Chapter 43: 43. For Her

Ariana took a glance at the scroll first, then craned her neck to see Xavier's face. His emerald green eyes were sparkling with zeal and pride, along in anticipation of her approval and change of heart in his favor. No matter how little the change might be, he would be very grateful and elated.

Years ago, he had crushed her hope and made a fool of her in front of everyone. A bitter and sinister smile graced her lips. She cleared her throat to catch his attention and gave him an awkward grimace for everyone to see.

"Uh... Your Majesty, how am I supposed to start a whole new nation?"

Xavier furrowed his brow. This wasn't the reaction he had been expecting. A question instead of a thank you?

Ariana chuckled. "What I mean is mere land isn't sufficient to start a new nation, that too for no rational reason. Where are my citizens? The ones currently residing there would prefer returning to this Kingdom instead of trusting me as their leader, won't they? How would I even run the country even if I gather people? I do not possess funds."

"You do not need to worry about resources. I shall always be there for you in every manner." promised Xavier, looking deep into her eyes.

"What is the point then, if my country shall depend on your mercy since its inception? Might as well call it one of the Kingdom's province. Seems like Your Majesty did not put much thought into this gift, did he?" She mocked.

It seemed so indeed. However, Xavier had put a lot of thought in choosing the grand gift for her. Had she not thought of his help as burden, he would have set up the new country all by himself. The only thing left for her to do would be rule.

"The help is part of the gift. Even if you don't want a new country, you could use the land anyway. Commercialize it. Sell it to people. Anything." He wanted to add. But he stopped himself when he found a hint of satisfaction on her face due to his silence.

"She wants to shame me." He realized.

He faked a sheepish smile. "Seems like we forget to analyze different aspects in excitement. I apologize, My Lady. We weren't aware how big of a headache we were about to give you, latent in form of a gift."

"Ugh! Why isn't he genuinely flustered? Or embarrassed? If he just smiles and accepts his fault, he'll come off as humble." Ariana was burning from inside.

"So the jewels you had ordered to be imported for her crown, shall I halt the delivery?" Duchess Lily asked Xavier through mind-link.

"No. We'll make a tiara for her with those stones. The only crown she will wear will be the Crown of the Queen Consort, it seems." Xavier sighed.

"Let us all head for breakfast now." Duke Lorenzo announced.

As everyone proceeded to the Dining Hall, King Xavier called for Alpha Anwar. All the members of Bennet family stayed back. They looked at each other in confusion while Duke Lorenzo handed Alpha Anwar a scroll.

Anwar quickly opened and read it. He did not have to read much as it stated in the very first paragraph that the Bennet family was receiving punishment. Color drained from his face. "This isn't fair, Your Majesty!"

"Why? What's written there?" asked former Alpha Edward.

Anwar gulped. He closed the scroll and looked at his father. "It says that the Royal Institution is withdrawing its financial aid from five of our projects as well as the welfare for Xanthus sufferer."

"What?!" Persephone shrieked. "Xavier, you cannot do this!"

Xavier clenched his jaw before speaking. "First of all Lady Bennet, you weren't even allowed to address us by our name before. What makes you think you can do it now? And the second thing, we are obligated to provide justice to those who have been wronged. Especially her."

"You should kill yourself as a punishment then." Persephone blurted out.

Ariana and Nathaniel, who were hiding behind the gigantic door and listening, covered their mouth to muffle their gasps.

"Oh my goodness." Despite his efforts to stay quiet, Nate let out a chuckle.

"Shush!" Ariana scolded.

"Why? Are you feeling bad for your mate slash brother-in-law? Why wouldn't you? Two two relations."

"What about you? Rooting for your mate slash former Queen. Laughing in her support and what not!" Ariana whispered harshly.

"Whatever." Nate rolled his eyes. "Let's watch the drama unfold."

"Save your antics, Persephone. You and your family won't be spared for drugging her and sending her against her will." Xavier scoffed.

"My apologies for cutting your words Majesty but she was sedated, not poisoned." Alpha Edward replied calmly.

