Seraphina’s POV

I let out a frustrated sigh, lifting my gaze to meet King Orion’s steady eyes. “Do I have any say in this?” I asked, my voice carrying more edge than I intended. “Or is this just something I’m expected to go along with, no matter how I feel about it?”

The king studied me for a moment, as if gauging my words. Then, to my slight surprise, he tilted his head. “Are you saying you want to refuse? Do you not want to marry my son?”

I opened my mouth to say yes because, of course, I wanted to refuse. Because I had never once imagined myself marrying some prince, even if he was the son of the most powerful man in Aldoria. Because I had feelings for someone else—someone who wasn’t a man.

But I stopped myself just before the words could slip out.

I had no idea how King Orion would react to such a confession. The last thing I wanted was to reveal something so personal to a man who, for all his fairness and wisdom, might still be a traditionalist at heart.

So instead, I forced a tight smile and chose my words carefully. “As much as I appreciate that my father made this arrangement with you to protect me, I’m only eighteen. Marriage isn’t something I was even thinking about at this point in my life.”

There. That was a safe response. A logical one.

The king’s expression remained neutral, but I noticed a flicker of something in his eyes—perhaps understanding, or maybe calculation. “I understand,” he said after a pause. “And I want to make it clear that I am not pressuring you to marry Darius right now.”

I felt a slight relief, but before I could speak, he continued.

“I know you still need to finish high school, and you also have college ahead of you. In fact, you have your entire life ahead of you, Seraphina, and I wouldn’t ask you to throw that away.”

I frowned slightly. If that was the case, then why even bring this up now?

“But,” he added, his voice calm but firm, “the truth is, without your father’s presence, you are in a vulnerable position. There are people—your aunt included—who would gladly take advantage of you now that you have no direct guardian, and I assume you do not want to be forced into a legal battle over your own inheritance.”

I clenched my jaw, the very mention of Gianna sending a fresh feeling of irritation through me. Of course, that leech was trying to make a move. She had spent years living off my father’s status, and now that he was gone, she probably saw herself as entitled to whatever power she could grasp.

King Orion leaned forward slightly, his gaze locked on mine. “If you wish to protect yourself—and the legacy your father left behind—there is a simple solution.”

I folded my arms, my patience thinning. “And what’s that?”

“We announce your engagement to Darius.”

I stiffened.

The king continued smoothly, as if he hadn’t just dropped a bomb on me even after I just asked if I could refuse. “This will ensure that you are under the royal family’s protection without the immediate pressure of marriage. With the public knowledge that you are engaged to the Crown Prince, Gianna will no longer have any leverage, and anyone else who might seek to challenge your claim to your father’s assets will think twice before doing so.”

I stared at him, my mind whirling. Engagement? I clearly didn’t want to get married, but he wanted me to pretend to be engaged to his son?

“That way,” the king added, “you will have time. Time to figure out your own path, time to finish school, time to decide what you truly want. But you will do so without the threat of those who would manipulate you in your current position.”

I opened my mouth, then closed it again. I hated to admit it, but it made sense.

If the royal family publicly claimed me as their future daughter-in-law, Gianna would be powerless to interfere. No noble would dare challenge the decision of the king, and even if I had no intention of actually going through with the marriage, this engagement could buy me the time I needed to secure my own future.

I didn’t want to do this. Every fiber of my being recoiled at the idea of being tied to Prince Darius, of my name being forever linked to someone I barely knew, but what other option did I have?

I looked down at my hands, my thoughts racing.

The king didn’t rush me. He simply waited, his expression unreadable.

Finally, I exhaled slowly. “And Darius is… okay with this?” I asked, my voice quieter now.

“He agreed,” King Orion confirmed. “He understands the importance of this arrangement, and he respects the situation you are in.”

I let out another deep sigh. “Your Majesty,” I began carefully, “would it be possible for me to take a few days to think about this?”

King Orion’s eyes studied me with patience, waiting for me to elaborate.

“I understand the importance of the decision my father and you made,” I continued, choosing my words cautiously. “And I do see the logic behind it, but… my father just passed away.” My voice faltered slightly, but I quickly regained my composure. “The idea of agreeing to an engagement—especially right now—is overwhelming.”

The king nodded almost immediately. “Of course, Seraphina. I completely understand.” His tone was sincere, without the slightest trace of impatience.

Relief flooded through me, and I hadn’t realized just how tense I had been, expecting him to insist that I make my decision on the spot. Instead, he was giving me space—space I desperately needed.

He leaned back slightly. “Take all the time you need,” he said. “As I mentioned, this was an idea your father proposed, and I agreed because I believed it would be beneficial for both families.”

He paused, then added, “And, frankly, I do not think it would be a bad thing to have the daughter of one of my closest friends as my daughter-in-law.”

I swallowed, not sure how to respond to that.

“But at the end of the day,” he continued, “this is your decision. No one will force your hand, least of all me.”

I nodded slowly, grateful that he wasn’t pushing me.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” I said, my voice steady now. “I truly appreciate your understanding.”

The king gave me a small nod. “It’s no problem, Seraphina.”

There was a brief silence between us, the air slightly less tense now that I knew I wasn’t expected to make such a life-altering decision in an instant.

“Now,” King Orion said, shifting slightly in his seat, “the driver who brought you here will take you back home. I imagine you must be tired after everything today.”

I was. Exhausted, actually.

“Thank you,” I said again, standing from the sofa. I gave him a respectful bow of my head before adding, “And I wish you good health, Your Majesty.”

The king inclined his head slightly. “Take care of yourself, Seraphina.”

Without another word, I turned and exited his office, and as the door closed behind me, I finally allowed myself to breathe.

I still had no idea what I was going to do, but at least, for now, I had time. Time to think, time to figure out what to do, and time to decide if tying myself to the royal family was truly my only option.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep