Chapter 212 - A Visit To Royal Palace

"Santiago, how do I look?" Persephone asked for the nth time. 

Santiago looked at her calmly without an ounce of frustration. She was looking extremely gorgeous in her pink maternity dress just like she had once told him. 

It had been a week since they went shopping for a baby's nursery. Today, they were going to attend a dinner ceremony organized by His Majesty King Leonrado. It was an important event for him and was glad that she was by his side. 

"You look gorgeous,"Santiago murmured, taking her hand and helped her walk to the car. 

"How long would it take?" Persephone asked with a yaw. Although she was usually sleepy around this time of the evening, yet today she was exceptionally alert. It could be because she was going to meet a real King of a country for the first time ever. 

She has always wanted to meet a real royalty and it seemed her wish would be fulfilled soon. 

Lara had given her a list of dos and don't. She said it was her good luck that she could see the king, his fiance and the royal prince and princess. 

More than her, Lara seemed excited about her visit to the palace. 

Again, she couldn't understand the reason behind Lara's overwhelmed tone. 

After an hour , they reached a gloriously lit palace. 

'Ah, it's the Royal Palace, Residence of the King?'

"This is beautiful," Persephone gasped as Santiago took her arms to go inside. 

"Not more than you," He replied and smiled at the man who approached him as soon as he entered the ballroom. 

"Mr Vitello, if you don't mind me saying, you are exceptionally praised by His Majesty. I must say you have shown your capabilities once again," The man said as soon as he saw Santiago. He was basically bootlicking at this time. 

"Mr Harrison, you praise me too much," Santiago said, humbly accepting the compliment. 

"May I ask, who is this beautiful lady?" Mr Harrison asked with a harmless smile. 

"This is my wife, Persephone Vitello," Santiago introduced. "And, dear wife, this is my Mr Harrison, our project partner." 

"Mrs Vitello, it's a pleasure meeting you," Mr Harrison was generous in compliments. "I must say I have seen a lady as beautiful as you till this time." 

Of course, it was an exaggeration but he had to compliment Vitello's wife to get in his good books. 

Persephone smiled shyly and accepted the compliment humbly. "It's a pleasure meeting you too, Mr Harrison."

They moved and a few more people came and talked.

Suddenly, the announcement was made that the King was appearing. 

"Come with me. We will meet the king now," Santiago said after a while. 

Persephone smiled and came with him. Her mouth was hurting from all the smiling. But she was used to it. 

She wouldn't have believed if she didn't see with her own eyes that this gorgeous hunk was the King of this land. He had to be in his mid to late thirties. He looked young but his mannerism and temperament was that of a royalty. 

Just like she was taught, she properly greeted the royal family. 

"I hadn't thought you would come with your wife," The kind said, amused. He turned to look at Persephone. "But it's good to see you." His gaze lingered on her belly as he added, And congratulations to both of you."

"Thank you," Persephone smiled politely. She felt weird under his gaze. It was as if he was trying to tattoo her face in his brain. 

"Your Majesty, I thought you would be happy to see me married and starting a family," Santiago said with a modest smile. 

"Who said that I am not?" King Leonardo replied informally. "I'm just disheartened that I wasn't invited to your and Killian's wedding." 

"I apologise," Santiago said humbly. He chose not to pierce King's facade in front of everyone. 

"Then, how about you right your wrong now?" King Leonardo said, a smirk present on his lips. As soon as his gaze had fallen on Persephone when he had entered the ballroom, he had planned the future of his dynasty. 

"I beg your pardon, Your Majesty?"Santiago could see the wicked wheels turning inside the King's brain. But he would be damned before he let him succeed in whatever his wicked brain was planning. 

"What about a marriage alliance?"King Leonardo said and Persephone paled all of a sudden.

She knew where this conversation was heading. No, she wouldn't let this happen. She was about to open her mouth to say something when she felt Santiago squeezing her hand. 

"A marriage alliance?" Santiago furrowed his brows, expressing his confusion. 

"Yes, what do you think about a marriage alliance between our families?"King Leonardo said. He saw Giselle shaking like a leaf yet smiling politely like a good queen should. 

"Your Majesty, Princess Beatrice is already five years old. And my son has yet to come to this world," Santiago replied with a smile. 

"Princess Beatrice won't be my only daughter, "Santiago was replied. "If I had another daughter, I hope you would think about this prospect." 

"Your Majesty, I would be blessed to accept your prospect. However, I can't as I can't control the heart of my son. I believe children's matters should be left to them,"This was how Santiago politely declined the sudden marriage alliance. 

King Leonardo wasn't shocked. He would be shocked if Santiago had accepted it. He had expected this from him already. 

He had nothing to worry about. If not Santiago, there was Nash and Killian left. And who would be a better option for a marriage alliance than Killian and Emmaline Palmero's children? Call him anything, but he wouldn't stop until he secures the future of his daughter or future daughters. Sons could be supported by the Royal family as long as they were alive but such wasn't the case of daughters. 

And his children would marry the powerful household of the Maisean Empire. 

Vitello Household would rise in the years to come and he could see it happening right before his eyes.