Dragon King's Harem Chapter 133. The Fox Prince's Request and The Fox King's Answer IV (Patreon)

Dragon King's Harem Chapter 133. The Fox Prince's Request and The Fox King's Answer IV

"Why did you do it?" she said without further ado, walking side to side with Arter.

"It's Father's order, what else can I do?" Arter said without turning to his sister or stopping his steps. On the other hand, Arter also wanted to find out how strong the Dragon King was, so this was a good opportunity.

"Why didn't you refuse it?" she asked.

"I can. But I don't want to," he said in a nonchalant tone.

"Why?"

He turned to Jyne. His gaze turned serious.
"Your four brothers and a strict palace can't even hold you. At least I have to make sure he's better than us."

"You blame your incompetence on him? That's pathetic," she scoffed.

"I just want to make sure he can take good care of you. Likewise with Father. You are so handful. I have to make sure he can handle you."

"I'm not that bad," she retorted.

A mocking chuckle came out of his mouth.
"I think there's only one Princess in all of Igixar who ran away for stupid reasons like that," he reminded her.
"You almost made Father turn the palace and the capital upside down just looking for you. Your other brothers and I were also looking for you like a bunch of madmen who almost turned our kingdom upside down. So you have no reason to refuse." His tone made it sound like a threat.

Rather than being scared, Arter's threat irritated Jyne even more. But she couldn't do anything but swallow it.
"I should just sleep with him from the start," she grumbled. That way her father could do nothing but agree to the marriage.

Spontaneously, Arter stopped in his tracks.
"Then... It means war." It sounded like a mutter yet Jyne could hear it well. He didn't even care if the guards heard him. No, he was sure the guards heard him since their gazes were fixed on him.

Upon his words, Jyne stopped and turned to her brother. As soon as her sight caught Arter's friendly face turning serious, Jyne's blood froze.
"According to the rules, you can't do it," she reminded. Marriage between two tribes was a sign of peace, alliance or defeat.

"But do you think Father will let his honour be trampled on like that? Neither do I and the others. You are a princess and he is a king. If he wants you, he should ask you nicely. Like a true gentleman. Otherwise, he's no different from the bandits who like to kidnap helpless village girls,” he retorted. It wasn't for Argod, but Jyne's naive thoughts. He knew Argod was a good man since he took care of Jyne.

"But I already said it. I love him. I want to be with him. This is my wish. He has a high status and a great empire. Is that not enough? Or would you rather I fall in love with a commoner? After all, he already asked me like a true gentleman," she also didn't want to lose. Actually, that wasn't entirely true since when she first met Argod she thought he was a commoner, yet she still fell in love with him. So it was not his status that made her fall in love but because it was him. Well, she couldn't deny that his looks were also a big plus.

"That's why I only need one thing from him. Proving that he can handle you," he emphasised.

"But---"

"No buts." Arter interrupted her. His eyes stared intently at her, filled with threat.
"Loving him is your decision. But giving you to him is father's decision," he clarified once again.

Jyne could not cover her shock. Arter was indeed strict but he never said anything like that. At least not with a threat like this.
"Am I just a bargain tool for you? Can I just follow my heart?" she asked in a stammering voice. She didn't expect the reply would hurt her heart in another way.

"We are royalty, Jyne. We don't follow hearts and feelings," Arter replied firmly. He knew this would hurt Jyne's heart, but this was the truth and he had to tell it.

Unwilling to continue this useless quarrel, he turned around.
"Get ready. I've brought your favourite dress. I'll be waiting for you at dinner." Without saying anything else he left.

Jyne didn't answer. Her eyes were fixed on her brother's back which was getting further away. A bitter feeling enveloped her heart. During her life, she had spent a lot of time inside the palace. Her family took good care of her and she was so happy with it. She thought she was different from the other princesses, but in the end, she knew she was the same as everyone else. She could not choose.

Little did they know I was behind a pillar near them and overheard all the talk by accident. My initial destination was my office, but I ended up eavesdropping on their conversation.

'I can't blame him,' I thought. Indeed it was something common in Igixar, yet I knew it would hurt Jyne's heart. On the positive side, at least I knew he was not doing this out of bad intentions. But because his family loved Jyne.

"Your---" Eir who just came almost called out to me, but I quickly put my finger on my lips and gestured to him to come closer. Jyne was still standing there and I was sure she would be ashamed if she found out I overheard their conversation. Well, it was impolite from the start, but I was curious about it. After all, since they were talking about this in the middle of the corridor, I assumed they were fine with it.

Even though he was confused, he did my order.
"What happened?" said Eir in a low voice as soon as he arrived near me. He realised Jyne was the one who made me hide, but why?

"Siblings quarrel," I explained briefly.

It made Eir cast his gaze on Jyne again. This time he could clearly catch her sad face.
"Did they say something about you?" Eir immediately guessed this had something to do with Arter or the letter.

"A lot. I will tell you at my office."

"Does the Fox King disagree?" he guessed. That was all that went through his head as soon as he saw Jyne's sad face. Although... It was a little strange considering Argod's status.

"That can't be said yes, nor can it be no. I'll tell you later."