Chapter 254 - From Tonight... You Are Mine

Karenina kissed the king's cheek and smiled sheepishly, then she turned to Queen Marianne.

After she received the hint, the queen smiled and nodded.

Queen Marianne clinked her glass to get everyone's attention. When the guests' eyes were all on the queen, Karenina put her arm around Nicholas' waist again and led him over to join the queen.

Nicholas, who was still dazed, just followed her steps. 

"Thank you, everyone, for coming to this very important event," the queen said with a smile. She walked forward and stood between Nicholas and Karenina. For a moment, she turned to look at Nicholas and Karenina in turn.

Karenina's smile grew wider. Her face was radiant like a flower that bloomed in the morning, while Nicholas looked indifferent. Right now all he could think about was Sophia Romanov.

No matter how hard he tried to stop thinking about her, he couldn't.

His heart and mind were out of his control.

At this moment, Nicholas was feeling anxious and wondered if Sophie Romanov was all right. The woman was taken away from the party in an unconscious state. Was she okay? He hoped she was not sick.

Queen Marianne took Nicholas's and Karenina's hands and joined them in front of her.

Nicholas' mind was in a mess that he didn't realize his mother had already taken his hand and linked it with Karenina's.

"As we all know, His Majesty the King and Princess Karenina Verhoven are engaged, but due to the king's dedication to this kingdom, he became so busy, and thus the wedding had to be postponed for many years. I deeply regret that." The queen paused for a while.

Then, she continued. A smile curved up on her face. "Therefore, tonight, in front of all of you, I, Queen Marianne Hanenbergh, announce that the wedding of His Majesty King Nicholas Hanenbergh and Princess Karenina Verhoven will take place next month."

At the last second, Nicholas's mind returned to his body. The young king immediately turned and glared at his mother angrily.

He wanted to protest, but then he was forced to restrain himself because the guests were already clapping loudly to congratulate them. At that moment, Nicholas also remembered his position as a king. He never hated his life as much as he did today.

He could not act as he pleased and embarrass the Hanenbergh Family. He also had to hold back all his annoyance and say nothing. On his side, Karenina was smiling with satisfaction. All her plans really went smoothly.

After the wedding plans announcement, the party continued with joy. Everyone seemed to be smiling, laughing, and enjoying the party happily.

Everyone except Nicholas.

To Nicholas, the party was very gloomy. He wasn't focused at all. His heart had literally been taken away by a beautiful woman named Sophia Romanov.

Sometimes, he thought if only he had met Sophia Romanov earlier, when she didn't yet belong to anyone. He would have definitely made Sophie his own, and he would be the happiest man in the world.

Why did Duke Romanov have to find Sophie first? Why not Nicholas?

"Ah." Nicholas, who had been daydreaming for a while, suddenly felt dizzy. Soon, his vision became blurry. Then, in the next second, his heartbeat became faster, and his breathing became heavy.

Karenina, who had been waiting for the aphrodisiac to work, immediately smiled when she saw the king showing symptoms of dizziness.

"Your Majesty, are you okay?" She faked a concerned expression and held Nicholas's arm to support his weight. Then she turned to look at Queen Marianne. "It looks like His Majesty is unwell…"

"Oh, no…" Queen Marianne panicked. "He has been working so hard…."

"I will help him go back to his room. You don't have to worry, Your Majesty." Karenina offered to help the king return to his room, after which she said goodbye to Queen Marianne.

Everyone who saw the king leaving the party while being supported by Princess Karenina and Noel – the head of the Royal Lycan Hunter - was confused.

However, the queen dowager gave them an explanation that the king was very tired from working so hard in dealing with the crisis that occurred at the border after Armeria was colonized by the Lycans invaders.

Karenina heard the people behind her murmur in understanding after they heard Queen Marianne's words. They all understood how bad the crisis in Armeria was and they were grateful they didn't have to experience the same thing.

A faint smile curved up on Karenina's face as she walked out of the ballroom.

***

After they walked past the long corridor, finally, the three people arrived at the door of the king's room.  Karenina and Noel ushered King Nicholas to bed.

After the king was laid down, Karenina asked Noel to leave the room because the king wanted to rest.

