Chapter 31 A Duchy at Stakes
They were now both seated at the table in the Grand Salon, each with a cup of tea and a well-earned breakfast before them. If the duchess had already resumed her usual composure—had she ever truly let it slip?— Oscar, on the other hand, had not yet recovered from the events of less than an hour ago.
And Lord Voston was not the foremost concern on his mind.
Surreptitiously, he cast a glance at the duchess. She drank her tea quite naturally, yet for once, she was watching him. Not furtively—rather as though she were… waiting. He cleared his throat.
“So… what was all that about? That whole matter of the… Third Prince and the broken engagement? And why conceal that our marriage is an arranged one?” he began.
There was a moment of hesitation—not the usual silence. It seemed more as though she were searching for the right words. At last, she kept her teacup in her hands, then rested them upon her lap.
“I was indeed engaged to the Emperor’s third son, Charles Regina. It was an arranged marriage, like this one, but it was the Emperor himself who initiated it. Of course, I was honoured and accepted rather… quickly. Marrying into the Imperial family meant assured prosperity for Wingfall. And the third son is hardly unpleasant. I even believe he genuinely liked me.” She paused. “Unfortunately, I had not realised that, on the contrary, the Emperor’s devouring ambition would, in time, threaten the duchy.”
“What could the Emperor possibly want from the Duchy of Wingfall? I mean…” He paused, reflecting. “Without wishing to offend you, it is a duchy with a very cold climate; I have heard the harvests are poor, and aside from the mines, the people are far from wealthy. And Wingfall is not in a strategic location within the Empire. You are bordered only by mountains that lead to desolate lands said to be inhabited by monsters. And the duchy’s other borders lie solely with the capital itself.”
She smiled, her finger tracing the rim of her cup, from which wisps of fragrant steam escaped.
“You are very perceptive, and your knowledge is extensive, even if you believe yourself lacking in your endeavours.” Lady Brynn inhaled and took a long sip of tea. “Wingfall is not merely the austere duchy you describe. Our mines harbour resources that could make even the greatest fortunes of the Empire pale with envy… beginning with that of the Emperor himself.”
There was restraint in her tone. Was she telling the whole truth? Oscar lowered his head, pensive.
“Would you grant me the honour of allowing me to visit these mines? I would like to understand precisely what the Emperor covets.”
The duchess raised an eyebrow, surprised by the request.
“Well, we would need to plan a stay of one to three days, but it is entirely possible. I will see to it, yes. We might even manage it before the Winter Ball, if it interests you so greatly.”
The young lord had not expected such a swift answer and inclined his head in thanks.
“That is very kind of you. As for the Emperor…” He continued, “By marrying you, should I understand that I have just made an enemy of the very man at the head of the Empire?”
“Let us say that… it is not the most peaceful of marriages, I fear.”
She too paused, and silence stretched between them, enveloping them both.
The rays of the morning sun bathed the room in a tender light tinged with melancholy, and yet, there were only the two of them that mattered within the space. Only the two of them.
The young lord sighed, turning his gaze toward the sky visible through the window, though it was partially obscured by pine trees.
“You could have told me beforehand that this was a trap—and a quagmire from which it might prove difficult to escape.”
“Oscar,” she called softly.
He turned toward her, surprised. His heart began to pound in his chest. It was, in effect, the first time she had addressed him solely by his given name.
The duchess was watching him; her emerald eyes sought the sky-blue gaze of the young man. She took his hands in a very gentle gesture.
“I will protect you.”
The gesture embarrassed him; he was still not at ease with such sudden contact… And yet, for nothing in the world would he have withdrawn his hand.
“I—” he began.
He wanted to protest.
She placed a finger upon his lips.
“I am sorry,” she said sincerely. “You have every reason to be angry, but… I need this marriage, and I know that standing against the Emperor is not a matter to be taken lightly. And I will readily admit it—I chose you because you were the perfect candidate, because your duchy is ruined, and because your father seemed particularly motivated by the financial reward, but…”
The young lord’s heart raced wildly; he could hear his blood pounding in his temples. There were a thousand things he wished to say—truly—but… He closed his eyes, losing himself in her touch. He inclined his head, listening.
“The few weeks you have now spent here have taught me that you are a remarkable young man, with many fine qualities. And though I cannot free you from this arranged union that is vital to me, I will protect you—I swear it.”
The duchess’s words struck true. Something, somewhere deep within Oscar’s heart, resonated with them. He felt everything all at once.
“How could you reasonably promise such a thing?” he murmured, lowering his gaze to their intertwined hands. “How could you promise me that when the Emperor possesses infinite resources and hundreds of followers throughout this Empire that is his? Do you think I will fall for a few hollow promises spoken into the wind?”
He spoke in a low voice, his gaze heavy with implication.
But when he lifted his eyes, and when once again their gazes locked, he could not pull himself away from Brynn.
She smiled. It was not one of her usual smiles—those that were satisfied, mysterious, or arrogant. Nor was it one of those smiles that concealed precious information. This one was filled only with regret and a trace of melancholy. Oscar had never seen such… vulnerability in her gaze.
“I cannot elaborate on the matter—it is… complicated. But I promise you, I will protect you,” she whispered once more.
And this time, he wanted to believe her.