Bellin, who had just finished combing her hair, bowed to Stephan while picking up the fallen strands from off the floor.
I will leave first to prepare for Your Highnesss arrival, the maid said.
As soon as Bellin went out, Stephan instantly searched for Teer. He found her lying in the bed and picked her up. He held her tightly as he spoke.
Its been a long ti since I saw you. Teer too.
Gris knew that Stephan did not hug Teer because he was excited to see her. It was only because he needed sothing to use as a hand warr due to the cold weather.
Stephan buried his hand in Teers belly, as expected. Teer fluttered her feet with surprise but Stephan did not care.
Ive been to Talsburg, he continued, Its a place like the size of my palm. I dont know whats so good about it.
If it was any normal day, Gris would have just overlooked it, but this ti, she sought to gather more information from Stephan because she wanted to search for his weakness.
In Talsburg? Gris asked, raising her crescent-shaped eyebrows.
Stephan nodded.
Its a fingernail-sized estate.
Oh
I brought so good news on my way back. Your playmates, Dirk and Adele, will arrive within two days. The two are siblings. Dirk is the sa age as you, and Adele is two years younger.
His delivery almost sounded like a command to Gris to rember everything clearly. Stephan drank so of the black tea that had been laid out on the table. Gris looked at him and noted how splendidly he was dressed today.
Are you directly communicating with that family? she asked.
Stephan settled comfortably against the table.
Yes, Stephan answered, I have been negotiating with Dirks mother regarding your marriage with her son.
When my mother returns, I will suggest holding your social debut banquet. Dirk will be with you by then, so be good.
The more she listened to what he was saying, the more it seed as if he had already planned everything. He had called on Dirk to stay at the Byrenhag Estate in order to lay down his intent for their marriage. Gris could distinctly see Stephans inner machinations laid bare.
However, she wondered why Stephan was hurrying all of his plans. Suspicious of what was really happening, Gris asked him in a rather low tone.
Do you really intend to arrange my marriage?
Stephan savored the aroma of the black tea for a while before opening his mouth.
Yes. The good and innocent Dirk will not even know that you are not a virgin.
Icareso much about you, and, in any case, you might get caught.
As he continued speaking, his eyes gradually narrowed. Gris, who did not want to stir his doubts, promptly responded.
No, I also want to leave this mansion as soon as possible.
Really?
But, I wonder what I can obtain from this marriage.
Griss reddish eyes scoured for his weakness. She was trying to find out why Stephan was planning this and why he was willing to let go of his fake niece.
Fortunately, because Gris spoke in a roundabout way, Stephans doubts were not triggered, but he seed a little surprised, as if clueless as to how a woman could take control of her own life despite the threats aid at her.
What do you hope to obtain?
His question held an air of suspicion while he smiled and nodded wryly. There must have been a limit to his threats, which ant that it was now better to make her his partner instead of his pawn.
All you can get is a kind but foolish husband.
When it cos to his face, it is better than usual.
Gris acted interested while imagining what Dirk looked like. Then, she sat on the bed and looked out the window.
How about you, Your Excellency? she asked covertly.
?
After a brief pause, Stephan expressed his intentions more easily than she had imagined.
I will gain a powerful alliance.
Perhaps the alliance he described was Dirks family. But for what purpose did Stephan need a strong ally?
She had one guess. Stephan lacked the military power to stand against the Grand Duke, so it was only clear that he was preparing resources to take the Dukes power away.
Gris head swirled with various thoughts. She didnt know how to act in this situation. She wanted to tell the Grand Duke or his grandmother, but she had no evidence to corroborate her claims. She surmised that it was better to wait until they began to notice sothing amiss since they were the kind of people accustod to war and conflicts.
As Gris struggled with her thoughts, Stephan opened his eyes sharply as if in warning.
You will help make Dirks family empower . Otherwise, I will reveal your origin to them.
Ah
She sighed deeply. At this point, she felt like she would only be released from Stephans hold only if she died.
Was there really no other way? Dirk What kind of man was he?
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