No one could blame Long Kael though. It was common to be biased and doting towards your mate.

Is that not what he was feeling at that moment for his mate despite not knowing her real name or where she'd come from?

His mate's blood test was given to General w.a.n.g earlier for the background check. He did not like to do so, but there it was the best and safest thing for him to do.

As the king, regardless of who it is he had to act against, he needed to make sure that his country was safe.

Long Kael also knew that the general like the elders was suspicious regarding his relations.h.i.+p with the woman. After all, she had almost let all the available mages in the palace die after not only failing but making her, his mate's condition worse.

This suspicion was evident in General w.a.n.g's face as he inquired about his mate's punishment, but he brushed it off and commanded something else instead.

It was not that he did not trust, General w.a.n.g, but it was something that he would like to keep to himself for as long as he could.

In truth, Long Kael never would have thought that in his current lifetime, he would be able to meet his fate. It was something he was not prepared for and was still trying to accept, even till that moment.

What was she doing before meeting him?

Was she under his nose all along and just using her stealth magic to hide from him?

These questions were still left unanswered regardless of how many times they had run through his mind.

At that moment, the only one who could answer that is the woman in front of him.

Focusing his gaze back to Long Cheng's mate, he felt conflicted. It should be his nephew's responsibility to 'propose' and convince his mate for the mating ceremony. 

However, he was the one who initiated the bargain instead of his nephew.

'That annoying piece of s.h.i.+t.' He cursed Long Cheng in his mind while looking at the unhappy expression on Lu Meili's face.

He was not sure how or what Orcus's customs regarding marriage were. Long Kael could only bet that it would probably be extravagant as she was part of a n.o.ble family.

Could they afford it? Yes.

Was it something worth waiting at the current situation? Probably not.

Lu Meili was currently branded as criminal after all, and the sooner they were able to make things look more comfortable to accept the views of the people from Orcus.

That was because they do not want any true mate to be taken back from their planet because of mistreatment. From a political point of view, it was also an excellent way to establish  further connection to the high-end world.

Also, Long Kael has the feeling that his nephew wanted the mating ceremony as soon as possible. However, it was easy to see as well that Long Cheng's mate had him wrapped around her finger.

Since that was the case, there was a high chance Long Cheng would be persuaded if the woman wanted to delay it.

"Decide." He said his tone final and with authority. In the end, Long Kael chose to continue with his condition as there were more benefits to it the more he thought about it, even though the elders would be challenging to persuade him otherwise.

Why not?

Almost all the possible favourable connections of Lu Meili's background that they could take advantage of if she stayed in the Dragon Country would specifically stay in the palace.

Once that happened, his own mate would also have an official companion for the dragon king's mate, and the other women of the harem wouldn't bother them.

Lu Meili responded with a glare, "I am still thinking!" She yelled, annoyed as she shook her legs due to agitation.

'Why is she taking so long?' Long Kael asked himself before he smiled slightly that earned a hiss from the other woman in the magical room.

It was not normal for a certain known grumpy dragon king to be smiling. But he could not help but do so as he remembered his own mate when they had first met each other.

Though the females' involuntary reaction, the concept of life mate was normal. It was still supposed to be expected by anyone who would visit the Shou planet, where most of the beings residing were beast s.h.i.+fters.

While, looking at her blankly, "How long do you still need to think? Decide soon." Long Kael insisted, his voice laced with impatience as he crossed his arms over his chest.  

The faster this woman decides and cooperates with him, the better, so he could go back to his mate, alone.

Long Kael know that the woman in front of him could not bargain further, but he was also aware that it was best not to let anyone else see his mate in her current condition. It was severe enough that he and his dragon side did not want to leave her alone.

If there were no bracelets from Shenxi Galactic Cruise Corp that would keep her alive regardless of how sickly she is, Long Kael would probably not even bother dealing with anything else.

Aside from that, he was not yet sure where his mate came from or her background. That means speaking with the woman in front of him was still not a waste.

'I should at least know her name…' Long Kael realized sadly.

With a deadly glare, "You are rus.h.i.+ng me, and that is making me feel something is wrong. How soon is soon?" Lu Meili hissed as she grit her teeth that looked to be because of annoyance.

"After the first trial." Long Kael replied immediately.

"I want to see her first and make sure that she is alright before I agree to anything." She demanded.

With a tilt of his head, Long Kael snorted before replying, "No. That is not what my condition is."

By this time, the elders were probably aware that they need to prolong the trial until the people from Orcus arrived. With that being said, there was no need to worry about any bloodshed soon.

Lu Meili raised a brow as she looked at him, challengingly, "Really? What's the catch? Why in a hurry to have your nephew mate an outsider?" She asked her voice laced with doubt.

"We will not benefit from anything if you die. This is one way to ensure that." He said a matter of fact.

"So you are sure that I will get out of the trial alive if I accept your condition? If I accepted the mating ceremony, it means my life and freedom are guaranteed?" She asked sarcasm lace on her voice as if the idea alone was unacceptable.

Long Kael frowned. It was not something he could guarantee, but there would be a higher chance that she would have her life intact.

How about her freedom? That was still something they would need to work on in the future.

***

Author's Note:

Thank you so much for the wait and understanding. There was issues with the update of any of my novels due to the holiday season.

Original and most updated chapter is from webnovel.com. If found or read elsewhere, this chapter has been stolen. Please stop supporting theft for the author's well being.

If you also additional time, please check out my new book, "Mischievous Fake Wife" while waiting for the chapters of this novel. 

From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much!