"This is more than enough," Nicholas said. he added with a smile, "Thank you."
"So what is your purpose in coming here, Your Majesty?" asked Viscount Verhoven in an annoyed tone.
"I…." Nicholas paused his sentence and then looked at Karenina for a moment before turning back to Viscount Verhovent. He tried to word the purpose of his visit carefully. No one liked to hear bad news. He spoke softly. "I want to break off my engagement to Karenina."
There was a feeling of relief, filling his chest after he finally said the thing he should have said five years ago. He felt bad about it but he knew this was the right thing to do.
Hearing Nicholas' words, Viscount Verhovent immediately stood up with an angry face. She wanted to kick Nicholas out of the residence but Eloise who was currently playing the role of Karenina immediately stood up and tried to calm Viscount Verhovent down.
"Father, calm down. I beg you," said Karenina softly.
"What did you say? Did you tell me to calm down? Didn't you hear what he just said?!" said Viscount Verhoven. The man showed the attitude that all fathers in this world would do to a man who had hurt his daughter. Hostility.
Viscount Verhoven was indeed angry that Nicholas had broken off the five-year engagement but what made him angrier was the fact that all his efforts and plans had been in vain.
"I agree with the decision, Your Majesty," said Karenina, surprising both Viscount Verhoven and Nicholas. Nicholas was happy to hear that but the response given by Karenina had never occurred to Nicholas.
"You…?" Viscount Verhovent furrowed his brows, looking at Karenina in disbelief. "What did you say??"
"I've thought about it for a long time and I realize that this engagement should be ended because no one is happy. This engagement only makes me and the king suffer." Karenina smiled and then turned to look at Nicholas who had previously stood up.
The man stared at Karenina in disbelief. He didn't expect this to be so easy. He thought he would face resistance and Karenina crying and bawling to protest his decision, but instead, she looked so mature about the whole thing.
"Can we sit back and settle this matter properly?" she asked Nicholas with a gentle voice.
Nicholas nodded. He would like to hear what she had to say.
"Sure," he said then sat back down.
Despite looking very much objected, Viscount Verhovent sat back down. He really had no idea what Karenina was really thinking. If Karenina had a new plan why didn't she ever tell him?
Karenina again apologized to Nicholas for her father's behavior and Nicholas said no problem. He believed her.
"So… do you really agree to break off our engagement?" Nicholas looked straight at Karenina. "I am sorry but it shouldn't have happened in the first place.
Karenina nodded slowly.
"Yeah, but I have one condition," she said, looking at the king attentively.
"What is it? If it's within my power, I would definitely grant your wishes," Nicholas said firmly.
"Well... I want Your Majesty to still allow me to stay in the palace and maintain my status as a princess." Karenina looked down and had a sad expression on her face. "I already think of Queen Marianne as my own mother. All the love she has given me has made me feel like I have a mother."
She looked back at Nicholas and continued. "I already understand that our relationship can't be continued. It's my fault for continuing to push myself. Actually, the thing that really scared me is that if this relationship ended, I won't be able to see Queen Marianne every time I miss her."
Her words sounded so sad that they tugged Nicholas' heartstrings. He looked at Karenina as she continued her plea. "That's why I put forward this condition so that I I can meet the queen whenever I want, Your Majesty. If you granted my conditions, I will accept Your Majesty's decision gracefully."
Eloise played such a good role as Karenina to the point where Nicholas was touched. The king felt sorry because it turns out that Karenina was a girl who longed for a mother's love and care.
He nodded sympathetically and said, "Very well."
"What?" Karenina seemed dumbfounded that Nicholas easily granted her request. "Are you serious, Your Majesty?"
Nicholas nodded. "Yeah. It's my way of compensating you. Even though we didn't get married, I understand that you still want to keep the same lifestyle you have had in the palace."
Karenina looked at the king and her heart fluttered. She looked at the young king attentively and with a sweet smile on her face. This was the first time Eloise could see Nicholas in person and she thought bitch Karenina had a good taste.
Nicholas looked very handsome and mature. His demeanor and calmness made him look wise and impressive. Elias was much older than him but he didn't have half Nicholas' charisma.
Perhaps, that was the difference between someone who was born and raised to be a real king and some commoner who could rise to the top by toppling the rightful royalty.
When she compared Nicholas with Alpha Elias, Eloise couldn't help but resent her husband. The Alpha was only her stepping stone to getting into power. Her need for him was almost over.
"Yeah, I think it's not a bad arrangement," Nicholas said calmly. "I know my mother likes you too. As long as we can have the same understanding, I will allow you to continue having a relationship with my mother."
Nicholas had told Queen Marianne about his love for Sophie and the fact that they had children together. He was happy to see the queen seemed to accept that. Now, he was sure that his mother would no longer try to match him and Karenina.
The queen only did that in the past because she was worried Nicholas wouldn't find love and there was no heir to the throne. She needn't worry about it now. She actually couldn't wait for the day she could meet Luciel and Jan again.
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