My Lady Chef
Chapter 36: A Royal Audience

Belmont's POV:

I stared at the Ezran who looked fit to be tied the moment he came to the Royal Palace to report for the last time to my father.

As Crown Prince, my position was in the seat closest to my father. I could see that he did little to hide his annoyance at being summoned from his home.

Seated in front of him was King Julius Solarius IV, Current Monarch of Illios and the current Sun of the Kingdom. His silver hair and periwinkle blue eyes are a family trademark and inherently; the one who possesses these physical traits is usually favored for candidacy as the next King.

My father was still fit for his advancing age of 50 years and is dressed in his court clothes with his scepter in his gloved hand and a hidden sword strapped to his waist.

His blue eyes looked frostily at the duke whose head was bowed before him.

"I have heard of your recent change in marital status Lord Ezran. Did I do something to offend you when I suggested a few suitable matches a month back?" My father asked in an amiable voice but I can feel the simmering anger beneath it.

And so it begins.

There is a reason my father wants the Duke of Aisenburg under his kingdom. His wealth and power match that of the royal coffers; His lineage was also nothing to scoff about as he is a descendant of the Wyvern Lord, one of the Four Dragon Lords of Arcana.

Plus there was no secret that the Duke has strong supporters in the other dragonkin, who are all powerful in their own right as well.

He could leave and start his own Dukedom if he wishes to and his skill and power during times of war have won many victories for the Holy Kingdom and he has remained undefeated.

This made my sire eager to keep Ezran happy but he also wanted leverage and a means to keep him tied to the kingdom.

For years, he has proposed several matches with daughters of the closest men from his faction. He even tried to betroth the First Princess Miranda as a show of favoritism since my spoiled sister had always coveted being wed to the Kingdom's most powerful man.

But the stoic Lord of Tartarus refused them and my father cannot punish him or risk alienating his most powerful ally.

Which was why after years of failing to secure a marriage for him; The news of him being married for almost a month shocked the whole court.

Even I was surprised. I have known Ez since he was a young boy and he was not one to make a move without a reason.

"My Liege. You are well aware that my loyalty to the Sun of the Holy Kingdom has never been questioned. I believe in pursuing a marriage that would greatly benefit the kingdom." the Duke's voice was polite but I can tell he is impatient.

"And that would be?" My father prompted.

"The woman I married is the only daughter of Baron Loris Beaucamp. " He looked serious as he said these words. "Their family have been border barons to the Northern Realms and keepers of the peace between the humans and the magical creatures of the North since olden times. I believed that the current baron's daughter who is now my duchess is deserving of your magnanimous blessing for her family's services of keeping these creatures in line while we expanded our power here in the human realm."

That is Ez for you. Even when he would rather breathe fire on those who irritate him; he has enough self-control to reason out with my father.

"I remember the name Beaucamp. Their family has never been present at court because of their duties guarding the North. I would like to meet your new wife Aisenburg. I have heard rumors that Lord Loris' wife was a fey princess before she went back to her kind."

I saw Ez's mouth thinned at that order but it was for a split second before he nodded and stood up.

"Very well, my liege. I shall ask my wife to come here and present ourselves to you after the whole court finishes their luncheon. This is acceptable?" Ezran's blood-red gaze clashed with my father's frosty

stare.

"Quite. Now on to the matter of your departure." The king dismissed everyone who was at court even his queen and consort except for me and Ez.

I can tell from how calm he was that he was seething underneath from how he kept his sword arm under his cloak as he and my father discussed various strategies in conquering Guthrie and dealing with its inept stupid king.

To think that the cold duke would care so much about exposing his duchess to the whole court.

It made me want to meet this mysterious woman.

She must be something special to have captivated the elusive Duke Aisenburg-------------