and looked at Oriana, "I do hope the Crown Princess will be able to fulfill all our wishes soon."
Oriana raised an eyebrow at Luis’ blunt way of pinning a pressure about producing an heir on her. ’Is producing a child a magic, where I mumble a spell and child pops out of my belly like a candy? These typical men only know to pressure women to produce a child.’
Luis and his daughter remained quiet. Luis clearly understood the indirect messages being conveyed through the family conversation, while Grace felt a pang of jealousy at how Arlan could not leave his wife, despite knowing her only recently. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
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