"You can leave us now, Noel," said Karenina, clapping her hands rudely at the head of the Royal Lycan Hunters.

She especially disliked this man for being too close with Nicholas that many people even gossiped the king swung the other way and actually had a romantic relationship with Noel.

This hurt her pride and made her despise Noel day after day. Karenina never showed her feelings openly, though, especially around Nicholas. She always showed her sweet smile whenever she saw Noel with the king.

However, now there were only the two of them. Nicholas couldn't think straight because of the aphrodisiac. So, Karenina let out her true feelings for Noel come out to the surface.

"But, Your Highness… I want to make sure the king is fine," said Noel. He was very reluctant to leave the king while he looked unwell like this.

Karenina crossed her arms on her chest and threw him a glare.  "Don't you know the gossip that's spreading outside because of you?? How dare you flame the gossip by hovering around my fiance all the time?"

She narrowed her eyes in contempt and continued her words, "I will treat His Majesty and stay with him until he recovers. If you dare to disobey me, I will make sure King Nicholas will fire you, or even worse… I will ask him to punish you. He wouldn't let his wife be insulted by a lowly peasant like you." 

"Your Highness, I don't mean to insult you. Apologies if you think that way. I am just worried about His Majesty," Noel still tried to argue. "Please allow me to stay and watch over His Majesty."

"What? You don't trust that I can take care of my own fiance??" Karenina scoffed. In a cold and condescending tone, she said, "You know, Noel, you're just the king's pet dog, while I'm about to become his wife. Our wedding plans were just announced tonight. Who do you think the king will choose after we get married? Me… or you?" 

Noel realized he had just seen another side of Karenina Verhoven, the princess who had always been looking sweet and angelic.

Apparently, she could be so cold and demeaning. Now, Noel was wondering, why would the king marry such a woman? Noel didn't believe Nicholas would follow through with his engagement to Karenina.

However, after giving it a second thought, he realized Karenina was right. Their wedding plans were already announced.

As the king, even if Nicholas didn't love his wife, he wouldn't be able to cancel the wedding at this point.

Noel took one final look at the king, who was lying in bed, and he gritted his teeth. It was clear what had happened, but even Queen Marianne didn't seem to care or notice. So, why should he?

Was it Noel's place to interfere? Royal politics or relationship matters were not part of his concern. His job description should make him focus on the lycans, their greatest enemy, not getting himself involved in the king's private affairs.

It was actually strange that the king who drank alcohol like water was affected by whatever the princess made him drink. Noel had his suspicions but he could only dare hope and delay.

"Your Highness, when His Majesty made his oath to become the ruler of the land," Noel said. "He swore to take care of the kingdom and its people, no matter the circumstances that… happen with him. The future queen will also make the same oath."

"I know that," Karenina said with a snap.

Noel restrained his reactions. "Pardon me for my language, but it seems that you do not know His Majesty well."

SLAP!

"Noel!" Karenina finally slapped Noel's face. "How dare you throw such insult to my face. Leave now. Your presence is needed elsewhere. Armeria has already been controlled by lycans and yet you still have time to act like a puppy and tail His Majesty?"

Noel clenched his jaws. He didn't even touch the cheek that was slapped by Karenina earlier. What did he care? This wicked woman would be married to the king soon and her words would become law, just like the king.

Sooner or later, they would sleep together as husband and wife, anyway. So, what's the difference between now and later? Noel realized he was just a peasant, like Karenina said, the king's pet dog. It was not his place to interfere.

"As you wish, Your Highness." Noel finally decided to leave. He nodded his head to pay respect and then walked out of the king's room. After he left, Karenina quickly closed the door behind him.

Haha… finally….

Karenina spread her arms and walked toward the bed. Then, she stood and watched the handsome king with a sweet smile curved up on her face. Karenina's heart felt very satisfied because all her plans went smoothly.

She touched Nicholas' right cheek and kissed it gently.

"From tonight… you are mine," she whispered with a hoarse voice. 

.

.

_________________________

From Missrealitybites:

Don't worry, Nic will never betray Sophie, but I think the next chapter will be a bit uncomfortable to read and will make your blood pressure go up. So, I'll just stop here. Good night! xx

[Insert evil laugh here]