Page 84 of The Fifth Life of Alicia
“This is but one policy.”
“And what does that policy matter if you aren’t the Grand Duchess?”
“It would be my honour to leave behind such a legacy in the event we part ways.” She met my gaze, but hers was guarded. “Know that isn’t my intention. I truly do wish to take this time to become a Grand Duchess the people of Stein deserve.”
There was a shadow to the sincerity in her gaze, and it was a shadow I knew well.
She didn’t trust me.
This was unsurprising given that she believed her father had sold her to me in exchange for a trade deal.
Perhaps she thought she was expendable to me.
The idea was laughable.
She was nothing of the sort. Even if I didn’t fully understand why, there was simply no way I could ever let this woman go after seeing the life she’d brought to the castle.
“Very well,” I said, reigning in my anger. “How long do you wish to delay our marriage?”
“Six months.”
She’d thought about this. A lot.
Perhaps I’d left her alone for too long after her arrival here.
“Until marriage or until we discuss marriage?” I questioned.
“I would be open to revisiting it at three months.”
“You seem to have put a lot of thought into this,” I said, keeping my gaze focused on her. “Almost as if you’ve planned it.”
Alicia raised her hands. “I cannot fool you. This was my intention from the moment I got word of your proposal,” she admitted, and the apprehension in her gaze cleared. “Please do not allow my feelings to impact the trade deal you agreed with my father.”
“Ha.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “Do you take me for a petty man? I don’t change my mind on a whim, and despite what you may think of me, I respect your wishes.”
She looked down. “Then please grant me this one.”
“It comes with conditions.”
“Which are?”
“As I said earlier, the Emperor believes I fell in love with you at the spring ball. When we’re in public, I expect you to act as though that is the case. Especially in the empire.”
Alicia bobbed her head. “I accept. That’s why we just purchased matching outfits, no?”
“Correct.” I tilted my head to the side. “You will slowly assume the responsibilities of the Grand Duchess during our engagement, including managing the castle and the employees.”
“That’s also reasonable.”
“And lastly, if we’re delaying our marriage, you must be aware that Empress Eudocia has not given up on you as a candidate for the Crown Princess.”
Alicia froze. “What?”
“It’s one of the reasons I intended for us to marry as quickly as possible.” I cracked my knuckles on one hand. “She vehemently opposed our betrothal, even after my father gave his consent. In her mind, you should be with my brother. The longer our engagement continues, the more confident she’ll become that she can snatch you away.”
“Why?” She reached up and pulled one of the curtains to the side to peek out of the window. “Why is she so determined to marry me to the Crown Prince?”
“Your bloodline, I’m assuming. The Lovetts were once a powerful family with divine power, but they always resisted marriage into the Imperial Family because of their close ties to the temple. Matters of religion and state have always been separate, and the temple felt that the Lovetts were too close to them to engage with the state so intimately. Things are different now. To have a daughter of the Vermillions and the Lovetts become the next Empress would secure the Sada line for at least three more generations.”
