Rosie's Games

Chapter 457: The King of Wugari

"Your Majesty, what does he mean by that?" Queen Aurinda demanded as she stormed into the King's study. Her voice brimmed with frustration and confusion. "He cannot just..."

"Since the Duke wanted to keep it close then... keep it close. Is there a need to pursue this matter?" The King's tone was laced with irritation as he motioned for one of his attendants to pour him a cup of tea. He leaned back in his chair, his gaze shifting to Lady Dorothy, who had followed the Queen into the study. He made no effort to acknowledge her presence, choosing instead to focus on his wife.

Aurinda's anger flared, her brows furrowing deeply but she said nothing.

"It is getting warmer and warmer, the snow is starting to melt. It is about time to prepare for the greenhouse. May I know how Her Majesty is faring?" His voice dripped with accusation and disappointment as he tried to change the subject.

Marlin's gaze hardened. He had been grappling with a relentless barrage of inquiries about the estate throughout the day, his patience wearing thin. The constant scrutiny from various kingdoms and empires had left him drained, questioning the loyalty of those around him.

To put it simply, he had no time for this argument with his wife. Yet, he could only grumble inwardly, holding his frustrations close. How could he utter such harsh words to his own beloved? As Aurinda had pointed out, he had promised to convince the Duke, but how could he persuade someone who had long ago made up their mind?

Even as the King of Wugari, he treaded carefully when it came to the powerful Rothley Family. The Royal Family of Wugair were bound by an ancient law that dictated their rule over the kingdom - to steer clear from the affairs of the Rothley estate.

It should have been a straightforward matter. After all, this kingdom had thrived peacefully for centuries by adhering to this principle. Who could have predicted such tumultuous times?

Marlin couldn't help but feel a twinge of bitterness. His wife, the Queen, seemed oblivious to the complexities of their predicament. While he didn't blame her entirely, her refusal to grasp the situation left him feeling a sense of injustice.

The Queen's mind seemed consumed by dreams of motherhood, yearning for children to fill the palace with laughter and joy. The King understood her desires, but he also recognized that some things were beyond their control.

Having a child was not a mere wish to be fulfilled at will; it was a blessing bestowed upon them.

Unfortunately, the blessings had eluded them for far too long. The King had been forced to take concubines in an attempt to continue the royal lineage, and fortunately, two princes had been born.

However, instead of finding solace in their presence, it only deepened the Queen's melancholy. Her jealousy and depression clouded her judgment, leading to outbursts like the one they were currently experiencing.

As the tension filled the room, the King couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. They were both suffering, each in their own way. He longed to ease his wife's burdens, to see her smile and find happiness. But in that moment, their frustrations collided, and their love seemed overshadowed by the weight of their disagreements.

Silence settled between them, heavy and charged. Marlin stood, his posture tense, while Aurinda's gaze softened with a mix of sadness and longing. Their emotions clashed, caught in a battle for resolution.

"Are you going to tell me to stop, again?" the Queen's voice trembled with a mixture of sorrow and determination. Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over. "Those eyes, I know what words you intend to say. I can..." She swallowed hard, trying her best to hold back the tears.

Then, she turned her head away, as if attempting to shield herself from the vulnerability of her emotions. With a deep breath, she cleared her throat. "Since you refuse to convince him, then I will do it myself."

"Tell me, if you think it is worth it," the King's voice held a tinge of anguish. He spoke with a heavy heart, his gaze filled with concern. "Once he ruins you... tell me if it was all worth it."

"I am not a coward like you," the Queen's words dripped with determination, her voice quivering. "I know it will be worth it."

Marlin's expression tightened, his heart torn between duty and love. "I can only be a coward for my people," he spoke softly, his voice laced with regret. "After all, I am still the King of Wugari. I bear the weight of this kingdom and its citizens. It is a responsibility that has been instilled in me from the moment I opened my eyes in this world."

He couldn't help but feel the weight of his selfishness, for in that moment, he knew that's what it was. He was unwilling to sacrifice everything that his ancestors had built and preserved for generations in order to appease the desires of a woman who had, in his eyes, lost her way. To him, the people of Wugari were more important than anything else, even more important than the woman standing before him.

The silence that followed was heavy, filled with unspoken pain and the widening chasm between them. The King and Queen stood there, caught between their love for each other and the conflicting responsibilities that tugged at their hearts.

In the depths of Marlin's eyes, there lingered a flicker of longing, a desire to bridge the divide and find a resolution. But his loyalty to his kingdom held him back, a barrier he couldn't overcome. His duty weighed heavily upon him, threatening to swallow him whole.

Aurinda's tears finally spilled over, streaming down her cheeks as she stared at the man she loved, yet felt so distant from. The longing in her eyes mingled with a profound sense of sadness. She had hoped that their shared dreams and aspirations would guide them through this impasse, but the reality proved far more complex.