8 Strong Tension

Prince Nicien Vamieres wasn't only known for his aloofness or cold nature but also his intelligence. Despite being just 20, he was already an established Commander who never lost a war. All those achievements handed him so much power and influence that no one really dared to stand against him though the power struggle between him and King Hamon was widely known.

Instead, the Esriven court was divided into two - the ones who were loyal to the King and... the ones who were on Prince Nicien's side.

Nevertheless, such a powerful young man was now sitting inside the chamber of his fiancee, not knowing anything to say.

He spent all his life leading the Vamieres Army; trying to put the power struggle in control so that he won't be the one dying at the end, and being a good son possible to his widowed mother. There was never a woman in his life, apart from his mother.

As a powerful figure, many women took fancy to him and many of them were ladies from a powerful household yet he took interest in none. He never took a single glance of them, let alone entertain them.

As such, he didn't know what to do or say in such an unfamiliar situation. However, his mother told them to come together later and he knew very well that it was her way of telling him to stay there for a while.

Throughout his life, he never hesitated to listen to his mother in everything, except one; but... since his fiancee arrived, it was getting harder to do that.

"You can leave if it's uncomfortable for you, Your Highness," Princess Rizelle said to him while his mind was occupied by many different things. "I can tell the Supreme Princess that you leave because I want to have some more rest."

"Do you want to rest?" He asked and the Princess of Linolia appeared to be taken aback by his question or... the fact that he finally broke his silence.

"Not really," she replied with a little hint of confusion still on her face. "I've already slept enough. I only said that because you appear uncomfortable to be here."

"It's fine then," Nicien Vamieres replied. "I don't like lying to my mother."

He didn't take his gaze off her right away and just like before, he noticed her slightly raising her brows.

What about him or his words was so surprising to her? Nicien Vamieres didn't understand. However, the Princess maintained her silence and he didn't know what to say either.

Time passed by in silence and they both didn't know how long they'd spent that way. When Princess Rizelle Verona finally spoke up again, it already seemed like forever. However... her question wasn't what Nicien expected.

"Why do you agree to fulfill the alliance marriage, Your Highness?"

In her opinion, he didn't really look like someone who would be willing to do this.

"Were you forced by a royal order?" She cautiously asked.

She wasn't even sure why she was curious. Maybe because in her eyes, he appeared so mysterious. It's more than challenging to figure him out.

There was a slight smirk on Prince Nicien's lips when he heard Rizelle's second question. Then he turned his body in her direction and said, "I'm sure that you've heard all the rumors about me and the King. Do you really think he will be able to force me into something in the name of a royal order?"

Was this his way of saying that he agreed to the marriage himself without any pressure? However, what Rizelle noticed the most was the smirk on his lips.

Putting aside the power struggle, he sounded like someone who loathed the King to a huge extent just now!

Weren't they uncle and nephew?

Just what happened between them in the past?

Noticing her reaction, Prince Nicien fixed his composure and explained, "What I'm trying to say is that... I'm not forced and I have my own reasons. So, don't be concerned about it."

He had his own reasons? Rizelle was curious but she knew better than to ask him about it. To her, the fact that he was even willing to answer her questions was already strange enough! But...

Why was he so hard to understand?

He appeared cold and just now, he even admitted to the intense power struggle by saying that the King won't be able to force him even in the name of the royal order. He was one scary person and she admitted that but... it felt like there was so much more about him.

A few minutes passed by in silence once again but rather than feeling awkward, they both seemed to be feeling lost in their thoughts. The silence was put to an end when they heard the sound of knocking on the door. Once Rizelle responded, a servant walked inside and informed them that it was time for dinner.

"Let's go," Nicien Vamieres said to Rizelle as he rose from his seat. Then they both made their way towards the dining hall.

*

When Nicien and Rizelle arrived in the dining hall, the three other royals were already there, waiting for them.

"They're here," Supreme Princess Selova who was sitting on the nearest chair to the King in the right remarked with a smile when she saw the two.

Crown Prince Alerone was also there, sitting on the nearest chair in his father's left.

"You are on time. Come and have a seat," King Hamon promptly said to them with that same hard-to-figure-out smile on his face.

Without saying anything, Prince Nicien took a seat beside his cousin and Rizelle sat next to him.

"Were you able to have a good rest?" King Hamon's question was directed to Rizelle who nodded.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you for your concern."

"That's great to hear," Hamon Caderin commented and if Rizelle didn't have a bad first impression of this Esriven King, she will surely think that he was a friendly and considerate King!

Now, King Hamon's gaze was on his nephew who didn't even bother to look at him. "I was chatting with your mother for a while and I'm glad to hear that you're willing to spend some time cooperating with the wedding preparations despite your busy schedule, Nicien."

Silence occupied the dining hall for a while and curious about what was on her fiance's mind, Rizelle looked at Nicien who was now looking at the King. She was able to sense the strong tension between the two men though it wasn't visible to the eye but... when she looked at the Supreme Princess and Crown Princess Alerone, they didn't even act like they notice it.

What kind of family was this?!