A Story From Zinnia

Part 16: MARRIAGE???!

"Happy graduation day!"

“Happy graduation day!” Speak to each other throughout the classroom.

Accompanied by the warm spring breeze, the Helling Rose School held a graduation ceremony for the third level disciples. Now the students have gathered in the field to take pictures together. Wearing their black toga shirts and holding their diplomas proudly. The same is true of class 3-A, which is class Xavier. His classmates were busy tidying up and preparing to take pictures.

"Yes swipe to the right a little bit, it's a short one at the back try to move forward." Said the photographer.

"Ok is ok, 1... 2... 3.." 3...." Cekrek, the camera shutter was punched. One photo with a casual style successfully immortalized.

"One more time! The freestyle! 1... 2... 3... Say cantaloupe!" The photographer with spirit

"CHUCK!!!" Speak to the students together.

Now they all officially graduated from the Helling Rose Royal School. Like other graduation ceremonies, it is incomplete not to throw their toga hats into the air. Finally the activity was closed by throwing a toga hat together.

"Congratulations bro!” Louis said as he embraced Xavier.

"Finally. My school life is over!!!" Xavier said half a scream.

"So you're going to continue training the military as you plan?" Ask Louis.

"Yes, what else am I going to do.” Xavier.

"You can study abroad, can't you?”

"There's no way dad would allow it, he's obsessed with watching me up close.” Xavier Sahut.

In the midst of their conversation, Eveline and Oliver come bearing a bouquet of flowers and congratulations. There is an awkward wind between Xavier and Eveline due to the events at yesterday's birthday party. Thankfully, only the two of them knew about it.

"Congratulations on both of you!" Oliver.

“Thank you Oliver." Answer Louis.

“Thank you." Xavier said as he received the bouquet.

Unlike Eveline who only gives flowers without a word.

"Your turn who graduated next year, study diligently." Xavier.

"Huh that's right.... Finally you graduated as well, shouldn't you treat us?" Oliver.

"Huhaha, should?" Ask Xavier.

"Of course!" Oliver.

"Compared to treat, I'll make you a banquet, how?" Xavier's Bargain.

“Well, I almost forgot our friend on a different level, didn't I? Said Louis prank.

The four of them laughed.

As Xavier promised, he invited his four friends to a small banquet at the palace. Although it is not as simple as one might think.

King Arthur greeted and congratulated Xavier and Louis on their graduation.

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4 Years passed. All four have now fully graduated from school and are achieving their own dreams. Xavier, who had returned from his military training, Louis was in his final semester of medical school, Eveline decides to take a literature education abroad and Oliver is busy traveling around the country to write a journal as part of his final assignment as a communication science student.

In the last 4 years the four rarely met, because busy with their respective affairs and there is no right time to chat. But fortunately they still had the occasional time to exchange e-mails and tell each of them.

On vacation this summer, after traveling around the country Oliver finally managed to finish his research journal. She is an accomplished student and due to her hard work of sweat and tears she can graduate one year earlier than she should. Now he is waiting for his graduation day.

"Finally done! I'll be a communications scholar!” Oliver exclaimed from his room.

"Oliver! Dinner's ready." Said the father from downstairs.

"Good dad!" Shouted Oliver.

After his mother died when he was a child, the father was the one who played a role in the affairs of the house. Little info, the de Mauren family is not from a top-level noble family. So that the family de Mauren can not pay a lot of servants, after all Mr. Eden is more than able to take care of everything himself, of course also assisted by Oliver and some servants of trust.

"Eat, the food is ready.” Said Mr. Eden.

“Thank you dad!

Oliver devours the father's food as usual.

He said there was no food as good as home food. The dinner menu was served by both men. After dinner, it was already like a habit for the two of them to chat. Either talk about their days or about the TV show that aired last night.

“Oliver.”

"Yes dad?"

"What about your research?"

"Everything went well. Within a year I had the opportunity to go to the far reaches of Zinnia, which is arguably very downcast, unlike city life, they are still very traditional well."

"really? Is there still such a place in Zinnia? I never know."

