Chapter 117: Engagement On Trial [I]

Sonia’s gaze returned to Darius, and a determined look settled in her eyes. Whatever happened during this meeting, she was not prepared to surrender the possibility of marrying him without a fight.

Meanwhile, the king had already greeted the Ashcrofts with a measured nod before taking his seat. The queen settled beside him, while Basil and Darius took their places nearby. Their actions prompted the Ashcrofts to return to their seats. Once everyone was comfortably seated, Jonathan turned toward the king and queen, wearing a respectful smile.

Your Majesties, it is a pleasure to be received by you today. My family and I are grateful for the opportunity to meet with you, and we appreciate you making time for us despite your many responsibilities."

He paused briefly, offering the king another respectful nod before continuing.

"Our families have shared a close relationship for many years, and it has always been my hope that the bond between us would grow even stronger through the union of our children. We have long regarded the engagement between Prince Basil and my daughter as a matter of great importance, and I trust that today’s meeting will allow us to discuss their future together."

His words were carefully chosen, polite enough to convey respect while quietly reminding the royal couple of the longstanding arrangement between their families.

Eleanor turned toward the queen, her expression brightening as she joined her husband’s remarks.

"Indeed, Your Majesties. We have looked forward to this moment for a long time. The thought of Sonia and Prince Basil finally becoming husband and wife has always brought us great happiness, and we have been eagerly anticipating the day when our families would be joined through their marriage." She smiled warmly at the queen. "I’m sure you can understand how meaningful this is to us as parents. We want nothing more than to see our daughter happily settled with her future husband."

The queen’s expression remained composed, but the warmth Eleanor seemed to expect never quite appeared. Instead, she exchanged a brief glance with the king, her lips pressing together as though she were considering how best to respond.

"Yes," she said at last, her voice polite but restrained. "We understand how much this arrangement has meant to your family."

The king gave a low grunt.

It was not an outright expression of disagreement, but neither did it sound like the response of a man delighted by the prospect of the marriage Eleanor had just described. His expression remained stern, and he made no attempt to offer the reassuring words Jonathan and his wife might have hoped to hear.

Jonathan’s smile faltered for the briefest moment before he recovered. Eleanor, too, seemed to notice the lack of enthusiasm, though she quickly composed herself.

Tobias, who had been sitting quietly, noticed it as well. He glanced at his father, then at the king and queen. Perhaps he was imagining things, but the royal couple did not seem particularly pleased by his mother’s declaration. Their reactions were too restrained, their expressions too guarded. Even Basil, the man Sonia was supposedly destined to marry, looked more reserved than Tobias would have expected.

And Darius had yet to show the slightest interest in the conversation.

Is it just me, or does the royal family not seem particularly happy about this engagement either?

Tobias shifted his gaze toward Basil and Darius, wondering whether he was the only one who had noticed the peculiar atmosphere surrounding what should have been a perfectly ordinary meeting between two families discussing their children’s future.

The tension in the room was subtle, but it was there. Judging by the king’s expression, Tobias had a feeling that his family was about to discover that this meeting might not go as they wished.

Sonia, oblivious to the tension brewing between the two families,, remained occupied with admiring Darius. She stole glances at his handsome face, his broad shoulders, and the composed way he carried himself, barely paying attention to the conversation around her. Darius, however, had little interest in the Ashcrofts or the engagement being discussed.

His attention remained fixed on Basil, who sat beside him, seemingly absorbed in their own quiet exchange. Basil leaned slightly toward him to say something under his breath, and Darius responded with a faint smile before murmuring a reply. For those brief moments, the two princes seemed to inhabit a world of their own, scarcely acknowledging the other people in the room.

The king cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention back to him. His gaze moved from Jonathan to Eleanor before settling on Sonia.

"First, I would like to say that we appreciate your family honoring our summons to the palace on such short notice. However, there is something concerning this marriage arrangement that has recently been brought to my attention." He paused, allowing his words to settle before continuing. "I have been informed that your daughter is displeased with the prospect of marrying Prince Basil. More troubling, I understand that she has referred to him as a fake and an impostor, claiming that she ought to have been promised to the real crown prince instead."

The Ashcrofts froze.

Jonathan’s respectful expression faltered, and he turned sharply toward his daughter, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. Eleanor stared at Sonia as though she could scarcely believe what she had just heard, while Tobias’s eyes widened slightly. He had known his sister could be reckless, but hearing her words repeated by the king himself was an entirely different matter.

For a moment, neither parent seemed able to find a response. Their eyes shifted toward Basil, who remained seated with an unreadable expression, before returning to Sonia. Had the king and queen already learned about the incident at the college? And if so, who had told them? Had Basil himself brought the matter to their attention? The possibility that he had complained to his parents was troubling enough, but an even more alarming thought followed. If Basil had told them, did that mean he no longer wished to marry Sonia either? Had the engagement already become a problem for the royal family?

Sonia, however, showed no sign of remorse. Rather than lower her gaze or attempt to defend herself, she shifted in her seat and lifted her chin, seemingly unwilling to pretend that she regretted anything she had said. Her parents’ disapproving stares did little to change her expression.

The king studied her for a moment before addressing her directly.

"Is that true, young lady?"