El Destino

CHAPTER 22 : LADIES MEETING

Recap

"I did."
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Marina turned around to face the owner of that voice. She was met with none other than Nathan himself.

"What are you doing here?" Marina wonders out aloud.

"Last time I checked, this was my home too," Nathan replied, sitting on the bed.

"See, we did not take your dress," Ally said while stomping away.

"Yes, my dress!! You took my dress!!"

"Indeed, I did, here take it back. Why don't you go and try it? It's almost time for the Ladies Meeting," Nathan answers, handing the box to the Marina.

"Yes, but, why did you take it?" Nathan just shrugs and lays down on the bed.

Sighing, Marina goes to change her clothes into that disgusting dress. So, imagine her shock, when she finds a different dress. Reluctantly, she puts on the new dress.

Marina comes into the bedroom wearing the new dress eyeing herself in the mirror. The dress that Nathan had got her was simple and beautiful not at all like the disgusting, horrendous dress that her mother-in-law had given to her.

The silk white princess scoop neck dress, more like gown, had a white net top and silk waist belt that hugged Marina's figure very beautifully, highlighting her curves. To add to this, there was a slit on the right side of the dress, showing a bit of her knees.

"Like it?" Nathan smirks while standing behind Marina and looking into her eyes through the mirror.

"No, this is not my dress," Marina argues while breaking the eye contact and turning around to face Nathan.

"This is your dress," Nathan replies, smiling innocently.

"Do you take me for someone who has a very short term memory?" Marina asks Nathan while placing her hands on her hips.

"No?"

"Then who do you exactly take me for?"

"My wife," Nathan answers casually.

Marina's cheeks reddens, but, she continues to hold her stand.

"Where. Is. My. Dress?"

"You are not getting it back and you have no option but to wear this. Now, now, you don't want to be late, right?" Nathan asks, gently pushing Marina. Though reluctant at first, Marina agrees later, seeing she had no other option.

At the Ladies Meeting, all eyes were on Marina. Well, she did look breathtaking and the beautiful bun, thanks to Ally, was like a cherry on top of a cake. Most of the ladies were dressed in traditional gown, leaving a few, who were dressed in skimpy, tight fitting dresses.

While others just awed over Marina, one particular person didn't seem very happy with her and as soon as the "Meeting" got over, she confronted Marina.

"Where is the dress that I gave you to wear?" Queen Rosalind asks Marina angrily.

"I-"

"I don't get it, why did you not wear my dress? It wasn't such a big thing that you couldn't do. If not for your sake, you could have worn it for mine. You, not wearing that dress, was outright disrespect to me. I never thought you could be so disrespectin-"

"Stop it!!" Nathan shouts from the end of the hallway, successfully cutting off Queen Rosalind.

"Marina did not disrespect you. She is wearing the dress you gave her," Nathan says while standing beside Marina.

"Do you think I am so old that I will forget things?"

"The question is do you have only this much trust on us?"

Queen Rosalind stared at Nathan, who had never talk backed to her. It was quite a shock to hear him talk like this, that too for Marina.

"We did not disrespect you. The dress Marina is wearing has been made from the dress you gave her. I just improved that dress of yours to suit Marina's taste."

"Why did you do that?"

"Because the dress that you gave her was very revealing and uncomfortable for my wife. Besides, even I don't want her to wear those kind of clothes which make her feel uncomfortable."

"But-"

"I don't want you to give these kind of gifts. If you want to give her a gift, then take her with yourself and let her choose it. Have I made myself clear, mother?" Nathan asks cutting off Queen Rosalind.

Queen Rosalind stared at Nathan. There was no room for an argument, Nathan had clearly given an indirect order to her, which she had to comply. A Prince's power and status were much more as compared to a queen. Reluctantly, Queen Rosalind nods before rushing off to her room.

"Why did you do that?" Marina asks Nathan while frowning.

"Do what?"

"As if you don't know," Marina says while rolling her eyes.

"I don't know," Nathan says innocently and starts walking.

"You were rude to Queen Rosalind."

"And she wasn't to you?" Nathan asks while arching his one eyebrow up.

"No-"

"Don't defend her. If I hadn't come, you would have to wear that dress."

"So you expect me to thank you?" Marina asks narrowing her eyes on him.

"No, but, I do expect you to be more careful. Thanks to Ally, they told me about that dress and I came just in time. Why did you even decide to wear it?" Nathan asks, opening the door to their bedroom.

"I did not want to make her sad or worse disrespect her. After all it was the first gift she gave to me," Marina answers sadly while sitting on the bed and staring at the floor.

"Not everyone is as good as you think, Princess. Don't do something silly like that again. Your father preserved your freedom and I will make sure to do the same. Besides, it's all on legal documents, no one can force you to do anything," Nathan says remembering King Wilhelm's three conditions.

Marina just nods, she knew she should not have acted that way. She mentally groans at her idiocy while internally thanking Ally for their help.

"Princess...for once, you are so quiet. It feels good to have peace in my room."

Nathan waits for a sarcastic remark, an argument to start, but, nothing comes. Seeing Marina not falling for his bait and maintaining her silence, Nathan kneels down on one knee before Marina.

"Chin up, Princess or the crown slips," Nathan says while gently lifting Marina's face by her chin to meet her eyes. Marina smiles at Nathan, understanding the quote.
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Hello dear readers!!
"El Destino's" back on 14th rank in historical fiction. A big thanks to all my lovely readers and friends for their support.😇😊😊

So, what do you all think of Maran? And Queen Rosalind?

Till the next update, keep shining ;)

- Love Addy :)

P.S. This chapter is dedicated to my friend and reader AnchanaRadhakrishnan, who is also a very good author.😍😉