"I advise that you watch your tone viscount; do not forget with whom you are speaking with." Easton said holding the hilt of his sword that was helplessly dangled by his side.
He was already in a bad mood by their presence here. He would not even think twice before finding an excuse to end the life of this man right here.
Dariel, remembering that the prince's chief guard, the most ruthless fighter in the entire kingdom was very much nearby realized that he had no other choice than to remain calm.
"Stand down." Ian said with a wave of his hand. Easton untensed himself standing back leisurely, however, his eyes remained fixed on Dariel, watching his every move.
"I apologize for his guard's rude interruption, but he is right, do not forget whom you are speaking to viscount. After all, we would not like for you to lose any limbs." Dariel's eyes became wary as he spoke. "Like a finger for example." Ian smiled, Dariel's eyes landed on his hands.
"You offended me your highness." Dariel stated, his tone more relaxed than before. "The last thing I want to do is give my daughter to you." Ian scoffed.
"Are you sure about that viscount?" he laughed. "Just yesterday you refused to give me her hand in marriage, and today you change your mind and agree."
"Is that not enough reason for me to deem you unserious?" he smiled.
"As I said earlier, it is her request." Dariel responded. Ian shook his head, this man was really so proud to the extent he could not admit his greed.
"And I repeat, you would not honour her request if there is no gain for you." Dariel looked at Ian, his eyes narrowed.
So what if he agreed for his own gain? Who was Ian to reprimand him? He was only a pampered son, a child that had known no sorrow. He was born into wealth, he and his father, all they did was eat and reap from sowing that they had not done.
"What is good for the rat is good for the cat." Dariel simply replied. Ian smiled, at least now he could see where Angelica had gotten her brashness and confidence from. Only that she had it in a much greater amount which was more flattering for her considering she was a woman.
"Alright, enough with the dawdling." Ian said. "What would you like as a bride price?" he asked.
Dariel smiled as if he had seen the best meal he had ever eaten. His eyes glimmered.
"I want the title of duke." he replied instantly.
Easton's eyes popped out of his head, what a sordid request! The title of duke was only bestowed by birthright, you could not just give someone a title, it was impossible!
Easton knew better than to speak at this moment. Although he was shocked, he kept silent.
"Consider it done." Ian replied incautiously. Dariel's eyes became brighter, as if he had just realized that everything he asked for in this moment would be granted.
"Aside from that, I want a better home, preferably one in the highlands." Dariel smiled. Easton felt like screaming. Who was this man to ask for such a thing?
Ian just smiled amused recalling that Angelica had predicted this exact request.
"Not possible." Ian said plainly.
"How come?!" Dariel asked. "Viscount, may I remind you that there are no unoccupied houses in the highlands." he heard Ian say.
"Then not necessarily the highlands, somewhere else." Dariel continued.
"Viscount Dariel, that will not be possible. Your home will remain just that, yours." Dariel heard him say, wondering why he cared so much.
"This home as remained in your family for generations, it should remain that way." Dariel's face contorted.
"This home can burn down or be handed to my blasted half-brother for all I care!" he responded.
"It will remain in your family, owned by you, that is final." Dariel's face turned red from rage. Who was this man to tell him such a thing!
"If you believe otherwise then this marriage proposal is off." Ian stated plainly.
"You surely cannot be serious." Dariel scoffed.
"As serious as day." Dariel could see the unwavering seriousness in Ian's tone. He was so close to achieving his plans, he did not want anything to jeopardize this for him.
"Alright, fine..." he reluctantly replied.
"Wonderful." Ian smiled.
"However, considering that my title will be changed from viscount to duke, my stipends should increase as well." Easton felt like shouting out loud. The sheer audacity of this man was unbelieavble.
Ian scoffed, this man was truly greed and he did not care to be seen that way. This was truly remarkable.
"If money is what you are concerned about, do not be." Ian stated. "Being my in law will provide you with much more money than you can imagine." Ian did not sound boastful, rather he sounded like he was speaking a fact.
"In that case, everything is settled then." Dariel smiled satisfied.
"I believe so, but one more thing viscount, if you even dare try to sell this house behind my back, you will face my full wrath." The menacing tone of his voice could not be missed.
Dariel himself felt a chill run down his spine. He had never felt that in a long time.
"Of course..." he smiled.
"Good, and what of your wife? What is her opinion on the matter?" Ian suddenly asked. It just occurred to him that Angelica still had a mother, and yet throughout these meetings, he had only spoke to her father.
"She is upset, but I doubt that matters. After all, it is not her choice." Dariel replied almost scoffing.
"I see, because it is your choice." Ian replied smiling. Dariel had said one thing, however, he had heard another.
Simple put, it was evident that Dariel did not value the opinion of his own wife. Ian was not surprised, considering that this man was known for his great wickedness and greed. He had a feeling that everyone in this household lived in constant fear of him.
"You and I both know that women's opinions do not matter." Dariel stated.
"On the contrary viscount, I believe a woman's voice matters." Dariel narrowed his eyes. "After all, if a woman does not agree to marry you and instead you forcefully marry her, that makes you a monster does it not?" Ian smiled.
Dariel was wary to answer his question. He had a feeling that no matter the reply he gave, Ian would find someway to use it against him.
"Everyone has their different opinions." he managed to conclude.
"You are correct, everyone does have their own opinions." Ian replied.
"I do not know about you viscount, but if my wife was earnestly against me giving out my own daughter, I would consider her words." Dariel saw Ian smile derisively once more.
"What is done is done." he replied. "And I do not know about you your highness, but a real man does not go back on his word."
"I agree viscount, I agree." Ian smiled.
"You do not have to worry about that. We have reached an agreement." he answered.
"Good." Dariel replied.
"In more serious matters, I wish to speak to your daughter." Dariel did not know why, but those words instantly set him on edge.
They had already reached an agreement, and it would be foolish of him to refuse Ian this simple request.
"Is something the matter?" Ian asked, Dariel's silence was definitely strange.
Dariel's ears perked up, and so did Angelica's who had been listening from behind the door. A very nasty habit of hers that often got her father enraged, but she could not help it, she needed to know what they discussed.
"Nothing is the matter your highness." Dariel finally replied.
"According to custom, you are not to see my daughter until your father is well informed of betrothment." Ian chuckled, he had expected Dariel to hide behind custom.
"That is so, however, this concerns my life, my future, I believe custom can be set aside for once." Ian replied.
Dariel had no more excuses to hide behind, thus he had no choice but to agree.
"Alright my prince, anyway you would have it." he responded. "I am sure that my daughter is in her study."
"I wish to see her now before I leave." Ian said seriously.
Angelica took that as her cue to leave before her presence was discovered.
"Consider it done." Dariel smiled nervously. He hoped that Angelica would not say anything to derail his plans, and he hoped that this prince would not tell Angelica what they had agreed on.
"Wonderful." Ian grinned.
The two men in the room seemed satisfied, all except for Easton who due to his several years of brutal training was unable to speak his mind out in such a crucial moment.
He did not care what Ian said, today he would tell the king all his son had been up to.