And that was how I stood before the sky blue tent on the far side of our yard. In this dead middle of the night, at that.

The two guards in silver armor which I didn't notice before, stood erect on both sides of the entrance of large hexagonal structure, eyeing me with utter boredom as they crossed spears across the drapes.

I pursed my lips. "For the last time, let me through. I have urgent business with His Highness."

"His Highness requires rest. Please, return tomorrow," the left one with a gruffy voice spoke.

"Tomorrow can not wait. I need to see him now!" I winced, looking around to see whether any of my relatives were peeking through the tents hearing my voice.

It was reckless of me to be here this late but I just couldn't sit right. Not after hearing what I heard from father about that marriage explotion.

This was insane!

"Let her through," a deep voice smoothed from the inside and I marched forward.

The drapes fluttered as I strode through the entrance stopped abruptly to take deep breaths, a forced attempt to calm myself for this grueling conversation.

Prince Terrence had his back to me, facing a big trunk while fasting ties on his emerald green night robe.

The loose fabric draped around his large form like an-over-sized cloak. The matching pants swayed with his movements as he pivoted around in his slippers to face me.

His sparkling blue eyes were the first to struck me speechless. Thick lashes fluttered with a lazy blink as he watched me.

"You asked for an audience?"

I flinched out of my trance at that and cleared my throat.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you this late, Your Highness. But I need to discuss something with you. And it requires you're immediate attention."

He eyed me for a moment and smiled. "Esmarelda, isn't it?"

My eyes widened a notch. "How did you know?"

He shrugged. "Only you would have questions after learning of such abrupt event that is our marriage. Please take a seat, although, it is technically your tent."

He waved toward a bunch of cushions on the left corner of room, near the padded floor bedding.

Baba gave him one of the best tents around the block and for obvious reasons. However, I wasn't here to be his guest.

"Thank you for the offer. But I won't take much time. I just need some answers."

"About this wedding, I presume," he walked toward his and sat down cross-legged on the edge. "Ask away."

I straightened my back. "Why do wish to marry me?"

"Straight to the point?" He hummed with a little smirk. "A fine point in leadership. Anyways, to answer your question, I proposed this marriage purely as a business venture. I've told your father the same."

I narrowed my eyes. "What business?"

"An expenditure in heritage as well as the dying import of coven potions in Ravendale." He looked down, rubbing his polished pale nails.

"It is not dying, just thinning in Ravendale market, only because your kingdom is too proud not to acknowledge us."

"And I plan to fix this." This time he met my gaze and once again I was floored at the sheer determination in those startling blue pools.

"Why?" I asked, after finding my voice once more. "Why do you care whether we are doing good in Ravendale or not? Clearly we're not the only ones who brew potions and export around."

"But you are the only coven even willing to share your business with us. The northern and southern covens are as closed off within themselves as ever and Ravendale is only trusting enough to let your people in for trades.

Yes, Ravendale was the only kingdom who were skeptic enough to do business with us. Other big kingdoms in the realm wouldn't even look at our lowly witch selves let alone buy our potions, at least, not unless we sold them for very private, very risky commissions. Fortunately, the percentage of that rate is quite low and were used only to spy on spouses, bring out truths from lying mouths, even in some cases of paralyzing or vanishing someone, and such.

"Now, if we marry," Prince Terrence continued. "Our kingdoms will have a solid chance to keep the commerce flowing between us, not to mention the connection between both lands will be strongers given our marital bond."

I hummed. "This does makes sense. But I still don't understand your motive for pressing the matter. King Wardon clearly plans to cut off all ties with us, albeit, gradually. You opposing the cause doesn't help the case for him. Also, what does he and Prince Vance thinks of this wedding?"

"They think nothing of this as they don't know."

My brows raise skyward. How could he smile like this after dropping the explotion.

"What do you mean they don't know?"

"It means to them we will be eloping when they come to know." He shrugged as though he was talking about thr weather. "I don't want them to find out till the very end."

This is outrageous!

"Does Baba knows?"

"Baba?"

"My father. The Coven Father," I said, my breath shaky. "Look, I understand your concern regarding our kingdom but a secret marriage is no solution. If anything, it may enrage King Wardon and wage war upon us. Our coven won't be able to survive that!"

"Not unless I am the king of Ravendale," his grave voice stunned me to the core.

"What?" I whispered. "But how is that-"

"Possible?" He raised his left brow. "Well, the male heir who marry first gains the throne in Ravendale, regardless of whether they are first born or not. And my brother has yet to choose his bride. If we stand married before our father, he would have no choice but to accept us and abide by the royal terms."

And they said the younger prince was the quiet one. Well, a quiet one indeed. A silent schemer, the same as the other vicious Blues.

I sighed. "So, you want to overthrow your brother from the throne and in need of a quick bride. Is that your plan?"

"Well, that's part of it." He scratched below his wrist. "I want a seamless flow of your potion business running in Ravendale."

Again, he wasn't telling the whole truth. But given the reasons he provided I had no reason to object anymore either.

Our marriage was bound to bring up more trades for the coven which meant more families would get to eat and wear more than the bare minimums these rough lands of cliffs and canyons could provide. Baba could rest easier knowing there would be no threat of Ravendale shutting us off. His reputation in other covens would rise as well, much as they twist their lips behind our backs in envy and rage.

Just one staged elopement and I could secure the future of my coven. It should've been easy, right?