Third Princess Teresa Amatas Bloom's POV
Today I, Teresa Amatas Bloom third princess of the Free Duchy of Milis met for the first time with the "Hero" invoked by our homeland, a foreign man in the broadest sense of the word "Edward D. Zenit", according to military reports this man slaughtered around 500 to 700 men by himself in a single night, an absurd number but the facts are clear he recovered the red castle on his own hitting the morale of the empire and having them retreat; personally i was expecting a bloodthirsty barbarian man full of himself and covered in that disgusting bloodlust that all generals and field marshals have, if so i would have to handle some political plots and roll the marriage proposal towards my older sister who is just a dresser princess with no real power in her charge…I don't know why father is so desperate to tie up the hero?…rumor has it that he tends to talk a lot about his upcoming defection to the demon army, is that clearly a joke? ?. As I mentally prepared myself to chat with the War Hero who is my fiancé for now.
With the indication of the maid, a tall man with black brown hair and slightly tanned skin entered the room, he did not have that ruthless and bloody air of the reports and rumors, he only gave off an aura of heaviness and calm as if he did not care. His black eyes were vacant, his gaze wide as if assessing every inch of the room.
-- Welcome to my humble home Sir Count Edward D. Zenit, or should I call you my handsome and brave fiancé~
Coming out of my own enchantment I gave a flirtatious and sweet greeting, although it's not my style I feel that if I don't this guy will just leave without saying anything to me, Sir Brise advised me to joke with him, surprisingly he has a wide sense of humor, besides of a slight alcoholism which is according to his disinterested appearance. At my greeting he just gave a forced smile and returned the joke with a frown.
-- Your highness, I think it was just a proposal that I haven't fully accepted yet, so please put the jokes aside, Brise has already told me about you, I think it's better if we go straight to business...
Perfect, this guy doesn't feel like talking, Sir Brise seems to have talked too much, the jet black orbs were looking at me coldly, the relatively young face gave the image of a man in his early or mid twenties but without any trace of ingenuity or freshness, it was the appearance of a man tanned by pain but I still have to get something out of him... let's continue.
We chatted a bit and threw some harmless jokes at each other, Edward who had let me call him Ed, had lowered his guard and no longer had that aura of heaviness and seemed more approachable so I launched the main question…
-- So Ed, why do you want to go to the demon army?
-- Princess, it's just a joke I tend to make, nothing remarkable...
He tried to change the topic but I re-asked the question.
-- Really? There is no one who makes a recurring joke without actually thinking about it seriously at least once, Ed tell me, do you want to go to the demon army?
Ed made a rather pathetic face as if his brain had gone into a scramble, his lips were trembling as if he was muttering something, but it was only for an instant before he covered his face with his hands and let out a long sigh, at which point he changed.
He looked at me with disdain and some compassion, he spoke of his thoughts with a tone that did not make it very clear if he was making fun or just being honest, a self-critical and derogatory sarcasm, I could only give a joke but he only made fun of himself himself and continued speaking, complaining about the plans of the high priest and my father, the man who has been living partially under house arrest for the last three or four months has seen through most of the plans of the high officials of the power of the nation, who is this guy really? He was upset, his sarcastic and burlesque voice became dry and hot, he only let out his frustration with hatred towards the inhabitants of this nation, he could not deny or refute any of his words since they were the truth, he has not said any lie.
I accepted this meeting because I thought that I could use this man as a tool, that I record error…
-- I see that you have more than enough reasons to think seriously about desertion; I was informed that your citation was not entirely successful and you ended up paying for our mistakes and I seriously apologize for the people of this land and for the ineptitude of my father and brother but I don't think all is lost.
I tried to calm the displeased hero, apologizing for the mistakes made by my father and brother's ineptitude but he just sneered and repeated his speech, only this time, it was completely cold, his black eyes stared at me like a snake licking all over me. body, as if it was going to devour me, I could only bear the chill on my back and keep a smile.
Edward explained how and why he hasn't defected, he also threatened me, more than a threat he just told me his possible plans for his defection, which involved taking the heads of my father, along with that of my brothers and the ministers. He scoffed and gave me a strangely satisfied smile, it is as he described himself, he is not a bloodthirsty barbarian or holy hero, he is a violent, scheming, analytical, and cynical man, devoid of bonds but strangely looking for something that call home, no family, no friends, just barely something I could call lovers/prostitutes. His question still echoes in my mind.
-- Tell me Third Crown Princess Teresa Amatas Bloom do you have something that can tie me?
How can I chain this beast? Friends, family, sex, money, this man can get it on his own anywhere on the continent, he is clearly crazy, yes this guy is crazy, but it is the Madness of Rationality that dominates him, he is calculating and objective, besides He honestly doesn't care what happens to the dukedom, the world, or his own life…Again, how can I catch him? How can I catch it and make it mine? Hey?! Own?! Yes, mine?! … my mind began to spin to search for an answer, my heart was beating rapidly while the two jet black orbs stared at me, it is those two black gems I could see my face reflected, colored by shame and the effort to find an answer… What it did not appear!
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-- Marry me!
While I was drinking the rest of the tea in front of me, the young lady in front of me shouted her proposal.
Marriage? that was her answer to my question, she trembled while showing a cute embarrassed face, a face without the dignity of a noble, a face full of fear and despair. I couldn't help but smile cynically.
-- So your answer is Marriage? I see that pretty Teresa holds herself in high esteem…
I approached her, reaching out and caressing her cheeks, taking a strand of her hair and tucking it behind her ear, she jumped a little. I smiled.
-- A very high self-esteem or is it narcissism?... In any case, we are already committed by order of the Viceroy, so unfortunately your answer does not count, but do not worry, I will give you another chance, show me that this dukedom has salvation or any other reason. to stay…by the way if someone or something happens to my pretty maids I will destroy this place whether it is the Kingdom, the Empire or the Demon King, one of those three will welcome me with open arms if I bring them the heads of the royal family as present.
I kissed the pale princess's cheek and left the room.
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I Teresa Amatas Bloom third princess of the Free Duchy of Milis, today I have made the Hero, Count Edward D. Zenit angry, he left after hearing my answer, I honestly could not think and only a "Marry me! " maybe I'm a little girl, I drowned in my own embarrassment, I could feel my face burning but he just smiled coldly and mockingly, he caressed my face gently like a lover, my shoulders and my whole body jumped at his touch but he just smiled still more giving me a cold and terrifying look. How can you act so affectionate while seeing me as trash?! He gave me another chance, while caressing me, more than a mercy it was a torture and a threat, he clearly has no respect for the Viceroy or the high priest. He kissed me on the cheek and left the room humming some song.
I could only sit on my couch watching the time go by while the tingles of his touch still felt on my skin. Afraid!!! An indescribable fear that was what filled my heart a sweet and bitter fear, I could only think of him and his words.
"...Prove to me that this dukedom has salvation or any other reason for me to stay..."
That man, Ed must be mine… love or hate are feelings that can be cultivated over time, he has already filled me with many feelings and my heart has been captivated by him, father has finally done one thing well, committing myself to Edward , he is the first and last line of defense of this dukedom but he is also the biggest enemy of it… AH! What I can do?
That night the third princess locked herself in her bedroom without sleeping, only hot and short murmurs could be heard throughout the building.