Their deal

A friend had kissed her hand once. She was fourteen then, and she liked him too, so the day he left she’d felt brave and gave it back to him with a peck on his cheek. Perhaps it was because those emotions had long faded away, but Elena did not think those demonstrations of affection had made her feel as agitated as she was feeling at that moment.

The Duke greeted her by taking her hand to his lips, (they lingered on her fingers for longer than necessary, teasingly). Elena was sure he did not say good morning this way to every lady, it was his attempt to charm her, to test her.

Did he want her to like him?

His offer was good enough, but one thing he’d certainly not mentioned was affection. (Not that she expected it, because it’d be absurd for a noble to think about love when it came to marriage. Some were lucky to have it, but it was just that, luck.)

“I thought you’d be at the temple at this hour. But if you are not busy, do you mind accompanying me for a walk?”

He offered his arm to her, in a way she had no choice but to take it. “Of course, Your Excellency. Is there anything in particular that you’d like to see?”

Elena wished she was able to say that it did not affect her at all, but the little skin he’d touched was itching, and her heart was beating faster than it probably should.

“Since you’re asking, yesterday your father talked about the lagoon on the south side of the estate.”

“That’s a bit far from here to go walking.”

“We could ride there if you prefer that.”

It had been a while since she had the chance to sneak out to the horse stables, so the idea was a bit tempting. However, she had already promised Veronica to join her in a ride later that day… and Laila was supposed to come with her, what would the Dorias think if she just went on a short escapade with a single man on her own?

“Let’s just walk. Laila, why don’t you go to pick warm coats for us? You haven’t seen much of the estate yet, this is also a good chance to start.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“We’ll wait down in the hall.”

She noticed the smirk that appeared in Ivar’s face, and as soon as Laila was far enough from them her polite tone also changed into a frown.

“What is it that you find so amusing, Your Grace?”

“Only how you consider cold this mild weather. It reminds me you haven’t been outside of Vallas yet.”

“Well, most people don’t leave their country unless they have to, right?” But he had to leave Raeden and come all the way here following his mother. “You say that because you weren’t born here, Your Grace. And isn’t that a bit strange. Yesterday you called Marquis Doria an old man, but aren’t you around the same age? Aren’t you using magic to look younger?”

He just shrugged. “Age is a relative thing. I’m not using magic, but my secret is one I cannot share with outsiders.”

“Did you share it with your first wife?” The one who passed away only a week after the marriage.

“You sure are full of questions this morning.”

“It’s only natural. I need to weigh my options.”

He still did not answer her questions when they reached the final step of the staircase, and Elena didn’t think he would, so it surprised her when he actually spoke about it.

“The rumours about Lorena Giorgio aren’t true, if that’s what you fear. My late wife killed herself.”

Why?

She stared at him, but the question did not slip out of her lips.

“Elena, I do believe what I offer you benefits you more than anything the Marquis or some other suitor can give to you, but there is one thing you should be clear about, I see marriage as a deal to help each other out. Don’t expect anything else.”

It was a relief he was so honest regarding this. Before she had the chance to reply, though, Laila had come back with her coat and the three of them headed out to the lake.

***

The cold wind as they rode faster through the field was burning Elena’s cheeks, but it was exhilarating.

“You’re too good at this. It’s hard to catch up with you.” Veronica said, catching her breath as they halted near the marks that signaled the beginning of the forest.

“I’ve had Reina for years now, we understand each other pretty well.” Elena caressed Reina’s crest. “Isn’t that right, girl?”

“It’ll be good to have you in our manor, Elena.” Veronica said with a smile.

Her high spirits suddenly died, and the smile on Elena’s face faded as she glanced at the young woman. They both knew what was going on with this visit, so there was no point in denying it.

“Do you really want me as a stepmother? I thought you were being educated to be your father’s successor. How can you be okay with this?”

Veronica was startled by her blunt words, and after a short moment of silence decided to be honest as well.

“I’m not thrilled with his decision, that’s true. I was hoping… but my father is a good man and he also deals with the pressure from his vasals and distant family members. If he needs to marry again and have a proper heir, I’d like his new wife to be someone like you.”

Elena found all of that to be sickening. Once again, she was struck with the absurdity of the whole thing. Why was she being sold to someone simply to have children? Even if she complied and did everything well, if she didn’t have a son she would still be disgraced.

Why couldn’t she at least have a say in the matter? Veronica spoke about the marriage as a certain thing because as soon as her parents agreed on it, there was nothing she could do.

It was hard to breathe.

“We should go back to the manor.” She managed to say.

“Don’t be upset. I know my father is a bit old, and he doesn’t have the Duke’s looks, but he is the best option for you, isn’t it? I heard about what happened with Earl Montenegro.”

This reminder was met with silence, and when she turned back towards the Manor, Veronica quickly followed her.

That morning, when she was sight-seeing the lands near the lake with Ivar and Laila by her side, Elena felt she actually had the power to decide and reject Ivar’s offer, but she was deluding herself.

Now she was reminded that her time was over.

And even if it was the only time she could take her fate into her own hands, it was worth the risk.

***

Striding towards Ivar’s rooms, Elena did not care anymore about what others would say if they saw her, and she knocked at his door with determination.

The person who opened it to her wasn’t Ivar, but his assistant, a tall man with long, blond hair. She didn’t know his name.

“I need to talk to His Grace.”

“Wait for a second, please, my lady.”

It was truly ten seconds, she counted them as she fidgeted with the sleeves of her dress.

“Elena?”

She raised her chin to look at him in the eye.

“You will have me learn magic and then I help you find that precious item you have been searching for, right? Besides that, I am free to do what I want with my life. Do we stay married after you’ve got what you need?”

“That’s up to you. Since you’ll become my ally, if you want to leave at any moment after I get what I need, you are free to go.” He was as calm as ever as he looked at her with sympathy, and she hated that he knew exactly how desperate she was. “If you want to stay, I promise you protection and freedom.”

It had to be enough for her, she decided.

“Fine. I’ll marry you.”