The Masked prince
Chapter 289: The End

Chapter 289: The End

(A Week Later)

Evelyn was standing beside Regan as the Royal Guard announced the arrival of Rex and Derrick.

Today was Rex’s coronation ceremony.

The current Ruler and the soon to be one ruler were going to enter together.

The ministers in the court were standing. Almost everyone was present in the Royal Court except Prince Richard.

Derrick had ordered him to stay inside his chambers because of the scene the prince made in the banquet.

Evelyn was glad. Although according to her, Richard deserved a more severe punishment, she knew that this was the best he could be given because of his status.

She smiled and let the sadness disperse away when she saw Derrick completing the ritual for making Rex his legal heir to the throne.

Derrick gave a sword to Rex and made a declaration which was signed by him as well as Rex. The small ceremony was hence completed like this.

Evelyn thought that everything was done.

But she was left surprised when Derrick made an announcement.

"I would like to announce that Prince Rex’s engagement with Lady Alexandria Rosette has been scheduled for tomorrow...."

Derrick continued but Evelyn was trying to remember the owner of the name.

She found it familiar and when it clicked to her who Alexandria was, she grinned widely.

A kiss fell on her forehead, she raised her head to look at her prince with a smile.

"What are you thinking?"

Regan asked gently but Evelyn shook her head.

Regan didn’t force her to speak but he leaned down and whispered

"Let’s try something new tonight from the books you bought."

Evelyn’s cheeks went red as soon as she heard these words.

Exactly three days ago, Regan found out the books she had bought to coax him. It had been the most embarrassing moment of her life.

She tried to explain herself about how she didn’t know the content of the books when she had bought them but nothing worked to stop him from teasing her.

Every night he would open one of those books and then with her in his lap made her read them forcefully. He would even ask her what she would like to try.

To shut his mouth, she could only kiss him and divert his attention.

She even wanted to throw the books away by giving them to Isla secretly but Regan had locked the books in his drawer where he had kept the pearl shed by Lavo as if there were some sort of treasure.

When she came to know this, she didn’t know whether to cry or laugh.

Whatever it was, Evelyn felt that her life was full of sweetness now.

Her day started in Regan’s arms and ended in his arms only.

She had a person by her side who loved her immensely.

There was nothing else she could ask for.

Evelyn was brought out of her thoughts when she suddenly heard Derrick making another announcement.

"I would also like to reward my daughter-in-law, Princess Consort Evelyn who is Prince Regan’s wife. During the crisis in the Royal Palace, when my own son was poisoning me, she saved me ignoring her own health and life. Her selflessness is something that is found rarely and the empire should cherish it."

A Royal Guard stepped forward this time and said further

"Princess Consort Evelyn, please step forward and be rewarded."

Evelyn was in a daze when she heard these words. She only came out of her trance when Regan nudged her lightly.

Still baffled, she walked forward and then stood in front of Derrick.

Derrick’s face was emotionless as he looked at her but Evelyn wondered if she was wrong because she could see warmth flickering in his eyes.

She must be wrong because according to her Derrick must hated her.

After all, in his eyes, Regan didn’t ascend the throne because of her.

But she could only have these thoughts inside her mind.

"Princess Consort, I grant you one wish. I allow you to ask anything you want."

Evelyn was stupefied by these words which were said by Derrick.

Anything she wanted....Would he really grant her?

The moment she got to know the real meaning of the word slave...she had only wished. But would the great king of Alfaros grant her that one wish?

Evelyn was not certain yet it didn’t stop her from saying it out aloud.

She looked into Derrick’s eyes fearlessly and said respectfully.

"I want Your Majesty to set all the slaves in his great Empire free. I want a permanent ban on slavery. I want Your Majesty to declare that a person himself is the sole owner of his body. No human could be sold like an animal and no such trade could be done. Will Your Majesty grant me what I want?"

The ear-deafening silence of the Royal Court gave Evelyn great knowledge.

Seeing the sour faces of the many ministers, she knew very well that there were many voices of disagreement amongst the nobles.

In such circumstances, would Derrick be able to grant her what she wanted?

Her eyes went to Regan who smiled at her. His smile was full of encouragement.

It told her that she did nothing wrong and she stood straight.

Her eyes didn’t have any fear as she looked at Derrick and waited for him to say something.

He did though exactly two minutes later.

"I ...grant you what you want."

The few words created an uproar in the Royal Court.

Many ministers stood up from their seats at once and all of them were old ministers. The new ones were still trying to solidify their positions and hence they didn’t dare to express their dissent even if they had any.

"Your Majesty, this is not good for the Empire. The slave trade is important for the economy of our Empire."

Evelyn looked at the minister who said these words coldly.

However, she knew that she couldn’t say anything. She was already baffled that Derrick really granted her her wish.

He wouldn’t take his words back now, would he?

He was a king after all.

And sure enough, Derrick looked at the ministers coldly and announced

"Those who disagree with my order can submit their resignation."

The ministers were stunned when they heard Derrick’s words but not a single one of them could say anything anymore.

After all, they no longer had Davies who supported them against Derrick.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live long."

Evelyn bowed her head respectfully. She could feel many angry glares at herself but she was confident in her strides when she walked back to stand by Regan’s side.

Once Regan looked at all those ministers coldly, all of them looked down.

Evelyn smiled.

She couldn’t even express how happy she was feeling. It felt surreal to her. When Regan held her hand and squeezed it gently, she knew that she was not the only one who was happy.

And about what others said and thought, she didn’t care at all.

The assembly ended amidst tension after that.

As soon as they stepped out of the Royal Palace, Evelyn saw Lavo flying down from the sky.

She also noticed Elias waiting for them. Regan went to tell something to Elias. He had started talking to Elias normally again after Evelyn convinced him and she was happy about that.

Ignoring the duo, Evelyn immediately ran toward the giant creature.

"Lavo!"

She laughed when Lavo extended his paw towards her for her to scratch it. Evelyn did so with a grin on her face.

Regan had already dismissed Elias.

As much as Regan disliked his wife’s attention on something or someone else except him, he loved her smile as well.

So he endured for a few moments before dragging her with himself as he said

"Let’s go now."

"Where?"

Evelyn asked in confusion.

"To Mazic."

Regan said as he helped her climb on Lavo.

When she was seated in front of him, he dropped a kiss in her hair and said gently

"To our city...where no one can disturb us."

He had already asked Elias to come to Mazic with soldiers who were still in Palace in a few days.

Evelyn smiled at the words.

"To our city."

She whispered.

Lavo flew into the sky leaving Royal City behind.

Evelyn enjoyed the breeze caressing her cheeks. When Regan suddenly turned her face slightly and kissed her, she responded back eagerly.

When the kiss ended, Regan stroked Evelyn’s hair while she breathed heavily.

"Will you marry me, Evelyn?"

He asked softly while Evelyn looked at him in confusion.

Were not they already married?

She thought.

As if understanding her confusion, Regan told her.

"That was a compromise for you. I want to marry you and take those vows with you when you have me in your heart ...just like I have you in mine."

Evelyn was touched by these words and nodded her head immediately.

"Yes"

With this, Regan leaned down to capture her lips again.

Years ago, they were worlds apart from each other....unaware of each other existence.

Yet today, one was incomplete without the other’s existence.

To Regan, Evelyn came into his life as his slave only to become his wife in the end.

To Evelyn, Regan came as her master...only to become her prince.

Her Masked Prince.

The End