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"I have not forgotten that slap, Alpha Edward. " Xavier warned. "You're fortunate that you're her father."

"You are the root of all problems." Persephone pointed her finger at him. "You could have just accepted her as your mate. It was you who started all of this. Otherwise why would I possibly hurt my own sister?"

"She's really something else." Ariana shook her head.

"You know I'm right." Persephone was still talking. "Your guilt is stopping you. Or else you would have thrown me into dungeons and tortured me by now. I know all about you from these past years. You just act tender and mellow in front of her but you are twisted in reality."

"I don't act." Xavier snapped. "I am gentle for her."

"You think Ariana will be impressed that you punished her culprit? That she'll view you as your knight in shining armor?" Persephone puckered her lips and taunted. "That she'll forget her hurt and humiliation and open her arms for you?"

Xavier took a deep breath to control himself. Persephone was getting on his nerves. Suddenly, he caught a whiff of Ariana. He inhaled deeply few more times.

"I don't expect her acceptance." He spoke, silencing Persephone and shocking everyone, including Ariana.

"I know I've hurt her deeply. She must sacrifice her dignity to be with me and I'm in no position to ask her for that. I don't have a family. She is someone whom I could have called mine. I shall not be able to live with myself knowing that she resents me. I just want her forgiveness."

"Past few days, I've been trying to live in stolen moments, caring for her and deluding myself that I could actually win her back." He looked down with sad eyes. "But she won't come back." He whispered.

"I truly hope Alpha Nathaniel forgives you." saying that to Persephone, Xavier walked out of the throne room. At the door, he paused and checked. Seems like she ran away when she saw him starting to walk. Now that he was there, he detected someone else's scent.

"Alpha Nathaniel. Don't get too close to my mate. For your sake." He muttered and headed for the Dining Hall.

**~~~**

At the dining table, Ariana and Nathaniel were staring at their plates in silence amidst the chatters of other people. Xavier's words were revolving in Ariana's mind and Nate could see that. Soon, they were joined by Xavier himself, followed by the evidently unhappy Bennet family. Servants started serving them with the King's permission.

Xavier was placing a napkin on his lap when he sensed her gaze on him. He felt his wolf cheering up. Lifting the glass of wine, he took a sip to cover his smirk. "Seems like my previous monologue did waver you a bit, my love. Look at me all you want."

"When shall the medal ceremony for gold medalists take place, if you do not mind me asking, Duke Lorenzo?" asked Nate, catching Ariana's attention.

"I do not mind at all, Alpha. Let's see. Tomorrow is Duchess Lily's birthday celebration-" Duke Lorenzo smiled at his mate.

"Nobody asked." Nate thought in his mind, but gave a polite smile in front.

"-and then, after four days this year's toppers shall be awarded with their respective medals by His Majesty."

"Oh. Nice" Nate commented. "I was just asking because Sean is a great friend of mine as well as of Ariana. We are excited for him." He smiled as he watched Xavier nodding his head nonchalantly on this information.

Suddenly, Naomi jumped up from her seat and rushed outside with her hands covering her mouth. Excusing himself, Anwar got up and went after her.

"We had heard the good news, Luna Barbara." Luna Iria leaned back in her chair and spoke.

Luna Barbara smiled in return.

Luna Iria smiled too. "It is good to see all of the younger generations finding their mate and starting their own family. All of them. Except for my Nate and Ariana."

Nate stopped drinking his soup midway and sighed. He knew what his mother was trying to do now and throughout Ariana's stay at their palace. He hoped Ariana wouldn't find out about it. It would be embarrassing.

"Do not fret, Kon. She isn't much of a threat." Xavier tried to calm down his wolf and stop him from hurting the woman for even suggesting their mate with someone else.

"Well I hope Nate finds his partner and Ariana finds her partner." Persephone smiled.

Nate smiled back. "Why thank you, Lady Bennet! I hope she and you can be very good friends."

Creeped out by everyone's fake smiles, Xavier looked down at his plate. He had already finished apparently. He stood up.

"Good day my Lords and Ladies.. And Lady Ariana? We shall find another suitable gift for you soon."

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