Chapter 43 Marriage Alliance

Chapter 43 Marriage Alliance

Caspian watched him leave, then exhaled quietly. "He's quite... protective of you."

Elena turned to face him, her tone defensive. "He's just doing his job."

"Mm," Caspian murmured, unconvinced. "I've seen men guard presidents with less intensity."

She rolled her eyes, though the faint blush on her cheeks betrayed her. "You're reading too much into it."

"Am I?" he asked softly.

Elena looked away, her gaze falling on the fountain again. "Let's not talk about him."

Caspian nodded slowly. "Fair enough."

They stood in silence for a while, the gentle splash of the fountain filling the air. Then Caspian spoke again, his voice quieter this time - sincere even.

"Lina... I didn't come here just for the business dinner." He suddenly blurted.

Elena's head snapped toward him. "Huh? What do you mean, Cas?"

He hesitated, his eyes searching hers. "I don't know how to tell you this. Or perhaps this isn't the right time. But... Your father and mine have been in talks for months. There's a merger in the works - something big. But your father had one... specific condition."

"What condition?" she asked, her tone cautious. Dread took over her instantly.

Caspian's gaze didn't waver. He took in a deep breath and blurted... "That I marry you."

The words struck her like a blow. She blinked, unsure if she'd heard correctly. "Wh - what did you just say?"

Caspian sighed softly. "He didn't want to surprise you tonight. I guess he planned to talk to you after dinner. But I thought you should hear it from me first."

He lied. He told her because he didn't like how close she seemed to her bodyguard. Caspian couldn't risk anything. He came back for her, and he would make sure to eliminate anyone who stood in his way.

Elena's mind spun. Her father's voice from the dinner table echoed faintly in her head - "The Lancasters and the Volkovs - may our bond grow stronger than ever."

Stronger than ever.

She felt suddenly cold.

Caspian stepped closer, his tone careful. "I don't want to force anything, Lina. I came here out of respect. But your father's plans... they're serious. He sees this marriage as the key to uniting both families permanently."

Elena drew in a shaky breath before asking. "And what about you? Do you see it that way?"

Caspian hesitated. "I see it as an opportunity - but not just for business." His eyes softened. "I've always cared for you, even when we were young. That hasn't changed. Having you as my wife would be the best thing in my life."

Elena's lips parted, but no words came out. Inwardly, she was crying, yelling, and breaking. But outwardly, she kept a calm and composed demeanor like the Lancaster princess she was.

Behind the trees, unseen by either of them, Damian stood frozen.

He had returned - against his better judgment, against every ounce of self-control - and heard everything.

His fingers dug into the bark of the tree beside him, his mind spinning.

Marry her?

The word echoed in his skull like a mantra.

The woman he'd sworn to protect - the woman who had somehow become his weakness - was now the pawn in Victor's grand game.

Elena finally managed to whisper, "I need to think."

Caspian nodded respectfully. "Of course. I didn't mean to overwhelm you."

He offered his hand gently. "Friends, then? For now."

After a long moment, she placed her hand in his. "Friends."

But the warmth of his grip didn't comfort her. If anything, it made her heart ache even more - not because of Caspian, but because she could feel the eyes watching her from the shadows.

"I... I need to go back to the house." Elena whispered.

"Oh, yeah. We've been out here for a long time. Come on, let's go." Caspian said softly as the gentleman he was.

When he walked her back toward the mansion, Damian was already gone.

Despite Elena looking around to get a glimpse of him, he was nowhere to be found.

Inside, Victor stood by the balcony, sipping whiskey with a victorious smile.

Seeing his daughter walking with Caspian made his pride swell.

"Everything is falling perfectly into place," he murmured to himself.

But if he had looked closer - just beyond the lights of the mansion - he would have seen the shadow standing under the oak tree, fists clenched, and eyes burning with fury.

Damian's breathing was ragged, his heart pounding with emotions he could no longer bury.

He had spent years building his revenge, brick by brick, cold, and calculated. But tonight, watching Victor smile, watching Elena laugh with another man earlier, and now, hearing about her marriage made something in him crack.

It wasn't part of the plan. She wasn't supposed to matter.

And yet, she did. More than she ever should.

"Enjoy your victory while you can, Victor Lancaster."

Damian’s voice was low, laced with a darkness that made even the night still.

"Because when the truth comes out... your perfect little world will burn."