Chapter 1630 The Matter Of Marriage
Celeste naturally wanted him to take the queen mother’s side. As evil as she is to force upon me a man in love with another woman, I am sure that the queen mother is unhappy about the other woman, or she would not have Dylan marry me by drugging him to sleep with me.
She did not dare let Aaron take Dylan’s side as the latter might bring the woman back to the country and legitimize her as his wife if he obtained power. What if he has another son with her?
By then, her son would be cast aside. Being the prince did not guarantee entitlement to the throne; she felt the need to make her son’s plans for him.
“Though your father has been good to you over the years, Aaron,” Celeste said in a low voice with her eyes fixed on him, “I hope you will take your grandmother’s side.”
Aaron was taken aback by that. He thought that his mother, being deeply in love with his father, would have him take his father’s side. To his astonishment, she would rather have him side with his grandmother.
Why is that?
He expressed that doubt out loud.
Celeste gazed at him uncertainly, unable to find the right words to tell him that his father had a daughter with another woman.
“Because your grandmother has been in power for over twenty years. Your father knows nothing, and you’ll suffer if you choose to take his side.”
Aaron chuckled as he did not foresee that reply. However, he nodded all the same.
“Then I’ll do as you say.”
Celeste was pleased to hear that.
She gazed at Aaron and found him different after experiencing death. He became more docile.
“I know you don’t like hearing it, but it’s something we must discuss. You’re coming of age soon, and your grandmother and I are worried about your marriage. Do you have somebody in mind?”
As with all parents, Celeste was predisposed to fret over her child’s marriage. She was particularly afraid that Aaron would seek Arielle if he found out she was still alive. However, Arielle was his father’s daughter. As much as Celeste did not like to admit it, she could not deny the fact that Arielle was Dylan’s daughter and Aaron’s elder half-sister.
She wanted to quickly secure his agreement on the matter of his marriage while her son was still unaware that Arielle had survived.
Aaron felt exasperated at the repeated mention of his wedding.
“I have matters to attend to, Mother. I must go.” Without another word, he got up and left as if escaping from her company.
Miranda appeared just then with a bowl of fruit. She gazed helplessly at Celeste at the sight of Aaron’s flight. “What’s going on? His Royal Highness looked as if he was running for his life.”
“It was because I brought up the matter of his marriage.” Celeste sounded defeated.
Seated in the Wynter residence, Harvey and Vinson appeared grim.
“Though His Majesty managed to sway some to our cause, he does not have many powerful people on his side. We must look for the opportunity to undermine the queen mother’s people and put ours in their place.” Vinson frowned as he spoke.
“I second that notion,” Harvey said, recounting his conversations with Lawrence and drawing his inferences. “Over the coming days, my future father-in-law would lobby for support from the shadows. We know many are dissatisfied with the queen mother’s people but are afraid to show it. Plenty will support His Majesty’s intention of snatching power back.”
Vinson felt incredibly grateful to Harvey and Lawrence. If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t have been able to lobby the support we got through Dylan’s efforts alone.
