The Blackmail® [Complete]

Chapter Fourteen

Phew! I laugh nervously, as I hold onto Ovian. All through, the charade and barrage of questions, he had been silently encouraging me. After the King's announcement, the council members, albeit grudgingly, were the first to offer their congratulations. I and Ovian solicitiously accepted their well wishes and prayers. Finally, I can breathe!

"I told you, you had nothing to worry about." Ovian was saying as he leads me out of the hall towards, according to him, the King's quarters, where I will officially meet the first family.

"It's easier said than done. Moreover, I still have to meet your remaining family." I respond. Holding up the skirts of my dress, I try to walk smartly in my stilettoes.

"Don't worry, if you could face my father and the council members, you can face anyone."

"Hmm." I grunted. If I ever come across actors, I will give them high praises for the various roles they play in movies and still maintain their real lives. I have so much to tell Taylor. I thought as we step into a very inviting and beautiful room. The room is decorated in shades of gold and burgundy. And there were seated the king, the queen, and their sons, Lahran and Fran, all drinking wine. Fran was the last son, who had knocked me down a few weeks earlier. And according to Lahran, he doesn't know I was the same person.

As soon as we enter, Fran is the first to get up and greet me, followed by Lahran. They both give me kisses on both my cheeks and congratulate me.

"Welcome into the family, Charlotte. I hope you enjoy your stay." Crooned the queen, in a singsong kind of voice. For a woman so large in size, I expected she would have a stronger voice.

I curtseyed and say thank you. The king then spoke up, "I understand you are back in your father's Manor?

I nod, "Yes, my king."

"Also, when Ovian becomes your husband, he will take control of your inheritance and your father's businesses. I understand, Fairweather is the one running it for now?" The king asks Ovian, raising his brows.

At Ovian's nod, I ask, "The same Fairweather?"

"Oh, Ovian didn't tell you?" Lahran, the heir apparent asks. "As soon as you left, Fairweather somehow manipulated his way and became the largest shareholder in your father's company. He has been clamouring to become the full CEO but father has been stalling ever since." No wonder Ovian had been very rude to him that day at the house. He had been trying to take over what he had not worked for and he had the nerve to come to Charlotte's house and pretend to be a friend.

"Yes, I was reluctant to give my friend's whole life to a leech like Fairweather. That's one of the reasons I'm glad you are back." The king said happily. 

"And you are more beautiful than ever. Did you know, that you are actually betrothed to the heir apparent?" This was from the Queen.

I frown in confusion and look at Ovian, who was staring at his mother heatedly.

"Mother..." Lahran cautiouned.

"Oh you boys should stop it, I am just trying to let Charlotte understand her position perfectly so she can make the right choice." She says in her tiny voice. "You see my dear, your bethrothal was actually to the heir apparent. No name was mentioned. But I think later on when Ovian declined the throne, and Lahran was next in line, you too should have been passed to Lahran. Then you would be queen, you know." She finished, looking at me maliciously over the rim of her glass of wine.

At that small bit of news, I paused. I knew everyone was curious about what my reaction would be, including Ovian. I noticed that Lahran, who should be about twenty-five years of age, was handsome in a boyish sort of way, with his golden clump of hair and gold flecked eyes. Although, he wasn't as tall as Ovian but still he was impressive. But I knew deep down, that no matter what, even without the charade, I would choose Ovian over any handsome king, any time any day. I don't know why yet, but right now, he was my choice. And so I walk up to him, reached up to hold his head in between my hands, and look into his eyes.

"The love between us is beyond titles or kingdoms. Our love is so deep that, even death could not kill it. I pledge my love to you for as long as you will have me, my king." I declare for all to hear, laying emphasis on the last part. Right that moment, it was as if the two of us were suspended in time. All of a sudden, he claims my mouth in a heady urgency, as if trying to claim my heart as well. I clung to his neck and gave him all access. It was the clapping of the king hands, that brought us back to the room. Ovian reluctantly let me go and we both turned to face his father.

"Well, I hope, that was more than explanatory, mother." Lahran said testily and dropped his glass of wine on a nearby table. He walked up to us and say, "Congrats once again brother. Obviously, you have found a keeper, don't let the wolves bite. Excuse me," and he left.

Fran followed his brother smiling somewhat mischievously, then the queen left quite in a haughty fashion. Lastly, the king got up and patted Ovian on his shoulder, gave me a grin and walked out of the room slowly. Ovian leads me a sit, and asks if I needed a drink. I shook my head and ask for water instead, immediately, a valet that I didn't know had been in the room, went about the task of getting me water. But the way Ovian gulped down his drink was obvious he needed a drink badly. I wouldn't blame him, I was still reeling from the kiss.

Accepting the glass of water from the valet, I drank greedily, trying to slow down my racing heart. There was no way I could deny the attraction between us no matter how much I tried. Which meant, I have to be very careful my heart doesn't get in line with my body.

"Your performance was epic. Even I almost believed everything you said." He said as he sits down beside me and leans into the chair.

"I had to make it believable, your mother was making a serious insinuation. And I didn't want to create any cause for hatred between brothers."

"Oh, she has always been doing that for as long as I can remember." He sighed.

"But why? How can a mother be pitting brothers against themselves?"

"That's because," he paused. "That's because she's not my real mother." He revealed.

My eyes widen, "Oh my! How?" I question.

"She didn't give my father an heir in time, and so my father turned to his mistress, who was my mother. And I was born. Since, everyone thought the queen could not give birth, the council assumed me the next in line. But a few years later, she gave birth to Lahran. Lahran was a very sick child and for years, people thought he wouldn't live long enough to be king. But as he grew older, he became healthier and stronger and so was proclaimed heir."

Wow! "What about your mother?"

"She died a few hours after my birth." He downs his remaining drink. "Now you know the reason, I can't be king."

I disregard his statement, "I am sorry about your mother." Then I asked, "But why did the queen say you declined?"

He got up to place his glass on the table, before he answers. "She likes everyone to think I was gracious enough to decline the position. That she hadn't moved heaven and earth to take it away from me even while Lahran was still very sick. Come, let me introduce you to more people, and show you the palace.

"When we marry, are we going to be living in the palace?"

"Yes, since I'm getting married, I have to. When we-", he stopped and grimaced.

"What is it?" I ask, as we walk out of the room.

"Don't bother. I got ahead of myself."

"What?" Confused. "What are you talking about?"

He stopped and stared at me, "I was going to say when we start having children, they have to be raised as princes and princesses in the palace."

"Oh," I say softly. I haven't thought that far since our agreement didn't include children. I picked up my skirts again, "Well, we still have a fake wedding to plan, don't we?"

"Oh my dear," he smiled. "On that I can assure you, the marriage may be fake, but the wedding will be very real. Very very real."