บททั้งหมดของ MARRYING HER ENEMY : บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

Akari Kingston stared sullenly out the huge windows in her father’s office. She was trying so hard to hold on to the rags of her temper as she watched the people in the room behind her, or rather, their reflections in the window glass. It was probably rude to keep her back to these important visitors, but it would have been far more impolite for her to turn and let them see the utter fury on her face. For just under an hour her father, the President of the United Human Federation, had been trying unsuccessfully to apologize and salvage some of the important treaties they’d been about to negotiate until Allison pulled this stunt and ran away. The truth is, Akari had been honestly shocked —she’d known she was having second thoughts, but these diplomatic marriages of state were still quite common especially if your part of the High Status. She knew that. And once she learned she’d be a princess and eventually queen, she had agreed to go through with it, damn it. If she’d had cold feet

Almost an hour had passed since Queen Beatrice had made her proposal and no word had yet come from the colonel. The Queen was beginning to get worried.“Mother, can you please sit down before you wear a hole in the carpets,” Nikolai said lazily, while he flip through his phone. One of his friends had sent him a video of the Games from the night before, one he had placed heavy bets on, and he was idly trying to find it in all his messages. “Either she says no and we go home, or she says yes, and I have to figure out a way to tolerate her for the next coming years or so. I suppose I can give her a bunch of children to keep her so busy she won’t have time to run that mouth at me. It’s not anything to worry yourself about, though.” Beatrice stopped pacing and turned on her eldest son. “Not worry myself? Niko, you do understand that this marriage could help bring about the end of a war that’s been going on for over a hundred and fifty years? A war that has killed millions of people?” Nik

Word finally came from President Connelly Kingston that the wedding would take place at 4 in the afternoon. The preparations, which had already been made for that day and time, albeit with Allison Kingston in mind, would proceed as planned. Flowers were no longer being used, but new wedding programs were being hastily printed to reflect all changes, and it would be a most formal, but low-key affair. That’s what they told Nikolai anyway. The reality was turning out to be far different. Nikolai hated ceremonies of any kind, having sat through too many of them growing up. He fidgeted nervously as he waited for his cue from the wedding planner to go out and wait at the altar for his soon-to-be consort. These human customs were silly and unnecessary, he privately thought, and there was nothing really comparable to it on their own culture. Sometimes guests were invited to see the ceremony, but there were no silly decorations. A part of Nikolai wished he could chuck the whole thing and go

"Over my dead body." Nikolai muttered to himself and made his way across the room to tap on the general’s shoulder, like he’d seen him do to Akari's father. It was possible he used a bit too much force, as the man made a surprised, sputtering sound and whirled around to face him, his face flushing dark red. “Excuse me,” Nikolai said calmly, looking past him to Akari. “I’d like to dance with my consort now.” The man had the nerve to glare at him, then glance back at Akari, who was looking a little panicked. “Is that all right with you, Akari?” he asked. Nikolai growled again, despite his best efforts to keep it in, and Akari slipped between them, holding out his arms to Nikolai. “Of course. He’s my husband now, John. Let’s dance then, Prince Nikolai. Please…” Nikolai gathered her close in his arms, then he looked back at the general. “All right,” he said, and swept his wife away, trying to mimic what he’d seen the general do on the dance floor. He stumbled a little, narrowly avoided

“Now see here…” the general blustered. “She’s not your slave—you can’t tell her what she can and can’t wear, damn it.” The prince never moved from his side, but growled low in his throat, and Akari jumped to the ball of her feet and stood between his new husband and his friend. “John, please. Don’t speak to the prince that way—you forget yourself. I appreciate the visit, but I think you should leave now and let me talk to my…my husband.” John whirled on Akari and for just a moment, he seemed ready to snarl back at her, but he seemed to think better of it, visibly swallowing his rage. He looked from Akari back to Nikolai and nodded his head curtly. “As you wish, Akari. If you need me, I’ll be close by.” He gave a long warning look to the prince. “All you have to do is call.” He walked rapidly toward the door. Akari sighed and turned towards her husband. “Was that really necessary? I know he was rude, but you didn’t have to bait him like that.” The prince raised one eyebrow. “Me bai