"There is still well, they are the citizens who had to flee their original villages due to the war. In the end these refugees made their own village, but unfortunately the kingdom paid less attention to them." Oliver said at length.

"There's actually something I want to tell you, Oliver.”

"Just tell dad." Oliver said even though his feelings at that time were not good at thinking about what his father wanted to talk about.

"Dad wants you to get married.”

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Xavier throws both hands at the dinner table,

"WHAT?!! A MATCHMAKING? DON'T MY EARS HEAR ME WRONG?!” Said Xavier who was so surprised to hear the words of his father in the middle of their dinner activities.

"No, you didn't hear me wrong." King Arthur said as he put down his cup of tea.

"Is dad crazy?!”

"Take care of your words Xavier.”

"What else if it's not crazy? What kind of time do you think I have to be set up once?”

"This is an old covenant we made with their families. Marry her, this is order.” King Arthur's

"Fuck the deal! I never made that ridiculous deal! I never promised to do it Dad!!!”

"You know our families never break promises to others, right? This was your grandfather's agreement as a debt of return, after all you're old enough to marry Xavier. What else are you waiting for? Waiting for your old father to die?”

"Then I said I was going to die, could you not talk like that?”

“You are the only remaining heir to the throne of our family, can you accept if this kingdom falls into the hands of Aiden, your cousin?"

"Give it to him, I don't want to be king."

"XAVIER HELLEN RAYTON KEEP YOUR WORD!" King Arthur who had boarded the apoplexy accidentally snapped at his son. Xavier knew his father was angry if he had given his full name like that.

"Nothing could be more shameful than being kicked out of a place that was supposed to be yours, you could be dishonorably evicted from leaving the palace because of what you said, son."

Xavier just kept quiet to hear that.

"Xavier. Go first, and he comes from a good family. You must know him.” Obviously King Arthur.

"What does it mean I know him?" Ask Xavier

“He's your old friend. His name is Oliver of the de Mauren family."

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"What does the royal family's father mean to propose to me? I'm not Cinderella dad, I'm kidding right?” Oliver.

“Daddy serious. When you were 18 years old, the palace came here and explained everything to me. They intended to pick you up, but since Prince Xavier himself did not know and was still in training they chose to postpone it. Father gave me the same condition, they can't pick you up before you finish your education." Obviously the father.

“This doesn't make sense." Oilver said as he shook his head in disbelief, he stood up from the dining table chair.

"But why should I be a father?" Oliver asked in disbelief.

"Because they made a pact with your old grandfather. To marry off their first two grandchildren. But you do know that Prince Nathaniel has died, so you will marry his younger brother, Prince Xavier.”

"XAVIER?! OWN BEST FRIEND? HE'S MY BEST FRIEND, COME ON, COME ON! Ayahhh... please is there no way to refuse or cancel this agreement?” Whine Oliver.

"We're not on Oliver's side. Do you dare to defy the king's orders?"

"Did Xavier not have a lover? He could have refused this match and married his lover."

"Have you ever heard of the crown prince's romance? There's no, is there?" Ask the father.

"ARRGGHHHH Why does a prince seem to have no lover anyway!" Oliver said in frustration.

"Yahhhh... I don't want"~.

"Oliver, I'm not young anymore, I don't know when I can protect you. You're dad's daughter, and I just want the best man who can take care of you. Already come the proposal from the palace, why should it be rejected?"

"It doesn't mean it has to be Xavier, does it?"

"Then do you have a lover yourself?"

"Not yet.but right-"

"Are there any good men willing to ask you directly?"

"B-yet-"

"Is there a guy who likes you? With a good family background and education?"

"Not yet."

"There is a candidate in sight so why refuse?"

"B-But I'm not ready to be queen..." Oliver pursed his lips.

"You're beautiful, kind, and smart. I'm pretty sure your daughter will be a good queen. Zinnia's future is bright with you, son."

"L-Lantas what about my ideals? You know that I want to be the leading journalist in this country."

"Sometimes you have to sacrifice what you want to do to fulfill your duty, son."

"To be queen is not my duty well, and never will be!" Oliver leaves the dining table leaving his father glued to silence.

"Oliver! Oliver wait!"