"Wait, Duke. I said don't make a decision right away. You need to think it over first," Audrey said as she also rose. She felt slightly offended by such an outright rejection.
Duke Lawress wore a wry smile. "It makes sense, Miss. Who would immediately accept a proposal from someone they don't know? You may be sure that I wouldn't deceive you, but I'm not so certain."
"I can't be sure if you are suitable to live with me or not. We need to get to know each other better first." A thin smile appeared on the man's face. Duke Lawress stepped closer and wiped the corner of Audrey's lip that had been injured.
Audrey winced slightly as Duke Lawress's thumb brushed against her wound. "Just like before, I'm rejecting your proposal, Miss. Convince me next time, and good luck."
The man walked away, showing his back, which gradually faded from view. Audrey sat down again. She took out a small mirror to check her wound. How could he be so aware and act as if Audrey was deliberately seeking sympathy?
She pressed her temple, Audrey recalled her words about plans going according to her wishes. In reality, all she had planned had fallen apart. Maybe Audrey wasn't good at this.
**
Yesterday's rejection had caused Audrey to start changing her way of thinking. What if the more she rejected, the more rejections she would receive? Yes, that must be it! Audrey would accept this fact now, hoping that her next plan wouldn't face rejection.
Now Audrey was spending time wandering around the town square. Lewis was talking about many things; she should be responding happily, right?
"Audrey, are you still mad? Come on, tell me what I need to do for your heart to feel better again, okay?" Lewis repeatedly pleaded with the blonde woman to take him back.
"I don't know. I just want to go home. Lewis, I'm sorry for being harsh with you. But I'm serious about what I said yesterday. I feel I'm not suited to continue this relationship with you."
"Why? Did I do something wrong? If so, please tell me so I can fix it." Lewis whined, almost like a baby.
Audrey replied with a slow shake of her head. "You're not the one at fault. The one at fault is me; I'm the one who's been cruel in our relationship. So, before I hurt your feelings even more, it's better if we end it here, okay?"
Lewis shook his head, quicker than Audrey had. "I don't want to. I promise I will do anything for you to accept me again."
Audrey fell silent and then suggested that Lewis should just go home. Strangely, there was a satisfying feeling in her mind. Perhaps, Audrey liked the part where Lewis had been pleading like that? It felt as if Lewis's high self-esteem had lowered just to win her back. Audrey felt satisfied.
On the other side of the place, there was Duke Lawress who had noticed the crazy woman from yesterday who proposed to him without warning. He chuckled briefly, almost having been fooled; the woman must have been joking.
"Sir, we will be leaving soon," said Radiuss, Duke Lawress's assistant and right-hand man.
"All right. Bring these gifts inside; we're going to meet the King now."
Radiuss understood, allowing Duke to enter the carriage and enjoy the ride. Upon arriving at the palace, Duke was immediately taken to meet the King, as per the invitation he had received. When he entered the King's office, Duke Lawress had a bad feeling.
"I am Lucas de Lawress, here to see Your Majesty the King." His body slightly bent in respect. The man, twice his age, nodded briefly and motioned for Lucas to sit.
"Welcome, Duke Lawress. I hope your journey was smooth and comfortable." King Victor III began to speak with pleasantries.
"Fortunately, everything went smoothly, Your Majesty."I have also prepared several gifts and will have them arranged by my assistant soon. I'm actually curious about the invitation you gave. What is it about, Your Highness?"
"Duke Lawress is indeed known for not beating around the bush. Alright, I will get straight to the point."
The servant arrived and served them light dishes and warm tea. King Victor immediately sipped his tea and resumed the conversation.
"I'm actually a bit hesitant to say this. Because after all, you will decide it for yourself. I will give you two options, which may both feel equally difficult."
Duke Lawress also enjoyed his tea. "You can just say it, Your Highness. So I can consider it right away."
"You know about the war happening in the eastern part of this kingdom, right? The Duke in charge needs a lot of help to reclaim their territory from the barbarian tribes. Your leadership, Duke, carries great power."
"And the second option?" Lucas asked.
"Marry my daughter."
***
"You turned down the marriage proposal from the King?" Radiuss looked very curious now. The man had been endlessly asking the same question since Lucas left the King's study.
"Sir, isn't that a better option? Rather than having to fight on the battlefield?"
"I'm not saying I would choose either."
"Then, are you going to choose both? I know this will be a dark love story. Because marrying a woman he does not love, Duke Lawress chooses to continue fighting and spend his valuable time on the battlefield."
Lucas let out a frustrated breath. Since when did he recruit such a dramatic assistant? Sometimes supportive, sometimes cornering him.
Lucas certainly would not choose either option. Not because he was afraid to fight, don't get me wrong, Lawress had more troops in battle compared to the Duke from the east. Lucas could easily order them to become reinforcements. The issue was just one, what reciprocal benefit would he gain by intervening?
Lucas also would not choose to marry the king's daughter. That would be a trap for him. Because if so, he would become one with the kingdom. And the leadership of his troops could be taken over by palace soldiers, sending them as reinforcements.
Lucas massaged his temples, feeling very dizzy. Two options he could not choose filled his head.
"Do you know the Howgart family?" Lucas asked Radiuss, who was busy at his desk.
"It seems I've heard of them. If I'm not mistaken, Count Howgart is the head of the family. Their family is close to people at the great temple. Rumor also says that one of his daughters received a blessing from the Almighty."
Lucas nodded briefly, gradually understanding the information Radiuss was telling him.
"Why is that, Sir?" the man asked again out of curiosity.
"Find out about them. Especially, about their daughter named Audrey Howgart."
"Pardon?"