magic

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DevilDarkness#0506

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"Rio and Rebecca are both young and talented, and would make a remarkable match." Hearing the words of the king everyone in the room had a surprised expression on their faces.

"Your majesty, I don't think it is the right place to talk about these things." Artemis said politely looking around the table. It was one thing when she teased Rio about this when they were alone, but the topic was not something that kids should take part in.

"Yes, your majesty I think we should…" Athena wanted to calm the situation that she feared would arise if she didn't stop them. She knew better than everyone else about her husband's nature and she knew about her sister's stubborn habits too. If she didn't want to do something, then there was no one who could make her change her mind.

There had already been qualms between these two and she really didn't want to have a repeat of what happened years ago. But sadly for her, it seems fate had other plans for her, as her husband cut her off before she could finish her words."Why? We are talking about their future after all. It is only right for them to have a say in it." Maximus declared, as he put down the glass of wine and looked at everyone.

"They're still young kids, your majesty. There is no need to worry them about these topics for now. Plus as their parents it is our duty to make the sound decisions until they can do it for themselves." Artemis said as she glanced at Rio, she really had her doubts about this engagement these days.

Ever since Rio had told her about his blessing, she has made a habit of picking up on his every action thinking it is done to avoid something or change something he saw in the future, which in most cases is true.

She could see how for a while now he had no interest in talking to Rebecca and had been the one to avoid her if possible.

Well, it won't be obvious to anyone as he had been trying to mask his lies and behavior, as it was before, but how can she not notice it? Just that indifferent expression whenever they were talking or playing together was enough to tell her everything, that wasn't the emotions one shows when meeting the one they've known all their life and been friends with.

"Yes, but nobility doesn't have that privilege. Relationships between nobles have always been built upon the profits and favors. We've all been through them. And it's not something new." Maximus said as he stated the truth.

"You are right. But the fact remains the same. They're only 10 years old. They don't even know the meaning of life, let alone know the importance of choosing a life partner."

"You are right. I'm just proposing an idea of the alliance. Our families have known each other for generations, and our kids have grown up together. They aren't strangers and they care about each other. Becca even agreed about the engagement, what more could you need to be sure of."

Hearing King's words Artemis had no way to refute them. But she was in no mood to agree to anything. Maybe before she would've, but now she, herself could see that binding them so early in the bonds of relationships wasn't right.

"Your majesty, what _ " She was going to say that they can talk about these matters when they grow up a little, but king Maximus knowing her intentions cut her off saying something that surprised everyone."Or do you plan to force your decisions on your son now?"

His words were just finished as Artemis clenched her fist and the sound of a broken spoon brought everyone's focus on her.

"Sister, he didn't mean _" Athena tried to salvage the situation, only to fail again ,as she couldn't form more words when Artemis met her gaze.

"I think I've had enough." Artemis said, as she wiped her hand and stood up. "We will talk about this tomorrow." She said as she started leaving the hall. The cold expression on her face spoke volumes of how she felt at this moment, and she really felt that if she didn't stop herself, something bad would happen.

There was a hushed silence in the room which was now filled with tension. Maximus kept looking at Artemis as she turned around and left, Athena could only sigh that the situation didn't turned out like this. While both girls had no idea what even happened, one moment they were happily having dinner and now everything was like this.

But that wasn't the case for Rio, though he didn't know much but with the knowledge from the plot, he could guess what the king was hinting about, and that didn't sit well with him. The wounds of the past which were healed and scarred should be left alone, not scratched. He knew that better than anyone else.

His eyes kept looking at the king, hoping to see what led the man to act like that, by no means he was a fool who couldn't think of the consequences of his words, but he still did it for some reason.

The king turned to look at him and both their gazes locked, as they both just kept looking at each other, trying to see what the other one was thinking.

"Well, so what are your thoughts about my proposal, young heir of the Blake's?" Maximus spoke, finally breaking the silence that enveloped the dinner table.

"I think the things of the past should be left in the past. Especially when you're talking about the peaceful future." Rio said as he wiped his mouth and stood up. "I'll take my leave now. Have a good night, your majesty."

Watching him leave the table too, Amelia wanted to stand up and follow him too, but Athena stopped her. "Finish your plate first Amy." She said and Amelia could just silently nod her head. She was really confused about whatever was happening on the table, first there was that topic about her brother and Rebecca's engagement, and then suddenly her mama got angry and left. And after that her brother left her here alone too. So she could just silently finish her meal and hope to leave fast.

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A/N - what are your thoughts - what happened in the past that was hinted there.? What will Rio do next? What's up with the king?