Chapter 123: love bands

"Sir Edward, why don't you also participate in the contest?" I asked and he looked at me as if I am some foreigner whom he was looking at for the first time. I am going to be your sister in law, you know, pay some respect.

'I am giving you a chance to win the heart of your wife with your valor.'

"I apologise to my lady, but i do not have a wife or a fiance yet" remarked Edward with a stiff smile. How could this stiff stone can be so loving from inside.

"Yes, Marianne, though his age had passed a marriageable age long ago, he is not ready to get married. Otherwise he would have a son around Oliver's age." commented Meredith, and Edward's expression softened a bit, this time his smile was much more normal.

"That's more the reason, you should participate sir Edward, maybe a girl will get impressed by your skills and approach you." 'or better you notice Roselia there, that stubborn mule was not ready to go to sword wielding competition,' I cursed under my breath.

"I don't think so…"

"Oh, that would be a wonderful idea, Edward. You should do that." said Meredith, cutting her off.

"But, sister in law.."

"Do as she said." Once again he was cut off by Carl, the most doting husband of the empire, he gave a sharp look to Edward, and Edward nodded, but when he looked at Meredith, his expression was filled with warmth.

"Come Meri, let's get you seated first, before i join the group." see he could not even let her go to the seats alone. Meredith gave an embarrassed smile as he called her Meri lovingly and nodded.

She gave me a courteous bow which I returned as she walked with her husband, only then did the idea come to my mind. If Meredith was loved and pampered so much, why not i convince her to join my business,

I was sure her husband would never deny it. Moreover she had twins around Killian's age. It would be easy for him to make friends too. My smile bloomed at that thought, when Killian walked towards me.

"Mother," 

"Yes, son"

"Aren't you proud of father." he asked and I looked at him surprised.

"And why would that happen, honey?" I asked, tilting my head.

"Well, he came second in the competition. Even when his majesty was third." he announced so proudly that I was sure he would not take no for an answer. Though not proud, it surprised me a lot, I had never thought he knew anything about me, much less so many things.

How could he knew the smell i like, when all he gave 

me were roses which Elizabeth liked.

"Mother, are you okay?" he shook my hand and I smiled, whether he knew about me or not, it had nothing to do with me.

"Yes, I am son, come let's go, do you want to participate?" i asked to change the topic, but surprisingly he nodded,

"Oh, you do?" shall i remind him, he is just 12' i bit my lip at the thought of Killian gifting a love band to a sweet doll like girl with two pigtails. Well that didn't look that bad, i wouldn't mind if my daughter in law would be a cute little sweetheart.

"Alright, but then you will have to introduce my daughter in law to me when you give the band to her." i said and he looked at me shocked, his eyes widened and mouth was opened and then closed as if he was not able to even form the words out of his mouth.

I swear I had not seen him this startled even when I had approached him for the first time, or when I had told him I had been changed. Had i been too direct! I thought we were close enough to talk about it.

I felt a lump form in my throat as i said, "I was just joking, you can take your time, son." Finally he blinked and closed his mouth, his expressions turned normal again as he sighed like an old man.

"Sometimes, I am amazed at the power of your thoughts, mother. How did you even deduce that I like someone." he asked and I furrowed my brows, though I was surprised, because he was only surrounded by maids in the name of girls.

"Didn't you say, you want to earn a love band." why else would someone need a love band for!

"It is for you, mother" he said and my eyes widened, did he just think of me, when he thought about love, aww! Could I cry for a minute?

I pulled him into a hug and closed my eyes as his warmth melted my heart, when I heard the sound of coughing behind us.

"Did you forget that both of you are hosts, and every noble is waiting for you to state the rules so that they could start the game." Cassius said in an angry tone and i glared at him,

"We apologize father, let's go." he said, holding my hand. I blinked my eyes as it turned normal again and followed him out.

"So, the rules are simple, you have to shoot 5 arrows and the one with highest arrows at the red point in the centre would win," each noble was given a board and they all took their positions.

"I thought as a host you were not going to participate, but now two participants are trying to win a band for you. I am impressed duchess." said Charles with the same smile.

"Oh it is nothing in front of you, your majesty. You have to choose who will you give band to, as you have two wives expecting love from you, i mean the band.'' I replied with the same sweet smile he passed to me, when he chuckled.

"You sure are impressive, I wonder why I hadn't noticed that before." 'because i was busy playing the sweet girl role to win Cassius heart.' I exclaimed in my heart.

"You must be busy looking after your empire and its queen, your majesty."