"Look, Valerie, I have nothing else to say; I think you are in a better place to explain everything to her since she's your friend. As for me, I'm out of here and I don't ever want to revisit this issue." I said and left her side, hastening my steps to the palace.

I could no longer wait to break the news, not only to my father but to all the other elders who had initially thought that I wouldn't be able to find a mate for myself.

At least, according to them, it didn't matter if the maiden in question was my rightful mate, but what mattered to them...