Chapter 1

The letter had been laying in front of Philip for quite a while, as he just couldn't be bothered to open it. He would need a miracle to solve this mess he was in. Sighing, he finally broke the seal and folded the paper apart.

To

The Duke of Cornwall

Dear Philip Alexander, Duke of Cornwall!

I am writing this letter to you in order to table a proposal to you. I have heard of your efforts to settle the debts that your dear father - may he rest in peace - made in the past years and am willing to take care of those for you. Therefore I have a very generous offer for you.

All current debts will be settled and I shall personally help you to get back on your feet businesswise. You shall always have my counsel and I shall provide you with further payments, should you need it.

In return I shall not ask for much at all. My youngest son, Marcus Christoph, is coming of age and for a matter of fact I am on the lookout for an eligible bride for him. The beauty and kind soul of your sister Antonia Willow Clarice is well known by people in town. Unfortunately a marriage with her doesn't grant my son any lands or titles at that. Therefore additionally to a marriage arrangement between the two of them, I must insist on one more thing. As soon as the two shall be wed, the title and lands of Cornwall shall be my sons. You, of course, will be allowed to stay at the estate for as long as you wish.

I am aware that this might seem like a big price to pay for you, but if you were to think about it, you would surely come to the conclusion, that this is the best for all parties involved. You have met my son Marcus before and can surely testify that he is a proper gentleman and that your sister is in good hands with him. This also lightens the burden of you, to find her a husband in a few years time, when she has come of age. Just keep in mind the costs of all the gowns she will need to attend the balls during the season. It really is quite impressive how much a woman can spend on her appearance - I am speaking from experience here. It would bring me great pleasure, my friend, to save you from all this nonsense and great additional expenses.

It should also be a great relief for you to not have the burden of taking care of this huge estate on your shoulders. My son Marcus is currently travelling the world on the hunt for adventures. When I was his age, that was what I desired most as well - I am sure you can relate to that. You would be free to do that, and your sister would be taken care of.

Please consider my offer well and take your time with your decision, there is no need to rush things. I, of course, notice that this is a big decision to make and I am in no way wanting to pressure you into anything you wouldn't want. All I can and want to do is help you, my friend.

In expectancy of your reply,

Joseph II

Grand Duke of Yorkshire

Philip was taken aback by the letter and the Grand Duke's proposal. He didn't even know what to think.

Could he seriously consider an offer like that?

No.

It would feel like selling his sister off to a man in order to pay these debts. He couldn't possibly be even thinking about that. And she would never comply with an arranged marriage, for she was even more free-spirited than he himself was. Even if he were to force her into the marriage, she would never forgive him. How could she? - He wouldn't be able to forgive himself either.

Just the thought of her trapped in that marriage for the rest of her life. Unhappy. Forced to do what is expected of her. Forced to fulfill all her husband's wishes and needs. No, no amount of debt would counterbalance that. It was hard enough as it was for her now. She never really got to meet her mother and now losing her father as well... This was in no way fair.

And besides he couldn't just give over the Cornwall estate. It had been inherited for generations. There was no way he would just sell it off to settle those stupid debts.

Oh, what did his father think to borrow so much money? How was he planning on paying all of that back? He had been a drunken idiot those past years. And even though it pained him to think that, Philip knew, that his passing was, what had been best for all three of them. His father would have only gotten into more and more debts that would have been even more impossible to pay back than the amount that Philip was faced with now.

Philip had started pacing through what was once his father's study. The Grand Duke's letter still in hand, he threw another glance at it. How dare that man take the liberty to propose such an obnoxious deal to him? What kind of man did the Grand Duke have to be to consider this helping them? He would be helping them by paying those debts without asking for anything in return, Philip thought bitterly. But that was not the way that this world worked. No one got anything offered for free and everyone was just thinking about themselves.

Slamming the letter down on the desk and dropping down on the chair behind it, he buried his head in his hands. Whatever was he going to do? There had to be some solution to this mess... Right?

The only other solution he could see at this point though was letting the servants go. They simply couldn't afford to keep all of them. Getting rid of his beloved horses would break his heart, but that would at least bring some money in, and they really needed every single penny right now.

But Philip knew that letting go the servants and selling the horses would only cover a minor part of the huge mountain of debts that he was facing. In order to pay everyone back, they'd have to sell the estate. And he couldn't do that. Not in a million years. Not over his dead body.

If only he had more time. But the people that his father borrowed the money from were already growing impatient. Especially now that he was not amongst them anymore. Philip knew he made an easy target. He had to have things under control to earn the respect from the other Lords and Dukes. This was also vital for the future as there would be trades and deals going on between them. If he failed to solve this mess.... No, he mustn't even think of that. Failing wasn't an option. He had to take care of himself and his sister.

Driving his fingers through his hair, he looked up again. His gaze once again landing on the letter. He didn't want to accept that offer. He didn't like any part of it. But right now, options were limited. It was either losing it all within the next few months - possibly just weeks - or giving up a part of it in a few years time.

Philip had known and the letter confirmed it, that Marcus was currently away to travel the world and god only knew when he'd be back.

.... If he'd be back. Philip by no means wished any harm to the Grand Duke's son, but things happened. Life was deadly and especially when travelling forgein countries. He could slip while climbing a mountain. There could be a storm during his travels by ship and the ship might sink. The point was, life was dangerous and there was a possibility, even if just a really slim one, that Marcus would never even return from his travels.

