Chapter 7 - Queen Grandma

"Queen Grandma! You must make the wedding happen sooner, if not I might lose my new mother." Lord William said while running over to the Queen the moment he reached her inner chambers. Duke Kensington was following closely behind and bowed when he reached her.

Queen Serina was puzzled. This little fireball was chattering non-stop about Lady Melissa the moment he saw her today. What's going on? She looked up with a questioning look at Duke Kensington, hoping he could explain.

"Your Majesty, my son and I visited Lady Melissa few days ago. They became best friends." With just these two sentences, Queen Serina understood everything. She smiled while holding Lord William in her arms.

"Do you like Lady Melissa, William?" She asked the young boy.

"Yes, of course! She's so beautiful and kind. She even baked me cookies herself. She will be the best mother ever! Can she live with me anytime soon? Please Queen Grandma." Lord William asked with both his hands clasped together, begging the Queen to agree to his request.

"Haha! Seemed like I picked the right choice then. Why don't you go to the kitchen and see what cookies are there? I'm sure you'll find delicious ones." With that Queen Serina instructed one of the maids to bring Lord William to the kitchen, leaving her and Duke Kensington alone.

"How about you? Do you also like this girl?" Queen Serina asked, her eyes was looking intently at Duke Kensington's face.

"William likes her, Your Majesty. So that is enough for me. I have no objection." Duke Kensington tactfully replied.

Queen Serina sighed. This stubborn young man had always been like this. She could never get a straight answer when it came to such matter.

"Zachary, it's good that she gets along well with William. But she is going to be your wife. You must've some opinions about her. I heard she was a stunning girl. Is that true?" Queen Serina asked with a cheeky glint in her eyes.

Duke Kensington was taken aback by the Queen's question. Well, Lady Melissa was beautiful, in fact he had never met anyone as beautiful as her. He still remembered the first time he saw her, with her clear violet eyes and her long black hair.

"Yes, she is." Unknowingly, a small smile appeared on his face when he said this, which did not go unnoticed by the Queen.

She was ecstatic! Finally, this stone cold man was melting. Lady Melissa was indeed the perfect choice. She had never seen Duke Kensington showed any emotion towards any woman, even to his deceased wife. But he actually smiled at the mention of her. Not wanting to give herself away, she coughed twice and said, "Well, that's good, at least she's pleasing to the eye even if you don't love her. Let's settle the wedding in two weeks. William was right, there's no point dragging it out. I will inform the Knights, you should get everything prepared. The wedding will take place at the castle."

Two weeks? So soon? But Duke Kensington knew better than to challenge the Queen's decision. He merely nodded and replied, "As you wish, Your Majesty. I will get everything ready."

"And Zachary, bring her to meet me before the wedding. I'd like to meet this young lady who has snatched my grandson's heart." 'And possibly my son's heart too!' Queen Serina instructed.

.............. 

"What?! Two weeks?! Father, is that even doable? To hold a wedding in such a short time?" Melissa looked at her father in shock.

"That's what the Queen insisted. We don't have to do anything. Duke Kensington and the palace will manage everything, even your wedding dress will be prepared by the palace. A royal tailor will come and take your measurements this evening. If you have any preference for a particular design, you may instruct the tailor. The Kensington's Estate colours are sapphire blue and silver. So your gown will be in that shade." Duke Malcom explained to his daughter. As much as he wanted to keep his daughter longer with the family, he knew this day would come and therefore was prepared mentally for it.

"Will Melvin be back in time for the wedding?" Melissa asked. Lord Melvin had gone out of the capital city a few days ago to purchase some lands in the countryside. He had decided to rare horses and therefore needed a vast area of lands for that. Melissa was worried that this kind man would not be able to make it to the wedding.

"Yes, I have sent news to him. If I know him well, he should be rushing back as soon as he gets the information. In fact, he might be furious too." Duke Malcom could already see his son putting up a storm when this news leaked to him.

Melissa was silent for a moment before she spoke, "Father, I'd like to visit the town and purchase some things today. May I go?"

"The town? Is there anything you need? We can ask the servants to get them for you. You don't have to trouble yourself." Duke Malcom answered, wary of his daughter's request. She had not stepped out of the house for two years and he feared something bad would happen to her.

"Don't worry Father. I want to choose it myself. It's just some arts materials." Melissa explained.

"Alright then, take Sir Andrew with you. Be careful." Duke Malcom instructed, finally agreeing to the request. Maybe going out would do her good, since she had stayed in the mansion without going anywhere for so long.