Page 7 of The White King's Favorite

“Only if she wants to go,” said Cassandra, very calm, her green eyes on her daughter.

For a few seconds, mother and daughter exchanged a long look in silence. Some silent discussion seemed to be happening between them, between Lady Cassandra’s calm and gentle expression and that little spark in her daughter’s eyes. Then, Cessilia turned to Yassim.

“D-did the K-King r-really ask for... for me as his wife, S-Sir Yas-...Yassim?”

Yassim was too shocked to answer her right away. This time, it couldn’t be a surprise. Her way of speech... The Princess had read that book perfectly fine before, but just now... She was a stutterer?

As a man called wise, Yassim quickly hid his surprise and nodded politely.

“My lord still has no queen by his side, Princess, and he is actively looking for one befitting the position. He sent me away to find for him a Princess of the Dragon Empire.”

Yassim knew he was in a dangerous position if he lied to the Princess or the Imperial Family, but the man was at his wits’ end and was now betting everything on this moment. He already considered himself quite lucky he had made it this far and that the Princess looked interested in his query...

“I s-see...” muttered Cessilia, looking down.

“You’re the only one of age, Cessilia,” her mother gently said, “but this is your decision.”

“We don’t have any obligation to comply with the King’s demand, right, Auntie?” asked Tessa, still frowning.

“Of course not.”

Yassim kept his head down. No, they didn’t have any. He was an old man and had come alone, to almost beg them to agree to send one of their precious daughters to a kingdom they had been at war with for longer than they had been at peace. Moreover, there was no discussion to even be held in terms of difference in power. The Dragon Empire was extremely rich, prosperous, and had dragons to defend it. Whereas their Kingdom was barely recovering from the wounds of the past civil wars, a broken system, and the loss of many of their own people. Even if they sent him back in little chunks with an insult tattooed on his forehead, there would be nothing that could be done in retaliation, nothing.

Hence, Yassim the Wise was presently very happy to see that Princess Cessilia was actually contemplating his request. He had come with nothing else to give other than a little chest full of cheap treasures and his good word.

“D-did you ask Aunt Sh-Shareen?” asked Cessilia, turning to her mother again.

“It’s your decision, Cessi. Your decision alone. Your aunt allowed this man to meet you, didn’t she?”

Cessilia’s eyes went back to Yassim, and she gave him a faint smile. The old man was grateful but still surprised. Was the Princess seriously considering this? Going to a kingdom she knew nothing of to meet a complete stranger? As she remained silent a bit longer, he decided to take a little step forward, bowing again, and push his luck.

“Our King is young, my lady, but a very handsome and smart man. He is named Ashen the White King, and just three years older than you.”

“Ashen...?”

“Yes, my lady,” said the man, bowing deeper.

A silence followed, and Yassim wondered if he wasn’t overstepping. Yet, none of the women said anything, until he raised his head and saw the Princess’ conflicted green eyes.

“...Why is th-that his n-name? The White K-King?” asked Cessilia.

“That is because our King’s hair is white, my lady, like the Great God in our lore.”

“W-white?” she repeated, visibly surprised.

“Yes.”

Cessilia sighed faintly. Her fingers were fidgeting against her book, and her eyes were looking vacantly at the grass.

“Cessi?” called out her cousin, seemingly worried.

“...You want to go, don’t you?”

Cassandra’s words surprised Yassim, but Cessilia’s expression when she turned her green eyes back to her mother surprised him even more so. There was a strange glimmer of... excitement in her eyes. She bit her lower lip slightly.

“Yes, b-but... Father...”

“Are you scared of your father’s reaction?”

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