Married to the arrogant king

Lord Francis did not know how to take the news. “No! it can’t be, Gwen can’t be dead. I want you to still go out there, and search the entire Nook and Cranny of Everton. Take as many men as you want, and find my daughter,” Lord Francis ordered, and his men quickly obliged.

After his men left, Lord Francis immediately set out to inform Carl, knowing that he would send more men in search of Gwen, and it would make things easier.

CARL’S POV

I stared at Zara’s beautiful face, as she slept peacefully beside me. It pains me to know that I had to hurt the woman I love in order to protect her. Although it wasn’t intentional, still I hurt her.

I could still remember the pain in her voice when asked if I was really going to marry Nadia, if I loved her. It took everything in me not to pull her in my embrace, comfort, and kiss her pain away. I wanted to tell her that, I love her and only her, and the reason I was marrying Nadia, was because I was threatened by an anonymous person(the spy) to do so, or she would die. Although I intended to ignore the person and reject Nadia, it was impossible, because whoever the anonymous person is, is not someone I should take lightly. The fact that he even know’s everything, and every move I make is alarming. That’s why I had to treat her badly, to protect her from the enemy, who is still within the palace and watching our every move. I have a feeling that it’s someone close to us, someone, that we least suspect. however, I can’t pinpoint exactly who the person is. The fact that no one acts or looks suspicious makes things harder.

“Zara, please be patient with me, once I sort everything out, I would tell you the reason behind my actions, and would give you all the answers you seek. Although I’m tempted to tell you now, I don’t want you to worry, I don’t want anything that would bother you, my love. But I’ll make you this promise, once I get that anonymous person, I will end my marriage with Nadia, no matter how hard, it may be.”

…

“Your majesty, Lord Francis request your audience urgently,” Jerald announced.

I hastily put on my robe and crown, making my way outside the chamber, but not before giving Zara one last look. She must be exhausted, due to last night’s event.

“Where is he?” I asked Jerald immediately, I came out of the chamber.

“Your majesty, he is in the throne room,” Jerald replied…

Once I arrived in the throne room, I found lord Francis pacing around with a worried expression on his face. “Did something bad happen?” I thought, taking quick steps towards him.

“Your majesty,” he called, immediately his gaze landed on me.

“Lord Francis, you look troubled, tell me, what’s wrong,” I urged him. Lord Francis has always been like a father to me, besides the fact that he is Gwen’s father, and seeing him worried, made me worried too.

Lord Francis nodded, then he said, “Your majesty, it’s Gwen, she’s missing.”

I was gobsmacked. “What do you mean, Gwen is missing?” I asked, giving him a confused look.

“Your majesty, Gwen has been missing for the past two days. I even send some men to search for her but they returned earlier, and they came along with Gwen’s necklace and pair of shoes, they also said that she was eaten by a beast.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. how can he tell me that Gwen has been missing for the past two days, and he didn’t tell me anything?

“Lord Francis, why are you only telling me this now? why didn’t you inform me the moment you found out that she was missing?”

“My king, I thought that, maybe she just went out of the palace for something urgent, and that she would be back, I didn’t know that things would get this complicated.”

I nodded, not wanting to question him more, seeing that he’s already tense.

“There’s no need to panic, Lord Francis, I’ll send out some of the best soldiers to find Gwen, after all, she is not just your daughter, is also my friend, and a lady of Everton,” I reassured him.

He lighten up a bit, but he still had that worried expression on his face. I understand how he feels. Gwen is his only child, and it’s natural for him to be like this, especially since he doesn’t know whether she’s alive or not.

I was also worried about Gwen, because she’s one of my closest friends, and no matter her flaws, I wouldn’t want anything to happen to her.

I immediately asked Jerald to organize a search party, consisting of the best and strongest of Everton’s soldiers to go search for Gwen. I just pray that she’s still alive, or it would be a great loss to both me, Everton, and especially lord Francis.

…

Meanwhile, Nadia was informed that Carl had sent men out in search of Gwen, and she burst into a fit of laughter. “Why are they searching for someone already dead, are they planning on finding her ghost? Oh poor Gwen, if you didn’t mess with me, you would still be alive by now.”

She suddenly stops laughing and glanced up to look at her servant, “Tell Draco to send the letter to queen Zara, now that Carl is preoccupied with finding Gwen.” The servant immediately oblige and went in search of Draco.

“Soon Carl, you’ll not just be looking for Gwen alone, but also your queen Zara,” Nadia thought, letting out an evil laugh.

AT NOON

ZARA’S POV

When I woke up, it felt like I did something strenuous. my whole body was sore and weak. I sluggishly made my way out of bed, putting on my robe, as last night’s incident replayed in my mind.

I felt my cheek, redden and my lips curled into a smile. “No matter how hard I try to stay mad at you, I just can’t.” I was still lost in thoughts when someone knocked on my door.

“Who is it?” I inquired.

“My queen, it’s me, Lia,” she responded.

I hastily went to the door and opened it. “Lia, come in,” I urged, and she walked in, giving me a curious look.

“What happened Zara?” She questioned, a mischievous smile playing at the corner of her lips.

I chuckled. “What do you mean by what happened?” I repeated, rolling my eyes.

“I mean what happened between you and the king, did he tell you why he decided to go ahead and marry Nadia?”

I sighed, before nodding my head. “No Lia, he didn’t. But I know, he’s keeping something from me, but I can’t wrap my head around it.”

“Zara, although I don’t know why Carl did that, I’m sure he still loves you, or why would he spend the night with you?”

My cheek heated up immediately and I said, “how did you know that he spent the night with me?”

Lia chuckled, glancing elsewhere to avoid my gaze.

“Lia, answer me.”

“Sorry Zara, we were kind of spying on him. I mean, I, Catherine and Lady Anna,” she answered, and I pinched her cheek. “You little…”

“Oh, Zara! Before I forget, I have a letter for you from Azrael,” Lia said cutting me off.

She handed me a letter, which I received from her. opening the letter, my eyes scanned the content and I froze immediately, my heart fast against my chest.

“Zara, what does it say?” Lia asked, giving me a questioning look.

I glanced up to meet her gaze. “Lia, it says, my father is very ill and on the brink of dying.”

Lia also tensed up, her gaze replaced with a worried one. “What are you going to do Zara? Are you going to Everton?”

I sighed. “Lia, if my father is really sick, I will have to leave for Azrael immediately.”Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.