I Don't Want To Be Loved

Chapter 116: Affectionate King

“It matters not. Her Majesty has no power nor does she currently wield one. That she is the Queen Mother’s goddaughter means nothing!” a voice said snarkily.

“You’re right,” one noble nodded and pondered over the matter, “Even after the wedding ceremony, Her Majesty attended the night party for a brief moment before returning back to the Queen’s Palace. Moreover, I heard our king was furious after learning that she’d gone to meet the Queen Mother without his knowledge not too long ago.”

Another sighed musingly and looked down at the wine glass in hand. “It looks like their bitter relationship between His Majesty and the Queen Mother still remains. I wonder when they’ll make up again…”

As the talks moved in full swing, the melodic musing stopped abruptly alongside the chattering lips gossiping here and there.

The main attendant yelled at the top of his lungs and announced the majestic entrance of the king and queen.

“His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen now enters!”

The nobility moved to the side briskly and opened a wide, straight path toward the throne.

The ballroom grew reminiscently quiet as all eyes were locked and focused onto the king and queen – their hands more precisely. The sight of the newly wedded pairs holding hands caused small gasps of astonishment to escape their pretty little lips.

“…What a beautiful pair they make.”

“You’re right. They look better together than I ever imagined.”

The nobility lived their entire lives striving for youth and beauty. They relished in the thought of it. To let genuine gasps of astonishment and surprise at the sight of the beautiful queen and charming king shining ephemerally indicated their high view of them.

As they watched the king gazed at his queen with eyes full of love and affection, the bitter opinions they had short moments ago turned anew and changed completely. It seemed unlikely that their relationship was broken and even more so that the king disapproved of his queen as she was merely a hostage and only brought to Arundell as his wife in name.

While multitudes of questioning gazes and thoughts were directed toward the king and queen, the two pairs walked to the throne and sat down at a mannered pace.

The king’s hand laid on top of the queen’s hand as it rested on the armrest. Each and every gaze from the nobility were focused on that specific point.

Even while the king gave a toast with a broad smile on his lips, he did not let go of her hand.

“Welcome, honored guests. You’ve come all the way here to visit and congratulate us on our marriage and union. For that, I thank you, and I hope you have a wonderful time.”

“Congratulations on your marriage! Blessings be to Your Majesty the King, and Your Majesty the Queen!”

The nobility celebrated their marriage merrily. The hands of the many nobles in the ballroom lifted their drink simultaneously.

The music played again as the crowds resumed their talks.

The ball started in earnest.

At that moment, as the eyes of the guests turned away from the king and queen for a moment, Igor quietly leaned over and whispered to Rihannan, “I told you so, did I not? All their eyes and gazes won’t look away as they try to see when our hands will separate, and desperately so.”

Rihannan shook her head side to side and sighed quietly in solemnity.

Igor smiled and gripped her hand tighter.

“There’s a way to make sure you don’t grow nervous in the ballroom. Would you like to try?” Igor asked.