The Devil's Betrothed

Chapter 837: Her Decision

"Nothing. I was happy that for once he was happy just because of me," she said."And you didn’t say you do not wish to marry Nathan, that it’s not your happiness?" Arthur asked. "You are going to sacrifice yourself for our father’s happiness? It’s your life, not his."

"I am not sacrificing anything," she raised her gaze to look at Arthur. "I am fine with it."

"But didn’t you want to cancel it as well?"

"I never said I wanted to. It’s Lord Nathaniel, and you said that this marriage is not right for me and I should reject it," she interrupted him. "Just like I always listen to everyone, I went for it, but then Father didn’t want me to, so I obeyed him."

"Evie," Arthur felt speechless and frustrated. "Did you know you lost the only chance to reject this marriage and not ruin your life? I told you he is not right for you. Why didn’t you listen to me?"

His heart broke. How could she not think about herself? Instead she was utterly calm.

He inhaled deeply before saying, and met her eyes, "Evie, I know you had always wanted to marry Arlan. But now you can’t. That doesn’t mean you can just go on like this, not even thinking about what’s good for your future. Not marrying Arlan is not the end of your life."

"I wanted to marry Prince Arlan?" Evie interrupted him again, her expressions as if she had been accused wrongly.

"You didn’t?" Arthur asked, as if not believing her.

She let out a sad chuckle. "When did I ever say I want to marry Prince Arlan? It’s our father, mother, grandmother who decided on their own that I will one day marry Prince Arlan, as his betrothed was gone to never return. All of you decided it on your own and raised me, reminding me every day that one day I will be a crown princess of this kingdom and I am meant to marry Prince Arlan.

"Did I ever say I want it? Did I ever say I like Prince Arlan and I only wish to marry him? No, I didn’t. It’s just all of your wishful thinking. And just as I was raised to be an obedient, perfect noble lady, I followed my family’s wishes. No one ever asked what I truly wanted."

Arthur was taken aback as it was the first time ever Evie was talking, she was defending herself. Should he be glad that she had this defiant side, unlike her submissive self? Yes, he was happy she could talk this way.

"Alright, we all were wrong to do that with you, and your current decision has nothing to do with Arlan. But why would you agree to this marriage when Nathan himself asked you to reject him? Why would you want to marry a man doesn’t want this marriage either?

"Besides the fact Nathaniel isn’t good for you, you will be sent away from our family. We wouldn’t know how you are doing there, far away in the north-east. Why did you not say no, at least for your own sake?"

"I did it for my sake," she said, meeting his hurt gaze with utter calm.

"Your sake?" he asked.

She hummed, and explained, "A few days back, Father came to me and told me about the wedding proposal I had. He didn’t force it on me, but asked what I thought about it. He also said that if I agree, only then he will accept the proposal."

Her lips curved into a light smile. "Brother, can you believe, for the first time ever, Father asked for my opinion, and what I wish for? For the first time, I felt valued, that my wishes matter here. I was happy and agreed to it. In the end, I have to marry someone, so why not do it when I am being asked and not being coerced into it?"

"Evie, you could have told him you made a decision in haste and you are not sure about it," Arthur commented.

"Brother, perhaps you can’t understand the importance of being asked, because you were always free to do what you wished for," she said, her moist eyes looking into his. "But it was important to me. It happened for the first time and I agreed to it. Now, it isn’t right to go back on my words. At least I will go ahead thinking it was my own decision and not what I was forced into. This realization is more important for me than anything."

Arthur let out a helpless sigh. "Evie..." his heart felt heavy. "It won’t be a happy marriage for you. You don’t know Nathan. He..."

"He is going to be my husband. You shouldn’t say anything bad about him," Evie interrupted him. "What’s there after, I will handle it on my own. I don’t want to be told by others, but want to decide on my own. And I have made my decision. Whatever happens, I won’t be blaming anyone for it. It’s on me. If Lord Nathan do not want it, he can go ahead and reject me."

Having no other way to change her mind, Arthur felt his eyes turn moist. She had made a decision, and he could tell she wouldn’t change.

For the first time ever she was so determined and confident about herself, just what he always wished her to be like. But what a bad event to see this side of hers.

Not wanting to show his tears in front of her, Arthur simply patted her head and left with teary eyes.

Once outside, a knight told him, "My Lord, Lord Wynters is here to see you. He is waiting in the drawing room."

Arthur inhaled deeply to calm himself, let the tears vanish and walked ahead to meet Aaron.

Arthur settled in the sofa, and dismissed the servants around.

"Arthur what happened?" Aaron asked.

Arthur exhaled through his mouth before letting out hurt he was feeling. "My sister has taken her decision. If Nathan do not wish it, he had to reject it."

"The announcement has already made and everyone knows. If it is cancelled, it won’t be good for her either," Aaron said with tensed expressions.

Both felt lost for the words.

"What do you plan now?" Aaron asked.

"I will do what my sister wants," Arthur replied, "She won’t change her decision."

"I will talk to Arlan to see if there is a way to handle it," Aaron said.

Arthur agreed to it and Aaron left.

Arlan had just returned to the guest mansion with Oriana. In the drawing room, Aaron greeted them both.

"I am coming from meeting Arthur," Aaron said and explained him what happened. "What do you suggest to we do?"

"Let it happen," Arlan said.

Surprised expressions appeared on Aaron face, "But you know Nathan."

"Arlan is right," Oriana said, "Let it happen. Who knows what good lies ahead of whom?"

Arlan offered her smile, and looked at Aaron, "You can relax as well. Let things happen on their own. Don’t worry."

As Arlan said it, Aaron could only agree and left.