Sitting in the drawing room on the first floor where all announced guests were received, the two dukes discussed the terms of the marriage without even glancing at the future bride. Duke Burundi watched her father carefully, his brows knitted above his dark eyes.
Despite being renowned for his great and deadly deed during the war, the young duke did not lose his elegance nor his political eye. Elin was surprised to see he wasn't a brute, but a tall slender man wearing a cold look on his otherwise handsome face.
"The union can be held as soon as possible. Let's say in a month from now?" Her father proposed.
"I would rather hasten it even more. My people need me back home and I don't want to delay this anymore than necessary. Three days are sufficient to prepare a small ceremony."
"Three days? Isn't it to haste? What would people say of such a quick wedding?"
For all his supposed worry for her daughter, duke Elsher was smiling gladly at the response. Only a few days more and he would be rid of his shame, while cleaning the path for his first born to enter the palace.
"I do not care for the opinion of the people. Yet I do care what my future wife thinks about this."
Too surprised to give an answer, Elin just stared at him wide eyed. Not many seeked her opinion on important matters, if any at all. Before she could recover, her father took over.
"Of course she agrees. Only the other day was she expressing her joy of marrying the hero of our nation. What is there not to agree with?"
Duke Burundi waited a moment for Elin's response, but she couldn't move a muscle. In the end she nodded. She had other plans and didn't want them to be ruined by going back to the dark room. Right then she had to play along.
"Then we will proceed as such," her fiancé declared.
"Good, good. If there is nothing more, I'll have to prepare for the wedding. Would my future son-in-law join me to celebrate this union with a strong drink?"
"I'll have to decline. There is still work to do before the ceremony. But I'd like to have a short talk with my future wife, to get to know her a little."
"Sure, sure, I'll excuse myself then. Until next time, duke Burundi."
"Until next time!"
After her father's departure, a heavy silence loomed in the room. Elin didn't dare to look at him, afraid he might read her mind somehow and ruin her plans.
"It is understandable if you are frightened, but I hope you give me the chance to prove to you that I am no monster. This union shouldn't be a burden to you, although I guess it looks like that at the moment."
Wilhelm studied her face carefully, not taking his eyes off her even for the shortest moment. The young woman didn't meet his gaze but faced her hands resting on her skirt instead. He noticed her eyes widened for the second time that day and wondered what kind of beast she thought he was to be so surprised by his words.
He felt his heart tightened a little as it was his wish to have a tranquil marriage, at least, based on respect if not love. But since the moment he saw Elin, he wasn't unmoved by her.
Her stunning blonde hair was gathered at the back of her head, leaving a lock to freely fall along her neck. The dress she wore was a modest one, but it complemented her skin well, leaving her slender arms at sight. Her small face had delicate features and beautiful green eyes like the dark green forest near his home. She was more beautiful than he expected. More beautiful than he dared to wish for.
However, those pretty eyes were avoiding him like the plague and the few times they made contact, he only saw fear in them. That is far from what he wanted.
"I won't impose myself on you. Not on our wedding night nor later. I'll wait until you are ready."
"What if I'll never be ready?"
It was the first time Wilhelm heard her voice and he waited a moment to register the tinkled of her voice.
"Then my wait will last forever," he tried to joke, but she stared at her knees again.
Wilhelm left his place on the sofa and knelt in front of her, to see her expression change to utter shock. His hands stretched out and held her trembling ones.
"My lady, it is not my wish to torment you in any way. The tradition must be respected and, here we are, preparing for a life together. If you agree, we can live a pleasant life together."
Elin didn't know what kind of game this man was playing. Knowing her father, he would never let her go if he had the slightest idea, she could be happy.
Yet the man in front of her looked sincere, searching for her eyes every time he talked. It almost made her resolve crush when she looked back at him. He didn't seem cold anymore, but tender and warm. If his words were true, she didn't need to go forward with such a risky plan. Could she trust this stranger?
No, she could not.
"I appreciate your care and won't forget your words. It is also my desire to live a pleasant life," she replied, cracking an awry smile at him. "If there is nothing more, I'd like to excuse myself. There are many preparations to be made…"
"Of course, it is not my intention to delay you in any way. Until we meet again, my lady."
He took her hands and kissed them slowly. She froze at the gesture. Could he actually be a nice person after all?
Elin rose from her seat and left the room. No, her plan had to continue.