Queen Carlisiann (BWBM)

FIVE

C A R L I S I A N N

"Let's all drop the formal titles, we'll be family after all," Marin requested and there was no protest.

"Speaking of family, I was hoping we'd be able to talk about a wedding date?" Ghalen asked, knowing only the king and queen could decide.

"It's too early to determine that."

This pulled frowns onto our brows because we both were under the impression that they had already chosen a date due to their haste to bring me here.

"We need a date because as you know Carlisiann has been Queen for three years without a Lvaiekian spouse, and that means she and her people are at risk of losing their power—your citizens are also at risk of extinction as well." He expressed, standing his ground to show them he wouldn't drop the topic without a more adequate response.

"After the engagement party we'll be throwing next Wednesday we can discuss dates, but for now my wife and I want Amanté and Carlisiann to get to know each other," Marin informed him and his reply didn't ease our minds, but Ghalen offered him a nod to show he understood.

"Engagement party?" I inquired because it was the first time I had been hearing about this.

"My bad, I completely forgot to inform you about that, but basically the party will reintroduce you back to society," Kesis explained and this only drew another question from me.

"So I'll be meeting your royal council?"

"Yes and a few other nobles from the other kingdoms." She answered, letting me know that this engagement party was probably to offer her council a chance to observe me, and express their opinions about me because I remembered what Layne had told me about them.

"Then I can't wait," I told her with the fakest smile I could muster as I tried to control my anxiety that came with the announcement of the party as the thought of it didn't exactly bring me solace since I didn't feel quite ready to re-enter society, especially with my condition.

"Amanté aren't you going to speak to your fiance?" Marin questioned his son, who was busy placing rice onto his plate, and honestly I couldn't tell if his words bothered Amanté because he kept an emotionless expression on his face.

"My apologies, would you like some rice, Carlisiann?" Amanté asked me, meeting my eyes with a friendly smile on his lips.

"I'd love some," I answered, allowing him to begin sharing a serving of the brown rice onto my empty plate, and this appeared to please his parents as they transferred their attention to Ghalen, starting a conversation with him.

"Why didn't you tell me it was you?" Amanté inquired softly so only I could hear him.

"You would have probably been more nervous if you had known it was me and I wanted to see who you truly were," I replied truthfully with the same soft tone as he rested the rice next to the rest of the servings.

"So who am I?"

"You are a considerate person from what I've seen," I informed him while he placed a spoonful of mashed potatoes onto my plate.

"Why do you say that?"

"You learned Kowonam so I could feel welcomed, not everyone would do that," I stated and he met my eyes with a slight grin on his lips.

"What if I tell you I've known Kowonam all this time and I was pretending not to know you?" He questioned me and my brows lifted themselves in response.

"I would say you're bluffing," I told him and his grin widened slightly.

"Gava y'i fofao lá da'n hutan," Amanté replied in Kowonam with a much better accent than he had in the library—it almost had me convinced that he was a true Sejlkyian.

Then I would say you're wrong.

"How did you know I'd go to the library?"

"You weren't exactly quiet about it." He expressed while placing a piece of chicken on my plate before resting some on his.

"So that whole scene in the library—" I began but didn't get to finish.

"Was set up. I wanted to see what you'd do." He interjected and I smiled impressed, but I was still slightly shocked.

"Well done, you beat me at my own game," I announced after taking a sip of my wine, "I thought Lvaiekians were honest people."

"When we want to be, but I hope this doesn't ruin the chance of us building trust." He confessed and I released a light chuckle at his statement.

"You think lying wouldn't ruin trust?" I inquired and this had him grinning.

"You did lie as well." He pointed out and I nodded slowly in both amusement and agreement.

"You have a point, so let's start fresh? With honesty this time."

"I'd like that."

"S—"

I was unable to form my words because someone spoke over me.

"Carlisiann, I hope everything has been to your liking?" Kesis asked me and I took my eyes off Amanté to refocus them on her.

"It has, I can't thank you enough for your help after the attack." I expressed.

"It's our pleasure, I'm surprised you aren't shaken up."

"It's not the first time someone has tried to take my life because of my status, but I don't have to explain this to any of you as we all aren't foreign to the weight of wearing a crown," I stated and received a nod.

"You're right, Amanté was only four when he was taken from us, luckily we managed to bargain with the kidnappers and save him." She announced and I glanced at Amanté, who hid his reaction to her words behind a stoic expression and the wine he held to his lips.

"I could only imagine how hard it was to go through that." I voiced and he cleared his throat.

"It was a long time ago, I barely remember what happened." He notified me, and I silently wondered if that was true or just his way of telling us he didn't want to discuss the topic further.

"Who wants more wine?" I offered, deciding to change the subject.

-

"Dinner was amazing, thank you for the meal and do give your chef my best regards," Ghalen told Kesis and she smiled brightly, nodding.

"It was our pleasure, but you'll have to excuse us as it is growing late. Good night everyone," Kesis announced while she and Marin rose from their seats.

"Good night." We all replied, and receiving our response had them leaving the room.

"I shall also retire to my ro—"

"Actually, may I speak with you for a moment?" Amanté interjected, causing my brows to furrow in curiosity.

"Of course," I responded as I watched him rise from his seat.

"Alone."

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