By that time the debts would be paid and Philip would have had enough time to arrange everything necessary to be able to live a comfortable life without the Grand Duke's help. All his other sons were already married so there was no other son left to take Marcus' place. Willow could choose a man to marry and all their problems would be solved.

But was it worth the risk? Chances were much higher, that Marcus would return safely and Willow would be forced into this marriage, whether she liked it or not. Once the deal was settled there was no going back.

On his feet again, Philip started pacing back and forth once more. He didn't want to make that decision. He didn't want to make any decisions at all.

This was all too much. Just way too much. Not only were both of his parents dead. They also left him here by himself in charge of all these things that he seemingly didn't know a single thing about. Why didn't his father teach him? Why didn't he show him?

A hopeless groan escaped his lips, as he desperately pulled on his hair, searching for the answers to all the questions, his father left behind.

He just wanted to leave. Run away and leave it all behind. To be free again. Galloping through the fields without a single worry on his mind. But here he was, trapped in this study, in this house, this estate. With a ton of problems on his shoulders, that he had to carry by himself.

This was too much! WAY too much! He couldn't do this! There was no way, he would be able to do this by himself. It was simply impossible to pay all those debts back by himself.

The Grand Duke was right. That deal would help them. No, it would save them. It was the only way. And yes, sacrifices would have to be made. But they would have to be made either way. This was, what would be best for everyone, not just himself. Philip didn't know Marcus too well, but he was sure that he'd be a good husband for Willow. She'd be fine. She was a strong girl. So strong that she killed your mother. A small voice in his head added. Philip didn't like the thought, but it was true. Their mother had died giving birth to his sister.

In some way, all of this was Willow's fault. If she had never been born, his mother would still be alive. There would have been no reason for his father to drown his sorrow of the loss of his wife in alcohol. There would have been no gambling. Everything would be fine, if it wasn't for Willow. It was only fair that she would have to make some sacrifices to make up for this mess!

And yet she didn't even realise her fault in all of this. She was just grieving for her father. How could she not see that it was because of her, that he started drinking. And that because of his drinking problem everything started going downhill. No, she was oblivious to all of that! The little Miss only cared about herself. Whatever did she ever do to help keep things together? It was always him that had to take responsibility and action. While she would play with her friends not a single worry on her mind, he was trying to get through to their father, trying to set things straight.

It wasn't only that she didn't care or see what she did. She made things worse. Named after her mother, Antonia, and looking just like her, she was a constant reminder of their loss. It had been Philip's idea to call her by her second name Willow, as their father could barely say his daughters name without bursting into tears. It had been a stupid idea to name her after her mother in the first place, but Philip had been to young to have a say in this, when she was born. He had only been 4 years old then. Barely understanding what had happened at all. He just knew that all of a sudden, his mother was gone and instead there was now this constantly crying baby, that had to be taken care of.

Willow ruined it all. Oh, how he wished she would never have been born. They would all still be happily together. Just his parents and him. But no, that stupid child had to tear this family into shreds. Even if they were siblings by blood, he would never be able to forgive her for this. How could he?

But back to the matter at hand. Willow being married off, was another problem off of his hands. She should consider herself lucky to marry a man that was about her age and she would be able to live here for the rest of her life. She should be thanking him for arranging this for her. But knowing his sister, she would not see things realistically, but in her own twisted way. Well, she would have to face up to the future sooner or later. He would make her see. And then she'd come to realize what she did, by just coming into this world. She would see how she ruined his life and that of their parents. She would see that it was all her fault!

Now mad and highly determined Philip sat back down at the desk, hastily fetched a piece of paper out of one of the drawers and grabbed the pen, not being able to let another second pass. The decision had been made and now it was time to reply to the Grand Duke. He would request a meeting to discuss the further details, but his mind was made up. One way or another, this deal would be settled. And all their problems would be solved. And he would finally have some space to breathe again.

To

The Grand Duke of Yorkshire

Dear Joseph II, Grand Duke of Yorkshire!

It was with greatest pleasure that I received your letter. What a kind gesture of you to reach out to me, in this time of grieve and need. I appreciate your offer and would be delighted to arrange a meeting for us to discuss the deal in detail.

I would like to let you know upfront though, that I am more than happy to accept this offer. After giving the matter some thought, I have come to the conclusion, that this deal is not only very generous of you, but is in fact the best for all parties involved, as you put it in your letter.

I am sure my sister will be upmost delighted to make the acquaintance of your son, once he returned from his travels. Certainly they will get along well and will make a beautiful couple.

Concerning our meeting to discuss the final details and set up the agreement I would like to invite you to visit the Cornwall Estate tomorrow. I will be looking forward to welcoming you here and and hope the date is convenient for you. If you should be busy tomorrow, feel free to contact me anytime and suggest another time.

I shall be awaiting your reply.

Until then gratefully remains

Philip Alexander, Duke of Cornwall

Philip lit the small red candle on the table in order for the wax for the seal to melt, while he folded the letter up. The anger had vanished now and somehow he wasn't so sure about his decision anymore. He stopped the movement of his hands that were folding up the letter mid air. Maybe he should sleep over this. Deep down he knew that Willow was not to blame for their mother's death. No one was to blame. Willow didn't decide to be born and she surely wouldn't have wanted for her mother to die giving birth to her. She surely missed her just as much as Philip did, even if she never got to know her. Maybe he should try to find another way. Surely there was another - a better way. Maybe he could-

His thoughts were rapidly interrupted by the door slamming open, nearling hitting the book shelf behind it and Willow storming into the room. She didn't even seem to notice her brother as her gaze was fixed on the book shelf right next to his desk.

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