CHAPTER 236: FRIENDSHIP

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When Lord Williams received the news from Lord Valley that the king wanted to marry his first daughter and make her queen, he was not entirely comfortable. He immediately sought an audience with the king. He was not fooled by the rumors—he knew the truth of the situation—but he had never attempted to clear the queen’s name. After all, stability was needed within the kingdom.

"Your Majesty," Lord Williams bowed as he entered the king’s study.

"Lord Williams, I have heard that your daughter’s beauty is one of a kind," the king said with a warm smile.

"Your Majesty, my daughter takes after her mother," he replied, accepting the compliment with a humble smile.

"Lord Williams need not be so formal with me. In a short while, we may become family. You have always been loyal to the crown, and it only seems fitting," King Edward said.

Now that the rumors had been taken care of, he did not think Lord Williams had any reason to reject the marriage.

"Your Majesty, about this marriage—my daughter might not be a suitable match. Her mother died while giving birth to her, and she was raised by my mother, who pampered her. Although she possesses outstanding talents, I am afraid it might not be enough to manage the palace," Lord Williams said.

King Edward frowned upon hearing those words. He could tell that Lord Williams was still reluctant to give his daughter in marriage.

"Lord Williams, this is not something to worry about. My mother is still in good health and would gladly guide her," King Edward replied. His gaze remained fixed on Lord Williams, his aura intense—silently warning him not to look for another reason to refuse the proposal.

"Your Highness, I have no right to comment on your family, but the former queen left her seat for a reason. My daughter is pampered and may not be able to handle palace grievances. Before my mother passed, she made me vow to protect Rosalind. I dare not break that oath," Lord Williams said.

Although he did not say it plainly, the king understood that he did not believe the rumors and was unwilling to send his daughter into a lion’s den.

"Lord Williams has misunderstood me. Although I was captivated by my mistress, I still know right from wrong. The former queen was too impatient. I offered reconciliation, but she refused and insisted on divorce. If your concern is for your daughter’s safety, then I swear, as the King of Nixel, that your daughter’s life in the royal palace will be peaceful," King Edward said.

"Thank you for Your Majesty’s grace. But what about the young prince? My daughter is in good health," Lord Williams said.

If the young prince were the child of the king’s first wife, it would be acceptable—but the son of a mistress was entirely unacceptable.

"Lord Williams, as the King of Nixel, I hold dear all our laws and traditions. He is my first son, and I do wish to grant him a position in the future. But the heir to the throne will always be the son of my wife," King Edward said.

He dared not consider naming Dorothy’s son as crown prince again. After all, no noble would be willing to send his daughter into the palace under such conditions. Moreover, even if they did, the young prince’s life would be in danger. He had to admit that not everyone would be like Anastasia—who never tried to harm an innocent child.

When Lord Williams heard those words, he felt at peace. He had always hoped for his daughter to marry the king and become queen. It was a position of great honor.

"Then, I will speak to my family about it," Lord Williams said with a smile.

...

When Lord Williams got home, he sent for Rosalind to join the family for dinner. After dinner, he announced her engagement to the king.

"Father..." Rosalind was not happy to hear the news. Although she was not in love with anyone, she was not willing to jump into the pit that Anastasia had just emerged from.

"What?" Lord Williams could already tell that she did not want this marriage.

"I was part of the former queen’s court, and we can say we were friends. Those rumors are false," Rosalind said. Looking at her father, who didn’t deny her words, she understood that he was aware of the fact that the rumors were true. But if he knew, why would he still make her marry such a man?

"I spoke with His Majesty. You will be safe; I will ensure that," Lord Williams said.

Rosalind looked at her father. She seemed to want to say something else, but she remained quiet. "I will listen to Father," she knew her rejection would make no difference.

After talking for a while, Rosalind excused herself to return to her courtyard.

Beatrice and Bridget were still seated. "My Lord, why does this marriage have to go to her? She does not seem happy about it. Beatrice or Bridget would be more willing," Lady Williams said. She felt uncomfortable. Since she married into the family, it seemed all the best things in the family were reserved for Rosalind.

This time, Lord Williams was already choosing a husband for Rosalind. Why couldn’t one of her daughters marry the king instead?

"This is the king’s request," Lord Williams said. The king had asked for his first daughter. Although he was considering other options, since an engagement had not been finalized, he did not think there was anything wrong with letting her marry the king.

"My Lord is so unfair; even the good things she doesn’t want, my Lord still reserves for her," Lady Williams complained with tears. If Rosalind had not shown that she did not want to marry the king, she would not have dared to complain. But since Rosalind did not value the marriage, she was hoping one of her daughters could marry the king instead.

Lord Williams looked at his wife and sighed. He knew it was hard for her to be a stepmother. He really couldn’t understand why his first daughter did not want such a good marriage.

"You are wrong. It was the king who asked to marry her. Bridget and Beatrice are also my daughters—how could I not care about them?" Lord Edward comforted.

"Then, tell the king she is engaged to another. Although it is not official yet, say Rosalind likes the young man. Let His Highness choose between Beatrice and Bridget," Lady Williams said.

Lord Williams looked at her with disappointment.

"My Lord, I am not trying to fight for Rosalind’s things. I am a stepmother, and I understand that my actions can easily be misunderstood. I just said those words because I see that Rosalind does not seem to want this marriage. I don’t think we should force her. Besides, the former queen was her good friend; she might feel uncomfortable," Lady Williams said. The more she spoke, the more she was convinced that she was right.

Lord Williams smiled. "My dear, listen to me. Whichever sister marries the king is a good thing for our family," he paused and looked at the fake smile on his wife’s lips.

"Besides, just like she said, those rumors going around are fake. This marriage would not necessarily be good," Lord Williams said.

Lady Williams looked at him. She was not convinced by those words, but she knew to stop speaking. Besides, Rosalind had been close to the queen and might know how bad the marriage was. She comforted herself that maybe the marriage might not be good after all.

The news of king Edward marrying lady Rosalind of Lord Williams house soon began to spread through the royal city.

The rumors about the former queen was still going round so this marriage further ruined the queen’s reputation .

When Dorothy heard about their engagement she went to find the king.

"Your majesty, I heard a rumor about you marrying a new wife?" Dorothy asked. She tried to make her voice sound as calm as possible.

King Edward looked at her, "it’s true."

"Your majesty..." Dorothy felt hurt hearing this answer. She had convinced herself that the rumors was fake or perhaps he was been pressured by the royal court. She never expected him to be so calm about it. It looked like he was looking forward to this marriage.

King Edward looked at Dorothy who already had tears rolling down her eyes. He felt a bit irritated but he liked her alot.

"Do not worry, this is just for duty. You are the one that has my heart," saying this he got up and hugged her. He gently clean her tears and comfort her.

Dorothy hugged him back but she was not comforted by his words a bit. Although she loved the king, she also wanted to become the queen.

She already gave birth to a boy, she did not understand why she could not be crown queen.

"The seer, I need to see him," Dorothy suddenly remember how much help the seer had been to her. Moreover, he said that she was the chosen queen.