ROYAL AFFAIRS (MXM) ✔

Nineteen

Sebastian watched everyone that was gathered around his father's chambers. Every council member was present. King Carson sat beside his wife Elizabeth, King Erico was clutching his wife Roseline's hand, Ronaldino was playing with the dagger in his hand clear as the moonlight that he wasn't excited to be here, Augustus' gaze was fixed on the shiny surface of the big rectangular table, and Hazel was still drapping her throw around her staring intently at her hands that were on the table, sitting directly opposite Sebastian, and three seats away from Augustus. Since this was a family as well as a kingdom matter, they were all allowed to sit in with the council.

"As we all know the princess was set to marry the prince who happens to be the next successor of the throne," Gary sighed, disappointment evident on his old wrinkled face. "We've never accounted such an abomination," he spat the word out. Hazel gulped, as she shrinks futher in herself, embarrassment and disgust clawing at her gut. "But here it is, happening and demanding to be addressed," his voice faded towards the end, clear as daylight he wanted someone else to take over.

Roseline cleared her throat, seeming a bit hesitant, as she looked at the elder council member. Erico squeezed her hand, but Gary nodded, allowing her to speak.

"Hazel is the only daughter we have. If you wish to stop the progress of their matrimony that will ruin our alliance," her voice shook, fear coating her eyes.

Gary nodded, turning to the other members, everyone seem to be caught in a predicament.

"Uhm...didn't she come with cousins..."

"They are not worthy of the prince!" Hazel yelled, banging her fists on the table, and glaring at the council members.

"Hazel!" Erico hissed, feeling embarrassed once again.

"No father!" she defied the man's order, glaring at him too, before turning to the council once more. "I saw them sleeping with the Elestor boys, and I have no doubt they've slept with other men too," she said, before turning to Sebastian, her gaze turning soft, and her voice being calm once more. "I did a mistake. I was decived into believing that deflowering myself was best," her voice shook as she sniffled fighting back the tears threatning to escape the socket of her eyes. "I can do better. I know I can..." she pleaded, her voice cracked on the last word.

Sebastian stared at her silver eyes, and had no doubt she was going to live the rest of her life trying to rectify her mistake. But can she? Can she really be a better queen? No matter how hard she would try, Sebastian had no doubt she couldn't. Instead, she would follow his command to the tee, and not voice out her concerns because of the guilt that will consume her till her death bed. He didn't want that for himself, for the kingdom, and most importantly...for her.

"Do you want to continue to wed the princess of Neverland?" King Carson questioned, he genuinely wanted to hear his son's input. Before he were king, he was a father.

Sebastian gulped, turning his gaze to his father. He saw the genuine concern and he had to be honest with himself, no matter how hard it was. He shook his head, and immediately saw everyone's shoulders slump. Augustus hasn't lifted his gaze from the table not even once, his shoulders were forever tense.

"No..." he drawled. "I don't wish to marry the princess of Neverland," he declared.

Silence filled the huge chambers. Eyes darted from one figure as if no one knew where to from here.

"But the alliance..." Roseline whispered, staring at Sebastian with pleading eyes filled with unshed tears.

"I can do better I swear. Please give me a chance to at least redeem myself. If not for me, then for my people. For your people," Hazel pleaded once more, clutching the throw around her shoulders.

"I am doing it for my people. You're not worthy to be a queen, Hazel. And it not because you were unfaithful to our reunion. But because you are not a leader. It's just not in you," he declared politely.

He heard Augustus wince as if the truth had hurt him physically, but he still kept his gaze on the table growing even more tense. Sebastian peeled his eyes off the prince to look at the princess whose mouth remained agape, the pain evident in her eyes, before she shrunk on the chair closing her mouth.

"I guess..." King Carson gulped, clear as the silver moon he wasn't happy with his next words. "The alliance between the two kingdoms can't be sealed with a band," he announced.

His son's well being mattered more than an alliance. Even though he had wanted it, but it wasn't worth it.

"Oh...no father.  I do wish to keep the alliance," Sebastian declared.

All eyes snapped his way, clearly confused by the declaration. For the first time Augustus looked at him, shock evident in his own green orbs.

"You don't want to marry my cousins, do you?" Hazel asked dumbfounded.

Sebastian shook his head, and relief was seen in her eyes. But still everyone was confused.

"There's no other we can offer," King Erico declared.

Sebastian gulped, keeping his eyes intent on the council members, as he squared his shoulders, trying to summon confidence that just wasn't there.

"I'd like to marry the prince of Neverland," he gulped, noticing how everyone hadn't registered his words just yet, so he continued and clarified. "Prince Augustus," he said, shocked of the confidence in his voice.

"What!" Ronaldino was the first to react, his eyes almost popping out. He then gulped, realising that he was acting out of order. He sat back on his chair, staring intently at Sebastian.

"You're kidding right? This...this...this...has never been done," Gary drawled, frowning at the information.

"He is smart, selfless, and cares for the people," he looked at his father. "You always told me to marry someone who will challenge me and put in a different input to broaden my way of thinking. And Augustus is perfect for that," he declared.

"Two kings Sebastian," king Carson hissed. "That...that..." he sighed. "It's never been done Sebastian. A man doesn't wed another man. And what about..." he gulped, glancing at the council before continuing. "...the issue of a heir. The throne needs a heir Seb," he reminded the prince.

Everyone was just too shocked to even speak. Augustus was like a fish taken out of the water. He then just glared at Sebastian. What was he thinking? A man and a man openly ruling the kingdom? This was forbidden. It was a crime that could lead to their death! He didn't want this. But how could he leave Sebastian to face the consequences on his own. He wanted to breakdown and cry. He wanted to yell! He wanted to beat the stupid brunnet until he spurt blood. But instead he felt so weak, he just sank back on the uncomfortable chair.

"I...I..." Gary cleared his throat. "I think we should end this meeting to clear our heads," he paused, as everyone nods. "A decision will be taken in two days. We'll allow you to plead your case prince Sebastian," he shook his head however, as if there's nothing the man could say that can change the council's minds.

Everyone got up and left. Sebatian was shocked when his parents also left without another word. King Erico and Queen Roseline also left the chambers. Hazel glared at her brother and prince Sebastian. She however, didn't voice her thought. What shocked Sebastian more and even hurt him is how, Augustus just left the chambers without sparing him a glance. Ronaldino looked at him as if he had so many questions, but there was no animosity in his eyes. He then just shrugged and left like the rest. Leaving him all alone in the big chambers.