Reading the files the crown prince gave him, Marquis Ravel became at a loss. He didn't believe such things were currently happening under the noses of most nobles and especially him. He wasn't a man who wouldn't notice such big movements, or so he thought. But apparently he was losing his sharpness with his growing age.
"This will lead to a civil war!" said the Marquis with a grave face. 'What is his Majesty thinking about!'
"Right. And that's why I am here as well." said Alexander in a gentle voice as usual. "As you know, the Marquisate of Istria is considered the gate to the south. If they move that far, my territory will be a key piece and the only armour to protect the south."
"I see." the Marquis said looking so bothered. "But it will not be wise to let them go that far." he said after giving it a thought.
"And that's why we need your help." said Nickolas with a serious look, waiting for the Marquis's answer.
"I am at your command, your Majesty." complied the Marquis.
Seeing how the Marquis addressed Nickolas by "your Majesty" instead of "your Highness" was a clear declaration of allegiance and support, not only as the crown prince, but as the future emperor of the nation.
"Thank you, Marquis."
***
The banquet hall was less crowded when Elisabeth entered. She was wearing a beautiful off shoulders, royal blue dress. It hugs her upper body perfectly while the rest was left unrestrained with a large skirt. Since it was getting cold with the approaching winter, her arms, shoulders, and neck were wrapped in silvery-gray lace, matching her beautiful eyes. It was a dress that her royal father, the emperor, has sent as a gift for her first depute.
The hall was full mostly with youngsters since it was nearing midnight, and there was no sight of the duke. She grabbed a glass of cherry juice to busy herself with, when she felt a pair of eyes gazing at her. At first she ignored it. But as the person didn't seem to have any intention on averting his eyes, she decided to look back.
He was a man in his early twenties with pale complexion, auburn hair and light brown eyes. From his outfit and how he was standing by the wall where maids and servants usually stay, she deduced he was someone's servant.
Seeing his expression, Elisabeth frowned. Tearful eyes and parted lips. She noticed how he gulped lightly when their eyes met. But quickly masked it with an ever so gentle and warm smile, and then bowed respectfully which she returned with a nod of her own.
Elisabeth thought it was weird. She decided to talk to him but unfortunately, he went out of the hall after a maid whispered something in his ears.
It was only a few minutes to midnight and there was no sight of the duke.
'Maybe he didn't attend.'
Most aristocrats strive to get attention and make ties with stronger and influential nobles. For that reason they always attend any sort of parties and gatherings and force their wives and daughters to do the same. There were only a few households that didn't need to. The Krams are one of them. So why would the duke attend such a pointless ball?
'Of course he wouldn't.' she sighed dejectedly.
She went out of the hall and towards the garden to take a walk. But even the garden wasn't spared of the nobles. Yet there was a noticeable difference from the banquet hall. All nobles in the garden were actually couples. With every step she takes, the scenes before her become more and more intimate. People were publically kissing and doing other things. She could hear lewd voices.
'Agh... now I can't even take a walk! Why don't they just go somewhere and relieve themselves instead of making such shows in a public place.' she grumbled inwardly then took a turn to go back to her courtyard.
'How impolite! And they call themselves nobles!'
She was still silently complaining when she caught sight of a familiar face. It was his ice-blue eyes that caught her attention first. She walked toward him but the presence of a figure beside him stopped her. He was talking to a woman. Or rather, the woman was talking to him. Their conversation was inaudible because of their low voices, until the woman broke into tears.
'Oh! Is it a rejection?' thought Elisabeth to herself.
"WHY?! I did everything you wanted, why do you want to leave me now!" the woman cried, totally hurt.
'So it's a break up.' Elisabeth deduced. She had heard before, from the people in the palace, of the duke's popularity among women. He has it all: looks, youth, status, strength... even his cold and indifferent personality was seductive. There even was a rumour that talked of some viscount, who is a man, falling in love with him.
"There were only two, simple rules, that you should have followed; don't become clingy, don't sleep with others. You just broke them both." the duke in a very icy voice.
"I am sorry, please forgive me. Give me another chance and I swear I'll do exactly as you say. I won't send letters, won't visit you unless you call me, I won't disturb your work, and I swear I will never sleep with anyone but you. So, please...just once." The woman pleaded and begged, but the duke's expression remained unfazed.
"I throw uninteresting things away. And you're one of those." He was about to walk away when the lady grabbed his sleeve.
"David! David, please don't!" she begged, falling to her knees.
'How annoying!' he thought, clenching his teeth. He pulled his sleeve away of her hands and said with a threatening voice: "This will be the last time you ever call me by my name, Lady Drake."
Elisabeth could breathe only when the duke walked away. Though it wasn't directed at her, his aura was so suffocating that she thought she would die. She made a brain note not to get on the duke's nerves, never.
***
"What happened?" asked Nickolas with a slight frown.
"Don't worry. The negotiation with Mr. Gantley went surprisingly well." replied David while taking a seat in the armchair facing the crown prince. "He even offered us some extra services."
"Hum...then why the bad mood?" asked Nickolas with a crooked brow.
"Just bumped into some annoying being." said David with a tired sigh. "Did you annul the meeting? The Earl was supposed to be here by now."
"I thought you won't come so I postponed it since I had some important reports to go through. Only ten minutes left." answered the crown prince.
"And why did you think so?"
"Well, you didn't meet her, I assume."
"Who?"
"Your beloved doll. Jackson said she was in the banquet hall half an hour ago." When Nickolas finished his sentence, David was already striding towards the door.
"I don't think you need me anymore. Do you, your highness?"
"I can deal with the rest alone. Have fun, cousin." replied Nickolas with a cheerful voice.
"Thank you, Nick." And with that, David vanished out of the room. With long strides, he passed the long corridors and entered the banquet hall.
***
Elisabeth thought the Duke would return back to the ball, but apparently he didn't. It has been some time since then and she still couldn't find him. She wondered whether sending a letter to someone you barely know and asking for a meeting with them would be considered rude.
"Would you dance with me, my lady?"
Elisabeth turned her head to the voice's owner, only to find someone she had never expected to see; Baron Jarad. He is a fat man in his late thirties, ill mannered, self-centred, and womanizer who used to chase after her when she first came to the imperial palace. But what's making it even worse is the strong smell of alcohol emanating from him, indicating his drunken state.
"I apologize, Baron Jarad, but I was actually going back to my courtyard since I am not feeling well."
"It's but a dance, princess. Come on." he said, swaying. He extended his hand to grab hers, but was stopped in the middle.
"She already has a date." came a deep voice from behind her.
"Oh, I-I see. H-Have a n-nice time, your grace." He stuttered a greeting then swayed away bumping into the attendants on the way.
"It's alright to be impolite with people like him, your highness." said the duke in an impassive voice, clearly annoyed.
"Thank you very much for helping me, your grace." she felt really relieved with the duke's presence. At least that fat drunken pig won't dare come near her while he's around.
"Well, my services aren't for free, your highness." said David with a mischievous smile.
"E-Excuse me??"
"I saved you from a very dangerous situation. How are you going to repay my kindness, princess?"