CHAPTER 9

"If I wanted to marry you for a business, would you accept my proposal?"  It's like going back in time when Lia had to chase men to get a lover and at the same time get love.  In the past, no man had accepted her, thus making Prince Aerus automatically become her first lover as well as her husband at the same time.

 It feels strange, yet familiar.  "Looks like we both have some benefit here.  I have to marry to protect the throne while you need Centraxus' influence for the regime in Hexa."  She tilted her head, observing his expression of disgust at her.

 "You're out of your mind!"  Prince Aerus broke through Lia, walking quickly to soon return to the banquet hall.  There was no point in staying in his position while there was a foolish queen talking nonsense.

 'Marry her?' she thought as she squeaked.  'Does she think marriage is a joke?  And does she think my loyalty can be bought?' His face lowered as his feet sprinted, almost running, down the stairs, accompanied by the glow of the orbs glistening on the edge of the wall.

 His footsteps suddenly stopped as a cloud of smoke billowed in front of his face, drowning him along with Lia's sudden appearance.  In an instant, they were where they stood as before, on a balcony overlooking the open air where the moon glowed like a giant silver ball.

 "You shouldn't just leave without answering, Prince," Lia said as she gripped the wand in her hand.  Feelings of disappointment and pride mingled into one, disappointed because she was rejected by her husband and proud at being rejected by her husband.  That feeling blazed like a Scutis Star emitting a red flame, the one thing that should have awakened Mirah's energy in Prince Aerus' body when he saw Lia.

 But his sadness was too enormous so that it covered the energy as if to bury it.

 "An honorable noble should not leave without giving an answer," continued Lia, feeling the strands of her veil fluttering in the wind, flying various hopes on the horizon.

 "You want to know my answer? it's, of course, no.  I will not accept the offer."

 "Why not?"  Lia asked holding the prince's chest, crashed because she was pushed away by him.  A smirk appeared on her lips.  "Is it because you still love your late wife?  Even though I offered a business marriage."

 "You can do it with anyone, but not with me.  Excuse me!"  Prince Aerus sauntered away, culminating in anger.  His hands were clenched into fists, ready to punch Lia if she suddenly stopped him and pulled him to teleport.  Married for business?  He couldn't believe that a girl would say such a thing to him.

 His eyes widened when he saw her suddenly appear in front of him, leaving a beautiful glow because of her luxurious and magnificent robes.  "We should talk for a while to discuss.  I know you may have doubts because you haven't heard of the benefits of this marriage."  Looked like Lia didn't want to give up, and won't.

 Now she would try hard to get her husband back even though she could not confess her identity right now.  And her son… is he living well?

 "I'm not at all interested,  Your Majesty, I'm sorry."  Prince Aerus gritted his teeth, his lips flat and straight as if needles and swords were ready to strike.  His eyes looked horrific and also vicious.  "If you do have a great advantage then you should talk about it to the people who want it, and that person is not me."

 "I can grant you unlimited power."  The offer couldn't stop the prince's sturdy heart, which by now had drifted away with a shake of its head in disbelief.  She tried to catch up to him, lifting her skirt now and then.  "I can give you a wide area."  It didn't work anymore.  "I can give you the freedom to come to Centraxus so Prince Beldric can get some additional energy."

 The offer stopped Prince Aerus' furious footsteps, giving Lia some hope.  His back looked tense, while his hands clenched in emotion.

 Smirking, Lia said again, "I heard you need unlimited energy for your son.  I can provide it, and even accept him here until he is an adult."  There was a great vibrant e as she imagined being able to meet her son and then live together in happy circumstances.  A mother's longing for her child cannot be compared to anything, which makes her realize how tormented her parents were when they had to let her go.

 "Isn't this a good offer?"

 "Why do you have to offer kindness in exchange for something?"  sneered Prince Aerus.  "Are you so desperate for a husband?  There are so many power-greedy nobles out there, you can find more than ten dozen in the banquet hall."

 "At least you're not one of them," said Lia.  "You are not a power-greedy person, and it is people like you that I am looking for."  Stepped closer to him.  "How?  Are you willing to be my husband?"

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