Chapter (37): Who is the initiator behind marriage idea?

"Father, isn't it strange that they had sent the complaint after two years? They should have been suffering in the past two years ago."

The King drew a hand on his beard. "I will leave this to the prime minister, let's skip this discussion."

King Xing Yingjie put out a red envelope and placed it on the table, where she had placed her drawing.

Her nostrils and heart were burning after what her father did, he had changed so much, no longer she could see the twinkling lights in his eyes. This face was familiar, the fact that her grandfather was exposed when he burned many villages in Di. It scared her more than anything.

"If your highness allows me, I would like to be rude and ask Who is the initiator behind the marriage idea?"

It wasn't out of her mind that could be his mother but not just that, his favorite concubine must be angry after this news. She didn't want more heirs to the throne. There were already so many in the queue.

"So you know what is the content of this list."

Of course, she knew! The main motive was that and led her to sit there, looking at the scattered ash of her drawing.

"Yes, father! I find it so vital to you that your personal valet came after me."

"Yes, it is important to me and your grandmother. You are the heir of the throne and I want you to become mightier. As you know we have enemies that have eyes on us. They are waiting for us to show weakness."

Xing Huan could not be agreed with her father, negotiations could work in their case if they wanted to use it properly but they didn't want to try it.

"Are we talking about Di land and the pirates?"

The King nodded, his daughter was bright, and he didn't need to get into the details.

"You should be cautious, here I had chosen the ones that could bring comfort to you. Seven young men among 200 suitors."

Comfort for her or his mother's nervousness? Queen Xing Xiao, her father's mother was not a bad person but she was always suspicious, her obsession could sicken her father's mind and as it came across in her mother's absence it worsened. 'What a neglect I made to leave him alone with her!'

"Father, twenty-five years ago, my grandfather poured blood in Di's reign to take Xin province! I don't want to repeat this. Is there any royal from Di?"

The King's eyes ran wide! How unusual of her, did she accept this so immediately?

"Yes, the second prince of Di, he is the third name on the list!"

She nodded, as she guessed, her grandmother's obsession prepared this list, to make her a strong knot for a constant tie. She didn't care about Xing Huan's decision and somehow, she had convinced the king.

"Interesting, if we want to get rid of the enmity, why isn't there the crown prince of Di?"

She asked this to test her father, but what if she accepted the second prince of Di and he was tempted to beat his brother down? They could simply attack Mei's reign to claim the throne and avenge the loss of Xin.

"You don't trust them, do you?"

The King hastily studied his daughter's hand. He was not born yesterday, also she meant all the questions.

"I don't, I want you to give me two weeks of space. I am not agreed with arranged marriage."

The King's expression turned bitter, his skin darkened, and it even became scarier when the orange light of the candle colored his left side.

"This is not a request, this is a command that I want you to follow!"

He commanded with stress on the words that were leaving between his teeth. He loathed disobedience and his own daughter was enticed to stand against his will.

"I understand father's concerns for Xing Huan, but I need to think about it, you have given me seven choices that I must pick one, I appreciate your benevolence, but at least let me solve this case to prove that I deserve the position of empress."

The King's eyes sharpened, "is this your excuse to put me off yourself or this is the reason?"

"If I say it is both, I didn't lie, father knows that Xing Huan is speaking bluntly."

The King sighed, yes, at least this attitude hadn't changed in her, she used to think before speaking, and when she was confident the words would leave her mouth strongly. She was looking for peace but not with marriage ties, not following the tradition. He couldn't decide whether to be mad or happy.

"I can't say that I'm delighted to hear this."

He paused, pinching the space between his eyebrows.

"So, is father tending to give his daughter two weeks of chance?"

"What do you want to do with this time demanding?"

The king's hand moved down and placed on his knee.

"I want to catch the criminals and get back to life."

'I might run away! If you refuse.' She told herself; her father's face didn't disclose even a single emotion since she came inside, only just some forced beams that he tried to drive on his face.

"No, I can't give you what you want! The suitors will be here next week and you must spend time to know them. Let's leave this case to your brother or detectives."

Why did not she guess this? He would not let her get involved with this case when he had his own plans for her. But she must find the thieves, she promised Li Shu and it wasn't just the reason, the main issue was the betrayal, the person who killed her mother and she had no clue to prove it.

"At least let me work on the case till next week. I can be a good help for my brother."

Silence ruled the air for a few moments and eventually, the King's lips moved, "until next week, as the time is up, you must prepare yourself. I will give you a month to know those men and choose one."

The princess swallowed, it didn't matter how rich and powerful those men were, possibly some were elite warriors but she couldn't slay her heart, what about loving someone she wanted?

Her heart was pounding madly as if someone smashing it with a hammer. The sky thundered outside, it made her wince.

"I appreciate it, father!"

She couldn't think well for now, but for taking those treasons she would leave here, if she wanted to rule on a throne with rats around it, she must keep her hands always in blood, wash them in blood, and might be even deceived by them and pour blood she shouldn't. She must strangle this all in the seed before their roots dive deeper.