The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 696

Chapter 696

The Queen glanced at Natasha again. With her mannish, tomboyish look, she actually seemed a perfect match for that bookworm, Evander,

“If those two ended up together, their married life would be anything but dull,” the Queen mused.

Just picturing Evander’s delightfully chaotic household, the Queen felt her earlier gloom melt away.

After matching a few more couples, the Queen dismissed the assembly.

As for Freya, the Queen never spared her another glance throughout the entire event.

Arthur summoned the Queen and inquired, “Did any ladies catch your eye today?”

The Queen replied, “Indeed, there were two.”

Arthur asked, “Oh, which family’s daughter is she?”

“The daughter of Yarden from the Beckham family, Viola Maynard,” the Queen replied.

After the Leonard case was concluded, Yarden was promoted to Federal Bureau Chief.

Arthur’s brow furrowed slightly. Yarden was Michael’s maternal uncle. Though the Osborne family case hadn’t implicated him, he couldn’t shake a nagging unease.

The Queen knew exactly what Arthur was thinking. Wasn’t he just worried that Fermin might form political factions?

“While it might seem a slight to Lady Viola for her to become a side consort,” the Queen explained, “she wouldn’t be marrying into an ordinary family. It’s the illustrious imperial family, so it wouldn’t be a humiliation for her at all.”

At the mention of “side consort,” Arthur’s brow relaxed.

‘True,‘ he thought, ‘it’s just a side consort. Nothing to make a fuss about.

He nodded, assenting, then inquired, “And which family is the other one from?”

“Blanche Webster, daughter of the Censor–in–Chief,” the Queen replied.

Arthur nodded. “You’ve made your selection, my Queen. Handle the rest as you see fit.”

The Queen poured a cup of tea for Arthur, offering it to him with a flattering smile. “Your Majesty,” she said, “in addition, I have also found a suitable candidate for Evander’s consort. Natasha, the daughter of the Minister of Finance, is accomplished in both character and beauty, and is about the same age as the prince. I believe she would be an excellent match.”

Arthur took the tea and paused to think. “Natasha? I do recall her. Alfred dotes on his daughter–he’d give her anything she wanted, even the stars. If I remember right, she’s also skilled in martial arts, isn’t she?”

The Queen’s smile faltered for a moment. ThinArthur disapproved of the match, she quickly adjusted her tone and said, “If Your Majesty is displeased, this humble consort shall continue searching for more suitable candidates.”

Arthur raised a hand, signaling the Queen to stop

He rose to his feet and began pacing back and forth across the hall,

his face set in a deep, contemplative frown.

The Queen felt a pang of anxiety, certain Arthur would reprimand her for mishandling the matter.

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15:07 Fr, 1 Aug

Chapter 696

To her surprise, Arthur said, “Evander is too headstrong by nature. An ordinary woman can’t handle him–he needs someone strong enough to keep him in line and knock some sense into him.”

At the mere mention of Evander, Arthur’s temper flared.

His son had a stubborn, blunt nature–he never minces his words.

More than once, this had left Arthur seething, his face turning livid.

Precisely because of this, he’d never given Yuchen any official post, letting him idle away at home all these years.

“Once the Crown Prince is appointed,” Arthur resolved, “I’ll banish him to his territory-”

“-so he won’t be a thorn in my side here in Pidence City.”

The Queen quietly breathed a sigh of relief. She had never seen Evander as a rival.

‘Even if he marries the Minister of Finance’s daughter, that blockhead won’t be able to stir up any trouble,‘ she thought.

Arthur decisively settled Evander’s marriage arrangement and the selection of Fermin’s side consorts.

Before lòng, the imperial marriage decrees were delivered to all the noble households.

When Natasha received the imperial decree, she was completely stunned.

‘With the way I acted at the flower–viewing party, forget about being a side consort–even the noble families in Pidence City wouldn’t dare to marry me, she thought.

Yet Arthur had betrothed her to Evander. It was completely unexpected.

Alfred turned toward the Imperial Palace and bowed deeply three times. “This humble old minister gives deepest thanks for the Arthur’s boundless grace.”

Tears of joy streamed down his wrinkled face. This imperial marriage decree from the King had come at the perfect moment.

He’d been worried sick these past days; after Natasha’s outburst at the flower–viewing party, no family in the capital dared to marry her.

He’d resigned himself to supporting his daughter for life, never expecting the King would solve such a huge headache for him.

The eunuch delivering the decree quickly helped Alfred to his feet and said with a cheerful tone, “Alfred, make sure to prepare well—just wait for the big day to celebrate the wedding.”

In the blink of an eye, Alfred had become Evander’s father–in–law–a meteoric rise in status.

However, Natasha gritted her teeth and snapped, “I won’t marry.”