Love & Thieves (Book 2) ✓

𝓒𝓱.17 ~ 𝓦𝓮𝓭𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓐𝓻𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓽

"Lord Darius!" King Vincent beamed. "What brings you here, old friend?"

The Lord bowed awkwardly with his wooden peg leg before answering. "I was hoping to talk to you about the wedding arrangement between your son and my daughter."

King Vincent's smile faltered slightly at the mention of marriage, but he maintained his cheery demeanour. "We can talk after I eat! You should join us Darius! We can drink ale and tell stories over a hot meal like old times! What do you say?"

"I would be honoured, my King." Darius bowed again. "It has been awhile since you and I have drank together!"

Darius planned to use this to his advantage, a drunk King could be easily persuaded. He needed his daughter to marry the Prince or the Redelle's would have not even a penny or dime to their name. Darius was relying on Marigold's marriage to keep the family in wealth.

The Redelle's Rubies were stolen months ago and since then, they have struggled to keep the bills paid and uphold their wealthy appearances. Darius couldn't afford word getting out about their misfortune, which is why he needed Marigold to marry Prince Alexander.

Joining the Royals for dinner, he indulged himself on different rich meats and the strong ale. He hasn't had a decent meal in over a month, living off the preserves at the Portland Manor which was barely much food to begin with.

The Queen agreed to the arrangement almost instantly, but the woman didn't know the urgency and importance behind the marriage. She adored Marigold and believed her to be fit to rule Arondale at Alexander's side. The King was a firm believer that his son should marry who his heart desired, not agreeing with the old traditions.

Vincent has always been as stubborn as a mule and he was getting more stubborn in his old age. He was a fine King, just like all his family before him, but this marriage had to happen. Whether his friend liked it or not, Marigold will marry Alexander. Darius signalled for the King's cup to be refilled, the more ale he drank, the easier he would be to manipulate and persuade.

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Jezamine was unaware that Marigold's father was Lord Darius Redelle...the man she stole the rubies from to pass her final test and earn her Guild symbol. She already felt nervous dining with the Royal Family, but now that the Lord was joining them, she felt her nerves grow even more.

Of course the man did not know Jez was the thief who stole from him, but she still felt uneasy with Lord Darius being nearby. The red and gold gown Mags helped her choose was now sticking to her clammy skin, causing her to fidget uncomfortably. The Prince noticed her discomfort straight away.

"Is everything alright Mi'lady?"

Jezamine didn't get to answer the Prince as Lady Marigold sat on the opposite side of Alexander, intertwining her arm with his.

"Alex, my husband to be!" The woman said, kissing his cheek. "You look handsome as always!"

Husband to be?

The news shouldn't have surprised Jezamine, she already figured the Prince would be betrothed to the woman in gold, but why did she feel a slight pang of jealousy towards Marigold? Jez was here on a mission, not to fall for the Prince and ruin an arranged wedding. She already knew the Prince and her could never be, so why did the thought of Alexander marrying Marigold make her feel jealous? She could never be the Queen of Arondale.

So much for keeping the mission professional with no emotions attached...

"And you look golden as always, Lady Marigold." The Prince replied looking as uncomfortable as Jez felt.

"Congratulations on your marriage!" Jezamine said to the pair not wanting to be rude.

"Thank you Lady Jezamine!" Marigold said as she leaned closer to the Prince.

Jez should not have let her feelings get involved with the mission for the Royal Jewels, now she was jealous of something that would never be or ever would have happened.

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Alexander didn't know what to do or say with Marigold by his side, he hoped to spend the night with Lady Jezamine but the night was now ruined. The Prince didn't want to marry Lady Marigold, not when he was falling for Jezamine.

How could he marry someone he did not love when he loved another woman?

Marigold clung to his arm, laying her head on his shoulder all while Lady Jezamine looked uncomfortable. He wished he could run to the turret with Jezamine and escape Marigold and the rest of the world. The Prince enjoyed Lady Jezamine's company over Marigold being clingy.

Alexander hoped his father stood by his belief of the Prince choosing his heart's desire. He would happily marry Jezamine and rule Arondale with her by his side. Marigold was his friend and that is all he saw the woman as and he wanted to keep their friendship.

But the universe seemed to be against the Prince - with his wedding arrangement to Marigold, becoming King soon, having strong feelings for Jezamine and trying to keep everyone happy - it was all starting to be too much for him to handle.

Alexander needed to find the right time and place to tell Lady Marigold his heart was not hers. Maybe she would be understanding, maybe she will hate him and never talk to him again. He just hoped she would understand and call the wedding off before it was too late.

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"What are your thoughts on the wedding arrangement, my King?" Lord Darius asked his drunk friend. "Your son and my daughter would make a fine couple and an even finer King and Queen!"

The King laughed, asking for more ale and pork ribs, the man loved his food. Darius could not eat another mouthful without wanting to be sick, wondering how his friend could hold so much food in his stomach.

"Marigold is...unique." Vincent said around eating a mouthful of food. "She does know the kingdom as well as Alexander. They would make a fine couple, like you keep saying!"

Darius grinned triumphantly, his plan to persuade the King was working. All the Lord had to do now was make the King's decision final. Looking towards Queen Margery for some assistance.

"I believe they would make great rulers over our son and the stranger who has been living under our roof!" Margery said with a distaste for the other Lady who sat next to the Prince. "Wouldn't you rather our son marry a woman of the Royal Court than a stranger?"

"I would rather Alexander choose who his heart desires, but Lady Marigold would be the most logical choice as a wife!" The King said as he downed his drink. "So it's final then, Lady Marigold and Alexander shall be wedded and unite the Aronhall's and the Redelle's as one!"

"Wonderful!" Queen Margery beamed happy to hear her husband make the decision final.

"It shall be a splendid ceremony, your Majesty!" Darius grinned, holding up his cup of ale to his daughter to signal the wedding arrangement shall go on as planned.

Now that the King has spoken the words, the wedding arrangement was final. Marigold will marry Prince Alexander and the Redelle's would not lose their fortune and wealthy reputation. All was not lost after all.