Arya

Background Check

I saw Michael at a distance speaking with men that guard the cellars.

"Mother." Aladar walked to me.

"Aladar, honey, you're supposed to be at the ceremony. And where's Bruno?"

"Everyone is sad." He held his own hands. "One of the Guards took him back to your chamber."

"That's because they've lost people they love."

"Lost them..." he thought for a while. "Like Lady Grier?"

"Yes. Like Lady Grier." Michael walked away from the Guards. "Aladar, why don't you go down to the kitchen and ask them for a pastry. Are you hungry?" He was heading to his chambers.

"Mmhmm." He nodded his head.

"Want me to come with you or can you make it on your own?" I asked as I crouch down to be at his level.

"I can make it." He smiled.

"Okay." I gave him a kiss on the forehead. "Go." I smiled as I watched him force himself not to run. He skipped and continued to walk.

"Michael." I caught up to him just before he could enter his chamber.

"Arya."

"The intruder?"

"Not an intruder. Just a noble seeking for food."

"How did you handle it?"

"I gave the elder some bread and fruit for him to take back to his family. Stated he had two daughters and a son who's sick. I sent over the physician, Malakai."

"Thank you."

"I had two armed men accompany him and four others to follow them."

  ❃❃❃❃❃❃THE NEXT DAY❃❃❃❃❃❃

"There are rumors of the two of us..."

"What's wrong with that?" He smirked.

"It does not matter if you were the king and I was the mistress because a man can have mistresses. A woman cannot have any intercourse or relationship with another man but her husband. If she is caught with another man, she'd be beheaded or hung or taken care of...and Not a merciful kind. A man can have many mistresses, or call upon the women in the brothel. But if I were to do that I'd be unworthy of this kingdom and the throne."

"Dont call yourself a mistress in my presence."

"I'll try not to."

"Actually, I was told to bring you to the headquarters."

"What for?" I asked as he grabbed a folder and led the way out.

"Marriage."

"You're worried about the throne and this kingdom."

"More the Kingdom than the throne."

Once we got to the headquarters Lady Miriam, Lord Weylyn, Madame Lynn, and Sir Lucian were in the headquarters. They all had their own folders in front of them and spoke with one another until I entered. They all stood and once I got to the center of the room they took their seats that surrounded me.

"Why don't you marry one of the sons of King Philip IV," Michael spoke.

"The ruler of Kirstell?" I asked.

"You can marry into the eldest son, Philip V." He added.

"No."

"And what about King Tobias?" He asked as he leaned up against the table.

"Tobias Armitage?"

"Background on him?" I looked at Miriam.

"He's a 30-year-old man who is French. Physically, Tobias is in pretty good shape. He is tall with bronze skin, red hair and black eyes. He grew up in an upper class. His father died when he was young, he was raised by his mother."

"Okay. Put that folder aside." I decided to make a pile of yes and no.

"Although, he is also known to be very pessimistic and a bit impatient."

"No." Michael grabbed the folder and looked at Madame Lynn.

"King Miller, 27 years old. Brother was murdered. Has a bastard brother and a sister. He's Peruvian and not in very good shape. His people state he needs to lose quite a lot of weight. He's short with fair skin, ginger hair and blue eyes. He grew up working with blacksmiths, father left when he was young, mother is an alcoholic. She married into another man."

"No." Michael grabbed the folder. "He's with a woman named Fleur Reece. They've been arranged." He pointed at Sir Lucian.

"Prince Mercer, 27-year-old who travels a lot. He's Peruvian. Physically in good shape. Average-height with light skin, mouse hair and blue eyes."

"Mouse hair?" I looked at him.

"Let's just say he wears a toupee."

"Oh..." I didn't know what to say.

"Mother died when he was young. Father remarried and has a bastard child. He roo is inpatient and cowardly. If I had to say yes or no, I'd say no." He held the folder out for Michael to collect.

"Prince Edward." Lord Weylyn spoke. 29 years old, turning 30 tomorrow. He's known for his great leadership. He hunts and has a hobby in the blacksmith area. Kind and caring to his people. He's a French-Spaniard. Physically, he's in great shape, very tall with walnut skin, brown hair and blue eyes. Grew up with both his parents. All of his siblings have been married."

"Yes."

"Prince Farrokh Denmark Lancaster is a 36-year-old who is to be King in a week from now. He is stable and reliable, a bit untidy, Iranian, seen with lots of prostitutes.  Good shape, brown hair, fair skin, brown eyes. Provided happy and stable homes to the people. He has three children with two different partners and is looking for another wife."

"No. Marrying into a man like Farrokh would only make me look desperate to get married."

After going through many folders we have only come down to four men.

We all placed the folders on the table and stood beside one another.

"We have Prince Davis Bruce Stewart ruler of Mount Bel, Prince Edward Hutchinson ruler of Bridstonloeil, King Oliver Saxe ruler of Cumbeachaux. Oh, and King Ethan Normandy ruler of Quinza." Lord Weylyn read them.

I looked at Madam Lynn and she looked uncertain. "You're free to say what you think, Madam Lynn." I smiled softly.

"I'm sorry, my lady, it just came to me now that Ethan is said to be abusive to his wives. He's divorced a few women now." I slowly reached for his folder and looked at Michael.

"I'll just burn this folder." Miriam grabbed the folder.

"Anyone else? Anything on King Oliver, Prince Davis, and Prince Edward?"

"Prince Davis does not have sufficient companies."

"How many companies does he hold?" I asked.

"Not enough." He grabbed the folder and held onto it leaving us with two men.

"Okay, anything on King Oliver and Prince Davis?" I looked at all of them. Someone knocked on the door and it was one of my servants.

"M'lady." She stood by the door. I moved away from the table of folders and Sir Lucian covered the folders.

"Gwen, come in." I stood at a distance as she approached me.

"It's a letter from King Oliver."

"Thank you." I smiled and held onto the letter. Once she left I opened the letter and read that his arrival will be expected tomorrow. First thing in the morning.

"Well, what does it say?" Miriam asked.

"He'll be here in the morning."