Queen Marianne realized she couldn't have asked for a better son at all. However, she was worried about his decision-making recently.
He was making such bad choices, throwing himself into danger, both investigating Lord Ferdinand's death and joining in a battle that she didn't want him to.
He was exactly like her husband, quite stubborn and bull-headed in his own ways. The queen honestly didn't know what to do since she wasn't always going to be there for her son.
Queen Marianne's gaze flitted to Karenina and an idea sparked in her mind.
Nicholas' eyes widened when a certain strength returned to his mother's grip as she clutched his hand. He recognized it as one of those moments where she would make a plea and request to her husband and son.
"My son, I don't know how long I will be here in this world." Queen Marianne coughed as her arm trembled in his grasp. "I only have one wish that I want you to fulfill."
Nicholas felt himself sigh inwardly at how his mother was crafty enough to use her frail health to get what she wanted. It had always been like this and his father was used to complying to whatever whim the queen had.
Well… mostly. The late king was a stubborn man himself and there were some things that he would never compromise. The queen knew this. So, she was careful not to push him too much when it came to those.
Nicholas wondered what was it that his mother had in mind. The prince nodded. "Yes, mother?"
"Swear it on your mother's health, your father's life, and the kingdom of Riga." Queen Marianne said. There was a certain fire in her eyes that made it look like she suddenly gained the fighting spirit to survive.
However, it was to only make a request because her grip was already loosening from him. Queen Marianne rested her hand back on her side as she looked up to her son with a weak smile.
"Mother…" Nicholas felt a shudder go down his spine. He didn't like the way his mother was starting to phrase things now. She wanted him to make an oath in front of everyone.
"Nicholas, please."
This was a serious request and he had an inkling of what she wanted from him. Already, the servants who were taking care of the queen and the royal doctor were standing close by and could act as ready witnesses.
If Nicholas refused his mother, he would seem heartless, unfilial, and a terrible person. But what if what she was asking for was something he couldn't do? He steadied himself and bit down on his lip.
Nicholas couldn't give up his pursuit of lycans.
The faint memory of his mother begging his father to stop chasing after lycans all his life was something that returned to his mind at the last moment.
Queen Marianne had requested her husband to give up hunting lycans and King William refused. If not for the king's severe injuries obtained during the last war, Queen Marianne wouldn't have gotten what she wanted.
Did his mother really get what she wanted though?
Nicholas didn't know, but she always seemed disappointed with her husband even when King William couldn't physically join the battles himself. It disturbed the crown prince that perhaps his mother sympathized with the lycans...
If she did, Nicholas wanted to keep it a secret.
"I wish for you to find a good wife, Nicholas." Queen Marianne said at last. "A woman who can be there for you, elevates your strengths, and encourages you to overcome your shortcomings."
What?
His mother's words suddenly threw Nicholas off.
So, it was not to stop pursuing those lycans.
The prince blinked and quickly said, "That's not easy, Mother."
It was an answer that Nicholas instantly said, but now he finally understood what his mother actually wanted him for him. The real deal this time as Queen Marianne's gaze flickered to the viscount's daughter.
"It should be easy enough because I have a certain someone in mind." Queen Marianne looked and smiled at the young woman who had been at her side for the past months.
Lady Karenina was kneeling close to them and her eyes widened as both the queen and crown prince looked at her. She stammered for a moment and pointed to herself. "M-me?"
"Mother!" Nicholas quickly looked at his mother in betrayal. He was caught off guard by this sudden request. Marriage was the last thing he had in mind.
He was not ready. Not when he was busy taking care of so many important issues. The lycans just attacked the capital, and he was about to ascend the throne. So much mess needed to be cleaned up.
Queen Marianne coughed and averted her gaze away from her son. There was a pained expression written all over her face. "This is my last wish from you, Nicholas. Will you not respect it? I cannot bear to imagine that I will leave you without a suitable partner. I can't be at peace leaving you all alone, without anyone to care for you and help you. Do you want me to suffer in my grave?"
"Mother… we are facing so many crises. Marriage is not in my book right now," Nicholas tried to talk some sense into his mother.
"Exactly because we are facing so many crises, you need someone to help you," the queen was now in tears. "I can't bear seeing you handle everything on your own. When I'm gone, you will need someone by your side."
Nicholas bit his lip. His throat parched. His mother's words made sense and everyone in the room seemed to agree with her.
They all looked at the crown prince and Lady Karenina on the other side of the bed.
The viscount's daughter was really beautiful. She also had good manners and a good personality. Even though she was from a lowly nobility, she wouldn't look shabby standing beside the future king as his queen.
What's most important was… the old queen liked her.
.
.
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From Missrealitybites:
So, you guessed right. The queen wants Nic to marry Karenina. However, don't worry, even if Nic was pressured to promise to marry the girl, he would never marry her.
The sourc𝗲 of this content is free(w)ebnov(𝒆)l