The News.

Arthur Vermont, the king And Alpha of Vermont, sat on his brown, golden throne, thinking about the recent predicament he was endowed with. The stupid need for him to get married, especially to royalty to help expand his kingdom. To him, it was unnecessary.

But he knew deep down, his stepbrother will do all it takes to use things like that against him. If he objects to the elders' proposals, it will be a reason to voice out that he wasn't fit to become king. That he's disrespectful, conceited, and arrogant. He's cold, he's this and that.

Truly he's all that, but he doesn't wanna give his stepbrother any ammo to pull one over him so he had to accept marrying princess Kara of Mey kingdom since he was incapable of having a mate.

His enemies called him cursed since having a mate was something crucial in their world but he searched and couldn't find her so marrying princess Kara Mey was without choice.

He actually frowns at that name due to the description they gave of her. Innocent, submissive, respectful, she hasn't even been able to turn to her wolf which is no big deal...he could use those characteristics to bench her, even though she's not the kind of lady he'll want to become his wife but then, he could always get another woman.

The big oak door in front of him opened, revealing the light outside and illuminating the room.

His royal guard gave him a bow before straightening up. "A lady from Mey seek your audience, Alpha Vermont."

Arthur nodded. "Okay." He bluntly said.

The guard curtsied and went outside, later bringing the beautifully dressed maiden in. There was a smile on her face, a hand fan that she used to fan herself, her other hand holding her pink corset dress covered with layers of petticoats. She was also wearing a straw and fabric bonnet hat and pink long hand gloves, looking so beautiful as she walked toward the king, and then she gave him a bow with one of her knees bent in respect. "King Vermont..." She looked at him and elegantly straightened herself. "I'm princess Catherine of Mey. Kara's elder sister."

Arthur nodded, his face cold toward her. "Go straight to the point." He said, not minding the fact that she visited so early.

She let out an awkward chuckle and nodded, her face suddenly becoming sad, her eyes blinking before getting glossy. "I'm here with bad news, king Vermont."

Arthur arched his brow in a flash. "As I said, get straight to the point."

Catherine nodded. "I came all the way here to inform you that my sister committed suicide last night."

Arthur tilted his head in wonder and his brow raised in amusement. "Suicide?"

Catherine nodded. "She drowned herself to death. She's incapable of swimming and no one knew about it until she was found dead and brought out."

Arthur chuckled in disbelief and shook his head. "Wow. Any reason why?"

Catherine shook her head. "Don't know. Maybe because she was scared of being given to you. She told me that a lot."

Arthur nodded. "My condolences then." He said without any ounce of care.

Catherine equally nodded with a pitiful face. "Thanks, although now that she's dead, I am the next in line, right?"

Arthur scoffed. "There's a reason why I chose your sister. So I can control her."

Catherine shrugged. "You can control me too. I'll do whatever you want me to do."

Arthur narrowed his eyes at her, then he nodded. "The morning is still new, you should go back to your kingdom. I'll be there to give my condolences, then I'll talk to your father."

Catherine bowed with a smile on her face. "Thanks, King Vermont."

.

.

.

Arthur entered the opened doorway of the dining and walked toward the table seeing his stepmom, stepbrother, and his wife already on their feet, respecting his arrival.

He knew how much they hated it but they had no choice.

It made him remember when it was done for his late father. He was gone so soon, leaving his responsibility to him.

He walked to the master chair and sat down majestically, his eyes on the two types of food preparation.

"So, you slept in the throne room today again." His stepmom, Bianca began earning his gaze.

"Is that a problem?"

"It's just not that good. Your muscles and joints could be affected since it's uncomfortable."

Arthur scoffed. "Am I to believe that you care?" He questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"You're practically my son, Authur. Like it or not." Bianca asserted.

Arthur looked away, deciding to keep quiet.

"My wife told me something..."

Arthur looked at Kevin, his stepbrother. "And I care because..."

"The woman you're about to get married to is dead." Kevin dropped.

Arthur looked at Jennifer. "And how do you know that?"

Jennifer blinked and looked at him. "My friend Catherine. She met me before she left back to her kingdom." She said in a soft and clear voice.

"What are you going to do about it, Arthur? You know you need to get married. It's vital you do." Bianca cajoled carefully.

"Must it be to that household?" Arthur inquired.

Bianca lowered her gaze in thought and nodded before looking back at Authur. "Now, it must be... After all, the girl died because of her fear of you. You don't want the kingdom to blame you for their second princess's early demise."

Arthur squinted his eyes at Bianca knowing there were ulterior motives to those suggestions. He looked at his head chef who just stood with ducked head as well as other maids as they stood in wait in case anything was asked of them. "Make do with this food. Don't have any appetite." Then he stood up and walked away.

They watched him leave as the door opened for him, then the door closed shut as he completely left.

Bianca looked at the young brown-haired girl who sat like a ghost in front of her with a disgusted expression. "You should leave too, Henrietta. Take your food with you."

Henrietta took her tray of food, stood up and left the dining.

Bianca looked at her son beside her. "This is becoming too often for Arthur."

Kevin nodded. "Don't have a problem with that, though."

"Do you think he's gonna marry Catherine?" Jennifer questioned inquisitively.

Bianca nodded. "He won't have a choice. He's got something to prove and it won't derail our plans against him."

"I'm tired of being under him, mom. I'm his eldest and yet, father chose him?" Kevin scoffed, shaking his head. "Is that how much he loved his dead second wife? Unbelievable."

Bianca sighed. "Monica stole your father's love from me and even in her death, she still did. Still couldn't believe your father handed over his throne to Arthur."

"I deserve that throne, mom. I want it." Kevin asserted.

Bianca nodded. "And you'll get it."