The tall young man turned around, revealing a face that closely resembled Rome's, but with slight differences. Lady Emilia's heart pounded in her chest as she stared at him in disbelief.
The man answered, gently but firmly, "Pardon me, my lady, but I am not Rome."
A wave of feelings washed over Lady Emilia. She had been missing her husband so much she had confused him with another man.
"I apologize," she said, blushing with shame.
Duke Matheo looked at her closely, his sharp eyes observing her response with a raised eyebrow.
In a formal tone, he said, "Lady Emilia, it's time for us to discuss our engagement."
As soon as their engagement was mentioned, Lady Emilia's heart fell.
As soon as their engagement was mentioned, Lady Emilia's heart fell. Since her father had planned this event without taking her feelings into account, she had been dreading it.
Her voice faltered a little as she said, "Duke Matheo, I must confess that I am not sure if I am ready to proceed with this engagement."
Duke Matheo's eyes narrowed and his face stiffened.
His statements caused Lady Emilia to feel a wave of frustration. She was angry at being made to marry a man she hardly knew or cared about, and at being used like a pawn in a political game.
Her tone was determined as she said, "I know how important our families are to each other, but I cannot marry someone I do not love."
Duke Matheo's eyes glowed with annoyance as his jaw tightened.
Lady Emilia's expression of defiance wore thin on Duke Matheo. His wrath was hardly contained as his nostrils flared and his hands clinched at his sides.
His voice was barely controlled anger as he growled, "Lady Emilia, you speak of love as if it were a trivial matter, but you fail to grasp the gravity of our situation." "This union is not about your personal whims or desires. It is about securing the future of our families, our lands, and our people!"
Despite the storm that was building in Duke Matheo's eyes, Lady Emilia held her ground and kept her chin high.
With a frightening stride forward, he cast a shadow over Lady Emilia, making her heart skip a beat. Lady Emilia remembers his previous husband and how radically different he is.
He roared, "You dare to question me, Lady Emilia?" as his voice reverberated across the space. "You will marry me, whether you like it or not, and you will fulfill your duties as my wife!"
Lady Emilia's eyes blazed with resolve as she refused to back down.
She spoke calmly through the turmoil inside of her, "Duke Matheo, I will not be forced into a loveless marriage." "I will fight for my freedom and my right to choose my own path!"
Lady Emilia's disobedience caused Duke Matheo's eyes to flare with anger. He drew in closer, his breath hot against her cheek as his grip tightened around her arm and his fingers dug into her skin.
He growled, his voice low and intimidating, "You think you have a choice in this matter?" "You belong to me now, Lady Emilia. Your desires, your dreams—they are inconsequential. All that matters is obedience to your duty."
Fear threatened to engulf Lady Emilia, but her will did not waver.
Duke leaned over her shoulder and asked her to please.
With a twinge of pity at Duke Matheo's abrupt transformation, Lady Emilia's determination was slightly loosened by a trace of empathy.
Her voice softened with pity as she replied, "Duke Matheo, I understand the weight of our circumstances, and I do not wish for conflict between us." "But I cannot simply acquiesce to a fate that I did not choose for myself. I implore you to consider the desires of both our hearts."
Lady Emilia's request caused Duke Matheo's features to soften, a glint of regret to pass across his face.
When Duke Matheo could not bring himself to talk to Lady Emilia about their engagement, he left the study room.
Duke Matheo's look as he left Lady Emilia's side revealed a range of feelings, including remorse, confusion, and maybe even a hint of respect for her unshakable determination. Her words had aroused something deeper inside him, even though his fury had been stoked by his pride and duty at first.
Lady Emilia was alone in the peaceful study when she suddenly felt a wave of relief. She knew her plea had not gone unanswered, even if the tension was still very much present.