Lauren followed Alec with her gaze as he took the seat in front of her. Lord Merriweather didn't say anything, intimidated by the newly arrived guest. Meanwhile, Vincent raised a brow at Alec, surprised that Alec stayed longer than he usually does in a celebration.
The Queen smiled. Her mood was suddenly lifted by the presence of the most sought-after bachelor in Evardin whom she wanted to be her son-in-law.
"It is a pleasure to have you join us tonight, Lord Everston. I think it is the first time you stayed longer in a ball. Perhaps, did something catch your attention?" The Queen then glanced Cassandra's way as if insinuating that it had something to do with her daughter.
Lauren wanted to roll her eyes.
"Are you courting Princess Cassandra, Alec?" Lauren took note of how Vincent addressed Alec by his first name, which meant they knew each other on a different level.
"Your Majesty," Alec spoke in a deep voice. "Indeed I am here to ask your daughter's hand for marriage."
The Queen's eyes widened a fraction as her lips stretched to her ears, utter delightment was evident on her face. A small gasp escaped from Eloise's lips, while Cassandra froze in her seat. She had always wanted to marry the best man in their land, and she believed nothing could stand close to Alec in terms of accomplishments and power. Thinking that he was finally proposing marriage to her, she could not believe it.
On the other hand, one corner of Vincent's lips rose, amused and suspicious of the whole thing.
Lauren's eyes narrowed at the man across from her. Now it was clear as daylight why the wicked vampire declined her offer. He wanted to marry her half-sister. Did he perhaps think she was just a useless brat compared to Cassandra and Eloise? Lauren thought with annoyance.
"But it is not Princess Cassandra I want to marry," Alec dropped, which got everyone dumbfounded.
"Is it Eloise, then?" the Queen asked, was not the least bit disappointed as she was still glad to have the lord marry her firstborn.
Lauren was about to drink water when Alec answered, "No, it is Princess Lauren," which caught Lauren by surprise that she almost spilled the water on the table.
The Queen's jaw dropped, the Merriweathers looked offended, Cassandra and Eloise could not hide the shock and disbelief on their faces, the King was too stunned to speak, and then there was Vincent who was having fun watching the whole scene. He wondered what Alec exactly wanted because as he knew him, he never took interest in palace affairs, except for the things that involved the defense ministry.
"Lord Everston, if I must speak-"
"Yes, I am very much aware of your son's engagement to Princess Lauren, Lord Merriweather," Alec cut off the old man. "But a woman cannot marry two men at a time, can she?"
"But…" Lord Merriweather wanted to insult the man who dared step on his name and embarrass his family in front of the King but he stopped himself upon remembering that it was not just any other man. It was Alec Everston, the head of the defense ministry, a cruel warlord, and one of the most elite vampire mages.
"Did I hear you right, Lord Everston? You want to marry my youngest daughter who is already engaged?" the King clarified even though he heard what Alec said. He just could not believe that such a high-caliber man would pick Lauren over his first two daughters. They were all beauties, but Eloise and Cassandra had better reputations.
"You heard it right, Your Majesty," Alec replied in a heartbeat. Without fear and hesitation like he knew well he would get what he wanted no matter what the odds were.
"But we cannot grant your wish, Lord Everston," the Queen interrupted. "We have already promised Lauren's hand to Lord Merriweather's son. We, the royal family, value our word the most. We cannot just break the engagement."
Lauren stayed silent, still stunned by how things turned out. Did this mean Alec did not refuse her offer as she thought?
"Princess Lauren's first three engagements were called off, which means calling off her fourth engagement would not be big news. What do you think, Mr. Merriweather? Do you think between you and me, you will be a better husband to Princess Lauren?"
Under Alec's dark gaze, Peterson felt his palms sweating as he gulped. He did not want to embarrass his family, but he knew better than to be on Alec Everston's bad side. After all, no one in Evardin wanted to be his enemy, not even those who hated him.
"Of course, it is you, L-Lord Everston," Peterson replied in a shaky voice.
Alec smiled, the kind of smile that seemed to be the one he usually gives to people before he kills them. Even Lauren found not even a flicker of humor in his steel gray eyes.
"It is settled, then. Mr. Merriweather is backing off from the wedding, so it means the position of Princess Lauren's groom is now open. Am I correct, Your Majesty?" Alec looked at the Queen who tried to be as calm as she could.
"Lord Everston, if I may ask you, why do you want to marry the third princess? I dare not offend your preference, but I know you are aware of how bad Lauren's reputation is. She is young and rebellious. She goes to brothels and gambling houses, acting opposite to how a prim and proper princess should be. Marriage is a serious matter. I believe it is better if you think about this thoroughly."
"I really appreciate how you talk about me, Mother," Lauren said, addressing the Queen as "mother" and everyone in the Monserrate family knew that Lauren only called her that way to tease her. She never acknowledged the Queen as her parent. How could she when the Queen was the person who killed her mother?
"Lauren," the King warned.
"Lord Everston, I think my sister, Cassandra, is the most suitable wife for you," Eloise butted in.
"Thank you for your concern, Princess Eloise, but I know better who is the most suitable for me."
Lauren met Alec's intense gaze. And for some reason, she found it hard to breathe.