My question fell on deaf ears, so I inquired again:" How are you planning to do that, sir?"
Hebron sat forward, elbows on his knees and eyes on me. He cleared his throat before he said:" That can be arranged easily, but I need your cooperation."
Why else was I in this room at this hour with the man I favored the least?
" Allright then. You have it. Now spell. It. Out !" I said emphasizing every syllabus, agitated. Why is he dragging this for longer than necessary?
" Well, I... In a few weeks I will send a proposal to the emperor, asking him for your hand in marriage."
I'm sorry what?
" No. No you will not and no we will not get married!"
He looked taken back by my reaction, so I added:" Did you expect me to be thrilled by your proposal? I do not like you Hebron! Six years of no contact did not change that! Nothing can change it! Why would I trap my-"
" Do not think I offered this out of affection to you," he cut me off " this is my plan to help you, and if it wasn't a very affective plan then trust me, I would NOT marry your willingly, or even think of it."
chivalry is in fact, not dead. My dignity though?
He continued, unaware of my wounded pride.
" We have no other choice, we have to get married in order to achieve our goals"
What were his goals anyway? And why is he refusing to tell me?
" No we can't, and it won't work if we try it. The marriage constitution in Esteria is bad enough, and whether it's one of convenience or not, marriage can not be built on such a weak base"
" A weak base?" he said, almost looking offended " what do you mean by weak? Do you think our union would be weak? You and me? We would become invincible!"
" But we do not like eachother! And no I'm not speaking of romantic feelings, but of familiarity and acceptance. Marriage is the base of societies and nations, thus Tanery does not make light of it. A married couple need to be compatible, fond of one another, and have some sort of acceptance toward the other. I admit love isn't essential but we lack so much more!" I finished, out of breath.
He strode across the room, grabbed me by the shoulders and said with determination:" Can't you see it? If we were not compatible who would be? Why else do you think we're the best at what we do? We are good together Huaria. And I admit it, we might not be fond of one another but we can become friends, companions maybe. You want a companion, do you not?" He asked with hope.
" It is not easy, I-"
" It can happen Ria, we can manage it. If anyone is up to the challenge it is us."
I shook off his hands, unable to meet his eyes.
" No I... I can't. I want to achieve something and getting married for that would only prove to my family that I can not do it one my own. Besides, there's already a man I am considering for marriage so this won't be right." I have only discussed this with my father, I think he is yet to offer my hand to the man, but he remains the best candidat I had in mind.
Hebron took a step back, eyes distant as he took it in. After a moment he walked to the window, still avoiding my gaze. He looked in deep thought, so I walked up to him and sat by the windowsill.
" We have to find another way." Said he after long silence.
Leaning my head back I took him in, he was very determined, so I asked:" Why? What is so important to you that you want to put yourself in such a position."
He let out a breath, brows furrowed and eyes narrow. Judging by his look he didn't want to speak but I wasn't about to let this go.
" I need to find a way to secure my position as the crown prince's trustee, and by being married to you, a princess of one of the most powerful empires, I will gain power he can not turn a blind eye to."
The crown prince of Esteria was in the academy, with me and Hebron, and he was my friend as well. He knew of our rivalry and most importantly he witnessed our latest dispute. How did he expect him to believe our marriage?
" So you wanted me, as your wife, to put in a good word for you? I could still do that."
Hebron shook his head," No," he said, " he only needs a family with a strong alliance to a foreign company, and that I would've been. Now help me find another plan." As far as I know, a crown prince supported by the Whingston dukedome would still be strong enough to secure the throne, so there must be other things he is not telling me.
" You want an alliance with me, right?"
" Yes. That's all I need."
" Then I have just the idea. However I do not know what the Naib would think of our change in dynamics, especially after the stunt you pulled this morning. I worry he might be an inconvenience though his approval, or anyone's, is not necessary for what I have in mind."
" I am listening"
We stayed there for another hour, discussing my plans till we reached an agreement. We shook hands, and agreed to meet again tomorrow.
By the time I got to my room, exhaustion downed on me and I crashed on my bed without even changing.