FATE #3 *(A ROSE IN BLOOM)*

AT YOUR MERCY*

GENERAL POV

He gave them a go ahead with their plans and they also left rejoicing, it was Pearl's turn and this time around she took a knee and watched for the doors to flip apart, Nathan was in thoughts, thinking of how the pressure to get a wife has risen now, he visited reality afterwards and gave her entry into his court, she was quite astonished to see his glory again, this time around, the light in his eyes had vanished and he looked stern with authority.

She took a knee once again, " live well, your majesty!" she spoke with Henry's voice, " Henry? you may rise! You look well and healthy now, how's your father? It's been a while", he communicated, " yes , by your grace, I survived and, my father, he's well, your highness and he sends his regards!" Nathan nodded to that, "good! What brings you by?" he asked .

"I'm here to show myself to the king, and also to check up on his health!" he stated which pleased Nathan to hear, " you are welcome, .. I see you in an amour, I only knew your brother's interest in swordsmanship, you seem to have a reason for coming to me like this?" Nathan revealed his observation, and Pearl was glad he offered her that platform.

" my late brother and I shared similar dream, your highness, only that he got the chance because of my father's relationship with the royal household, however I have come only with my talent in my hand, hoping to be tried and giving a standing close to the king, to serve him with it, if the king wills, let him try me out and make his judgement!" she took a bow in wait of his reply.

" your standing shouldn't only be by the king's side before you serve him with your talent, however considering your late brother's ill fate, allegiance and desire to have had the chance to be by his king, I'll grant you the opportunity to claim such a standing with your talent, come to the palace tomorrow morning for your trial, so that I may make my judgement."

His reply was just what she wanted, she made her gratitude known to him and left his presence to prepare for her trial, seems everyone who left his presence had their desires fulfilled. When she got home, Sandra was waiting with the other two.

" You tricked me ? Was there a need for that when I promised to not interfere?" She  vented, " Well let just say I didn't want to take risks, you're too loyal to your king, I just couldn't let your conscience prick you!"

They spoke for a while before Sandra informed her of Ariana's plans and how she's managed to get acquainted with Nathan.

"I suspect , she plans to seduce him, she is so cunning, Pearl! And with all the pressure pouring in now, Nathan might just consider her and take her as a wife.!"  Sandra shared her worry but only won a smirk from her,

"He's not a kid, Sandra! As long as he's sane and sober when taking that decision, it's fine,  if he doesn't have any feelings towards her, then he won't yield to her!" Her reply got Sandra fuming.

" So why are you doing this then? What's the point if  you don't care enough to love him? You just want to relieve yourself off the guilt in your heart, what about him and the kingdom?  You know her ploy and conspiracy with Fabian, yet you care less to make her have her way! " She voiced.

" You know nothing Sandra! My heart issues are only my business, stop holding my throat with that all the time, if you had it the way I am having it, you wouldn't like to be hearing all these from a clueless vampire, leave me! Let me sought out my issues! Just don't interfere!" She retorted,

"Fine then! Just make sure you don't get him worse than he is now! We must not pay for your childishness! And remember to make it worth it, because Gary has been implicated by this already!" She left the premises in anger.

The next day, she got ready and left for the palace, She was ushered into the arena to be tried by Lloyd, because Nathan was considering a fresh blood to walk with his queen to be.

With her composure and skills, though she switched it up with some skills she has learnt from their world, Lloyd could trace elements of Pearl in there, Nathan weighed her energy and skills, before making them stop as their energy pretty much matched each other.

He was quite impressed, at the same time thinking he had a coaching from Pearl, first he appointed him as one of the palace Knights who protect his domain, while having other plans for later.  Lloyd and Ariana crossed path in the palace, where he engaged her for a while,

 " I know you, Aria! Like the back of my palm, your advances and plan to become his wife, now that Pearl is gone, but one issue you should be weary of, is the fact that, he's already developed a heart for her, physically, you might win him over, but his love will never be yours, your desire has always been the queen's throne anyway, so I presume I'm spewing rubbish!" he relayed to her calmly. 

" oh no! You are not, actually, I'm glad you  have drawn our picture already in your mind, at least you've giving in to the idea that I have gotten a higher chance at becoming his wife, but , there's never a second step, without a first, having a heart for someone when it's useless isn't a big deal, I will make sure it beats nonstop, trust me on that brother, Nathan had always been mine and it will be proven soon!" she confidently replied leaving a smile for her brother.

" good luck then, just so you know I would never pair you with him, if Pearl was still here, so don't expect too much from me!" he sped away while she scoffed, " don't worry brother, very soon you all will learn to accept my reign, Pearl will be wiped out like she never stepped foot here!" she left to get ready for her performance.

In the evening, Nathan set out to witness her performance, he went with guards but entered alone according to how the invite came, Ariana was already prepared sitting on the stage, waiting for his arrival, when he had settled, she kowtowed to pay her respect until the tunes began, she delivered a delightful performance, while Nathan wined with blood .

When she noticed that, she danced towards him, sensually climbing unto his laps and seductively caressing him, Nathan opened himself for that moment while she wished he would drink from her, but didn't want to make it so obvious, she then stepped down and bowed to apologize, but before she would dance her way back onto the stage, Nathan held her hand, and drew her closer.

he pressed her against his chest, while she grinned sinisterly feeling victorious, he turned her towards himself and locked lips with her, he flinched upon recalling Pearl briefly, but didn't stop there, he was nearly getting intimate with her in there, but disappointed her midway by pulling away.

"you've done enough to prove your worth to me, Ariana! you've been there whenever I needed a hand, I promised you a compensation, remember? become the mother of my kingdom, Ariana! be my ... wife!" Nathan proposed which got her overly excited, she accepted the proposal right away.

" thank you for doing this for me! three weeks from here on, you and I will perform our union rite, however getting my seal will be delayed, because..." he communicated, " I get it Nathan! you broke it recently, so it's still in seclusion! I can wait for you, Nathan! I will!" she kissed him before he departed, and was still contemplating whether he made the right choice.

When he got back to the palace, he overheard Sandra and Lloyd discussing Pearl.