Chapter 35

"Marry me."

As soon as these words entered Irene's ear, they didn't come out and were repeated over and over again in her head.

Marriage with Shin was not something she had yet considered, she wanted to take her time before the wedding.

Unfortunately, she didn't have that time because of her arranged marriage.

Thinking about it strongly, a marriage with Shin would be a waking dream for her.

It would affirm that she would belong to him and him alone, it would be an affirmation before the world and the universe, an immortal promise.

"Do you really think that marrying you would change anything?" asked Irene.

"I think, if we officially announce the marriage, we will surely have the support of the citizens and that way I could go to the other kingdom and announce the dissolution of the marriage to them," explained Shin.

Irene who was listening nodded her head in understanding.

"But don't you think they'll retaliate?" Irene asked.

"Without being arrogant, I think the 'Celestial Phoenix' is quite famous so if I visit them, I doubt they'll try anything. Besides, your kingdom has the support of the dragons" smiled Shin as he gently explained to Irene.

Irene was in complete agreement with what he had just said and she couldn't help smiling knowing that she was going to be able to get rid of this political marriage and dedicate herself to Shin.

"And if they don't want to listen and take it out on you..."

As she said it, Shin's eyebrows furrowed, her face became serious and her eyes shone with danger.

Just the thought that something bad could happen to Irene made him angry.

His intention to kill, which he had accumulated with his battles against the dragons, was quite substantial, dense and deadly.

It was beginning to be felt in the surroundings making the dragons and humans nearby terrified and sickening for the weakest.

Irene felt that Shin was giving off a bad aura but she was not affected.

Seeing Shin's stern face, she knew him well enough to understand that he was angry with her.

Over the months, she had figured out Shin's personality and this was one of the traits she liked about him.

He was a very kind, caring person who helped his neighbours, innocent and very protective and loving towards his family. When you touched his family and faced enemies that threatened him, he became cold, indifferent, calculating.

He would do anything to protect his family and loved ones no matter what it took.

She found this very endearing in Shin, knowing that few men are like that.

I wonder what he will be like with his children later on'.

She had also noticed that he was very fond of children and she can't imagine how protective and affectionate he will be with his children.

Coming out of her thoughts, Irene blushed at the idea of having children, even though it was something she would like to have and be a good mother.

And without knowing it, this moment would come much more quickly than she thought.

Looking at Shin again, her eyes softened and her smile grew.

She moved her hand forward to put it on Shin's face and caressed him carefully to calm him down.

"Calm down" Irene said softly with tenderness and attention.

Feeling his touch and hearing his voice, Shin's face relaxed and calmed down.

"Sorry" apologised Shin for his clumsiness.

"It's all right" replied Irene, landing in Shin's embrace and warmth, who hugged her back.

"What's up? And are you ready to go and make an unofficial announcement?" asked Shin.

"Who said it was official?" asked Irene, taking herself out of his embrace with a serious voice and a raised eyebrow.

Shin understood what she wanted to play so he followed.

"What? Don't you want me?" asked Shin in a sad and sad little voice.

Irene, who was gloating in his mind, immediately regretted her joke when she saw Shin's condition.

She didn't think he would take it that way.

"I'm joking, I'm joking! I love you!" said Irene in a restless voice while waving her hands in front of her to calm him down.

"Pfff" Seeing his agitated, disturbed and faulty face, he couldn't help laughing.

Irene immediately understood that she had just been fooled at her own game.

"Hm" Irene made a pout with her swollen cheeks, crossed her arms and turned her head to show her displeasure.

'So cute'.

Seeing her in this state, he could only find her cute so he threw himself on her with his arms forward like a child.

"Aah" Irene shouted a small cry of surprise as she felt Shin jumping on her.

Then a small session of bickering and laughter continued for a good half hour.

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After their little half hour of fun, Shin and Irene had finally come out of Irene's room.

They made their way to the position of Belserion, their most reliable friend and the wise man of the kingdom.

Arriving at the court in the palace, they found Belserion and told him the news.

Belserion was happy for both of them but not surprised.

When they asked why he was not, Belserion told them:

"We knew even before you did, your connections were visible and very clear, even to the citizens."

At Belserion's statement, Shin and Irene were embarrassed to know that everyone saw their rapprochement and that they were the only ones who did not understand.

As they say, love makes you blind.

Even though Shin and Irene learned that the whole kingdom suspected it and that rumours had spread, they wanted to make it official themselves.

Then learning that the citizens were favourable to their relationship through rumours, their confidence and mood reached its climax.

So they asked to gather all the people in the square in front of the palace.

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After a good hour, the square was crowded with people who were all present at the call of their queen.

Whether human, child or adult and dragons.

Their attention was soon captured by the appearance of Shin and Irene on the balcony of Irene's room which was just above the square.

They were followed by Belserion right behind them as he was an important figure in the kingdom and the queen's closest friend.

And as soon as they arrived, Irene started to talk.

"Hello, friends and citizens of Dragnof, today I've asked you to gather for a very special announcement for me."

At this stage, the citizens were very curious to know the reason except for some clever people who already suspected the reason when they saw Shin next to the queen and heard "a very special announcement for me".

"Indeed, you are not unaware that I have an arranged political marriage with a man in another kingdom."

Looking closely at Shin's face, one could see a trace of discontent following the sentence.

"Now, for a few months now, I've been in love with a man whose feelings are reciprocal and we love each other and are considering getting married."

None of the citizens moved, they all listened with an attentive ear to their queen.

"The man I fell in love with is Shin, better known as the Celestial Phoenix" said Irene, pointing to Shin with a loving smile.

The eyes of most citizens widened but were replaced by proud smiles.

"Then I ask you, the citizens who represented the kingdom, if you are against this marriage or if you support me" asked Irene waiting for an answer with the presence of a queen.

"Yes!"

"Of course we support you."

"We've been waiting for this for a long time"

A burst of shouting could be heard from the citizens who were shouting with joy, pride and happiness.

Irene was moved and so happy to see the reaction of the citizens to her announcement.

She turned to Shin, who had been smiling and calm from the beginning.

The two didn't waste a single second to kiss in front of everyone to show their joy and confirmation.

"Long live the future king!"

The cries grew louder after the kiss and the citizens shouted with happiness that they finally had a kind, compassionate and powerful future king.

Behind them, Belserion was also smiling and was happy to see that Irene had finally found the happiness and warmth she had been looking for for so long.

After a few seconds they both separated but held hands.

"I am the happiest man to marry this sublime woman, she is my happiness and my future and as the future king of Dragnof, I promise to do my best to protect you from any danger" said Shin.

Happy with her speech, Irene followed.

"We don't need the support of another kingdom, we are strong and brave, we have you and my future husband" Irene winked at Shin.

"We will win this war and protect our home together," Irene said confidently.

After the end of her speech, the shouting and feasting only increased in excitement, the citizens were now filled with confidence and pride in coming from this kingdom.

Irene looked at her citizens with pride, joy and determination.

"Irene" called Shin.

Irene turned to him and listened to him.

"I'm going straight away to the other kingdom to tell them."

Shin didn't want to wait a second to show everyone that Irene is his wife and that he would eliminate some kind of threat.

"Okay, I'll wait for you, hurry up" said Irene already sad about her departure even if it was for her, she was already missing her presence.

Shin gave her a quick kiss on the forehead and walked towards the railing.

On the railing, her whole body burst into flames and burned into green flames.

He jumped into the air and transformed into his Phoenix form.

His shape was embellished by the sun's rays, he fluttered his wings and flew off in the direction of the other realm.