Part 3Where Fireflies Light the Moon

"It's inappropriate for the Lord Chancellor to burst into my bedchambers." I looked at him coldly and said, "Please leave."

Arthur set down the pie and let out a helpless sigh. "Claire, I know you're still angry with me. But so what if you weren't selected as a royal physician?

"Aren't you going to marry me anyway? It doesn't matter if you can't enter the castle. When you said things were over between us today, it really shocked me. I realize my mistake now."

I looked up at the man who had grown up alongside me, and suddenly, I felt as though I had never truly known him.

Arthur was far too overbearing. He didn't even ask for my opinion at all when he did all that.

Seeing that I remained silent, Arthur pulled on my hand. "Claire, I've made up my mind. Why don't I come over three days from now to propose? Then, we'll get married."

Three days from now? Wasn't that the exact day I was scheduled to enter the castle?

The corners of my lips curled into a smirk, and a twisted satisfaction filled me.

I wondered what kind of expression Arthur would have in three days when he found out I was no longer at the Fletchers' residence.

I nodded. "Alright."

Three days later, I was brought into the castle to meet His Majesty. I kept my head lowered, avoiding direct eye contact with him.

"Are you the daughter Lord Fletcher spoke of, the one who has long admired me for a long time?" King Alexander spoke up, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.

Anyone could tell it was merely an excuse Father made up; he simply wanted to use me to climb the ladder of power.

I broke out in a cold sweat and lowered my head even further.

"Your Majesty, I have indeed had eyes for you for a long time."

Since Father had put it that way, I could only play along. Otherwise, I would be accusing myself of deceiving the King!

Alexander stood up as he continued his questioning. "Is that so? But how is it that I hear the noble ladies of the capital are terrified of me and are avoiding me whenever they can?"

I clenched my hands, feeling cold sweat dripping down my back. "Your Majesty! Those are merely rumors. Your Majesty has not only established schools for women but also abolished forced princesses into political marriages. All the women are deeply grateful for Your Majesty's benevolence!"

I was telling the truth. Alexander may be called a tyrant by others, but aside from his bad temper and his habit of constantly berating and hitting people, he never played by the rules.

Before he ascended the throne, women were merely dependents of men, and it was a common practice in our kingdom to trade princesses for peace. However, after he came to power, he launched sweeping reforms.

Not only did he abolish forced royal marriages, but he also established schools for women. Through recommendations and passing examinations, women could enter the castle as officials. Although the impact was still limited, it genuinely improved the lives of quite some women.

Alexander chuckled softly. "Raise your head and let me have a look at you."

Only then did I get a clear look at Alexander's face.

How should I put it? He was undeniably handsome yet pretty. Even with dark circles beneath his eyes, it couldn't hide his features; he didn't have the rough, rugged appearance of an ordinary man.

He stood tall, and although he looked somewhat lean and slender, he had a very pleasant presence.

‘His Majesty sure is beautiful,' I thought secretly to myself.

"Mom?" Alexander's eyes widened in shock.

I didn't understand what he meant, so I looked at him, confused.

Alexander coughed twice, looking a little embarrassed. "Forget it… From now on, I shall bestow upon you the title of a Baroness, and you shall remain in my castle."

With a wave of his hand, Alexander decided my fate, and that very evening, he visited my bedchamber.