"…I'm sorry, My Lord? Can you repeat that?" Princess Dione felt as if she could not possibly be hearing right.
Azriel leaned forward, his elbows now resting on his knees as he spoke more slowly this time, emphasizing every word, "Let me reiterate. I would like to marry you, Princess Dione."
Dione chuckled dryly, "Is this some type of confession? Love at first sight? Are you sure you're not missing a couple of steps?"
"Would it matter if it was? What I mean is, I would like to make a marriage contract with you. You do not wish to marry the Marquess, that old man, and I do not wish to marry Princess Valerie. Isn't that already beneficial enough?"
That was true, their union together would be quite beneficial. Dione had come to the ball tonight to seek out someone she could form a marriage contract with but she had never once even considered the Duke. Not only were the rumors surrounding his nature terrible but he was also the man that her sister loved and Valerie was someone she could not afford to cross.
In truth, she had already prepared for her brother to reject the idea of calling off the marriage. So, she already had someone she knew well in mind for establishing the contract marriage and did not need the Duke's help.
"With all due respect My Lord, I don't understand why you won't just marry Princess Valerie. As you know, my father is dead. I am no longer the favored Princess of the Salian Empire, instead, they wish to be rid of me as soon as possible. Valerie can bring you many more benefits than I could."
"I do not love her." It was a simple answer. A simple answer that still brought many unanswered questions.
"But she loves you."
"No, she does not. She merely sees me as a conquest, a challenge to be won. I doubt that a woman like her is even capable of loving someone other than themselves."
"What about me? There is no love between us. I do not wish to marry a stranger nor do I wish to marry someone I do not love. I'm sorry, but I cannot accept your offer Duke Devland."
It was true. She refused to marry the Marquess not only because he was twice her age and notorious for being an adulterer but also because she did not know and could never love him. It may be seen as a luxury for a princess but ever since she was young her parents had given her many freedoms and her marriage was one of them. Until her father died suddenly, she was prepared to marry out of love and not obligation.
She simply could not bend to this.
There was a long pause. Azriel stared at her and Dione stared right back, meeting his gaze evenly.
"If you agree to marry me now you will not have to marry the Marquess. Even the Emperor himself would not be able to touch you."
"I do not care. I will not marry the Marquess regardless."
"You have a plan?"
"That does not concern you, Duke Devland."
The Duke went silent. He simply could not understand why Princess Dione rejected him - there were countless women flocking to his side with ideas of seducing him. Wasn't the title of Duchess Devland enticing? If not that, was his looks not enough to win her over? Had he actually regressed in terms of looks and not known it? Was he no longer the sinful fantasy, the guilty pleasure of all noble women?
No, no. That couldn't possibly be it. If it had, Princess Valerie would be the first to throw him aside and he would not need to stoop so low as to beg for a marriage with a pitiful princess.
She had much more to lose than he did. In his case, marrying Princess Valerie would put him in a disadvantageous position, contrary to popular belief. This was the reason he sought out Princess Dione, they were in similar positions and it should have been a no-brainer.
But she actually rejected him.
With a matter-of-fact tone, he said, "There is someone you love."
"Yes." She nodded in confirmation.
What was the use in denying it? She wanted to make the Duke give up the idea of marrying her immediately and it was better to be truthful in this aspect. He did not love her and she could never love him.
"Do you really believe love is enough? Emperor William may be new to the throne but he has been building his power since he was young. Not only that but his maternal grandfather is Prime Minister Alastair - he is not someone that can't deal with a powerless Princess. Love cannot protect you, I am your only choice, Your Highness. There is no one else you can rely on."
Clack.
Dione set down the cup of tea in her hand rather harshly. Her expression was dark as she glared across the small coffee table at the Duke. Her voice was chilly, "Duke, you have no right to concern yourself with my affairs. I'm sure there are plenty of respectable ladies here tonight who would be more than happy to take you up on your offer. I, a powerless princess, however, am not one of them."
With that, she readily stood up and started towards the door.
"I did not mean it like that, Your Highness."
Dione did not turn around. With her hand on the door handle she said, "Regardless, we are strangers. There is no need to explain yourself to me and I hope that our paths do not cross again. Goodbye, Duke Devland."
Azriel did not prevent her from leaving this time. He knew that in this instance, he had truly gotten ahead of himself.
"Hah," He dragged a long hand over his face and leaned all the way back into the couch. He looked at the door in the direction that she had gone and whispered her name to himself, savoring the syllables on his tongue.
—————
"How dare you barbarians stop me in my own home?! Azriel! Azriel!"
Azriel has only just left the lounge room when he hears the commotion. He doesn't have to think to understand that the culprit is the last person he wants to see - Princess Valerie.
His suspicions are correct when he rounds the corner and sees her badgering two of his men.
"Princess Valerie please, we are just following the Duke's orders. His Majesty the Emperor granted him this personal lounge and no one else is allowed inside." One of his men, Caleb, says in exasperation. Both men are forced to use their bodies to block the Princess from moving forward since they do not dare to touch her. They can only hope that the Duke returns quickly and handles this himself.
Princess Valerie refused to give up, "Tonight, the Emperor is announcing our engagement. I will be Duchess Devland soon enough and the first thing I'll do is have your necks for treating me this way! Do you understand me you low-life barbarians?!"
The Duke's expression immediately darkened when he heard her refer to his men as barbarians repeatedly. This had always been a sore spot for him and his people and most people had learned by now to never speak the word in his presence.
"Let the Princess enter the resting room."
Both men and Valerie turned in the direction of the voice. The Duke did not wait for her as he entered the lounge room again. She arrogantly raised her head and directly walked past the two men to follow behind the Duke.